News Center newsletter

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care - Allamakee Public Health is working to increase awareness among Iowans of the risk factors for skin cancer and provide information about how to be protected from the sun. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is one of the top five cancers on the rise in Iowa. Melanoma is highly treatable if detected early.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, mostly from the sun, but UV rays can also be from artificial sources like tanning beds, where they can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

by Senior Life Solutions, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Many people want to support a friend, spouse, parent, or neighbor who is struggling, but they are not sure what to say. During Mental Health Awareness Month, here are a few simple ways to show up for someone without needing to be an expert. 

What helps most: 
• Start small. “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you really doing?” 
• Listen more than you fix. You do not have to solve it to be supportive. 
• Offer a specific next step. “Want me to drive you to an appointment?” or “Can I sit with you for a bit?” 
• Check in again. One conversation is great, but consistency is even better. 
• Encourage support early. Getting help sooner usually means better outcomes. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For years there was a severe shortage of providers in northeast Iowa who could help with mental health needs, until Tara Fink, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics. Her practice was soon full. With the additions last fall of two more Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Janet Hunter, PMHNP, and Angela Taylor, PMHNP, patients of all ages can be seen quickly, conveniently and confidentially locally.

by Minji Ransom, Nurse Practitioner, VMH Waukon and Postville Clinics

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions we see at the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Clinics. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation that may make everyday activities more difficult.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between the joints gradually wears down over time, often from aging or repetitive “wear and tear.”

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, June 1, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Because blood is in such great demand during the summer months, a free t-shirt will be given to all blood donors that day.

Jim and Jan Pfiffner of Harpers Ferry will be celebrating both of their birthdays this Sunday, May 31 from 2-4 p.m. at the Calmar Lutheran Church basement, 200 North East Street in Calmar. Jim will be celebrating his 80th birthday May 31 and Jan will be celebrating her 70th birthday which is later this year, October 12.

For those not able to attend the celebration in Calmar, cards and well wishes may be sent to 1239 Lansing Harpers Road, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146.

Gordon P. Anderson and Karen L. (Dahlstrom) Anderson are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. The couple married June 11, 1961 at Center Baptist Church in Lansing. Friends, family and acquaintances are invited to the couple’s anniversary celebration at the Waukon Wellness Center, 1220 3rd Ave. NW, Saturday, June 13 from 2-5 p.m. The celebration will be hosted by Dave Sr., Christine, Terry, Sue, Chad, Denise and Rebecca.

For those not attending the celebration in Waukon, cards and well wishes may be sent to 1408 Drake Road, Waterville, IA 52170.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament is set this year for Monday, June 22 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Teams of three will begin the day with a shot gun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch and dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for the donation of $100 per person or $300 per team.

All those interested in joining the event are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. For more information about the golf tournament, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

To the Editor:

If you were President, and had all the billions of dollars that Trump has spent on his ego, through wars, ballrooms, paving over the rose garden, gilding all the rooms in the White House, painting the reflecting pool blue, and I don’t know what else we haven’t heard about, what would you do with it?

Would you fund such “unnecessary” things as preschool for all children, maybe free meals, breakfast and lunch. We know kids learn better when they are not hungry. Maybe a new health system, where everyone has access to medical care, no matter how rich or poor. A great way to help that would be funding local hospitals and clinics, raising wages for the nurses and aides, and all the people who are instrumental in keeping the doors open.

Why not help students afford to get the education and training they need to fill our need for health workers, and all the general trades that are crying out for new high skill workers.

To the Editor:

Regarding the problematic role of 200 Main Street in the Main Street right-of-way (Hwy. 9) project. Come Fall 2027 the project is scheduled to begin.

As you may have observed, the condition of the building’s rear exterior is in need of work with bricks and stones from time to time having tumbled to the adjoining sidewalk and alley. Thus, the alley exit/entry is barricaded.

Because of the critical location of the building in the right-of-way project, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) hired a consulting firm to evaluate the physical condition of the building’s interior and exterior. Given the age and condition of the building’s exterior they expressed concern about the impact of vibrations from construction activities too close to the building.