Read more about the article October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Four Key Steps for Early Detection of Breast Cancer” From the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer early on, which could significantly increase one’s chances of recovery; including 1) perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE), 2) have regular exams of the breast by a physician, 3) have a screening mammogram regularly and 4) be alert for possible symptoms. Pictured are the Mammographers at Veterans Memorial Hospital who perform mammograms using the 3D Mammography Machine, including, back row left to right, Kelly Baxter, Heidi Ryan, Danielle Ferring and Amanda Leiran, with Keisha Coon, in front, center.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Four Key Steps for Early Detection of Breast Cancer” From the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer…

Continue ReadingOctober is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Four Key Steps for Early Detection of Breast Cancer” From the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital
Read more about the article Decorators and Donors Needed for 32nd Annual Christmas Fantasy:  This Year’s Theme “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!”
Pictured is a scene from the 2022 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Christmas Fantasy. This year, the theme will be “Wishing you a Merry Grinchmas.” Decorators are needed to decorate the numerous trees for display as well as donors needed for the silent auction items. This is the 32nd annual Christmas Fantasy hosted by the Foundation and will be held November 10, 11, 12 and 13 at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Decorators and Donors Needed for 32nd Annual Christmas Fantasy: This Year’s Theme “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!”

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation has announced the 2023 Christmas Fantasy held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.  This will be the 32nd  annual Fantasy event the Foundation has hosted.…

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Read more about the article September is Newborn Screening Awareness and Baby Safety Month
September is Newborn Screening Awareness and Baby Safety Month. Being sure to schedule newborn well-child visits following the baby’s birth is very important, according to Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner, Katy Maker, at Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics, pictured here.

September is Newborn Screening Awareness and Baby Safety Month

September is Newborn Screening Awareness and Baby Safety Month.   Being sure to schedule  newborn well-child visits following the baby’s birth is very important, according to Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner,…

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Read more about the article September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month: Know Your Numbers with VMH Lab Walk-In Wellness Testing!
Know your numbers! The Veterans Memorial Hospital Lab offers community wellness testing, including cholesterol lipid panels, at a low upfront cost, to help accommodate individuals that may forgo these important tests due to the cost of high health insurance premiums and deductibles. For more information, please call the Laboratory at 563-568-3411.

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month: Know Your Numbers with VMH Lab Walk-In Wellness Testing!

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains cholesterol as a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your…

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Read more about the article September is National Suicide Prevention Month-What to Say and Not Say
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Help is available locally for those suffering from a mental health issue. This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message that everyone can help prevent suicide and encourages everyone to ‘Be The 1 To’….. Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Stay Connected, Follow Up and Learn More. Tara Fink, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics is available to see patients at both the Veterans Memorial Hospital Postville and Waukon clinics. Please read on to know what to say and not to say in the case of anyone contemplating suicide.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month-What to Say and Not Say

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7 for anyone contemplating suicide.  This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message that everyone…

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Read more about the article Area Hospice Providers to Attend VMH Auxiliary and Elliott Jewelers 18th Annual Women’s Health Day September 26
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will be hosting their 18th annual Women’s Health Day wellness event on Tuesday, September 26, at the Waukon Banquet Center. the theme, “Embracing Life at All Stages” will cover all areas of Hospice care, behavioral health care and learning to connect with kindness. Pictured is a view from last year’s event. All vendors will return to this year’s event, including the three local Hospice providers, plus a new menu of sandwiches, salad bar buffet, dessert and beverage will be served. Everyone purchasing a ticket will be entered into a drawing for a Ladies’ 14kt yellow gold diamond & genuine green garnet pendant on an 18” yellow gold rope chain (retail value $1,000) compliments of Elliott Jewelers of Waukon. Tickets are on sale now at Elliott Jewelers and Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Area Hospice Providers to Attend VMH Auxiliary and Elliott Jewelers 18th Annual Women’s Health Day September 26

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon are excited to announce they will be hosting their 18th annual Women’s Health Day wellness event on Tuesday,…

Continue ReadingArea Hospice Providers to Attend VMH Auxiliary and Elliott Jewelers 18th Annual Women’s Health Day September 26
Read more about the article Heath Unit Coordinator – An Important Role
Veterans Memorial Hospital has three full-time health unit coordinators who help maintain the flow of patient care, providing support and communication to all staff and families on the patient floor. Pictured at the Nurse’s Station is Becki Estebo and at the ER station is Erin Troendle, standing, with Celeste Gavin.

Heath Unit Coordinator – An Important Role

    The role of the Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) is vital to the operations of the patient floor in any health care facility.  Veterans Memorial Hospital has three full-time…

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Allamakee County Public Health Continues to Hold Monthly Blood Pressure Clinic Checks at all Libraries Throughout the County

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee Public Health began offering monthly free blood pressure check clinics all around Allamakee County in June.  Nurses from Allamakee County Public Health…

Continue ReadingAllamakee County Public Health Continues to Hold Monthly Blood Pressure Clinic Checks at all Libraries Throughout the County

August Is Kids Eat Right Month®–Parents, Caregivers Can Serve As Role Models for Positive, Healthful Habits From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Foundation say parents and caregivers can play a significant role in children’s nutrition and health by teaching kids about healthful foods, being…

Continue ReadingAugust Is Kids Eat Right Month®–Parents, Caregivers Can Serve As Role Models for Positive, Healthful Habits From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Read more about the article Recent ER Survey Shows Very Positive Results for Hospital ER Department
The Emergency Department was recently surveyed by five professionals from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Services, who intensely investigated the policies, procedures, and equipment in the department. This verification happens every 3 years to ensure Veterans Memorial Hospital is meeting the criteria and to offer feedback on what can be done to improve the trauma program. The survey results were very successful with some key takeways on how to improve the program. Pictured outside of the Veterans Memorial Hospital ER is the team who helped complete the survey, including John Kelly, ER Provider; Jayne McCormick, Chief Nursing Officer; Callie Thorson, ER Supervisor; Jacob Dougherty, EMS Supervisor; Dr. Dave Schwartz; and Michael Coyle, Chief Executive Officer.

Recent ER Survey Shows Very Positive Results for Hospital ER Department

The Emergency Department was recently surveyed by five professionals from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Services, who intensely investigated the policies,…

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Read more about the article Auxiliary Pillow Perk Set-Annual Membership Drive On Now!
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary meets monthly the 2nd Monday of each month, at 1:00 p.m., in the ICN Conference Room at Veterans Memorial Hospital. In addition to their annual membership drive, they host the following events each year….the Women’s Health Day which will be held on Tuesday, September 26; the feather pillow Pillow Perk (pictured here) which is set for October 16, and a spring garage sale, all in addition to the gift case items located just inside the main entrance to the hospital. The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital’s annual membership drive is on now. New members are always welcome.

Auxiliary Pillow Perk Set-Annual Membership Drive On Now!

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services.  Their annual membership drive is on now.  Auxiliary membership dues…

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Read more about the article Waukon Lions Club Donates to Diabetes Education Program
The Waukon Lions Club recently made a sizeable donation to the Diabetes Education Program in support of their mission of supporting diabetes and vision impairment. This donation will fund the purchasing of diabetes education reference materials for patients, pictured here, as well as funding one-on-one diabetes consultations for those without insurance who need this scholarship to obtain this useful education. Pictured, from left to right, is Roger Bublitz and Tom Phipps, President, of the Waukon Lions Club, Angie Mettille, RN/BSN, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Neal Daley, Secretary of the Waukon Lions Club.

Waukon Lions Club Donates to Diabetes Education Program

The Waukon Lions Club recently made a sizeable donation to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Education Program in support of their mission of supporting diabetes and vision impairment.   This donation…

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Read more about the article Point of Contact Testing Proves to be Life-Saving
Jane Wedo of Castalia visited the Veterans Memorial Hospital fair booth in 2022 and had her blood pressure checked. After finding a very high result, she was directed to seek medical attention right away. Jane, pictured here, returned to the hospital fair booth this year to thank them for saving her life.

Point of Contact Testing Proves to be Life-Saving

Veterans Memorial Hospital offers Blood Sugar Testing and Blood Pressure checks with immediate results at most all community events.  Both of these checks take just a few seconds to perform…

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Read more about the article World Breastfeeding Week-Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding
Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife at Veterans Memorial Hospital & Clinics, pictured here with baby Tatum Schwartz, reviews the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.

World Breastfeeding Week-Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

By Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic  Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is only one of the many decisions expectant…

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Read more about the article The Importance of Utilizing Swing Bed Skilled Care to Return Home Safely After Illness or Surgery
Pictured is 91 year old Grace Bulman of Eitzen, just before going home from Veterans Memorial Hospital just two weeks following surgery from a broken hip. Grace utilized the Swing Bed Skilled Care program to help return to her home safely in a short period of time. Patients recovering from an illness or surgery often need skilled care for things like physical/occupational/speech therapy or longer-term IV antibiotics, prior to being able to return home. Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages anyone who would benefit from this level of care to ask for a referral to be made.

The Importance of Utilizing Swing Bed Skilled Care to Return Home Safely After Illness or Surgery

On July 4, Grace Bulman, age 91 of Eitzen, was busy preparing for her family to arrive for the festivities, using a leaf blower on her back deck when she…

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Read more about the article Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive ON NOW!
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is now holding their annual membership drive. The Auxiliary is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services and needed equipment. Pictured, left to right, are some members of the Auxiliary with hospital medical staff including Ann Roed, Auxiliary Secretary; Callie Thorson, RN, ER Supervisor; Connor Meyer, Respiratory Therapist, Sherrie Hunstad, Auxiliary Member; and Donnalee Osland, Auxiliary Treasurer. They are pictured by the new Carbon Monoxide detectors the Auxiliary purchased for both the ER and OB departments. All the money the Auxiliary receives through memberships and fundraisers goes back to the hospital for equipment. Membership enrollment forms are available at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive ON NOW!

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive which is going on now. The…

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Read more about the article Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive Now On!
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is now holding their annual membership drive. The Auxiliary is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services and needed equipment. Pictured, left to right, are some members of the Auxiliary with hospital surgical staff including Laura Wiltgen, RN; Jessica Jones, RN, Surgery Supervisor; Jacqueline Welch, RN; Lillian Larson, Auxiliary; Mary Fink Auxiliary and Brooke Weighner, RN. They are pictured by the new surgery sterilizers that were purchased thanks to the help of funding from the Auxiliary. All the money the Auxiliary receives through memberships and fundraisers goes back to the hospital for equipment. Membership enrollment forms are available at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive Now On!

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive which is going on now. The…

Continue ReadingAuxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive Now On!
Read more about the article Parents Urged to Schedule Child Immunizations Now,  Avoid Back-to-School Rush
With the new school year just around the corner, Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/ Allamakee Public Health, pictured here, is reminding all parents to ensure their children are up to date on all immunizations. It is important to get the vaccines scheduled now before the back-to- school rush. Vaccine appointments are available locally by calling Allamakee Public Health at 568-5660.

Parents Urged to Schedule Child Immunizations Now, Avoid Back-to-School Rush

With the new school year just around the corner, Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/ Allamakee Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS)…

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Read more about the article Veterans Memorial Hospital Ranked #1 in Cleanliness by Iowa Hospital Association through National HCHAPS Surveys
Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Housekeeping Department, most all pictured here, have earned the hospital the #1 ranking out of 3,267 hospitals in the United States for cleanliness, as announced by the Iowa Hospital Association through the collection of the HCHAPS survey results taken from the patient’s Press Ganey surveys. The hospital also ranked very high in nursing communication, physician communication, communication about medications as well as overall quality of care.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Ranked #1 in Cleanliness by Iowa Hospital Association through National HCHAPS Surveys

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Housekeeping Department has earned the hospital the #1 ranking in the country for cleanliness, according to the Iowa Hospital Association.   The Association’s Quality Program Measure Trends Analysis…

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Read more about the article VMH Postville Medical Clinic One-Year Anniversary
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Postville Medical Clinic! These visible flags are flown outside of the clinic during all open hours. These signs have the message, Medical Clinic Open, and are printed in three different languages.

VMH Postville Medical Clinic One-Year Anniversary

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Postville  Medical Clinic.  The new clinic opened July 5, 2022, replacing the current Postville Medical Clinic owned and operated…

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Read more about the article Exceptional Care Away From Home When Vacationing in NE Iowa
Often accidents and health emergencies arise when enjoying the outdoor activities northeast Iowa offers, and one finds themselves being taken to an unfamiliar health care facility. That was the case for Darwin Thirtyacre of Iowa City, IA, who suffered a stroke while camping in Lansing. He has chosen to continue his recovery in Waukon and is pictured here with many members of his health care team. Including, left to right, Austin Troendle, Physical Therapist; Kim Gossling, RN, Melissa Clark, Occupational Therapist; Penny Wheeler, C.N.A. and Marissa Shelton, RN.

Exceptional Care Away From Home When Vacationing in NE Iowa

Northeast Iowa attracts thousands of visitors and vacationers each year, especially during the summer months.  Often accidents and health emergencies arise when enjoying these outdoor activities, and emergency care is…

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Read more about the article Foundation’s 30th Annual Golf Tournament Results
The 30th annual Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament was held on Monday, June 19, at the Waukon Golf and Country Club. A record 36 teams of three participated. The Foundation Golf Tournament is an annual event, held each year in June at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Foundation’s 30th Annual Golf Tournament Results

The 30th annual Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament was held on Monday, June 19, at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.  A record 36 teams of three participated…

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Read more about the article Hospital C.N.A.’s Share Thoughts on Career Dedication During National C.N.A. Week
Veterans Memorial Hospital utilizes C.N.A.’s in patient care on both the inpatient floor of the hospital and as Home Care Aides in the Community and Home Care Department. Pictured is Penny Wheeler, C.N.A., with inpatient Darwin Thirtyacre of Iowa City.

Hospital C.N.A.’s Share Thoughts on Career Dedication During National C.N.A. Week

June 15-21 is National C.N.A. (Certified Nursing Assistant) Week.  Certified nursing assistants began working under the Red Cross program during World War I where they were trained to care for…

Continue ReadingHospital C.N.A.’s Share Thoughts on Career Dedication During National C.N.A. Week