Author: Erin Berns

This author has written 15 articles
Read more about the article The Role of the Healthcare Social Worker
Laura Sorenson, Veterans Memorial Hospital Social Worker provides the assistance families need for taking the next steps following a hospital discharge and helping with a referral to Swing Bed Care, even from another healthcare facility.

The Role of the Healthcare Social Worker

by Laura Sorenson, VMH Social Worker Social workers perform a variety of roles, but their primary job is to connect members of the community with resources that may be beneficial…

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Read more about the article Local Band Members Reunite After 45 Years to Benefit the Health Care Foundation
Forty-five years later, original members of three local bands, Rising Sun, Horizon and Jackson Junction, will be reuniting Mother’s Day Weekend, on Friday evening, May 12, for one night in downtown Waukon. Eleven of the 12 original band members will be returning and forming the group, “Bandmates, Brothers and Friends,” or “BBF.” Members pictured here in this original 1990s-era poster of Jackson Junction include, front to back, Jim Withers, Bill Withers, Keel Clemmens, the late Pat Dougherty, and Gary Hesla.

Local Band Members Reunite After 45 Years to Benefit the Health Care Foundation

Original members of three local bands will be reuniting on Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 12, for one night in downtown Waukon.  This benefit event features a reunion…

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Read more about the article New Pulsara Communication System Used for Emergencies-The Reason Your First Responder May be On their Phone During An Emergency
Pulsara is the new communication system being used by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance staff, for fast, quality patient condition updates. Pulsara allows the EMS staff to alert the hospital staff as to the cares needed by the emergency patient so they can best prepare for their arrival at the hospital. Pulsara is a free, HIPAA-compliant communication platform that bypasses the user’s internal phone memory to ensure the security of all data transferred through the app-based program. As the first responder enters more information, such as the patient’s medical history and vital signs, every member on the team is instantly updated. For this reason, hospital first responders are using their cell phone and tablets to transfer this information while on emergent calls.

New Pulsara Communication System Used for Emergencies-The Reason Your First Responder May be On their Phone During An Emergency

Pulsara is the new communication system being used by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance staff, for fast, quality patient condition updates.   Pulsara allows the EMS staff to alert the hospital…

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Read more about the article Preventing Colon Cancer with Colonoscopies
Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colonoscopies, a very thorough colon cancer test, are performed routinely in the Veterans Memorial Hospital surgical suite. Pictured is the hospital surgery nursing staff who help patients prepare and recover from this common, life-saving procedure.

Preventing Colon Cancer with Colonoscopies

Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colon cancer screening tests identify suspicious or pre-cancerous polyps, which…

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Read more about the article New Stroke Support Group
Steven Mazzafield is the Speech Language Pathologist and can help treat brain disorders such as stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.

New Stroke Support Group

Veterans Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with Steven Mazzafield, Speech-Language Pathologist, is pleased to offer a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and…

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Read more about the article Athletic Training Month-3 Trainers in VMH Rehab Department
Pictured are the three Athletic Trainers at Veterans Memorial Hospital including, from left to right, Shelly Valley, who is also a Physical Therapy Assistant; Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; and Austin Troendle, who is also a physical therapist. If a student has an injury that needs to be assessed, the student should contact their coach or school office for an assessment with these professionals at either the school or hospital.

Athletic Training Month-3 Trainers in VMH Rehab Department

March is National Athletic Training Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital has three athletic trainers on staff including Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; Austin Troendle, D-PT, ATC, who is also a physical therapist;…

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Read more about the article More SHIIP Volunteers Needed at VMH!
Nancy Schoh of rural Dorchester is a trained volunteer and available by appointment to meet with any person or family with Medicare questions and concerns. Schoh stated, “This volunteer job is rewarding. It feels so good to help people. Many of them are older and don’t even have a computer at home so they really need to help. SHIIP is just what they need and the community needs more SHIIP volunteers.”

More SHIIP Volunteers Needed at VMH!

Are mammograms covered by Medicare Part B?  What coverage can I get with Medicare supplement insurance?  Do long-term care policies cover people with Alzheimer’s disease?  Does every Medicare beneficiary have…

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Read more about the article Pulmonary Rehab Helps for Better Function Day to Day
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week will be March 12-18. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program offered locally at Veterans Memorial Hospital that teaches a person to live and breathe better with chronic lung disease. Pictured is pulmonary rehabilitation patient Monica Monserud of Waterville with Amy Rolfs, RN, during a pulmonary rehabilitation session at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Pulmonary Rehab Helps for Better Function Day to Day

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week:  March 12-18 Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program offered at Veterans Memorial Hospital that teaches a person to live and breathe better with chronic lung disease.  Conditions such…

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