thrive 1 - home - virginia gay hospital · 2018-05-31 · virginia gay hospital thrive | 3 | can i...

Virginia Gay Hospital thrive | www.myvgh.org 1

| GivingTradition

| Can I Do that at VGH?

2 Virginia Gay Hospital thrive | Spring/Summer 2018

SPRING/SUMMER 2018

A VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL PUBLICATION

Thrive is a publication for

Virginia Gay HospitalClinics, Home Health, Nursing & Rehab

502 N 9th Ave., Vinton, IA 52349Phone: 319-472-6200Online: www.myvgh.org

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: Mike RiegeHUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR: Kim FrankFOUNDATION DIRECTOR: Robin MartinCHIEF OF MEDICAL STAFF: Dr. Brian Meeker, D.O.

Produced for Virginia Gay Hospital byMonkeythis, Vinton, IA, www.monkeythis.com

COPY: Kurt KarrPHOTOGRAPHS: Maggie CoshowDESIGN: Bobbie HendryxCONSULTING EDITOR: Deb Wilberg

15 Safe to DriveSeniors now have access to technology helping them assess their driving skills.

| AgeWell

ON THE COVER: Bringing home a new baby can be both one of the happiest yet one of the most terrifying experiences in life. If you are expecting or have recently brought home your own bundle of joy, congratulations from all of us at Virginia Gay!

| HealthyFamily4 New Parents 101

Tips, tricks and other helpful information for welcoming baby into the family.

14 John AndersonA generous community benefactor tackles Vinton’s housing problem and Virginia Gay Hospital’s long term health.

3 Pride, Progressand PromiseVGH Administrator Mike Riege reflects on Virginia Gay’s past and bright future.

10 More Hours, More CareVirginia Gay introduces an expanded schedule in Atkins to make access more convenient.

9 Health Heroes to the RescueThe 4th annual health fair delivers free screenings and information from 57 exhibitors.

13 VFMC Grand OpeningThe new clinic in Vinton is an accom-plishment the entire community can be proud of: donors, patients, health care providers and VGH employees.

healthcare-advertising-awards.com

A national award competition recognizing the best healthcare marketing in 35 award categories

12 Summer SafetySurprising facts and pointers on staying safe this summer.

8 A Unique Community AssetVGH offers a broad spectrum of essential health care services and has a positive impact on our local economy.

16 3D Mammographyis Here!More accurate detection and fewer unnecessary call backs now available at Virginia Gay Hospital.

18 What Do All TheLetters Mean?A quick glossary of the alphabet soup after your health care professional’s name.

| FeelingGreat!

17 Speciality Care At VGH: UrologyLearn more about expanded urological services offered through Physicians Clinic of Iowa.

National AwardWinning Publication


| Can I Do that at VGH

Tolstoy said, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” Well, there are no more plans in this old administrator’s briefcase, but a lot of projects are culminating this spring. May 10th was the official ribbon cutting for our new Vinton Family Medical Clinic. This facility will eventually hold nine providers and one behavioral health specialist.

WHY SO MANY PROVIDERS? Government and insurance company red tape has caused our physicians and advanced practice providers to spend enormous amounts of time documenting everything they do. Five years ago we only needed five providers to care for our patients. Now we need six providers to see the same number of patients. It also takes a larger staff in back offices to satisfy the insurance companies’ many requests for information and to obtain pre-approvals. Though we’ve tried to remedy this by adding more staff and scribes, there won’t be a significant improvement and reduction in the cost of healthcare until we have some political consensus at the state and federal levels on how to deliver and pay for our care. Another reason for the increased staff is that we believe Vinton and Benton County are poised for growth, and we want to help by growing too. Vinton has two new housing developments in planning stages; other communities in Benton County continue to add residents. With progressive leaders throughout the county moving forward on a variety of initiatives, we want to make certain our county’s medical infrastructure is ready as well. As we work hard to fulfill our mission of providing health care for the entire county, we are working amid a national crisis in the supply of doctors to care for our nation’s aging population. (The estimates are that within seven years the United States will face

a shortage of as many as 90,000 doctors!) That’s why we are so very fortunate that our focus on recruiting has paid off and we have two young doctors and their families soon joining us at Virginia Gay. Dr. Erica Silbernagel, D.O., husband Colman, and son Lincoln will be coming to Virginia Gay this fall. She is a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University and the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine. Now completing her third year of residency at the La Crosse-Mayo Family Medicine Residency, she is looking forward to her family moving into a home they recently bought in Vinton. Dr. Emily Guerber, M.D., is also in the La Crosse-Mayo Family Medicine Residency, in her second year. Emily and her husband Michael and daughter Margaret will be coming to Vinton in the fall of 2019. Dr. Guerber is a graduate of Michigan State University and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota. As pleased as I am with this positive news, we still have yet to fulfill a promise we made two years ago, and that is to recruit a behavioral health specialist. Unfortunately, behavioral health professionals are in even shorter supply than doctors.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? The next time you come to one of our clinics, take a look around the waiting room. Of all the people you see playing with their phones or reading old magazines, statistics show that at least half will be seeking care for issues related to behavioral health. They might have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. They might need to change behaviors to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart conditions. Maybe they have a substance abuse problem or may want help to quit smoking.

Behavioral health is used to describe a lot of things that affect a person’s health and well-being. We have felt for a long time that true healthcare reform will make our community healthier, and adding a behavioral health professional is a crucial step in that direction. We are working to have someone in that role soon and are working hard to get this important work done. To address the behavioral health needs of our patients in the meantime, we are partnering with local law enforcement and Mental Health and Disability Services of East Central Iowa to provide psychiatric telehealth screening services for patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of the hours or days that are needed to provide first level evaluation with our current resources, we will now be able to get the process started almost immediately. “Difficulties mastered,” said Winston Churchill, “are opportunities won.” I have often said how proud I am of our board and staff because of the dedication and resiliency they’ve shown while accomplishing great things in the face of serious challenges. Among our opportunities won is a major remodel of the hospital, construction of a new clinic in Vinton, and expansion of services in our outlying clinics. While working toward those goals we completely staffed our facilities in the midst of severe shortages of trained professionals. All of this was underway in an extremely tumultuous healthcare environment during which the Obama administration changed almost everything, and then the Trump administration changed it yet again. I believe my pride in our Virginia Gay community is justified, as is my pride in the communities of Benton County that have been on this journey with us. Good people can accomplish great things, no matter how difficult the times. Our staff, our patients, and our communities are those good people.

Pride, Progress and Promise

Mike RiegeADMINISTRATORVIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL


The car ride home is the first time many new families are completely on their own, and the memory of that day can last a lifetime. “A feeling of being petrified is what I remember,” says Nurse Practitioner Ali LaGrange. “Excitement mixed with terror,” is how Chelsea Peoples, PA-C, remembers the trip home with Jack, Chelsea and husband Daniel’s firstborn. A new family is created with every birth, even if siblings at home eagerly await the baby’s arrival. The relationship between mom and dad changes yet again; the other children and even the family pet go through an extended period of adjustment as the comfortable rhythms of daily life are upended and rearranged. Whether you’re a parent of grown children, or a new mom and dad, we hope you find the information about welcoming new babies into the family helpful, interesting, and, yes, even mildly entertaining.

Ali LaGrange, ARNP

Chelsea Peoples, PA-C

BABY

’S F

IRST

CAR

RID

E carseat safety checklistThough older adults may fondly remember roaming freely about the backseat, and even the front seat, at 60 miles per hour, those days are thankfully long gone.

Practice installing the carseat several times before you need to, AND practice tightening and unbuckling straps as well.

While the carseat is new, learn what all the parts should look like when they’re in top condition, and make sure they are.

Ask for help – there are people in your community trained to help you. Ask local law enforcement or ambulance service for resources in your community. Improper installation can cause injury in the event of an accident.

Avoid hand-me-downs – carseats deteriorate in use just as every-thing else does. Look for the carseat expiration date. Do not use a carseat that has been in an accident – another reason to avoid used carseats.

Take as much stuff home from the hospital in advance as possible — you don’t want a carload of flowers, cards, and clothes making the trip any more challenging than it will already be.

BEWARE OF USED CARSEAT BARGAINS! Purchasing everything you need for a new baby can often strain budgets, and buying used or borrowing can be a great option on lots of items. Always keep safety in mind and do your research by looking for expiration dates, product recalls and inspecting for excessive wear and tear, especially with carseats.

IT’S TIME TO BRING YOUR NEW BABY HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. NOW WHAT??

wear and tear

| HealthyFamily


AND THERE’S NO GOING BACK!Everything is brand new and from the moment your newborn arrives, the race is on. It’s worth doing what you can (and you can never do enough) to prepare for the substantial challenges you now will deal with. “For some new parents, their friends may not yet have had children, and they won’t under-stand how totally exhausted you are,” says Dr. Brian Meeker. “You aren’t crazy, and you’re not wimpy. Sleep can’t be saved-up like money or food. Know that you will be sleep deprived and do what you can to manage around being tired – almost all the time until your baby is sleeping longer at night, which should be in about six months.”

MOOD CHANGES: Mood changes – find ways to take a breath when you’re very tired – outbursts of anger and heightened anxiety come with sleep dep-rivation. While everyone knows not to shake a baby, it can happen in a moment of anger and frustration. Learn to walk away and take a moment for yourself.RECOGNIZE “MICRO-SLEEPS”: When extremely tired the body forces “micro-sleeps.” In a micro-sleep state, the eyes may be open, but the brain isn’t processing information. You can try to force wakefulness, but the body will win, and you’ll soon be struggling to remain awake again. Decision- making and driving are especially hazardous when you’re seriously short of sleep. SEX DRIVE DIMINISHES: As if there wasn’t enough going on in your relationship, sleep deprivation is another factor putting the brakes on intimacy.

FORGETFULNESS: Suddenly can’t remember much? Lack of sleep is a leading culprit.

PUMP AND SLEEP: Pump and sleep – If breast-feeding let your partner do diaper changes and put the baby back to bed. If bottle feeding, take turns feeding as much as possible.

POWER SNACKING: A full tummy can lead to better sleep. Keep a supply of easy snacks handy so while baby is getting some nutrition, you are too.

ONE NIGHT ON DUTY, ONE NIGHT OFF: Another tactic to try is trading nights of complete responsibility.

SLEEP IN A SEPARATE ROOM: While one parent keeps baby happy and fed, the other sleeps in a separate, quiet space.

ready, set,

Dr. Brian Meeker, D.O.

hilariousTHINGS SLEEP DEPRIVEDPARENTS HAVE DONE

1 “I tried to open the front door with the remote for my car.”

2 ”answered the doorbell in the middle of the night instead of picking the baby up”

3 “folded a basket of dirty laundry”

4 “filled a sippy cup with milk for the dog”

5 “put baby in the car seat and left the groceries in the cart in the parking lot”

6 ”put dirty makeup wipes in the jewelry box and threw away the earrings”

7”panic-stricken over not being able to locate the baby… I was nursing”

Parents: Samantha & Trey Brehm Kids: Quinn (1)

A: ATKINS FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC

“I have seen Stephanie since I was in elementary school while she

practiced at the Ahn clinic. My family followed her to the Atkins clinic when she began practicing there. We love how Stephanie gives us additional advice on topics of concern and how she shares tips and tricks to us as new parents!”

Samantha is an Art Educator at Prairie Crest Elementary School, in the College Community School District, and Trey works at ADM. Taking walks in nice weather and reading books to Quinn take up most of the family’s free time.

Q: Who do you see for all your well-child checks?

Stephanie Vogeler PA-C

well child & prenatal care AT VIRGINIA GAY FAMILY MEDICAL CLINICS

Virginia Gay Family Medical Clinics provide prenatal care to 30 weeks for pregnancies without complications. Well-child visits are available beginning after the first postpartum assessment, and children are cared for through adolescence. To schedule an appointment, call the clinic of your choice: Atkins, Urbana, Van Horne or Vinton Family Medical Clinic.


is it baby blues or postpartum?Perhaps you remember imagining your pregnant self as having a wonderful “glow,” but just felt lousy a good portion of the time. Postpartum can be like that too. You’ve been looking forward to this wonderful event, and now your body’s hormonal balance is suddenly changed. There are new stresses to cope with; having a newborn in the home can feel isolating, and fatigue doesn’t begin to describe how tired you are. The “baby blues” usually subside with time, but serious postpartum depression is a dangerous condition that should be dis-cussed with your medical provider. Remember too that fathers are also at risk of postpartum depression.

TEMPORARY SYMPTOMS that should end in a couple of weeks• Bouts of crying• Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep• Mood swings and irritability• Feeling almost completely overwhelmed

WARNING SIGNS of serious postpartum depression • Talk with your medical provider about your feelings

• Withdrawing from your partner and experiencing difficulty bonding with your baby• Anxiety so severe you have difficulty sleeping, even when very tired• Feelings of self-loathing or worthlessness• Suicidal thoughts

Don’t go it alone. Your family doctor or other health care provider is an especially valuable resource because they can provide care for both mother and baby. Talk with them about your thoughts and feelings, especially if postpartum difficulties persist. HOW TO HELP SOMEONE EXPERIENCING POSTPARTUM CHALLENGES

• Encourage her to express her feelings.• Offer to take as much of the household chores and childcare as you can.• Encourage her to take time to care for herself, and do what you can to make that possible.• Keep your perspective and know that this too shall pass.

Parents: Jenny & Nick WautersKids: Callie (5), Lucas (3), Ryan (1)

A: VAN HORNE FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC

“Our whole family sees Rita Taylor-Stewart in Van Horne, and

my husband and I have been patients there since we were kids. Rita always goes above and beyond when seeing my children. She will talk to them as people instead of patients, and she will ask them questions about their life, not just about why they are there. The staff has known my family for a long time, and they all feel like family. I know I can call them with any question or concern I have no matter how big or small.”

Nick works at Anderson-Erickson Dairy. Jenny worked as an LPN in dialysis before having children, but now the kids make being at home a full-time job. The family especially enjoys camping and spending time with friends and family.


bad parentingPIECES OF

1 Small doses of adult medication are OK: NOT TRUE! Children and babies aren’t “little adults.” Their biology is fundamentally different; they should only be given medications designed for their age.

2 Babies need water when the weather is hot: NOT TRUE! Babies’ kidneys are not fully formed, and too much water can cause an imbalance of electrolytes. Babies should get adequate water intake

from milk. Ask your provider when to start your baby on water.

3 Bumpers protect babies’ heads in the crib: NOT TRUE! Soft objects like bumpers are a hazard for babies. Babies are also unable to generate enough force to cause injury to their heads even if they “bonk” themselves against the rail.

4 Teething causes fever: NOT TRUE! Teething does not cause

fever, and the risk is that an illness will be ignored rather than promptly treated. Fever is caused by illness, not the physical discomfort caused by the eruption of teeth.

5 Walkers help babies learn to walk earlier: NOT TRUE! Not only are walkers dangerous around steps and stoves, walkers can inhibit the development of a baby’s ability to walk. For entertainment, a standing disk without wheels is better.

ADVICE

Rita Taylor-Stewart PA-C


Being a mom isn’t easy, and being the male in this newly remade relationship isn’t always like a picnic in the park either. For men, the birth of a firstborn child begins a journey from man to father, a terrain filled with emotional landmines men are often unable to recognize or talk about. The first three months of a new child’s life can be so disruptive that it’s sometimes called “the fourth trimester” for the men. As many as two-thirds of fathers report some form of the “blues” during this period, experiencing worries about being up to all that’s needed, feeling a loss of control, and dealing with a new strain in the relationship with the new mother. The focus on forming a strong bond between mother and baby means men can feel ignored. The most effective medicine for the men is to physically connect with baby. Studies now show how important both parents are to the development of the child and the healthy development of the entire family. Being present is important, but cuddling, baby talk, and caring for baby help create a foundation for everyone’s emotional well-being.

DIVE IN! Babies detect and learn from the different ways men and women hold and cuddle them, and even when men are very familiar with caring for babies, men and women interact with them differently. Babies whose fathers help with diapering, bathing and feeding are more resilient to emotional stresses than babies whose fathers aren’t actively involved.

WHAT ABOUT MEN AS PRIMARY CAREGIVERS?If men and women are different in the way they interact with babies, are women better for children as primary caregiver? Extensive research shows that when men are the primary caregiver, children develop normally but may exhibit slightly greater curiosity about new experiences. Children with men as primary caregivers are otherwise psychologically indistinguishable from children raised by female caregivers. Women report men as primary caregivers tend to be more emotionally available, and more patient with both child and mother.

SPEAKING OF MEN

Parents: Jackie & Shawn AberleKids: Carson (8), Gretchen (5), Kaydence (1)A: URBANA FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC

“We go to the Urbana clinic where Michele, the nurses, and the front desk staff are wonderful. We feel more like family than like patients of a

medical clinic! While I prefer to see Michele, I trust the doc-tors and the other providers at the Vinton clinic too when we need a late appointment, or something comes up on the weekend. Great people are how we describe both the Urbana and Vinton clinic medical teams.”

Shawn drives a semi for a grain elevator, the couple farms, and Jackie also runs a business. The Aberle family’s favorite things include ranger rides, going to the park, and going for walks/bike rides.

Parents: Kim & Joshua MeyerKids: Jonah (8), Hattie (5), A: VINTON FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC

“We go to the Vinton Family Medical Clinic and go there because it’s convenient; everyone’s friendly and very knowledgeable. We feel

comfortable knowing our kids are getting the best care. Dr. Maggie is our go-to lady, and I see her myself. Maggie treats all of her patients as if they were her children/family

and we couldn’t appreciate her more. I want to say, though, that we feel comfortable

going to any of the providers because we think they are all fantastic.”


Michele Burnes PA-C

Dr. Maggie Mangold, M.D.

Josh is a 5th-grade teacher at Shellsburg Elementary School. Kim has been Director of Teaching at Vinton-Shellsburg but is leaving that position to be a full-time health coach. Finding adventures the entire family can enjoy is at the top of their recreational choices



OVERALL IMPACT County Health Rankings1 places Benton county 48th in the state for risk factors related to ill health, including measures for health behaviors, social and economic factors affecting health, and factors related to the physical environment. Yet, the county ranking comparisons show Benton county 13th in the state for health outcomes; undoubtedly, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics is one of the reasons Benton county residents have good health outcomes compared to our health risks. A community hospital not only improves health but also provides jobs, supports other businesses like pharmacies, and provides many benefits to public health beyond its day-to-day operations. Like Iowa’s 117 other hospitals, Virginia Gay provides charity care to those unable to pay for the cost of healthcare and provides a variety of free services to the communities it serves. Virginia Gay provides emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and offers reduced costs to patients with limited household income. In 2016, the most recent figures available, Iowa’s hospitals didn’t receive payment for $270,000,000 in care. In addition, $162,000,000 in uncompensated care for our elderly and $50,000,000 in losses from Iowa’s Medicaid program made the total for uncompensated care provided by Iowa hospitals to $482,000,000. Virginia Gay experiences proportional losses from those same causes. The ability of Virginia Gay, and all the hospitals in the state, to sustain this level of unreimbursed care is currently our society’s only way of providing for the health and well-being of people in need who cannot afford their care. For Benton county, Virginia Gay Hospital also serves the important function of safeguarding public health. It serves as a source of public health information, and as the host facility for the Benton County Public

Health Department, VGH stands ready to respond to health emergencies and to work closely with the Benton County Emergency Management. Virginia Gay’s long-term nursing and rehabilitation facility consistently earns the highest quality ratings through organizations providing governmental oversight and through private, third-party surveys of residents and their family members. Virginia Gay Hospital is one of a small number of completely independent Iowa hospitals that do not receive support from local or county taxes. The hospital is supported entirely by patient services and charitable giving from the community through the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation.

ECONOMIC BENEFIT The presence of a hospital is extremely important to businesses and individuals interested in relocating to a community. Regardless of the age, access to professional medical care for routine visits and emergencies is extremely important. Virginia Gay Hospitals and Clinics employs 281 people with jobs ranging from direct patient care to environmental services. According to the Iowa Hospital Association’s annual Economic Impact Report, the payroll impact in Benton County, including services provided by other professionals, is $16,654,000.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT The gift establishing the hospital in Vinton arrived unexpectedly in 1923, many years after Virginia Walcutt Gay moved back to her native Ohio. “I have an affection for Vinton and its people,” wrote Virginia. “They were my happiest years.” In today’s dollars, Mrs. Gay’s gift would be in excess of $1M.

The patient community, with the help of the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, has recently constructed a new clinic in Vinton, remodeled the clinic in Atkins to offer expanded hours, and added 3D mammography services. Ongoing programs of the VGH Foundation include Reach Out and Read and Gifts of Hope. Reach Out and Read gives new books to young patients. Gifts of Hope provide financial assistance for women’s services. To learn more about how you can improve health care in Benton county, visit the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation at www.myvghfoundation.org.

1 Website: countyhealthrankings.org

Did you know that Virginia Gay Hospital is unique in that it is one of only a handful of Iowa hospitals completely independent of local and county tax dollars?

Virginia Gay Hospital and its four family medical clinics, all in Benton county, are supported entirely by patient services and charitable giving from the community through the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation. Clinics are located in Atkins, Urbana, Van Horne and Vinton.

A UNIQUE COMMUNITYASSET


The Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation’s 4th Annual Health Fair was held at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School in Vinton on April 7th. Despite the wind and cold, more than 450 people of all ages turned out for free health screenings, health information, and items donated by 57 local businesses and organizations. “We are very fortunate to have so many people who donate time and resources to make this event a success,” says Robin Martin, Director of the Virginia Gay Hospital

Health Care Foundation. Justin Gehrts from KCRG’s weather team distributed weather radios donated by the Vin-ton Fareway and store manager Dave Kelchen. Vinton Parks and Recreation donated the use of tables and super-sized games, and Alan Merchant transported all the tables and game materials. Teresa Erger and REFIT, Melissa Schwan, Matt Phippen, Jim Mayhew and Vinton Off-Road Cyclists, the Art Guild, HACAP, Vinton Lions Club, and KZIA provided entertaining activities that engaged the participants. Marcy

Horst and the Student Heroes, along with other volunteers, helped the day run smoothly and with an air of celebration. “The Vinton–Shellsburg Community School District was extremely supportive of the event,” according to Robin. “Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock, Principal Matt Kingsbury, Andrew Noe, and Les Bearbower did everything they could to make the high school a great venue for this year’s health fair. We are fortunate to have a school district actively engaged in improving the community while also doing the important work of educating students.” The VGH Foundation has been busy the past year with several large projects and continues to develop ongoing programs to support better health for patients and residents of all the communities VGH serves. “I enjoy my work for the foundation be-cause I know it results in positive benefits for our patients, supports our health care providers, and ultimately improves well-being in all the communities we serve,” Robin says. “I get the opportunity to work with tremen-dously generous people who are focused on improving everyone’s health. There is great personal satisfaction from knowing that our work creates healthier communities and bet-ter lives. A gift to the foundation, whether it is a gift of money, talent, or time, is a gift giving life and well-being today and for generations yet to come.” Contact Robin to learn more about becom-ing a major donor to the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 319-472-6375. Donations can also be made online at myvghfoundation.org or by sending your check to the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, 502 North 9th Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349.

4th Annual Benton County Community Health & Wellness Fair brought together many organizations and professionals all in the name of good health.

PHOTOS: (1) Melissa Macku, Director of Clinic Operations for VGH, is showing new books that young patients can take home after clinic visits. The books are made available by the hospital foundation’s Reach Out And Read program. (2) Girl power was in full force with volunteers from VSHS making superhero appearances. (3) Organizations from around the county were well-represented including fire departments and law enforcement. (4) Vinton Fareway manager Dave Kelchen and KCRG meteorolgoist Justin Gehrts. Find more photos from this event on the Virginia Gay Hospital Facebook page.

| FeelingGreat!

10 Virginia Gay Hospital thrive | Spring/Summer 201810 Virginia Gay Hospital thrive | Spring/Summer 2018


medical clinic in Atkins a more convenient primary care home for patients of all medical backgrounds. “I have been seeing patients who need an appointment but whose primary care provider can’t get them worked in as quickly as the patient wants,” Samantha says. “The experience in Vinton was fantastic, but I am excited about being in Atkins because I will have the opportunity to develop relationships with patients because I will be seeing them over a longer period of time.” “An advantage for the patient,” explains Samantha, “is the ability Stephanie and I have of working as a team. A patient may regularly see Stephanie but have a schedule that doesn’t always allow an appointment with her. Because we share the same computerized patient record, I can see what Stephanie and the patient have been doing and continue or alter treatment based on the circumstances at that time. The next day when Stephanie and I are working together, we can discuss the plan of treatment. Together we can provide consistency and continuity in the patient’s care.” Stephanie is starting work at 7 AM while Samantha is starting at 10 AM and will be available until 8 pm Monday-Thursday and 4 PM Friday. Therapy services in Atkins will continue to be scheduled flexibly around the needs of patients.

| HealthyFamily

The Atkins Family Medical Clinic is now offering appointments as early as 7 AM and will remain open until 8 PM, Monday through Thursday. Stephanie Vogeler, PA-C, has been the only provider at the Atkins clinic. “It’s pretty hard for people to take time off work, maybe run to the babysitter for the kids, be here for an appointment, and then try to scramble back to work,” says Stephanie. “That’s why I’m pleased that we are giving patients the chance to have an appointment at a more convenient time and still be able to maintain a relationship with one provider.” Stephanie recently shared how difficult it can be when patients need to be seen, but the schedule is packed. “I have a very difficult time telling a person with an illness that I don’t have time to see them, but that means people sit in the waiting room longer than they want to, and longer than I want them to. This can happen even more frequently when it’s flu season, and we’re trying to help everyone. Having another provider to help will not only let us make it more convenient to get an appointment, but it will also help reduce time spent waiting once the patient arrives.” The new provider is Samantha Isaac, PA-C. Samantha graduated last year from the Physician Assistant program at Des Moines University. She began seeing patients at the Vinton clinic soon after graduating but is now excited to accept her own patients, as well as helping make the VGH family

More HoursMORE

Professional Care by those who care about .

Stephanie Vogeler, PA-C

Samantha Isaac, PA-C

Atkins Family Medical Clinic is nowoffering extended hours for your convenience.

NEW CLINIC HOURS:7 AM-8 PM Mon.-Thurs.

7 AM-4 PM Fri.


| HealthyFamily

Cold wintry weather is long gone. The warm spring rains have turned the grass green, and the sky is blue. When summertime comes we’re ready to break out the grill, launch the boat, put on a swimsuit and hit the road! But the summer season is also trauma season for the medical professionals staffing hospital emergency depart-ments. By taking a few simple precau-tions, your summer can be full of fun and you can bypass the emergency room. Here are some rules of thumb indicat-ing when you should drop what you’re doing and head right for the ER:

COMMON SUMMER INJURIES

INJURY• Bleeding that won’t stop• Severe cut or laceration• Fainting or head injury with loss of consciousness or disorientation• Loss or change in vision• A major fracture that breaks the skin• Serious burn• A sudden change in mental status• Sudden shortness of breath/difficulty breathingNON-INJURY•Persistent chest pain • Signs of Stroke: symptoms include slurred speech, facial weakness, facial droop


Thursday, May 10, 2018 The Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the new Vinton Family Medical Clinic with a ceremony on Thursday, May 10th. On hand to deliver remarks to a large crowd in the new clinic’s waiting room were Virginia Gay Health Care Foundation board chairman Don Eells, Virginia Gay Hospital board chairman Mark Mossman, and Virginia Gay Hospital administrator Mike Riege. The grand opening celebration was the culmination of a fundraising campaign that began in the Fall of 2015. Construction began in the late summer of 2016 and continued until the new clinic opened late in the winter of 2017. “This clinic is important because we all want quality healthcare for ourselves and our families,” said Mark Mossman. “Given the choice, we want that care in our hometown given by people who are our neighbors and friends. It has taken our entire community to make Virginia Gay Hospital. Our greatest debt is to our community of patients, donors, medical providers, senior staff, employees, and elected officials. Thank you, because you have made this happen for all of us.” Don Eells, remarked that, “We are very fortunate to live in a community where people understand the importance of having quality local healthcare; people like you, and me, and our neighbors. We’ve certainly learned that when faced with a need, our communities rally, over and over again. Floods, fires, ice, winds - you name it, we’ve seen it, and we’ve met the challenge. The spirit of meeting challenges is what transformed the vision of constructing a new clinic into the reality we are in today. We’re proud and the entire Virginia Gay community should be very proud of what’s been accomplished. Thank you so much for your support and your generosity.” Mike Riege noted that the Vinton clinic project followed a successful $2.2M hospital renovation project, and that 475 donors contributed nearly $1M for the clinic. Combined with funds from the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, the community has contributed nearly $4M to the improvement of healthcare delivered close to home.

| GivingTradition

Mark Mossman Don Eells Mike Riege

Robin Martin


| GivingTradition

To look around Vinton is to see the positive impact made by the charitable giving of John and Bev Anderson.

Beverly passed away in June of 2012 at the age of 79, but the family’s support of the community continues. John’s most recent contribution is a donation to the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation to kick-start residential development of land south of the High School. The gift involves cash and a swap of land with the Fry Trust. “I know that the people managing the Fry Trust for the hospital are community-minded and concerned about doing what’s best for the community,” John explains, “and the ultimate beneficiary of the project will be the hospital. The hospital will benefit from any profits generated by the project, and housing will put the hospital in a better position for recruiting the trained workforce they need.” The supply of adequate housing is a problem for many rural communities, and Vinton’s shortage of housing has impacted the school, the hospital, and local businesses. According to information compiled as part of a labor analysis, about 50% of Vinton’s workforce commute into the community. The scarcity of housing also makes it more difficult for Vinton businesses and organizations to recruit employees. “I think housing availability is key to helping the community grow,” says John. “I think if we can get this development constructed, we will see the community moving forward in many ways.” Retired Vinton Parks and Recreation Director Duane Randall recently shared that he came to see John and Bev as friends of his family as well as friends of the community. “John & Bev were always the first to give their support to rec department projects and events,” says Duane, “but they never wanted to be recognized for their generosity. Their support to the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department is just one example of all they’ve done for the community, and I’m glad they are being recognized for all they’ve done.” “One amazing day,” recounts Duane, “John Ketchen and I visited the Andersons about

helping kick off a fund drive to purchase Moose’s Roller Skating Rink. We went into the meeting with John and Bev hoping to get the lead donation. After 5 or 10 minutes John turned to Bev and asked what she wanted to do; she said one word: ‘Yes.’ They weren’t going to be the lead donation; they purchased the facility which is now the Vinton Skate & Activity Center.” Brad Barker, the current director of Vinton Parks and Recreation, also had numerous examples of the Andersons’ generosity, but one that Brad especially appreciates is the ongoing support for Party In The Park. “John has been one of the festival’s premier contributors every year,” says Brad, “and as a result, this three-day event continues to grow and brings families and friends together to celebrate our community. Generosity and financial support have the power to create tremendous opportunities for community progress and quality-of-life enhancements. Anderson family gifts have positively shaped the community and certainly the Parks and Recreation Department.” A complete list of projects benefiting from the Andersons’ generosity would be difficult to compile, but another notable gift involves the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District. “John Anderson has been the school’s benefactor for many years,” explains Vinton-Shellsburg school superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock. “My first week as superintendent, Mr. Anderson stopped to see me. He introduced himself and said, ‘Let me know if there’s ever a time I can help the school with a donation.’ I had no idea at that point how pivotal their support would be.” “John and Bev donated the land for the high school complex, and several years later they donated additional land south of the site for our FFA students to use as a crop plot. John has continued his commitment to the school over the years including a generous donation to help with upgrades to the Karr Athletic Complex,” shares Mary Jo. “Perhaps even greater than his financial support has been the quiet support he’s given. He has praised kids and teachers individually. He has

attended many events long after his children graduated. He has regularly attended the FFA and wrestling auctions and been an active participant. John and his family haven’t received much recognition for all that they’ve done because they’ve always wanted to stay in the background. It’s clear he makes donations because he believes it is the right thing to do, and he clearly enjoys watching others enjoy what his gifts have helped create.” Helping provide the community with access to excellent healthcare has long been at the top of John’s list of community involvement. John and Keith Mossman were co-chairs of the capital campaign renovating Virginia Gay and upgrading much of the equipment. Today, John is married to Dottie (Anthony) Anderson and the couple enjoys seeing so many people benefit from projects the Anderson gifts have made possible. “John enjoys seeing others using the facilities, enjoying recreation, and learning,” says Dottie. “We share a passion for the community and an appreciation for what a wonderful home Vinton has been to us.” “You know,” says John, “when Dottie and I were married I spent our wedding night at Virginia Gay. Not exactly the way I wanted to celebrate, but when your heart is acting up, there’s nothing better than having a hospital close by and an excellent team of people to provide the care you need.” ….and Vinton appreciates the Anderson family’s leadership and vision.

Generosity and financial support have the power to create tremendous opportunities for community progress and quality-of-life enhancements.

John & Bev


| Age Well

DISTRACTED DRIVINGFIVE SECONDS. That’s the minimum time required to look at your phone and absorb information on the screen. At highway speed you will travel the length of a football field in those five seconds, and that is why an average of nine people die and more than 1,000 are injured every day because of distracted driving.

IMPORTANTREMINDERS:No matter what your age, these reminders bear repeating:• Use your phone’s do not disturb

feature while driving, or turn it off.• Avoid talking on your phone while

driving.• Let passengers handle the phone

calls for you.• Stow your cargo and your pet.• While on the road do one thing at

a time, and driving should be that one thing.

Drive safely ... It’s important.

We’re living longer and driving later in life. As we age, natural changes can make driving a more challenging task. In addition to hearing and vision changes which may affect driving ability, older drivers may also have difficulty using the car’s controls, may have limited physical movement which adversely affects their ability to remain aware of all their surroundings, and may have slower reaction time in an ever-changing environment. Older drivers are five times more likely to have an accident now than when they were younger. The therapy department at Virginia Gay Hospital is striving to help older drivers more accurately assess their driving abilities by using sophisticated driving games to simulate the driving experience. The goal is to help older drivers understand their abilities more accurately and to help develop strategies to safely maintain independence. “With these tools, we can more accurately assess the individual’s ability without subjecting anyone to the risk of an accident,” says Stacey Hodges, director of therapy services at Virginia Gay Hospital. “Using multiple screens and the sophistication of the software, we can simulate the consequences of limited peripheral vision, slower reaction times, and the challenges of driving at night. We can also vary the amount of traffic on the road by simulating residential streets, lightly traveled highways, or the higher speeds on a busy freeway.”

A CHALLENGE FOR ALL

Therapists don’t decide whether a person is safe to drive; that remains the job of the department of transportation. But therapists can make recommendations, and perhaps more importantly, drivers get the opportunity to assess their abilities without being behind the wheel. “Losing the ability to drive is a life-changing experience involving loss of independence,” Stacey says, “but there are many possible options between the simple choice of driving or not driving. A person may be fine driving during the day on lightly traveled streets, but be unable to safely drive at night because of night-vision issues.” The causes of diminished driving skill can be complex, and improvements are possible. As an example, diminished ability to comfortably move the head from side to side can cause older drivers to focus almost exclusively on the road directly ahead, and by doing so, the driver can lose awareness of hazards from side streets or pedestrians. If the older driver uses an eyes-straight-ahead strategy long enough, it also becomes a bad habit. An occupational therapist can help with exercises to increase flexibility of the neck so looking to the side, or turning to look for traffic while backing or changing lanes isn’t painful. Help from a driving instructor can overcome the bad habit of locking the eyes and attention straight in front of the car. Even drivers with early memory loss can safely make routine trips to the grocery

store or appointments with the help of a driving map, for example. “We want to help our older patients assess their ability in a safe, non-threatening environment, says Stacey. “The older driver experiences many conditions that can diminish the ability to drive safely, but their long experience with life and driving also means they have an enhanced ability to assess risk and are often very honest with themselves about their abilities. By giving them tools to make their own decisions, we’re helping them lead a more independent life for much longer.” Talk with your primary care provider if you are concerned about your driving ability, or contact the Virginia Gay Hospital therapy department at 319-472-6372.

Equals the length of a football field


Mammography in 3D has come to Virginia Gay Hospital because of teamwork between Virginia Gay’s Imaging Department, the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, and the Gifts of Hope Program. The imaging department focused on incorporating the new technology and software. The Foundation’s annual Tree of Lights campaign donated funds to purchase the equipment needed by the Imaging Department. The Gifts of Hope program, funded primarily through the Party In Pink 5K walk/run, is offering to pay the difference in cost between standard and 3D mammography for any patient choosing 3D mammography at Virginia Gay. Patients can get the most advanced screening available with the convenience of staying in town.

“Our newest physician assistant Trevor Nelson mentioned that one reason he chose to join us was the close relationship between Virginia Gay Hospital and the community,” says Mike Riege, Virginia Gay Hospital administrator. “He experienced the relationship firsthand when he spent a month here as a student. Our ability to add 3D Mammography is just another example of how the community works closely with our professional staff to provide the latest and most beneficial technology for patients.”

Monica Stark, Director of the Imaging Department at Virginia Gay, explains why she is excited to offer the new service, saying, “A study involving more than 12,000 women showed a decrease in false positives by 15% and an increase in the detection of invasive cancers of 40%. False-positive results are when a radiologist sees an abnormality that

could be cancerous, but other diagnostic tests like ultrasound or biopsy show that cancer isn’t present. It causes worry and additional expense, so reducing them is important. The 40% increase in detection of invasive cancers is especially important. Invasive breast cancers start in the milk duct or milk glands, and can spread through blood or lymph systems to other parts of the body.”

“I wish we were able to show how a 3D mammogram is different, but 3D mammography images look the same as the 2D images unless, like a radiologist, you have the software to show them,” says Monica. “But a way to understand it is to imagine how much more detail there is when the radiologist can examine thousands of 1 millimeter thick images instead of seeing just one image. It takes the radiologist longer to read, but it’s a much more thorough scan.”

Robin Martin, Director of the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, believes the 3D mammography program demonstrates how charitable giving through the Foundation has a direct and positive impact on patients. “Not only was giving to the Foundation essential for getting the equipment and software,” explains Robin, “but through the Gifts of Hope Program the community has also eliminated the additional cost of having the more advanced screening.”

If you would like to contribute to the Virginia Gay Health Care Foundation, you can do so through the Foundation’s website at www.myvghfoundation.org, or by mailing a check to Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation, 509 North 9th Avenue, Vinton, IA, 52349.



Virginia Gay Hospital is expanding services for urology patients by extending its relationship with Physicians Clinic of Iowa. Expanded urological services will be on the first floor of the hospital in space once used for therapy services, and most recently for cardiac rehab. Urological services at Virginia Gay will also include almost all urological treatments not requiring long, complicated surgeries or extended patient hospitalization. Urologic diseases and conditions affect problems associated with the urinary system. Among the most common conditions are incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infections. Urologic problems can be caused by serious underlying conditions like various cancers or cardiovascular disease. The causes of these conditions make receiving timely diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions critical for overall health. Urologists from the practice now at PCI have been providing specialty urological care in Vinton for the past 25 years. Today, Doctors Mindrup and Richardson provide clinic visits in Vinton, in addition to Melanie Blais, ARNP-BC. Talk to your primary care provider if you are experiencing urological symptoms. Urology specialists from PCI are at Virginia Gay each week, and patients needing surgical intervention or biopsy can choose to be treated in Virginia Gay’s surgery center. To see a schedule of all the outpatient services offered at Virginia Gay Hospital, visit www.myvgh.org/calendar.

The team of board-certified urologists from Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa’s team provide services as part of an extensive network of outpatient services available through Virginia Gay Hospital.

Photo courtesy of Physician’s Clinic of Iowa


thrive 1 - home - virginia gay hospital · 2018-05-31 · virginia gay hospital thrive | 3 | can i...

Documents