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“In-Step with VMH” Begins Next Week!  Join As a Family!
Front
Posted 9 March 2010
Veterans Memorial Hospital’s 18th Annual “In Step with VMH” community wellness program begins next Wednesday, March 17. Teams are now registering to participate in this eight-week program.  Again this year the entire program is available on-line at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com or team packets are also available at the hospital’s main entrance receptionist desk or the Waukon Wellness Center’s reception desk.

Again this year, families may join the program together and keep track of their progress with a “Family Log Sheet.”    The family log sheet places each wellness category in four different boxes for each of the four family team members to track their progress each week.  Then that form is simply used to report the total points at the end of each week.    The new form can easily be kept on the refrigerator or on the dining room table, and keeps each family member up to date on one another’s progress.

“In Step with VMH” offers five options in promoting a “healthy lifestyle.” Teams of four will count not only the number of times they exercised each week of the eight week program, but points will also be tallied for eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, flossing teeth, drinking recommended amounts of water, eating breakfast, and buckling-up whenever in a vehicle.  Teams no longer are required to have 2 members from the same employer.    Instead, teams of four will list a group they are associated with, such as a church group, a wellness center, a class or classmates, a business, or a family, etc.  That is why this new family log sheet has been developed.

Exercising is a commitment that everyone needs to make for his or her own health. By joining this wellness program as a family, the motivation to keep going is right there for the whole team in their own home. Once people get into the habit of good exercise, they tend to stay with it, and by starting young with children, these wellness categories will hopefully become life-long healthy habits for them. 

“In Step with VMH” is a complimentary wellness program that Veterans Memorial Hospital provides to its entire service area. For more information and to view the new family log sheet, please visit www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

From Sap to Syrup: Interest in Making Maple Syrup Grows in Iowa

Sap to Syrup...In Iowa? from Iowa State University Extension on Vimeo.

Posted 1 March 2010
More and more Iowans are seeking what literally has been an untapped resource — the sap in the state’s maple trees, says Jesse Randall, a forester with Iowa State University Extension. They want to make maple syrup, and Randall and Iowa State’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management are showing them how, just in time for the 2010 syrup season.

February Heart Month: The Seriousness of Chest Pain
Front
Posted 23 February 2010
Chest pain is a common presenting complaint in any emergency room, including the emergency room at Veterans Memorial Hospital. There is always the possibility of heart disease in every complaint of chest pain or upper abdominal pain and must be taken very seriously.

The common signs and symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction, commonly called a heart attack, are;
  • Chest pain (crushing, squeezing or heaviness).
  • Sudden onset of weakness, nausea, fainting and sweating without an obvious cause.
  • Pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck or arms.
These symptoms occur when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood slowly become clogged from a buildup of cells, fat and cholesterol called plaque.

Blood that tries to flow through these clogged arteries can form a clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplies by that artery begins to die.

Time is muscle! This is very important to remember in the case of a heart attack. If someone is experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. This will allow an ambulance with trained personnel to come assist that person to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, a variety of treatments can be rendered. For example, at Veterans Memorial Hospital, each nurse on staff is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and knows how to use the necessary equipment and specialized medicines used to reduce heart damage. The quicker this begins, the less heart muscle is damaged.

Veterans Memorial Hospital medical and nursing staff has the ability to give the medicines commonly referred to as the “clot busting drug.”  The purpose of these drugs is to attack the clot cutting off the blood flow in the coronary artery. Once this clot is broken down, the blood returns to this area, decreasing the damage to the patient’s heart muscle. The quicker this is administered, the better.

Again, time is muscle. If you or someone you know ever experiences the signs and symptoms of a heart attack listed above, please do the right thing and call for help right away.

For more information, please call Diane Butikfoer, RN, Emergency Department Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital at (563)568-3411.

PHOTO CAPTION:  February is Heart Month.  Pictured is the Emergency Entrance at Veterans Memorial Hospital.   In the case of a heart attack, time is muscle.  Anyone experiencing any signs or symptoms of a heart attack should immediately go to the Emergency Entrance or call 911 for medical transport.

St. John's Sunday School Students Visit Veterans Memorial Hospital
Front
Posted 19 February 2010
Pictured above is the St. John's Sunday School students, grades kindergarten through 6, holding the hospital kits they recently put together as their service project for local children in the hospital. The lesson Feeding of the 5000, was taught by Mary Jackson over a three week period and was part of the unit Faith Challenges. The students decided themselves to put their “faith in action” and create these activity kits to give out to children admitted into the hospital.  Veterans Memorial Hospital nursing staff is currently handing out these kits to any young inpatients at the hospital.

SleepSacks™ to Help Reduce Risk of SIDS are Available in Auxiliary Gift Case at Veterans Memorial Hospital
Front
Posted 15 February 2010
Thanks to the generosity of the family of Ethan Livingston, Veterans Memorial Hospital has been using the HALO® SleepSacks™ the family donated for each baby born at the hospital.  The HALO® SleepSack™ is manufactured by the HALO company and greatly reduces the risk of SIDS death in infants.  The Livingston’s donated these sleepsacks to Veterans Memorial Hospital in memory of Scott and Cheryl’s son, Ethan Troy Livingston, who passed away as a result of SIDS in September, 2007.  The Livingston’s are now proud parents of twin girls and hope that this donation will help teach others about the risk of SIDS and the importance of practicing safe sleep habits for infants.
           
The HALO® SleepSack™ is a wearable blanket and is used on all babies now born at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  In fact, the hospital is also donating one SleepSack™ to every family that delivers at the hospital to help promote safe sleep habits after the infant leaves the hospital.

These HALO® SleepSacks™ are also available for purchase as gifts in the Auxiliary Gift Case located inside the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital.  Three sizes are available from newborn up to 24 pounds and come in a variety of colors and designs. 
Front
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is any sudden, unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant up to an age of one year. In the United States each year, SIDS is the cause of approximately 60 deaths per 100,000 births, or 2,500 children, making it the leading cause of death in otherwise healthy babies after one month of age. There are several theories about the potential causes of SIDS.  However, several known risk factors are associated with increased probability of the syndrome, including the baby’s sleeping environment.

According to the Iowa SIDS Foundation, when considering which infants could be at risk for SIDS, medical researchers have concluded that no single risk factor is likely to be sufficient to cause a SIDS death. Rather, several risk factors combined may contribute to an infant's SIDS death. The Iowa SIDS Foundation presently does not know which infants are vulnerable or exactly when an infant is going through a critical period of development. Because of this uncertainty, they must apply risk reduction measures listed below, to all infants during their first year of life.

Modifiable risk factors for SIDS include:
  • Sleeping on tummy for naps and night time
  • Soft or loose bedding  (including crib bumpers)
  • Inappropriate sleep environments
  • Bed sharing
  • Overheating
  • Environmental tobacco smoke exposure
  • Maternal alcohol and illegal drug use
Other, non-modifiable risk factors for SIDS include:
  • Male gender
  • Age distribution: 2-6 months
  • Low birth weight
  • Prematurity
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy
  • Young maternal age especially mothers younger than 18 years of age
  • Late or no prenatal care
  • Fall/winter season
The HALO® SleepSack™ wearable blanket is the nation’s best-selling wearable blanket for babies. It is designed to help to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by replacing loose blankets in the crib that can potentially cover a baby's face and interfere with breathing.   The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the use of wearable blankets as a way to reduce the risk for SIDS.  These HALO® SleepSack™ wearable blankets are available for purchase at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital.  For more information, please visit the hospital reception desk any day of the week between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., or call (563) 568-3411 to speak to the receptionist.

Photo Caption:  Pictured is Zade Randall Brock, newborn son of Nadine Kruse and Kyle Brock of Postville.  Zade is wearing his complimentary HALO® SleepSack™ that is given to each family who delivers a baby at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  The HALO® SleepSack™ is designed to help to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by replacing loose blankets in the crib that can potentially cover a baby's face and interfere with breathing.   These SleepSacks™ are also available for purchase in a variety of colors from the Auxiliary Gift Case, located just inside the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital, and are now available in sizes up to 24 pounds.

February is Heart Month: The Facts on Heart Health From the American Heart Association
Front
Posted 8 February 2010
According to the American Heart Association, Coronary heart disease is America's number one killer. Stroke is number three and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs from the American Heart Association that can mean a heart attack is happening:
  • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.   
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.   
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.  
  • Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness       
  • As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.  Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.

If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

Stroke Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body   
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding   
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes   
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination   
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
  • If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 so an ambulance can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.  These clot-busting drugs are available in the Veterans Memorial Hospital ER department.
For more information on heart health, please locate the American Heart Association website at or call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.

Caption:  Pictured above is Veterans Memorial Hospital’s ER-1.  February is National Heart Month.   According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is America's number one killer, which is why they encourage everyone to know the warning signs of a heart attack outlined in this article and respond quickly and properly if any of these warning signs occur.   Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out.  Minutes matter and fast action saves lives.  Dial 9-1-1 and go to your closest emergency medical department as soon as the warning signs appear.

Iowa DOT Asks Iowans to Put Safety First
Posted 4 February 2010
A series of winter storms this year has caused many Iowans to become stranded or their vehicles to run off the road. No one can predict when he or she might become the next victim of bad weather, but we can all be prepared just in case.

It can happen to you. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a short video that identifies the basic necessities that you should carry in your vehicle, and describes what you should do if you become stranded.

To survive, stay inside your vehicle and use the resources in your survival kit. Do not attempt to walk for help or try to remove your vehicle from the snow.

Don’t put if off any longer. Now is the time to assemble your survival kit. Learn what to carry and tips to survive by watching this new video at http://www.iowadot.gov/ or http://www.youtube.com/iowadot

Upper Iowa Accepting Applications for UIBD Grant
Front
Posted 3 February 2010
Upper Iowa University is accepting applications for its Upper Iowa Business Development (UIBD) grant until March 1. This year’s UIBD grant will make available a total incentive package of up to $100,000 for an entrepreneur interested in starting-up, managing, and operating a restaurant and sports lounge in Fayette.

The two-story restaurant and sports lounge will be housed in a newly constructed, University-owned property on Fayette’s Main Street. In addition to a $40,000 cash award from the UIBD grant, the successful applicant will also be eligible for financial assistance in the form of rent abatement.

“University faculty, staff and students have identified a greater variety of dining and entertainment establishments as a critical need in Fayette,” said Andrew Wenthe, vice president for external affairs. “As a result, we decided to add a few incentives to specifically solicit proposals from entrepreneurs committed to establishing a destination restaurant and sports lounge in the community.”

The new two-story building is approx. 7,900-square-feet. Half of the first floor will be taken up by Upper Iowa’s merchandise retail store and a coffee shop. The plan is to have the other 4,500 to 6,000 square feet be the restaurant/sports lounge.

Upper Iowa is in the midst of a sustained growth period. Enrollment at the Fayette campus is up 40 percent over five years, and an enrollment goal of 1,100 has been set for fall of 2010. The University recently embarked on a $75 million construction plan on the Fayette campus, with the first phase started in summer 2009 that includes construction of a new Student Center, Liberal Arts building, suite-style Student Residence Hall, and the University-owned downtown facility.

Construction projects scheduled to continue over the next four to six years include a technology center, science building, and additional student housing. Wenthe stated, “It is the ideal time for an ambitious and dedicated entrepreneur to start a business in Fayette.”

Applicants should also include in their business plan proposals that demonstrate how their establishment will become a destination spot for the approximately 32,000 residents living within a 20-mile radius of Fayette. For a complete list of requirements or questions, please contact Wenthe at 563-425-5348 or wenthea@uiu.edu. Download the RFP.

Entrepreneurs interested in submitting a UIBD grant application for a non-restaurant business idea are still encouraged to contact Wenthe.

Photo Caption:
Architectural rendering of Upper Iowa-owned property on Fayette’s Main Street. Source: Samuels Group.

Mentoring Day on the Hill in Des Moines
Front
Posted 1 February 2010
Thursday, January 28th was celebrated as Mentoring Day on the Hill in Des Moines.  Three Helping Services Mentoring Coordinators, Kathy Schwartzhoff, Rosa Grant, and Jill Hollowell met with Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm and Representative John Beard to discuss the importance of mentoring.

Photo Caption:  Left to Right:  Kathy Schwartzhoff, Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, Jill Hollowell, and Rosa Grant.

Today's Headlines

Monday March 15

meetingAllamakee County Supervisors Agenda for Today

diabetesDiabetes Alert Day on March 22 at Waukon Wellness Center: Take the Diabetes Risk Test

foodWorkshop to Help Link Iowa Schools to Healthy, Local Food Sources

fundingVision Iowa Board Releases Annual Report

Road ConditionsIowa Road Conditions

Todays Obituaries


Friday March 12

diabetesSupport Groups Meet at VMH

famrTiming is Everything: Successful Spring Planting Will Likely Take Patience and Planning

!Many Iowans Unprepared for Possible Flooding

Thursday March 11

diabetesDiabetes Fair March 18 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

fundingJohn Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition Deadline Approaching

workIowa Unemployment Rate at 6.6 Percent

Wednesday March 10

fundingMyEntre.Net Webinar: Financing Beyond Friends

workIowa Transportation Commission and Iowa DOT Address Deteriorating Road Conditions

noCigarette Sales Drop 52 Percent, but Teens Still at Risk

Tuesday March 9

food
NIFF Coalition Offers Workshop for Farmers Market Vendors

!National Problem Gambling Awareness Week: Know the Code

fundingGovernor Culver Imposes Halt on Health Insurance Rate Hikes Pending Independent Review

Monday March 8

meetingAllamakee County Supervisors Agenda for Today

fundingLearn To Manage What You Have With A Budget

diabetesIowa Launches First Dental-Only Plan for Kids

Friday March 5

RelocateNICC Offering Classes on Motivation and Effective Discipline

diabetesPrepared Childbirth Education Class at VMH March 13

!March is Flood Awareness Month in Iowa

diabetesDNE Asks Parents to "Take 5" on Drugs, Alcohol

Thursday March 4

YayNICC Students Shine in State BPA Competition

diabetesDiabetes Prevention Program at Veterans Memorial Hospital

diabetesCan Dark Green Leafy Vegetables Save Your Eyesight?

fundingState AGs Push for a Strong Federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency

Wednesday March 3

diabetesBlood Donor Day First Thursday of Each Month

LinksLearn Excel 2007 in One Day at NICC

meetingUNI Hosts Immigration Interpreter from Postville Raids March 9

!Campsites Filling Quickly for Memorial Day Weekend

Tuesday March 2

diabetesAllamakee County Health Rankings Show Success to Build Upon

fundingFrugal Living Series Offered at NICC Waukon Center

famrNew Spreadsheet Helps Producers Evaluate Economics of Increasing Weaning Age

YayHarlem Globetrotters' 2010 'Magical Memories' World Tour Comes to UNI March 31

Monday March 1

in step
“In-Step with VMH” Begins March 17—Join Now to Take Charge of Your Health!

courtNominating Commission Seeks Applicants for Iowa Court of Appeals

famrInteractive Webinar to Focus on Grain Storage and Marketing Issues

Friday February 26

YayDNR-Funded Conservation Practices Reduce Water Pollution in 2009

Thursday February 25

LinksMyEntre.net Webinar: Optimizing Your Website on the Cheap

famrNew Free, Online Tool Developed at ISU Helps Farmers Earn More, Waste Less

Wednesday February 24

diabetesStress and Wellness Classes Offered at NICC

health
Extension Offers Resources on Childhood Obesity

LinksSmall Steps To Health And Wealth Online Course

Tuesday February 23

RelocateNICC Offering Class on Raising Happy Health Kids

fundingNew Protections for Credit Card Consumers

diabetesIDPH Works to Prevent Healthcare Infections

Monday February 22

meetingAllamakee County Supervisors Agenda for Today

YayNICC Agriculture Students Take Honors

fundingLearn Strategies to Gain Control of Finances!

!Play it Safe – Watch Out for Trains

Friday February 19

famrManage Grain Challenges in 2010 Conference March 13

diabetesPrepared Childbirth Education Class March 13 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

LinksUpper Iowa Steps into World of Social Media

!Iowa's Percentage of Speed-Related Fatalities Ranks Lowest in the Nation

?
Got a Home and Family Question? Ask ISU Extension's Answer Line

Thursday February 18

diabetesDiabetes Prevention Program at Veterans Memorial Hospital

wava
3rd Annual WAVA Conference Set for March 5

diabetesIowa Board of Pharmacy
Issues Recommendation on Marijuana


law
Garrison Tabbed to Head DNR's Law Enforcement Bureau

Wednesday February 17

!Who and When can you visit in the OB Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital?

YayNational Association of Professional Women Names NICC Upward Bound Director a VIP Woman of the Year

diabetesCounty Health Rankings a Call to Action

Yay2010 Iowa Wine and Beer Directory Now Available

Tuesday February 16

meetingAllamakee County Supervisor's Agenda for Today

diabetesH1N1 Vaccine Still Available and Encouraged—No Appointment Necessary

niccNICC Celebrating National TRiO Day this Month

fundingWhat to Do With Tax Refund?

diabetesFebruary is Children's Dental Health Month

Monday February 15

fundingEndow Iowa Provides Way to Support Local Communities

fundingEntreFest! Brings Together Business Owners, Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Experts February 25-26

!Ice Shack Removal Deadline Extended North of HWY. 20

Friday February 12

fundingMicroloans Available for Small Businesses

LinksNICC Offering Microsoft Office 2007 Training

YayMore Iowa Students Taking AP Exams

work
What’s the “hole” Story About the Rough Road Conditions?

Thursday February 11

diabetesPrepared Childbirth Education Class March 13 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

LinksMyEntre.net Webinar Today: So You Want to be on the Web?

niccNICC Offering Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Courses

diabetesIowa Department of Public Health: RSV Infections Rise in Iowa

!Auditor: Budget Exceeds Legal Spending Limit

Wednesday February 10

diabetes“Have A Heart” Day February 13 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

deer
2009 Another Excellent Year for Deer Hunters

famrEligible Farms Ecouraged to Apply to be Recognized as Century or Heritage Farm

Tuesday February 9

diabetesBaby-sitting Seminar at Veterans Memorial Hospital February 13

YayNICC Enrollment Figures Approach 5400 Students

diabetesPrescription Drug Donation Program Grows

Monday February 8

LinksMyEntre.net Webinar: So You Want to be on the Web?

court
NE Iowa Farmer Pays $60,000 Penalty for Pollution Violations

no
Quitline Iowa Calls Surge in January

Friday February 5

YayJennifer Bentley Joins ISU Extension as Extension Dairy Field Specialist

diabetesFirst Iowa Seasonal Flu Case of Year Confirmed

Thursday February 4

diabetesBaby-Sitting Seminar at Veterans Memorial Hospital February 13

YayUIU Does Impossible; Thrives During Economic Turndown

!Iowa State Patrol Kicks Off New Enforcement Initiative over Super Bowl Weekend

Wednesday February 3

fundingFree Tax Preparation Services Available

diabetesBlood Donor Day Set for Tomorrow

fundingEmployers: Learn about My Iowa UI – New Iowa Unemployment Insurance Tax On-Line Filing System

diabetesIDPH Releases Funding to Combat HIV and Hepatitis C

Tuesday February 2

diabetes“Have A Heart” Day February 13 at Veterans Memorial Hospital

YayNICC Celebrates African-American Heritage Month

funding$275,000 To Iowa Through Specialty Crop Block Grant

!Report Paints Deadly Picture of Domestic Violence






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