Community News Stories

Coming to you with the coolest news – Decorah Bank & Trust Company attained carbon neutrality last week after 10 years of focused efforts! We don’t know for certain, but believe Decorah Bank is one of the only business in the region, and quite possibly one of the only banks in the nation to be carbon-neutral. If you aren’t yet familiar with the significance of carbon neutrality, this means our facilities have a zero net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, ultimately creating a more breathable environment and planet.

We hope to inspire individuals and business owners. Here’s our story:

https://www.decorahbank.com/becoming-carbon-neutral-and-how-we-did-it/

Looking for a family activity to do over the holiday weekend?

Our flower pots along Main Street have transitioned to winter decorations, but there’s plenty of room for personalization! We’d like to invite you to “Adopt a Pot” and decorate it as festively as you desire! See the attached photo for an idea of what this could look like.

And don’t forget, this weekend is Small Business Saturday! Local businesses have plenty of deals for you to explore, so make sure you come downtown! Main Street Lansing will also be hosting a food drive for LIFT in our office during Small Business Saturday, and if you make a food or cash donation you will be entered to win one of three $10 gift cards from the Lansing IGA!

We hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend!

—

Andy KelleherExecutive Director, Main Street Lansing563-538-9229P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA  52151

News Release                                                 Contact:

                                                                        Jenna Haynes

Wednesday, November 27, 2019                                                       563-387-3143

haynesj@winmedical.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WMC Foundation extends their gratitude to two Board directors for their service

The Winneshiek Medical Center (WMC) Foundation would like to say thank you to John Noel and Jerry Samuelson for their 9 years of service as directors of the WMC Foundation Board. Noel and Samuelson will complete their terms in December of 2019. Each of them served three, three year terms to the WMC Foundation. “They are truly dedicated to furthering the mission of WMC and the foundation in our region. On behalf of the board, we can’t begin to tell you what your service has meant. The advancement of the foundation work and passion you have for local healthcare is impeccable,” shares Holly Kanengieter, WMC Foundation Coordinator.

The 2019 Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors includes: Chris Redenius (President), Dan Ryan (Vice President), Amy Bruening (Secretary/Treasurer), Jim Anderson, Keri Bodensteiner, Jim Burns, Marcia Gullickson, Mike Huinker, Heidi Miller-Olinger, John Noel, Brad Orvis, M.D., Jerry Samuelson, Craig Symons, Roger Huinker (WMC Board of Trustees Representative), Steve Hildebrand (WMC Board of Trustees Representative), Lisa Radtke, WMC Chief Administrative Officer (Ex-officio) and Holly Kanengieter, WMC Foundation Coordinator.

To learn more about the WMC Foundation, visit www.winmedical.org/giving or call 563-387-3129.

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Photo cutline: WMC Foundation extends gratitude to John Noel and Jerry Samuelson for their service to the Foundation Board of Directors.

November 27, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Marx, Director of Marketing & Communications
563-387-3020 marxm@winmedical.org

Chronic knee pain? It may be time for a knee replacement.

Rick Wilkerson, D.O., is Decorah’s newest orthopedic surgeon. With extensive experience in joint replacements, Dr. Wilkerson answers questions about one of the most common procedures: a knee replacement.

Q. Why do people get knee replacements?
A. Typically, chronic knee pain is the result of arthritis (osteoarthritis due to age, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis following a serious knee injury). Over time, the cartilage cushioning the bones in the knee deteriorates, causing bone-on-bone friction when the joint moves. This can lead to pain when walking or resting, depending on the severity of the arthritis. A knee replacement, or a knee arthroplasty, is an effective treatment option for chronic knee pain if medication, injections or physical therapy do not provide sufficient relief. There is no “right age” for a knee replacement; recommendations for surgery depend on a patient’s pain level and how it is affecting his/her quality of life. Patients should work with their primary care provider and an orthopedic surgeon to determine the best treatment plan for their needs.
Q. What happens during a knee replacement?
A. Your orthopedic surgeon will replace the deteriorated cartilage and surface bones with a metal implant and plastic spacer to artificially create the space your knee joint needs to move. The surgery is usually performed under spinal, regional or general anesthesia, and takes 1-2 hours. Prior to surgery, patients should complete any needed dental work and be evaluated for urinary infections to reduce the risk of complications.
Q. What is the treatment and recovery?
A. Usually, patients will spend one-two days in the hospital following a knee replacement. During that time, your orthopedic surgeon and inpatient nurses will care for the wound site, help manage post-surgical pain levels, and monitor for infection, blood clots and/or other risk factors. Soon after surgery (in some cases, the same day) physical therapists will begin exercises with you to strengthen your leg and restore knee movement. You will continue these exercises after you leave the hospital, under the on-going care of your physical therapy team. In 4-6 weeks, most patients have returned to their normal abilities, but without pre-surgery pain levels. At one year, you will have reached maximum medical improvement. It is important have realistic expectations of a knee replacement; patients will not be able to do activities they could not do prior to developing arthritis. Patients should also avoid high-impact activities like running, jogging or jumping after surgery to prolong the effectiveness of the knee implant.

Make an appointment
Dr. Wilkerson is an experienced, proven orthopedic surgeon who has special interest in joint replacements and sports medicine surgical care. He performs hip, knee and shoulder replacements, all sports medicine procedures including ACL reconstruction surgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, hand procedures, fracture repair and more. Dr. Wilkerson comes to Winneshiek Medical Center after 30+ years building a successful practice of eight orthopedic surgeons in Spencer, Iowa.

The Winneshiek Medical Center orthopedic practice is supported by the latest in MRI technology, quality skilled care for recovery, and the most specialized physical and occupational therapy practice in the region for successful rehabilitation.

Dr. Wilkerson’s schedule is open and he is accepting new patients at Winneshiek Medical Center. To make an appointment with Dr. Wilkerson, call 563-382-2911.

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November 26, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Marx, Winneshiek Medical Center Marketing Representative

563-387-3020 ● marxm@winmedical.org

Celebrate the season of giving with WMC Auxiliary Light for Life program

The Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary invites the community to celebrate the season of giving through the 2019 Light for Life program.

Light for Life is the Auxiliary’s annual community giving campaign.  For a donation of $15 or more, your loved one is honored or remembered with lighted snowflakes in the windows of WMC. The snowflakes light up WMC each night in December.

This year’s WMC Auxiliary Light for Life campaign will support two needs at the medical center: a pediatric safe transport system to help improve the safety of children from newborns to age 10 during ambulance transport; and a mobile Vapotherm compressor so patients can receive this special type of respiratory therapy in any patient room, during testing and during ambulance transports, if needed.

Donations may be made at Winneshiek Medical Center or forms are available at www.winmedical.org/auxiliary through December 31, 2019. Contributions are tax deductible, and a listing of donors will be displayed in Winneshiek Medical Center’s Main Entrance.

For further information, contact the Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary at 563-387-3036.

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November 26, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Marx, Director of Marketing & Communications

563-387-3020 ●marxm@winmedical.org

Mental health care expands at Winneshiek Medical Center

Mental health resources and support is one of the top community health needs identified in Winneshiek Medical Center’s Community Health Needs Assessment (June 2019).  To continue to improve regional outpatient access to specialists, Kara Crain, LMHC, has joined the Behavioral Health team at Winneshiek Medical Center.  She joins Ronald Hougen, Ph.D., Bridgette Hensley, Psy, D., Claire Haedike, Psy, D., Hannah Schroeher, LISW, Karen Nielsen, LMSW, and Health Unit Coordinators Rhonda Wyatt and Jessie Corwin.

Crain, a licensed mental health counselor, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and community sociology from Wartburg College and her Master of Science in clinical-counseling psychology from Illinois State University.  Originally from Ridgeway, Iowa, Kara has spent the majority of her professional career in the Twin Cities before relocating to Decorah this fall.  She specializes in the treatment of PTSD, personality disorders, mood disorders, and in caring for patients with multiple diagnoses.

Speaking of her practice, Crain says, “Over the years, I have worked with diverse populations using an evidenced-based therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. The skills patients learn in DBT help them cope with – and make significant changes to – difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The overall goal in DBT is to ‘build a life worth living.’  I look forward to offering this type of therapy to people in our region. It can be life-changing, and life-saving.”

Winneshiek Medical Center behavioral health professionals are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all patients. They are available to counsel people of all ages, with different types of mental health problems. Common problems that psychiatrists, psychologists, and independent social workers can help with include stress, lack of self-esteem, anxiety attacks, depression, and family issues. Patients can come in with the comfort of knowing that all counseling sessions are done with privacy and respect.

To make an appointment with a member of Winneshiek Medical Center’s behavioral health team, please call 563-382-2911.

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Cutline: WMC Behavioral Health professionals are dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients.

Seated: Claire Haedike, Psy.D., Ronald Hougen, Ph.D., and Bridgette Hensley, Psy.D.

Back Row: Rhonda Wyatt, Kara Crain, LMHC, Karen Nielsen, LMSW, Hannah Schroeher, LISW, and Jessica Corwin.

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston National Remembrance Ceremony on December 14th, 2019 at 11am

One of the goals of Youth Mentoring at Helping Services is to create life-long friendships between area youth and adult mentors. Being a mentor isn’t complicated, it’s just being a friend and spending time with a youth that shares similar interests

Is being a mentor a fit for you? Is the thought of being a mentor intimidating? Have you been thinking about getting involved? All of these questions can be answered at the upcoming Mentoring Social on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Toppling Goliath Brewery in Decorah.

This open house style social is a casual come as you are event. Those who are considering becoming a mentor are invited to come and enjoy appetizers and great conversation. A cash bar will be available. There will be several current mentors attending who will informally share their inspiring stories of mentoring with their youth.

One current mentor shares, “I remember being invited to this event previously and someone saying to just come for the food. I really enjoyed the no-pressure environment and got lots of my questions answered. I am so glad I came and became a mentor. I love being a friend to my youth!”

Youth Mentoring in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties provides an adult mentor who spends a minimum of four hours a month with a youth, ages 6–16. Currently, 50 youth are enjoying time with a mentor and 19 youth are waiting for a mentor. For information on how you can be part of the excitement of mentoring at Helping Services, contact Kathy or Colinne at (563) 387-1720, mentoring@helpingservices.org, or online at www.helpingservices.org/mentoring.

 Serving families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is dedicated to responding to current health and safety needs of youth and families through empowerment, support, and education.

This article was written by:

Helping Services for Youth & Families

November 13, 2019

Youth Mentoring is Seeking Friends for Youth

One of the goals of Youth Mentoring at Helping Services is to create life-long friendships between area youth and adult mentors. Being a mentor isn’t complicated, it’s just being a friend and spending time with a youth that shares similar interests

Is being a mentor a fit for you? Is the thought of being a mentor intimidating? Have you been thinking about getting involved? All of these questions can be answered at the upcoming Mentoring Social on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Toppling Goliath Brewery in Decorah.

This open house style social is a casual come as you are event. Those who are considering becoming a mentor are invited to come and enjoy appetizers and great conversation. A cash bar will be available. There will be several current mentors attending who will informally share their inspiring stories of mentoring with their youth.

One current mentor shares, “I remember being invited to this event previously and someone saying to just come for the food. I really enjoyed the no-pressure environment and got lots of my questions answered. I am so glad I came and became a mentor. I love being a friend to my youth!”

Youth Mentoring in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties provides an adult mentor who spends a minimum of four hours a month with a youth, ages 6–16. Currently, 50 youth are enjoying time with a mentor and 19 youth are waiting for a mentor. For information on how you can be part of the excitement of mentoring at Helping Services, contact Kathy or Colinne at (563) 387-1720, mentoring@helpingservices.org, or online at www.helpingservices.org/mentoring.

Serving families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is dedicated to responding to current health and safety needs of youth and families through empowerment, support, and education.

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This article was written by:

Helping Services for Youth & Families

The River Valley Panthers 4-H club is hosting a food drive from November 2nd- November 16th.

There will be boxes at Fareway, Quillins, Hartig Drug, the library and the Allamakee County Extension office.

All of the food will be donated to the food shelf in Waukon.