' Every Minute Is Precious' for Boscobel Couple

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

' Every Minute Is Precious' for Boscobel Couple Volume 9, Issue 1 GUNDERSENWINTER 2020 Certified wound care nurse keeps care close to home in Boscobel Gundersen invests in rural healthcare New doctor offers family medicine, obstetrics care in Viroqua ‘ EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS’ FOR BOSCOBEL COUPLE Winter 2020 1 Gundersen Health System has the following locations in your Gundersen Prairie du Chien area. For a complete listing, visit gundersenhealth.org. welcomes new medical staff Boscobel • 205 Parker St. Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics Hospital (608) 375-4112 Clinic (608) 375 -4144 Fennimore • 220 Lincoln Ave. Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics Fennimore (608) 375 -4144 Muscoda • 525 N. Wisconsin Ave. Amber Crawford, DO, Anton Breunig, PA-C, Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics Muscoda (608) 375-4144 General Surgery Family Medicine Prairie du Chien Dr. Crawford offers a variety of Anton offers a full range of primary • 610 E. Taylor St. procedures including hernia care for all ages, including prevention Medical Clinic (608) 326-6466 or repairs, appendectomy, colon and wellness, annual physicals, basic (800) 714-5362 Behavioral Health (608) 326-3380 and bowel surgery, colonoscopy, behavioral services and treatment of upper endoscopy and benign and illnesses and injuries. He has a special • 118 S. Marquette Road Gundersen Eye Clinic (608) 326-6453 cancerous breast lesions. She joins interest in men’s health. Dental Specialties (608) 775-2202 Carrie Kramer, MD, in providing Richland Center surgical care in Prairie du Chien. • 165 W. Haseltine St. Gundersen Eye Clinic (608) 647-8995 To schedule an appointment call Viroqua (608) 326-6466. • 407 S. Main St. Gundersen Medical Clinic, Behavioral Health (608) 637-3195 or (877) 543-3195 Orthopedic surgeon joins Eye Clinic (608) 637-8281 General & Orthopaedic Surgery, Podiatry (608) 637-4081 Gundersen Viroqua Andrew Lehman, MD, Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Lehman provides a variety of orthopedic procedures including joint replacement of hips, knees and shoulders; sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, hand and upper extremity surgery and orthopedic fracture care. He joins Jeffrey Lawrence, MD; Kylie Berger, NP; Colin J. Kratochwill, PA-C; and Randy J. Mickelson, PA-C; in providing orthopedic care in Viroqua. To schedule an appointment call (608) 637-4081. 2 gundersenhealth.org Gundersen Prairie du Chien welcomes new medical staff VIRTUALVISIT: We’re ready when you need us Getting sick seems to happen at some of the most diagnose, treat and send prescriptions, and/or inopportune times—the middle of the night, while recommendations for over-the-counter medicine, to the traveling, before an important meeting, or when you’re pharmacy of your choice. pressed for time. While VirtualVisit is convenient, it is not meant to That’s why Gundersen Health System offers live, on- replace every trip to the clinic. It is a good option for demand VirtualVisits using your smartphone or tablet. minor, temporary medical conditions and illnesses, Now you can skip the traffic, waiting room and time such as a cold, flu, sore throat, sinus infection, pink eye, off work but get the quality medical attention you rashes and urinary tract infections. need 24/7. To set up an account, download the free Gundersen Our secure VirtualVisit technology makes it possible for VirtualVisit app from Google Play or the App Store, patients, age 2 and older, to see a healthcare provider or go to gundersenhealth.org/virtualvisit. You’ll see face-to-face for many common medical conditions. a list of healthcare providers—including Gundersen Much like an office visit, a healthcare provider will providers—their biographies and experience before review your medical history, answer questions, starting your visit. Benefits of VirtualVisit Affordable No appointments Fast Open 24/7 $49 compared to the Sign into your account See a healthcare Care is provided average cost of $164+ and start your visit provider and get a 365 days a year, for a Gundersen urgent anywhere in the U.S. diagnosis in including nights, care visit; less than $49 No phone calls or 20 to 25 minutes. weekends and if covered by insurance. waiting rooms. holidays. Prefer a visit from your personal computer? No problem. Log into your account at gundersenvirtualvisit.org Winter 2020 3 New cancer treatment is RIGHT ON TARGET Kristine (Kris) Loeser, 69, of Holmen, Wis., is a country girl at heart. Born and raised on a farm in La Crosse, Kris adores animals (especially her dog Smokey), flowers and gazing at the sky. Yet, even when the skies have been grey, Kris found a way to see through life’s challenges. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram at Gundersen Health System. “Fortunately, my cancer was detected early and was only the size of a grain of rice,” Kris recalls. Four years after finishing what she hoped would be curative treatment, the breast cancer spread to a lung and her bones. “The words metastatic breast cancer scared the living daylights out of me,” recalls Kris, who, days later, was introduced to Gundersen hematologist and medical oncologist Benjamin Parsons, DO. 4 gundersenhealth.org “We are entering an era of modern medical sciences where the next generation of treatments really are a significant step forward for patients, and clinical trials are the way to bring these to all of society,” states Benjamin Parsons, DO, Hematology and Medical Oncology. A strong advocate for cancer research, Thanks to cutting-edge clinical trials Dr. Parsons and his colleague Paraic Kenny, and participants, like Kris, Gundersen’s PhD, director of Gundersen Medical Research team can help evaluate the safety BENJAMIN Foundation’s Kabara Cancer Research and effectiveness of new treatments. For PARSONS, DO Institute, recommended Kris enroll in a example, by opening the Strata Oncology clinical research trial known as APILOT screening protocol at Gundersen, close to (Adaptive Patient Instructed Longitudinal 440 patients in the Tri-state Region have Optimization of Therapy) that studies already participated in precision medicine new approaches to treat people with clinical trials. incurable cancers. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me “I had nothing to lose. If anything, I knew to be in an institution where you can go that my participation could help someone past what the standard of care is. You can else,” Kris shares. offer patients options that are not available Next-generation cancer genome in other places. To have Dr. Kenny and his sequencing—provided through research team working alongside us to PARAIC Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Research better understand the conditions affecting KENNY, PhD Department’s partnership with Strata our patients is very valuable. It’s something Oncology—found Kris’ tumor had a rare that I believe few institutions in the world mutation, or alteration, known as have, let alone here in Wisconsin. It puts us ROS1 fusion. in a very elite category,” Dr. Parsons says. Based on the identified mutation, Dr. For patients, precision medicine clinical Parsons prescribed targeted therapy rather trials offer newfound hope—sunshine on than standard-of-care chemotherapy. This a cloudy day. Support for research like this customized approach to cancer treatment, is made possible through the generosity of also known as precision medicine, targets grateful patients and philanthropic support mutated genes in a tumor rather than the of Gundersen Medical Foundation. part of the body affected by cancer. “Between God and Dr. Parsons, I’m still here. “Kris has been on targeted therapy on and God has me here for a reason. I would love off since May 2018, and it has been the only to talk someone through this because you thing that has worked against her cancer,” can’t do it alone,” Kris says. reports Dr. Parsons. Your gifts give hope Thanks to the generosity of our community, Gundersen Medical Foundation can invest in cutting-edge laboratory research and Watch how clinical trials at the Kabara Cancer Research Institute to help Gundersen researchers are drive changes in how cancer is treated. personalizing cancer treatments at gundersenhealth.org/target-cancer. Winter 2020 5 foot problems you shouldn’t ignore There are some situations in life where you’re better off grinning and bearing it. Foot and/or ankle pain isn’t one of them, says Gundersen Health System podiatrist Bradley Abicht, DPM, who specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing conditions of the feet and ankles. If your feet or ankles are causing pain, don’t ignore it. “Pain, in any part of the body, is simply not normal. It may be an indication that there is a problem that should at least be assessed,” Dr. Abicht says. Seek expert attention for: 1) Foot or ankle injuries 2) Flat feet especially if 3) Great toe joint pain, 4) Diabetic foot ulcers, including sprains, cuts, accompanied by pain such as bunions or or open wounds on puncture wounds and or stiffness arthritis, that cause you the bottom of the feet, broken bones to change the way you which put patients walk or limit your daily with diabetes at activities increased risk for non- healing, infection and/ or amputation “Our non-surgical treatments are effective when foot and ankle problems are identified early,” Dr. Abicht says. Treatment can range from establishing a diagnosis and monitoring the condition without any intervention to conservative treatment (such as physical therapy or a brace) to help with symptoms and lessen the likelihood of them worsening or progressing. In some situations, surgery is the best option. You don’t need to live with lingering pain. Gundersen foot and ankle specialists see patients at more than a dozen locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. BRADLEY ABICHT, DPM To find a clinic near you, visit gundersenhealth.org/services/foot-care 6 gundersenhealth.org ‘ A HUGE BENEFIT’ Wound care, close to home in Boscobel Some wounds can take Registered nurse Teri Miles knows how devastating months to heal.
Recommended publications
  • Gundersen Health Plan, Inc
    Report of the Examination of Gundersen Health Plan, Inc. La Crosse, Wisconsin As of December 31, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 II. HISTORY AND PLAN OF OPERATION .................................................................................... 3 III. MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL.............................................................................................. 7 IV. AFFILIATED COMPANIES ..................................................................................................... 10 V. REINSURANCE ....................................................................................................................... 16 VI. FINANCIAL DATA ................................................................................................................... 18 VII. SUMMARY OF EXAMINATION RESULTS ........................................................................... 28 VIII. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 30 IX. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................. 31 X. ACKNOWLEDGMENT ............................................................................................................. 32 State of Wisconsin / OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE 125 South Webster Street • P.O. Box 7873 Tony Evers, Governor Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7873 Mark V.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Placement Report
    Table of Contents: 2015 First Destination Survey Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................. 4 Outcome Summaries All Colleges ............................................................................................... 7 Knowledge Rate ........................................................................................ 8 Post-graduate Outcomes by College ......................................................... 9 Geographic Distribution ................................................................................. …12 Salary Data……………………….…………………………………………………………………………..…13 Statistical Report: College and Majors All Colleges ............................................................................................. 14 College of Arts and Letters ...................................................................... 15 College of Business and Leadership ...................................................... ..16 College of Education, Science, and Mathematics…………………………………..17 College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior……………………………….…18 Associate Degrees…………………………………………………………………………………19 Comparative Data: 2005-2015 ......................................................................... 20 Individual Placements………………………………………….…….….…………………….………….21 Page | 2 Introduction 99%: Success Rate for Summer 2014, Winter 2014, and Spring 2015 graduates.
    [Show full text]
  • Gundersen Medical Journal Volume 8 Issue 1
    ISSN 2324-9897 (print) ISSN 2324-9900 (online) THE GUNDERSEN Volume 8, Number 1 MEDICAL JOURNAL April 2014 THE GUNDERSEN MEDICAL JOURNAL Contents–Volume 8, Issue 1 1 Editor’s Message David E. Hartman, PhD, BC-ANCDS(A) ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES 3 The Physiological Effects of 8 Weeks of Yoga Training Dawn Hoff, MS; John P. Porcari, PhD, RCEP, FAACVPR, FACSM; Carl Foster, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR; Brian Udermann, PhD, ATC, FACSM; John F. Greany, PhD, PT, RCEP, FAACVPR; Detection of Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transesophageal 9 Echocardiogram: A Case Series Report Vicki L. McHugh, MS; Jacob D. Gundrum, MS; Raju G. Ailiani, MD Nature and Outcome of Clinical Trials Conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group: 17 A 30-Year Study from 1977–2006 Umesh M. Sharma, MD, FACP; Christine M. Meyer, CCRP; Michelle A. Mathiason, MS; Jonean E. Schroeder, BS, RN; Debbie L. Sieber, BS; Kathleen A. Frisby, RN, BSN; Lori A. Meyer, RN, OCN; Sai Ravi K. Pingali, MBBS; Ann E. Emmel, BS; Ronald S. Go, MD, FACP 23 Oral versus Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitors in Patients with Bleeding Peptic Ulcers: A Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature Michael J. Henry, MD; Meghana Raghavendra, MBBS; Bharat Puchakayala, MD; Michelle A. Mathiason, MS CASE REPORTS Acute Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Following Bone Marrow Biopsy in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: 30 A Case Report Michelle M. Hauck, MD; Craig E. Cole, MD An Unusual Case of Cardiac Tamponade 33 Mary C. Bassing, MD; Douglas W. White, MD, PhD; Laurence C. Berg, MD, FCAP Right Ventricle Stab Wound from Eyeglass Sidearm 38 Timothy J.
    [Show full text]
  • A Publication of Gundersen Medical Foundation Spring 2021
    Spring 2021PATHFINDERSA publication of Gundersen Medical Foundation The future of health begins with you. The more researchers know about what makes each of us unique, the more tailored our healthcare can become. Join a research effort with one million or more people nationwide to create a healthier future for all of us. JoinAllofUs.org/Gundersen (608) 775-2171 [email protected] All of Us, the All of Us logo, and “The Future of Health Begins With You” are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. GMF.1903-print-Pathfinders2021.indd 1 4/9/21 1:46 PM PATHFINDERS A publication of Gundersen Medical Foundation 3 12 29 In this issue 3 16 Uniting Passion with Purpose Meet the Board Funds at Work Dustin Cunningham 6 17 Serving from a New Space Expressions of Caring Expanding into Downtown La Crosse Commemorative Tributes The future 7 25 Commitment to Growth The Miracle Connection of health A Message from our Directors Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® 8 29 begins with you. Honoring Extraordinary Giving A Family Legacy A Special Group of Benefactors Jeannie Gordon The more researchers know about what makes each of us unique, the more 12 31 tailored our healthcare can become. Honoring a Career and a Happenings Foundation News Join a research effort with one million Community R. Mario Abellera, MD or more people nationwide to create a healthier future for all of us. JoinAllofUs.org/Gundersen (608) 775-2171 On the cover: Dr. R. Mario Abellera and [email protected] his wife, Fe, are longtime benefactors of Gundersen Medical Foundation.
    [Show full text]
  • COMPASS Now Report 2015
    COMPASS NOW 2015 COMPASS NOW 2015 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS COMPASS NOW 2015 would like to acknowledge and offer much gratitude to the following people and organizations for their time, commitment, and expertise in the creation of this report. COMPASS NOW Chair Doug Mormann COMPASS NOW Coordinator Aubrey Stetter-Hesselberg, Great Rivers United Way Steering Committee Pauline Byom, Mayo Clinic Health System Tracy Herlitzke, Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #4 Catherine Kolkmeier, La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium Jenny Kuderer, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Jason Larsen, La Crosse Area Family Collaborative Mary Meehan-Strub, La Crosse County UW-Extension Joan Mueller, Mayo Clinic Health System Eric Prise, Tomah Memorial Hospital Heather Quackenboss, La Crosse Community Foundation Brenda Rooney, Gundersen Health System Sarah Spah, Mayo Clinic Health System Shelly Teadt, Couleecap Mary Kay Wolf, Great Rivers United Way Community Council Carol Abrahamzon, Mississippi Valley Conservancy Cecil Adams, African American Mutual Assistance Network Valjean Adams, Clara Fields Multicultural Literacy Program Toni Asher, Pump House Regional Arts Center Kim Cable, Couleecap Anna Cardarella, Western Dairyland Fai DeMark, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of La Crosse Mike Desmond, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse Lori Dubczak, Independent Living Resources Jackie Eastwood, La Crosse County Area Planning Committee Tom Faella, La Crosse County Administrative Center Ashley Foreman, Marine Credit Union Charlie Handy, La
    [Show full text]
  • MEET OUR NEW CEO a Letter from Scott Rathgaber, MD, Gundersen’S New Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends, We Live in a Region Full of Beauty, Vibrancy and Opportunity
    GUNDERSENYOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS MANAGING MENOPAUSE New Menopause Clinic helps women find answers –p. 5 KIDS & SOCIAL MEDIA Helpful tips to keep them safe and healthy – p. 6 TAKE CONTROL OF JOINT PAIN Check out our new online Self-Care Plan – p. 10 MEET OUR NEW CEO A letter from Scott Rathgaber, MD, Gundersen’s new Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends, We live in a region full of beauty, vibrancy and opportunity. Those qualities are all around us as the seasons transition from summer to fall and fall to winter. Gundersen Health System is undergoing a period of transition, and opportunity, of its own. Our community-led Board of Trustees has granted me the honor and privilege to serve our patients, staff and community in the role of chief executive officer. I am excited to lead such a dynamic organization as Gundersen enters its 125th year of providing high-quality care in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. In addition, I am grateful to Dr. Jeff Thompson for his inspired leadership, providing stability and momentum for our system to facilitate a smooth transition. I have spent my first weeks listening to our staff and community leaders to understand their passion and vision for our future. In these conversations, it is clear so many people cherish the deep community roots Gundersen has throughout our service area. They also understand Gundersen’s future success depends upon engaging our staff and communities in solutions for healthcare excellence. We are committed to leading a transformation from traditional healthcare to promotion of health and wellness in our communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Esri News for Health & Human Services Summer 2013
    Esri News for Health & Human Services Summer 2013 Improving Rural Clinical Outreach with GIS Gundersen Health System Provides Tools for Outreach Clinic Decision Making To say Gundersen Health System depends on air and ground ambulances—all spread across For years, Gundersen has been working in-depth information and solid relationships largely rural western Wisconsin, northeastern to integrate Esri technology into its outreach would be an understatement. Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota. services. The health system seeks to provide Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the organiza- “For more than 20 years, we’ve been doing leaders and planners with visual map and data tion consists of a 325-bed teaching hospital with outreach,” said Robert M. Trine, Gundersen’s displays that aid decision making on the place- a level II trauma center and nearly 50 loca- senior vice president for strategy. “And we’ve ment of new outreach services and to assess tions—affiliate hospitals, regional clinics, behav- developed relationships with independent the business performance of existing sites. ioral health clinics, vision centers, pharmacies, doctors throughout our three-state area.” Gundersen Health System’s 325-bed teaching hospital with a level II trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A new in-patient mental health unit and biomass boiler sit in the foreground. “From a senior leadership perspective, mapping is obviously a visual tool, and it’s very helpful in getting people on the same page around certain topics that are geographically dependent,” Trine said. Gundersen’s prototype GIS outreach is helping the health system respond to rural health care needs, further enhancing the health system’s capability to deliver the best-quality, least expensive care.
    [Show full text]
  • Correspondence Memorandum
    801 W Badger Road PO Box 7931 State of Wisconsin Madison WI 53707-7931 Department of Employee Trust Funds 1-877-533-5020 (toll free) Robert J. Conlin Fax 608-267-4549 etf.wi.gov SECRETARY Correspondence Memorandum Date: July 20, 2016 To: Group Insurance Board From: Rachel Carabell, Strategic Health Policy Advisor Office of Strategic Health Policy Subject: Wisconsin Health Insurance Market: Review and Update of Developments This memo is for information purposes only. No Board action is required. The purpose of this memo is to make the Group Insurance Board aware of developments in the Wisconsin health plan and provider markets that are relevant to the state group health insurance program. Below is a brief description of health plan mergers and partnerships announced since 2013. 2013 Dean Health Plan and SSM Health In June 2013, SSM Healthcare Corporation (SSM), a Missouri-based non-profit organization announced its acquisition of Dean Health Insurance, Inc., and its subsidiary, Dean Health Plan (Dean). Prior to the acquisition, SSM owned 47.368% of Dean stock. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) approved this acquisition in August 2013. Meriter, Physicians Plus and UnityPoint Health In October 2013, UnityPoint Health, an Iowa-based provider health system, and Meriter Health System announced that Meriter would join UnityPoint Health and change its name to UnityPoint Health – Meriter. As part of this acquisition, Meriter Health System transferred most of its ownership of Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation to UnityPoint Health. Physicians Plus continues to be an offering in the state group health insurance program. OCI approved this acquisition in December 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 CHNA MCHS Oakridge Without Cover
    Community Health Needs Assessment Mayo Clinic Health System in Oakridge November 2019 Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 3 Our Community ....................................................................................................... 6 Assessing the Needs of the Community ..................................................................... 9 Addressing the Needs of the Community .................................................................. 13 Evaluation of Prior CHNA and Implementation Strategy ......................................... 17 References ............................................................................................................ 19 Appendix A: Demographic Data ................................................................................ 20 Appendix B: Individuals Involved ........................................................................... 21 Appendix C: County Health Rankings .................................................................... 24 Appendix D: Data Sources .................................................................................... 29 Page 2 of 29 Executive Summary Enterprise Overview Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization committed to inspiring hope and contributing to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated practice, research and education. Mayo Clinic serves more than 1.3 million patients annually from communities around
    [Show full text]
  • MOTHER. VETERAN. STAGE 4 CANCER SURVIVOR. Robin Henderson: ‘It’S Never Just You.’ – P
    GUNDERSENYOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS EASING THE PAIN Gundersen Palmer offers options for delivering mothers – p. 2 CATCH CANCER EARLY Colonoscopies save lives and are available close to home – p. 3 MOTHER. VETERAN. STAGE 4 CANCER SURVIVOR. Robin Henderson: ‘It’s never just you.’ – p. 5 Gundersen Health System has the following locations in your area. For a complete listing visit gundersenhealth.org. Optometrist joins Easing the pain Calmar Gundersen Eye Clinic • Medical Clinic: 106 East Main St. during delivery (563) 562-3211 Decorah Waukon • Medical Clinic, Behavioral Health, Childbirth is a joyous experience, but it also takes planning General Surgery and Podiatry: and preparation. 1830 State Hwy. 9 KRISTEN REIERSON, OD (563) 382-3140 or (800) 865-3140 “Every woman withstands the stress and pain of labor Eye Clinic: (563) 382-2639 in her own way,” explains Ken Beach, certified registered • Orthodontics: 202 West Main St. Great colleagues, great patients and (563) 382-2525 a great place to live bring Kristen nurse anesthetist, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics. “Our goal is to provide every woman with Fayette Reierson, OD, to the Gundersen Eye • Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital Clinic Waukon. optimal pain control options while still maintaining their and Clinics Fayette: 110 King St. sense of control.” (563) 425-3381 “I am thrilled to be moving back Lansing to northeast Iowa,” says the Elgin Women who deliver at Gundersen Palmer West Union • Medical Clinic: 50 North Fourth St. native. “I am also excited to increase have several options to manage their pain. Gundersen (563) 538-4874 the accessibility of eye care at the Palmer‘s nursing staff offers continuous labor support and Postville Waukon location.” • Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital encourages a variety of comfort measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Joins Oakwood Center Team in Eau Claire Holly Zanchetti, F.N.P., Has Joined Family Medicine at the Eau Claire Oakwood Center
    Latest Updates https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/covid-19-employee-information#goodnews DOD medical team to depart this week—after assisting at Health System hospitals Marshfield, Eau Claire, Beaver Dam and Rice Lake hospitals are saying farewell this week to about 50 U.S. Army medical personnel, part of a Department of Defense (DOD) COVID-19 operation that has been helping hospital staff during the recent COVID-19 surge. DOD medical personnel had been onsite since mid-December. The DOD's final day of work was Wednesday (Jan.13). The DOD departed Rice Lake Wednesday and left Marshfield, Rice Lake, Eau Claire and Beaver Dam today (Jan. 14). At the time of the DOD's arrival at our hospitals, there were over 100 COVID-19 patients throughout Health System hospitals. As of Wednesday (Feb. 13), our total number of COVID-19 inpatients was at 43. “The Department of Defense have been of great service to this hospital and patients, and I know everyone here thanks them for their service to us and our country," said Pat Board, Marshfield Medical Center CAO. The DOD assisted not only patients, but our front line staff with relief to help prevent burnout. Any help to staff, who are feeling mentally and physically exhausted at our System, across the state of Wisconsin and the country, is important. The DOD's last shift in Marshfield ended at 7 a.m. Thursday where a brief socially distanced celebration was held with DOD members on the helipad. A request for extending the DOD resources was not approved as COVID-19 is increasing in other parts of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • An Open Letter from Wisconsin's Hospital Leaders
    An Open Letter from Wisconsin’s Hospital Leaders April 14, 2021 Dear members of the State Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, We are honored to write to you today, having gone through what is undoubtedly the most challenging time we’ve ever faced in health care. We have now lived through a moment that created concern with the availability of hospital care; something that many couldn’t imagine possible. Our planning, innovative thinking and our respective teams’ unwavering passion for patient care has served your constituents and our state well. Throughout the pandemic, every function within our hospital was utilized or redeployed in response to this pandemic – all facets of our operations were tested. But when your constituents needed us, we were there. When the State of Wisconsin needed vaccination and testing infrastructure, we provided it – in fact, the majority of it, with hospitals and health systems providing millions of tests and vaccines across the state and also helping support the efforts of local public health departments. When employers needed a vaccination partner, we answered their call. As more Wisconsinites become vaccinated for COVID-19, we – like you – are excited to welcome a more normal way of life. While the most recent past is important perspective, it cannot be the sole lens by which we view health care policy into the future. We are looking forward, not behind us, as we figure out how we maintain Wisconsin’s spot as the top state in the country to receive health care. Indeed, the challenges are great. Our workforce, which is the largest expense category for most hospitals, has been stressed.
    [Show full text]