• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

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. While Gundersen has made great strides in efforts to improve the health of our region, we will need current and new community partners to deliver health and well-being to our families, neighbors, and those who move to our region for a healthy, safe and rewarding quality of life. Gundersen has supported a lifetime of health and wellness for so many people through a heritage of superior patient care, innovation and compassion. Our future is bright, and our goal is a healthier future, but we cannot achieve this goal on our own. Together, we have the opportunity to transform healthcare and create a healthier region, and world, for generations to come. Thank you for your support. It will be a worthy and rewarding journey for us all. Sincerely, Scott Rathgaber, MD Gundersen is published by Gundersen Health System. prior to any change in medical treatment, exercise Development and Marketing at 1900 South Avenue, The information contained in the magazine is to routine or diet. La Crosse, WI 54601, or call (608) 775-3089 or educate consumers about various health subjects and (800) 362-9567, ext. 53089. is not intended to replace professional medical advice For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, or service. Personal health concerns should be brought to change your address, to let us know if you are Volume 4, Number 3 to the attention of your physician or health professional receiving more than one copy or if you’d like to be ©2015 Gundersen Health System taken off our mailing list, write to Gundersen Business EEO/AA/Veterans/Disabilities It’s back: Laughing gas for labor pain Casandra Neperud of Fountain City, Wis., knew she wanted the concentration gets too an epidural to control pain during childbirth. But her plans high, her hand falls away. Benefits of nitrous oxide: changed rather quickly upon arriving at the hospital. • Safe for mothers and babies Because the gas clears • No need for fetal monitoring “When we got to Gundersen in La Crosse, I was already from the body with normal or an IV dilated to six centimeters,” recalls Casandra. Her labor breathing in 30-60 seconds, progressed so rapidly that there was no time for an it’s very safe for mothers and • Mother has control over frequency and dosage epidural or intravenous (IV) narcotics. Gundersen Health babies, Amy says. System certified nurse midwife Amy Belling-Dunn, • Quick pain relief CNM, offered Casandra an alternative—nitrous oxide, or Gundersen became the • Gas clears from body in a laughing gas. first hospital in Wisconsin minute or less to embrace the use of • Allows for freedom of “This colorless, odorless and tasteless gas is fast-acting nitrous oxide in June 2015, movement and allows women to get a break from the intensity of following the Food and Drug • Affordable contractions,” explains Amy. Administration’s approval of a machine to deliver the gas in It is self-administered 2012. But offering nitrous oxide during childbirth isn’t new. through a mask that the mother holds It was used frequently in the U.S. during the 1930s-1970s against her to manage labor pain, but fell out of favor when epidurals mouth. came into use in the 1980s. Nitrous oxide is often used for childbirth in countries like the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Canada and New Zealand. “Women are looking for alternatives, and nitrous oxide is a new option in our tool kit for managing pain,” says Amy. “Though my contractions still hurt, I noticed that the pain was not as harsh and it went away faster,” Casandra says. “I’d definitely use it again.” There’s another reason the birth of her first child, Joshua, went smoothly. “The staff was so supportive and talked me through it all. I couldn’t have done it without them.” About one third of labor patients at Gundersen have chosen nitrous oxide to relieve pain since June 2015. “Every woman tolerates pain differently and has an idea of her ideal birth experience. As a midwife, I’m here to help them have a good experience,” concludes Amy. If you’re expecting a little one, ask your Gundersen Development and Marketing at 1900 South Avenue, Casandra Neperud of La Crosse, WI 54601, or call (608) 775-3089 or Fountain City, Wis., doctor or midwife about the use of nitrous oxide (800) 362-9567, ext. 53089. If with her son, Joshua. during labor. Volume 4, Number 3 ©2015 Gundersen Health System EEO/AA/Veterans/Disabilities YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS | 2 Celebrating 10 incredible years! to our 100+ community sponsors and thousands of participants who have helped raise over $3.8 million THANK YOU for local breast cancer research and awareness. National collaborative Steppin’ Out in breast cancer research Pink participation occurs between has more than Gundersen Medical DOUBLED. Foundation and 36+ institutions across 2006 – 2,980 WALKERS the U.S. 2015 – 6,400 WALKERS $160,000 in free mammograms 218 local breast cancer patients received help provided to uninsured or paying for basic needs during treatment since 2012. underinsured women in our community. full-time cancer 2008 researchers joined The year Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Gundersen Oncology Oncology Research Laboratory and Research Lab at the BioBank were established, thanks in Karbara Cancer Research part to Steppin’ Out in Pink. Institute in fall 2015. Join us 9/10/16 at our 11th annual Steppin’ Out in Pink. steppinoutinpink.org 3 | GUNDERSEN HEALTH SYSTEM Gundersen launches new Integrative Medicine Center At Gundersen, care is never one-size- • Chiropractic manipulation techniques help reduce fits-all. In fact, in addition to more muscle and joint pain and improve function, and are conventional treatment options, we used independently or in conjunction with other have offered our patients a variety of treatments, such as physical therapy or more advanced alternative medical services for years. medical interventions. These services complement or assist • Massage therapy helps relieve stress, relax muscle with wellness as part of an integrated tension, improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, Kim Dowat, PhD, treatment plan. Now patients can find lessen anxiety and promote a relaxed state of mental CNM, Gundersen many of these alternative services awareness. A variety of massage is offered, including Integrative Medicine together in one place at the Integrative relaxation, therapeutic, Swedish, deep tissue, sports, Medicine Center in the Gundersen Onalaska Clinic. prenatal and others. So what is integrative medicine? Medical consultation with Dr. McMullen, who is trained in “For some patients, integrative medicine offers relief of integrative and holistic medicine, can help answer your symptoms or side effects while undergoing standard/ questions about the safety and effectiveness of over-the- conventional treatments, such as nausea relief during counter supplements, as well as the interactions between cancer treatments. Many seek these services to treat pain herbs, vitamins, prescriptions and foods. She’ll also work or symptoms not alleviated by conventional medicine. with you to create a customized self-care plan. Others use these therapies to relieve stress and increase a sense of well-being,” explains Kim Dowat, PhD, CNM, who Other natural approaches to dealing with pain, illness offers acupuncture and holistic therapies. and stress “We’re also available to offer advice, provide information “To build health and wellness, I may use acupuncture, and help coordinate other integrative therapies, such as herbal therapy, bio-identical hormones, Chinese and biofeedback, herbal therapy and nutraceuticals, essential Ayurvedic principles (holistic healing based on a balance oils, wellness programs and more,” Dr. Dowat explains. of mind, body and spirit) and other complementary therapies,” she adds. For patient convenience, many integrative medicine services are also available from other departments and Medical consultant Jill McMullen, MD, ABIHM and clinics. Please be aware that not all integrative medicine chiropractor Joshua Potaracke, DC, join Dr. Dowat in the services may be covered by your insurance, so you should new Integrative Medicine Center to offer these services: check with your insurance provider. • Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional Visit gundersenhealth.org/integrative-medicine for well-being.

Load more

  16

Copy Link