Horn Auxiliary Donates 2 Recliners to IV Treatment Room

The Horn Memorial Auxiliary supported the purchase of two new Treatment Recliners for the Infusion Room located in the Emergency Department.   The Horn Auxiliary volunteers work diligently to support Horn Memorial through volunteer time and fundraising.  Funds raised through the annual Bazaar, Horn Gift Gallery, $5 Jewelry Sale, as well as several other fundraisers support purchases such as the recliners.  Community volunteers are an integral part of why Horn Memorial is “Your Ideal Hospital”. 

Volunteers present for the photo from left:  Kim Miller, Jane O’Tool, Sharon Forthum, Gerry Fineran, and Sue Smith. 

Horn Offers Educational Opportunity on the Topic of Vaping

Horn Memorial Hospital invites you to join us for an informative presentation on Vaping.  Learn why it’s such a fast-growing trend, the chemical make-up, effects on the brain and body, likelihood of addiction, possible side effects, and current data related to lung injury and death. This presentation is free and the intended audience is professionals, the general public, and parents (ages 18 or above). Educate yourself on this dangerous trend currently affecting the youth in our communities.

When:  Monday, December 16^th 2019

Place:  Horn Memorial Hospital Conference Center

Time:  6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Presenter:  Vicki S. from Rosecrance Jackson Centers, Sioux City, IA

Horn Hospice Prepares for the Annual Tree of Lights

The Horn Hospice Tree of Lights ceremony is set for Sunday, November 24^th at 5 p.m. in the Hospital Conference Center.  This is the perfect time to remember a loved one with a special light on our tree, whether your loss was this past year, a few years ago, or many years ago.  The light will shine in your loved one’s memory throughout the Christmas season.

Lights are $5.00 each and tax deductible.  For each light purchased, your name and your loved one’s name will be listed on the memorial board that is displayed in the Hospital lobby the evening of the tree lighting.  Donations from the annual Tree of Lights help defray expenses for terminally-ill patients who enter the Horn Hospice program.  Contributions with memorial names can be sent to Horn Memorial Hospital – 701 East Second Street. 

Ten People Complete Matter of Balance

Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults.

Ten people recently completed a Matter of Balance program at Horn Memorial Hospital.  Throughout the eight-class course, participants learned how to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and to promote exercise and increase strength and balance.  The classes were conducted by trained Matter of Balance coaches Beth Ortner and Lori Volkert.

Pictured are: Beth Ortner, MOB coach, Merle Schramm, Dean Miles, Audrey Schramm, Janet Miles, Sally Porter, Susan Miller, Mary Lou Redenius, Karen Broan, Alva Lill, Jimmie Lewis, and Lori Volkert, MOB coach.

Auxiliary Bazaar Set for Saturday, October 12

October Specialty Clinic Schedule

Horn Memorial Community Health Offers Flu Clinics

Horn Memorial Community Health Offers Flu Clinics

Now is the time to prepare for the flu season. Horn Memorial Community Health will be offering flu shot clinics:

Friday, October 11                  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.           HMH Community Health Office

Tuesday, October 15               8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.           Battle Creek Community Center

Wednesday, October 16          8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.           Holstein Methodist Church

Tuesday, October 22               2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.             HMH Community Health Office

A Medicare card or Medicare Advantage Plan card is required.   There will be a charge for private pay.  If you are homebound and would like to receive the flu shot, please call Horn Memorial Community Health at 364-7311.

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

The flu is different from a cold.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.  The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue and though more common in children than adults vomiting and diarrhea. 

People with flu can spread it to others up to about six feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.  To avoid this, people should stay away from sick people and stay home if sick.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older who do not have a contraindication to the vaccine.  While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness.  Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

Welcome to Medicare Seminar Scheduled for October 1

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period

Blood Bank Schedule for September 27 at Horn Memorial

Save the Date to Save a Life! Sign Up by calling 

Horn Memorial 712.364.3311 and ask for Angie Frank!

September Specialty Clinic Schedule

Call Us First

When you're not sure if you should go to the Clinic or the Emergency Department - "Call Us First" and we can help you decide!

2019 Membership Drive raises over $18,000

Horn Memorial raised over $18,000 from the 2019 Membership Drive.  The community’s generous support helped assist in the purchase of a GlideScope® Core, an airway visualization system.  The GlideScope® is instrumental in aiding surgical and emergency room staff to safely and efficiently access the airway in both emergency and surgical procedures.  Pictured with the new GlideScope® Core from left:  Kayla Lally, RN; Julie Andresen, RN, and Charlie Delaney, CRNA representing the Surgery Department at Horn Memorial Hospital.

Protect Yourself Against Measles

HMH Staff Raise Funds for the Mid Sioux "Kits for Kidz" Program

Horn Memorial Staff teamed up for a Penny War to raise money for the Mid Sioux “Kits for Kidz” program!  This activity raised $875.35 – enough to purchase 35 backpacks for the Mid Sioux back to school program which supports area kids in need.

 

Left: Jill Wingert, Tammie Dausel, and Betty Nippert

Right: Glen Winekauf, Sarah Harm, Erin Dausel, and Lorraine Davis

July Specialty Clinics

HMH Auxiliary Awards Scholarships

 Brittany Grissom, Abby Johnson, and Makenna Thomas.

The Horn Memorial Hospital Auxiliary awarded three scholarships to staff members who are continuing their education in the medical field.

Beware of SCAMS on Durable Medical Equipment and Genetic Testing

2nd Grade Poster Contest Winners

The BCIG Second Grade classes toured the hospital on Thursday, May 2^nd.  Second grade students each submitted a poster reflecting what they liked best about their experience.  Posters are on display in the halls of the hospital in recognition of Hospital Week.

First, Second and Third place winners were appointed in each of the three classes.  This year’s winners are pictured:

Back Row: Avery Ernst, Kolt Spotts, Olivia Bengford 

Middle Row: Aiden Miller, Kynleigh Rohlk, Remington Blackmore

Front Row: Addison Rydbert, Waytt Van Houten and Peyton Kinnaman

Measles Case Identified in Iowa

Media Advisory: Measles Case Identified in Iowa Over the weekend, through testing from the State Hygienic Lab, a Northeastern Iowan was confirmed to be infected with measles. The individual was unvaccinated and recently returned from Israel, where measles transmission is occurring. The individual has cooperated with public health officials. Public health officials are following up with potentially exposed persons to ensure they are vaccinated against measles; however, at this time there is no indication there is any threat to the public. This is the first case of measles in Iowa since 2011, and serves as a reminder for all Iowans to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date. Vaccines prevent diseases and save lives. ###

Horn Honors Organ Recipient, Katelyn Larson

Horn Memorial had the pleasure of interviewing Wendy Larson. She is the mother of Katelyn Larson who was the recipient of a new heart when she was just a baby.  Wendy did not hesitate when we reached out to her to ask if we could interview her to help Horn promote organ donation.  April is Donate Life Month, and Horn is using this opportunity to share little Katelyn’s story to promote organ donation. 

How did you feel when you got "the call" that there had been a match found?

We found out at 2 a.m. on September 11, 2013 that there was a match for Katelyn, and to be honest, my heart sank.  We were praying that she would have enough time to heal and that she would not need a new heart - because we knew that with the heart transplant came a lifetime of medicine and medical care associated with it.  In addition, it was very difficult knowing what had to happen in order for her to receive a new heart; how could we rejoice knowing someone was dealing with such loss?

What has been your favorite part of the organ donation journey?

Our favorite part of her transplant journey has been meeting so many amazing people.  We have met other kids who have overcome enormous obstacles and continue to thrive.  We were able to go to Washington DC and meet families, congressional representatives who share in the vision for supporting kids with chronic health issues.  

If you could talk to your donor family what is something you would like them to know?

If we could talk to our donor family we would let them know how absolutely grateful we are to them for making that decision during the darkest hours of their lives.  I would share with them that Katelyn is so full of life and vitality and how strong her new heartbeat is!  We are forever thankful for their generosity.

What is one thing you would say to people thinking about organ donation?

If I had the chance to talk to someone thinking about organ donation, I would tell them to do it, don't wait or hesitate. Make the decision now so you don't have to later.  It is the most generous gift you can give and the number of lives you can save and enhance is worth it all!

Horn Memorial Promotes Organ Donation by sharing Local Recipient’s Story

April is Organ Donation Awareness Month, and Horn Memorial Hospital is using this opportunity to share the importance of organ donation.  Statistics received from the Iowa Donor Network shared that every 10 minutes someone is added to the transplant wait list and an average of 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant. In 2018 there was 36,500 people in the U.S. who received the gift of life through organ donation.  Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal more than 200 lives through tissue donation.  If you haven’t shared your wishes with your family members or checked yes as an “organ donor” when renewing your driver's license, now is the time!

Horn has reached out to several people from our communities who have been recipients of organ donation and they were honored to help us spread the importance of this “gift of life”.   Jeanette (Paulson) Wulf of Odebolt graciously shared her organ donation story with us…

“Jeanette, are you ready for your liver transplant?!” the nurse said on the phone.  After a year and a half of waiting on the transplant list and two false alarms later I received the phone call everyone waits for.  My second chance at life!  When you get the phone call it’s not really like you’re waiting by the phone for it with your suitcase packed.  You are just trying to live your life, with a failing liver and health hoping that the phone call comes but not knowing when.  That is exactly what I was doing when the phone call came…living and hoping the best I could with failing health. 

I had just finished my freshman year at Wayne State College and turned 21 a few weeks before the fateful phone call.  It was a warm summer day on June 9^th 2001.  My sister Joann and I left Odebolt early that morning to spend a day shopping in Sioux City to prepare our small wardrobe for the summer quickly approaching.  I was buying trident gum in Target (back when Target use to be in the mall where JC Penny now resides). The cashier just slid the gum over the scanner when it happened. I heard the loud beeping and buzzing of my pager in my purse.  Not sure if it would be a false alarm or the real thing, I called the number that appeared on my pager using my very first cell phone that I had recently got for this exact reason.  The nurse on the line was waiting for my call and didn’t even say hello but joyfully asked if I was ready for a liver transplant!  It was not a false alarm.  Caught so off guard and busy shopping I didn’t know quite how to answer but told her I that I guess I was.  We managed to get a plan of action established over the phone and before I knew it our shopping trip was over and Joann and I were briskly walking through the mall, our thoughts racing.  We were told to go straight to Omaha to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and check in.  There I would wait for 8 additional hours before my liver arrived at the hospital.  Through the course of events, I did happen to find out that my liver came from a 22-year-old male. To this day that is all I know of my hero who saved my life.  At 5am on Sunday, June 10, 2001 the nurses came to get me and before I knew it, I was being whisked away to a major surgery that would completely change my life. 

Six years earlier, I was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), I was 15 years old.  I managed my care at Horn Memorial Hospital who worked well with my team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  For six years I would have an ERCP about every three months to balloon my bile ducts open so they could function better and to relieve some of my symptoms.  My worse symptoms were chronic fatigue, constant itching, sores all over my skin, and very irregular and high liver functions.  After each ERCP I would get pancreatitis and spend a week in the hospital.  I bounced in and out of the hospital in which Horn always played a key role.  The staff at Horn was always so good with my rare problems and so kind in treating me.  I began relationships then that I cherish and still have to this day with many new ones.  I feel well taken care of there and enjoy familiar faces there who know me.  The night before my transplant was a restless awful sleep as I did not feel well and remember itching the worst I had ever itched before.  I remember thinking that it was maybe time for another ERCP since I was feeling so bad.  Little did I know then that would be the last night before the fateful happenings the next day that changed my life and another’s.  The next morning as I prepared for a day of shopping, something terrible happened to someone who would become my hero.

My transplant surgery lasted eight hours and I received over 22 units of blood through the course of the tedious surgery.  I awoke in the ICU to a room filled with windows and the warm summer sun shining in on me.  Warm thoughts of thankfulness instantly flooded my thoughts…I made it!  Those first few hours I remained so thankful and drank in the warm rays of sun that I just knew the Lord shined in for me.  It wasn’t long when the thoughts of guilt and a sadness came.  As I was celebrating little things like my eyes no longer being yellow and the liver spots all over my skin disappearing, I knew another family was grieving and making preparations for a funeral.  It was such a bittersweet time. 

I knew I had to thank this family.  Every year at Christmas I wrote them a letter letting them know how I was and how thankful I was for their decision.  But how do you truly thank someone who gives you such a gift?  Thanking them in letters was nice but living my life to try to be the best I can everyday and be a good person was more than saying thank you but honoring my donor, who is my hero, and their decision.  Because of them and their decision to say yes to organ donation I am alive!  I have been able to live a full wonderful life.  I went on and graduated from Wayne State College in 2003 with honors.  I got married shortly after on Valentine’s Day and we have been happily married for 15 years.  We live on a farm and manage a small farming operation.  I got pregnant in 2008 and had a baby full term which is a big deal for transplant women.  He is a healthy 10-year-old now and the ‘SONshine’ of our lives.  We live happy, love each other and love to laugh.  We remain thankful for what we have.  There was a time in my life when all this was very questionable and because of the decision to say yes to organ donation I have been able to go on and live a wonderful life!

When I was a kid, I remember hearing about organ donation.  It sparked an interest in me that they could actually transplant organs.  I came home to ask my mom about it and that I would like to donate if something would ever happen to me.  She said that it was ok with her but I needed to talk to my Dad.  So, when Dad got home, I came with my exciting news.  Only to have him tell me, “Absolutely not, no one is going to take my little girls’ organs.”  I could not convince him and my hopes were dashed.  Who knew that years later organ donation would in fact end up saving his little girls life?  His views on this matter changed immediately and he is to this day an organ donor.

 Sometimes the hard and serious circumstances in life make you exactly who you are.  It isn’t fun or easy to go through them but it is how you handle them that defines you. I often think of the jolly nurse that asked me if I was ready for my transplant all those years ago and the sunshine in my room the day I woke up on June 10, 2001 to my second chance at life.   If someone asks you to be an organ donor will you be ready to answer?  I encourage you to think about it and to say yes.  Talk to your family about your wishes and remember my story.  I hope it helps you in your decision.  Organ donation works and saves lives, it saved mine and I will live forever grateful.

Horn Public Health Nurse, Andrews to be Recognized

Patti Andrews, Horn Public Health RN, will be among the 100 honorees that will be recognized Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines for the 100 Great Iowa Nurses’ award.  This year’s event will mark the 15^th annual celebration of Iowa’s Great Nurses.

The 100 Great Iowa Nurses award recognizes nurses who have made meaningful, lasting contributions to their patients, colleagues and nursing profession, and are viewed as mentors to other nursing professionals.

This year’s honorees exemplify all of the principles on which the 100 Great Iowa Nurses’ Celebration was founded.

Congratulations, Patti, on this well-deserved honor.

Horn Receives Watercolor Painting of Hospital

Horn Memorial's CEO, Glen Winekauf, received a watercolor painting of the hospital from the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). 

Perry Meyer, IHA Executive Vice President and Staff Liaison for District A (Northwest Iowa) presented the painting to Glen at the recent Legislative Day held in Des Moines.  

Horn Welcomes New General Surgeon

In conjunction with Midlands Clinic, P.C.; Horn Memorial Hospital would like to welcome General Surgeon, Dr. JD Welander to Ida Grove.

Dr. Welander will be seeing patients every Tuesday at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove beginning March 5^th. He specializes in the latest general surgery techniques including, but not limited to, breast cancer surgery, colorectal surgery, gallbladder and hernia surgeries, and minimally invasive surgeries.

A native of Pomeroy, Iowa, Dr. Welander graduated from North Park University in 2004, majoring in Biology. He went on to receive his Doctorate from Creighton University School of Medicine in 2009 and completed his residency in Des Moines at Iowa Methodist Hospital in 2014.  He joined the Midlands team in 2017 where he also serves as a member of the Midlands Coordinated Breast Care team.

Dr. Welander commented on his new outreach clinic in Ida Grove, “I grew up in a small town and I am excited for the opportunity to partner with Horn Memorial Hospital. There is nothing more fulfilling than meeting a patient with a problem that I can help resolve, and to perform that operation in a minimally invasive manner if possible. Offering good outcomes, state-of-the-art care and a compassionate ear are important qualities to have as a surgeon. I am excited to offer these services to patients in the Ida Grove Community.”

Horn Memorial Offers Stop the Bleed Course

Horn Memorial Hospital is offering a “Stop the Bleed” course for the general public.  The purpose of the “Stop the Bleed” program is to empower individuals on how to make a difference in a life-threatening emergency.  This one-hour class will teach the basic techniques of how to stop a bleed.

The course is FREE to the public and will be held on Monday, February 18^th from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Horn Memorial Hospital.  Pre-Registration is required.  Please register by calling Angie Frank, BSN, RN, Education Nurse at 712-364-7236.  The class size is limited to eight participants with a minimum of three to hold the class.

Angie Frank, class instructor stated, “The only thing more tragic from a death from bleeding is a death that could have been prevented.  We hope to receive a lot of interest in this course and to fill the class to capacity.”