Great River Health Systems - News

Great River Health Systems to Offer Health-career Workshop Feb. 23

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Great River Health Systems will offer a health-career workshop from Noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, for high-school students and displaced workers to help them decide whether health care is a possible career choice. The health-care industry appeals to people who are interested in becoming nurses, respiratory therapists, X-ray technologists, therapists and pharmacists. There are more than 100 careers in this field.

The workshop will include a brief tour of Great River Medical Center, discussions with a nurse, physical therapist, radiologic technologist and respiratory therapist, and a visit to the career area of interest.

For more information or to register, please call Great River Health System’s Corporate Education Department at 319-768-4070.

Great River Hospice to Host Grief-sharing Program

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

A support program for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Great River Hospice House, 1306 S. Washington Rd., West Burlington. “First Friday Share” will include a short presentation followed by a potluck dinner, and visiting and sharing with others.

Great River Hospice Chaplain Dean Graber will present the program. First Friday Share is not exclusive to families and friends of former Great River Hospice patients. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call Great River Home Health and Hospice at 319-768-3350 or toll-free 877-404-4766.

Diabetes Education Course Offered in February

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

You can live well with diabetes if you under-stand how to care for yourself. The Great River Diabetes Education Program offers four-week group diabetes classes. The sessions are from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 23. Afternoon classes are available from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Feb. 6.

Group outpatient diabetes classes are for those who are:

Newly diagnosed and learning about diabetes management
Making a change in treatment
Having concerns or complications

Class topics:

Types of diabetes
Proper eating for diabetes
Carbohydrate counting
Developing healthy habits
Exercise
Medicines
Monitoring and understanding blood-sugar readings
Managing blood sugars
Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and weight
Reducing risks for diabetes-related health problems
Coping with chronic disease

A physician referral for diabetes education is required. Great River Medical Center’s certified diabetes educators a registered nurse and a registered dietitian will assess needs for specific information and skills, teach self-care and provide continuing help. The fee for the class series is covered by most insurance companies. A family member or friend is encouraged to attend at no additional cost.

The Great River Diabetes Education Program has been awarded the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a high-quality diabetes self-manage-ment program. Recognition assures that education programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-management Education programs and are an essential component of effective diabetes treatment. It also is accredited by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The Great River Diabetes Education Program is offered through Great River Center for Rehab and Clinics, 1401 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington. Talk to your physician or other health-care provider about the benefits of diabetes education. For more information or to register, please call 319-768-4100.

Great River Health Systemsâ Diabetes Support Group to Meet Feb 7.

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Great River Health Systems’ Diabetes Support Group is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Maple Room on the lower level of Great River Medical Center, 1221 S. Gear Ave., West Burlington.

The support group is for people who are newly diagnosed and those who have had diabetes for years, and their family members. Its purpose is to share ideas, and discuss challenges and strategies for living with diabetes.

Reservations are not required. Those who cannot attend but are interested in future meetings may call the Great River Diabetes Education Program at 319-768-4100.

Great River Health Systems Offers CPR for Infants and Children Class

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving techniques is one of the best gifts you can give your child. The goal of this class is to ensure adequate instruction and practice so class members can calmly and effectively react when a baby or young child requires emergency care for breathing or choking problems. This free class runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. It is open to parents, grandparents, older siblings and baby-sitters.

The class includes:

Demonstration and practice of what to do for a choking infant and child
Discussion of feelings families have about performing CPR on their own children
Preparing your home for an emergency
Step-by-step demonstration and practice of CPR on resuscitation manikins

Registration is required. To register or obtain more information, please call Great River Health Systems’ Corporate Education Department at 319-768-4070, or toll-free at 866-297-9516, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also may register online by selecting the Classes and Events tab at www.GreatRiverMedical.org.

Great River Medical Center Offers Sibling Preparation Class in February

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The Sibling Preparation Class helps children develop realistic expectations about their new baby brother or baby sister, and helps reduce the anxiety about being separated from their mothers. Children ages 2 through 10 will learn how an additional child will change their families and how they can help with this adjustment. The free class includes:

A tour of the Obstetrics Unit, including the nursery
Dressing up in hospital gowns, masks and caps
Story time about having a baby
Role-playing for children

Classes are scheduled monthly. The next class is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb 4. Registration is required. To register or obtain more information, please call the hospital’s Education Department at 319-768-4070 or toll-free at 866-297-9516, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also may register online at www.GreatRiverMedical.org under the Classes and Events tab.

Great River Friends offers scholarships

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Supporting students who are pursuing careers in health care is an important mission of Great River Friends, a community of donors and volunteers that supports Great River Health Systems. Each year, it provides up to $10,000 for scholarships.

Great River Friends High School Scholarship

Applicants must:

Be a senior in high school
Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average
Live in or attend a school within Great River Health Systems’ service area (approximately 60 miles)

To apply, go to www.greatrivermedical.org.

Great River Friends Continuing College Student Scholarship

Applicants must:

Have completed at least one year of college. Students in graduate school may apply.
Have graduated from a high school in Great River Health Systems’ service area in the last 10 years

To apply, go to www.greatrivermedical.org.

Great River Friends Scholarship at Southeastern Community College

Great River Friends donates money for two scholarships awarded by the SCC Foundation. One is based on need; the other, academic proficiency. Applicants must have completed one year at SCC and attend school at the West Burlington campus.

To apply, go to www.scciowa.edu/scripts/admissions/financialaid/scholapp.asp.

Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) scholarship

Great River Friends donates a minimum of $1,000 each year to this scholarship fund. Recipients may receive up to $3,000 per year with a maximum of two years. To be eligible, applicants must:

Be within two years of completing their education
Work at an Iowa hospital for at least one year per scholarship awarded

To apply, go to www.ihaonline.org/careers/iherfscholarship/scholarship.shtml.

For more information, please call Great River Medical Center Volunteer Services at 319-768-3340.

GRHS womenâs health practitioner seeing patients in Wapello

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

A nurse practitioner from Great River Women’s Health has begun seeing patients at Great River Clinic, Wapello. Appointments with Janette Schulz, A.R.N.P., are available every Friday.

Schulz has more than 20 years of experience in women’s health. She has worked at Great River Women’s Health since 1999. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Iowa and American Nurses Association and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

To make an appointment with Schulz at Great River Clinic Wapello, 220 Mulberry St., please call 319-768-4090.

Great River Center for Rehab and Clinics Offers Free Diabetic Foot Screenings

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Great River Center for Rehab and Clinics staff will provide free diabetic foot screenings from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Center for Rehab and Clinics, 1401 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington.

The screening is for people who have diabetes or loss of sensation in their feet. Appointments are required. Those interested in scheduling an appointment should call the Center for Rehab and Clinics at 319-768-4100.

Great River Health Systems employees provide help for the holidays

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Hundreds of area residents are benefitting from the generosity of Great River Health Systems employees during the holiday season.

In November, money collected in the health system’s 16^th annual employee food drive was used to buy 240 $50 supermarket gift certificates. The gift certificates were given to the Battered Women’s Shelter, Burlington Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army and Southeast Iowa Community Action. The Louisa County and Henderson County, Ill., food pantries received the 1,813 nonperishable food items that were collected.

In December, employees in 16 departments “adopted” about 20 families, and provided presents, household items and food. Three departments collected supplies and money to the Burlington Homeless Shelter and the Des Moines County Humane Society.

In January, health system employees will donate more than 300 hats, scarves, pairs of mittens and other winter wear to children in Burlington and West Burlington schools.

Great River Medical Center offers occupational therapy in Wapello

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Great River Physical Therapy, a service of Great River Medical Center in Wapello, Iowa, will begin offering occupational therapy services Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Occupational therapists help clients improve functioning of the upper extremities, including hands, wrists and elbows. They also help clients compensate for loss of function by using adaptive equipment or learning new methods for performing tasks.

Appointments with occupational therapist Jill Nealey will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. A physician’s referral is required.

Great River Physical Therapy opened in July 2009, and it is staffed by doctor of physical therapy Bill Myers. Great River Physical Therapy and Great River Clinic, a family medical clinic, are in one convenient location – 220 Mulberry St., Wapello. The telephone number is 319-768-4090.

Great River Hospice to Host Grief-sharing Program

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

A support program for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Great River Hospice House, 1306 S. Washington Rd., West Burlington. “First Friday Share” will include a short presentation followed by a potluck dinner, and visiting and sharing with others.

Great River Hospice Social Worker, Joan Rodgers, M.S.W., LISW, will present the program. First Friday Share is not exclusive to families and friends of former Great River Hospice patients. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call Great River Home Health and Hospice at (319) 768-3350 or toll-free (877) 404-4766.

Great River Medical Center Offers Sibling Preparation Class in January

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The Sibling Preparation Class helps children develop realistic expectations about their new baby brother or baby sister and helps reduce the anxiety about being separated from their mothers. Children ages 2 through 10 will learn how an additional child will change their families and how they can help with this adjustment. The free class includes:

A tour of the Obstetrics Unit, including nursery
Dressing up in hospital gowns, masks and caps
Story time about having a baby
Role-playing for children

Classes are scheduled monthly. The next class is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Registration is required. To register or obtain more information, please call the hospital's Education Department at 319-768-4070 or toll-free at 866-297-9516, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You also may register online at www.GreatRiverMedical.org under the Classes and Events tab.

Great River Medical Center Provides Free Prenatal Series

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Great River Medical Center offers a free six-week series of prenatal education classes that help take the mystery out of the birth process, ease fear and help expectant parents prepare for this memorable event. It is for women in their sixth or seventh months of pregnancy and their partners or birth coaches. The classes will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 5. Mothers-to-be should come dressed in comfortable slacks.

The classes include:

Demonstrations of breathing and relaxation techniques
Lectures by a childbirth educator
Opportunities to ask questions about labor, delivery and newborn care
Practice for controlling labor

An extensive tour of the Obstetrics Unit, including nurseries, also is provided. Registration is required. To register or receive more information, please call the hospital's Corporate Education Department at 319-768-4070, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also may register online by following the class link at www.GreatRiverMedical.org/events.

Great River Health Systems Recognizes Service Hero

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Deanna Scott, Great River Hematology and Oncology, recently was named a Great River Health Systems EXCEL Service Hero.

The health system recognizes employees who demonstrate actions that extend beyond routine, expected employee behavior. Criteria for the service hero award are based on the health systems’ philosophy of care. EXCEL stands for Enthusiastically friendly, X-ceeding expectations, Caring and compassion, Energetic teamwork, and Leadership and professionalism.

Scott’s EXCEL action: When calling Great River Hematology and Oncology, a patient couldn’t choose the automated options because she didn’t have a pushbutton telephone. Scott bought the patient a pushbutton phone so the woman could call the clinic more easily.

Great River Health Systems - News

Great River Health Systems to Offer Health-career Workshop Feb. 23

Great River Hospice to Host Grief-sharing Program

Diabetes Education Course Offered in February

Great River Health Systemsâ Diabetes Support Group to Meet Feb 7.

Great River Health Systems Offers CPR for Infants and Children Class

Great River Medical Center Offers Sibling Preparation Class in February

Great River Friends offers scholarships

GRHS womenâs health practitioner seeing patients in Wapello

Great River Center for Rehab and Clinics Offers Free Diabetic Foot Screenings

Great River Health Systems employees provide help for the holidays

Great River Medical Center offers occupational therapy in Wapello

Great River Hospice to Host Grief-sharing Program

Great River Medical Center Offers Sibling Preparation Class in January

Great River Medical Center Provides Free Prenatal Series

Great River Health Systems Recognizes Service Hero

Great River Health Systemsâ Diabetes Support Group to Meet Feb 7.

GRHS womenâs health practitioner seeing patients in Wapello