Health And Fitness

January issue of Words on Wellness

This edition features nutritious ideas to get your brain in shape, a recipe for salmon patties, how to keep your food safe in winter weather emergencies, and tips for safe winter fitness. Click to View

Bill Travis and training at VGH

Bill at the computer completing a training module The valet service at Virginia Gay will be expanding to include the clinic when the new clinic construction begins.  We’re certainly fortunate to have such great people working as valets and providing transportation.  But something the public doesn’t know is that there is a lot more involved than just helping patients.  We caught up with Bill Travis earlier this week when he was in the training center.

Holiday Cheer and Impaired Driving?

December marks a time of year of togetherness, family, and appreciation for all we hold dear. Yet you may be surprised to learn that statistically, December is one of the most dangerous months for driving. In fact the time between Christmas and New Year’s sees an average increase in fatalities involving alcohol impaired drivers by 34%. Perhaps it is then fitting that, by Presidential proclamation, December has been deemed National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

Worksite Policy Challenges

Across the nation, worksites have been working to improve the health of their workforce through a variety of worksite wellness initiatives. Part of this work has focused on decreasing the use or misuse of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, synthetic drugs and prescription or over the counter medications. Like many other wellness efforts, it may take some time to see a majority of the benefits, but this process frequently begins with increased education and policy revisions.

Help protect Iowa's most vulnerable; only you can do it now.

Mike Riege, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics Administrator If you were disabled, paralyzed or brain injured from an accident and your care wasn’t covered by insurance, you would receive assistance from Medicaid. If your child was born with a debilitating birth defect and you were unable to afford care on your own, you would receive Medicaid assistance. If your life runs on longer than your money, Medicaid will keep you safe and clean in a well-regulated nursing facility, which is why we no longer have filthy and dangerous “old folks homes” that do nothing but warehouse the elderly.

VGH: Iowa's new privatized Medicaid and our patients

We think it is important for our patients, members of our community, and those whose loved ones receive Medicaid support to be aware of recent plans to change Iowa’s Medicaid program.  First, some basic facts.  Iowa’s Medicaid program serves approximately 560,000 people in the state, almost 1 in 5 Iowa residents.  For area hospitals this group represents nearly 15% of their patient population.

Two Iowa deaths from influenza: Iowa among three states with most flu activity

Which is it, cold or flu? With the deaths of two middle-aged males reported today by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics want to remind our communities that influenza is deadly and flu vaccines are still available.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 300,000 Iowans will get the flu each year and together with its complications some 1,000 Iowans will die.

Health care professionals share Medicaid MCO concerns with legislators

Nearly 20 area health care providers gathered last Thursday at the Van Horne Community Center to discuss with State Rep. Dawn Pettengill and State Sen. Tim Kapucian the impending changes to the Medicaid system in Iowa. In August, Gov. Terry Branstad announced that four companies had been selected to provide services under a “Medicaid Modernization” plan set to begin Jan.

Virginia Gay highlights veterans John and Bertha Pohlmann

Bertha and John during an honor flight John Pohlmann, known for his good humor and kindness, seems an unlikely volunteer for the Marine Corps during one of America’s most deadly conflicts; the Korean War.  More unlikely still, he carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), a big, heavy machine gun shooting .30-06 ammunition at rates as high as 650 rounds per minute.  One of the most lethal weapons carried by an infantryman, the BAR was for those who would likely be on the leading edge of heavy combat.

December WOW Newsletter

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