Winter 2013
your gui de to h e a lth & w ellness
are C zed ali n o Pers
Home.
Dan Neufelder
Bill Calhoun
This short word takes on many definitions – a dwelling offering shelter; where loved ones are; one’s native country. It’s wherever the heart is. Many of the same qualities of home are emulated in the care we set out to deliver at Affinity Health System, whether it’s through a joint effort with Network Health to provide check-ups in the homes of Medicare patients, or creating a new recovery experience for moms and babies at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s new BirthPlace. We aim to design programs and spaces with you in mind. In this issue, we hit on a comfort food strategy very familiar to families, the convenience our licensed athletic trainers offer high-school athletes, a special organization making a lasting impression on veterans in the Fox Valley, and more. With every year comes change, and some has already taken place in the leadership structure of Affinity Health System to better serve this place we call home. Beginning this January, Bill Calhoun, president of Mercy Medical Center, will evolve into a new position as eastern region vice president for Affinity Health System, while still retaining his post as president of Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. He will
Getting to Know Bill Calhoun Ministry Health Care’s eastern region vice president takes a timeout for a fun Q & A
become the face and voice of the organization in our area. I will transition into my new role as senior vice president of hospital operations for Ministry Health Care – Affinity Health System’s parent company after entering a sole sponsorship in February 2012. I will oversee Ministry’s 15 hospitals, which includes St. Elizabeth Hospital, Calumet Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center. Both Bill and I have made the Fox Valley home for the last several years, and we will continue to do so moving forward. As 2013 gets underway, we remember what’s important, what our goals are and what makes this special place home to us. We urge you to do the same. It’s where our hearts are, after all. Sincerely, Dan Neufelder Bill Calhoun
Our blog: www.affinityhealth.org/blog Follow us:
Q. List one of your New Years resolutions. A. T o stick with my exercise plan from 2012. Q. Favorite place to eat out in the Fox Valley. A. B oth Benvenutos in Oshkosh and Wild Truffle in Appleton. Q. Favorite condiment. A. Ketchup. Q. Favorite sports team. A. A ny sports team my son, Nick, is playing on. He plays football and hockey. Q. Favorite holiday. A. T hanksgiving – a time for giving thanks for all the blessings and a time to reconnect with family and friends. Q. What is your favorite aspect of your job? A. The people I work with. Q. Favorite season. A. I enjoy the fall. Q. Favorite recording artist is… A. B on Jovi. And anything recorded by my daughter, Danielle! Q. In another life, you’d like to be a… A. R ock singer. I’d come back as Jon Bon Jovi and my wife, Patti, would come back as a dancer!
AFFINITY HEALTH SYSTEM IS... • St. Elizabeth Hospital ‑ Appleton • Mercy Medical Center ‑ Oshkosh • Calumet Medical Center ‑ Chilton • Affinity Medical Group Clinics • Affinity Occupational Health For a complete list of Affinity clinic locations or to find a physician, go to our website at www.affinityhealth.org or call Affinity NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900.
c o n t e n t s W inter 2 0 1 3
F E AT U R E s
Affinity Health System Menasha, WI www.affinityhealth.org
10 LIkE IT WAS YESTERDAY
President, Mercy Medical Center Vice President, Eastern Region, Ministry Health Care Bill Calhoun, FACHE Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Planning, Ministry Health Care Vince Gallucci Editorial Management Jennifer Wagner Mauk John Egan Alison Fiebig
Taking cues from the comforting ways of health care in times past, a new program called HouseCalls is making a world of difference in the lives of Medicare patients by offering in-home visits. Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios
Volume 2, Number 3 The material in @Affinity is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. @Affinity is published four times annually by Affinity Health System. For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, change your address, discontinue multiple copies or stop receiving @Affinity, please contact us at editor@affinityhealth.org. © 2013 Affinity Health System. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from Affinity Health System.
ICE RV
STEWARDSHIP
CREATIVITY
Promise We promise to provide personalized care by listening, treating you with respect and putting your needs and interests first.
Values The way we accomplish our mission is as important as the mission itself. These values of our sponsor, Ministry Health Care, guide our actions.
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Cover illustration by Penelope Dullaghan
Affinity’s sister hospital in Door
Network Health’s associate medical
County opens a new urgent care department
JUSTICE
The mission of Affinity Health System is to live out the healing ministry of Christ by providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve, especially the poor.
Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios
after care
INTEGRITY
Mission
Two labor and delivery nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital weigh in on the new, state-of-the-art, postpartum unit, their careers and the impact it has on their relationship as mother and daughter.
Short C lips
TEAMWORK
At Affinity Health System, our mission guides our actions.
15 BRAND NEW, BABY!
D E PA R T M E N T S 4 The Doors are Open
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Mission, Promise and Values
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15
by the numbers
5 Flu shots received, the colors of
chromotherapy and patients going paperless
18 Batter Up!
director reflects on his athletic accolades and the influence it had on his medical career giving back
20 We Salute You
An Affinity employee and
her husband started a local organization to offer World War II veterans in the Fox Valley the trip of a lifetime
In Season Winter
6 Silencing CO
A refresher on the signs and dangers learn & live of carbon monoxide poisoning Cooking Workshops and
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good eat ’n
7 What’s for Brinner?
A n eggy makeover sure to delight breakfast-for-dinner buffs
Get Green
8 Ramped Up
Installing LED lights in St. Elizabeth Hospital’s parking garage delivers bright cost-savings
Comforting Measures
Educational opportunities and
one warm way of giving @ Affinity
kids@ affinit y
23 Pay it Forward
One Chilton teen inspires a movement of crafty giving, plus a crossword puzzle
Be well
9 Going the Extra Mile
A team of licensed athletic trainers dedicated to providing medical services and expertise to student athletes from the sidelines
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SHORT CLIPS
The Doors are Open A new urgent care department is open for business at Affinity’s sister hospital in Door County By Alison Fiebig
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ou may travel to Door County every summer (for some, year-round), but might not notice the hospital tucked away off of Highway 42/57 in Sturgeon Bay. And why would you? You likely have cherries, sunsets and goats on a roof on your mind! But take note. Affinity Health System’s sister hospital, Ministry Door County Medical Center – a fully-accredited, acute-care facility and outpatient medical center with more than 175 physicians on staff – opened a new, state-ofthe-art urgent care department on January 2. When health concerns arise yet it’s not an emergency, both locals and visitors can rely on the area’s largest health care facility. The urgent care department has the added advantage of being located next door to the emergency room and hospital facility, as well as providing a full range of lab and diagnostic imaging services. “We are filling a void by offering these services,” says Sandy Vandertie, registered nurse, who serves as clinic supervisor. “We know that 4 | @Affinity
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Above: Ministry Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. Left: Nancy Heidel, urgent care nurse; Christine Neubauer, patient registrar; Deb Christiansen, emergency department core team nurse; and Sandy Vandertie, nurse.
problems can come up suddenly, and patients have had to ask themselves if they should wait for an appointment or go to the emergency room. Urgent care is the perfect solution.” The new clinic will allow the emergency room to treat true emergencies and further improve its quality of care. “We want to get down to the nuts and bolts with patients, help them get better, and
send them out the door with a follow-up appointment scheduled, feeling confident they know what to do next,” says Vandertie. Ministry Door County Medical Center is located at 323 South 18th Avenue. Follow the green and white signs at the North Shore Medical Clinic entrance. The urgent care clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Valet parking is also available.
For more information, go to http://ministryhealth.org/ DCMH/home.nws.
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Pin
k Re mo ves the im blo pur od itie str s in eam
ge an r O
, fat ed ergy z i l a n loc s e es rove t a in imp
m Eli
Violet
lue
Relaxes the nerves and lymphatic system, helps heal infections and inflammation
Lubricates joints and helps address infections, stress and nervous tension
Ind
ig
Strong Blue
ell
ow
Im qu prov an ality es s d r by kin eac p tiv urifi ati ca on tio n Y
mic
1,029
R an
The number of influenza vaccine doses that have been administered by Affinity Health System since receiving the vaccine at the end of last summer.
o Pu r sys ifies tem the as circ anda coa ulato ana gula ry lge nt sic
n as ree sists st g G tes, asic againisms on n t a Str egenearntiserpo-orga
S
Green
es y od tissu b e al s th rn ow en inte h t ell g s on n Y e t Str d ac ng an tro
Relaxes nerves, provides energy for body cleanliness
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Benefits circulation and nervous systems
Re cel gene and ls, sk rate cir in, n s mu cul er sc ato ves le ry s B ystem
The number of patients who have elected to go paperless by signing up for e-delivery of their Affinity Health System bill. A new online service called myAffinity offers patients a series of services for free: access to health records, medications, vitals and more; request an appointment, referral to a specialist, prescription refills or medical records; update contact and insurance information; and send secure messages to the billing department or Medical Home team. For info on how to register, visit: www.affinityhealth.org/myaffinity.
22,000
Red
S
The number of colors the chromotherapy light offers in the new postpartum suite bathrooms at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s BirthPlace. Chromotherapy helps to balance your body via the full spectrum of visible light. Each color addresses a distinct need and possesses frequencies of specific vibrations related to different physical symptoms. Take your pick: red, pink, strong pink, orange, strong yellow, yellow, strong green, green, indigo, blue, strong blue, violet.
es s en teri k gth ar en nd Pin Str ins a ng ve tro
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BY THE NUMBERS
700 The number of patients whom submitted feedback to help determine the design of the new, five-story, 90-bed inpatient bed tower at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Updates to be made in this phase of hospital construction will include: renovations to the cancer center and adolescent behavioral health inpatient unit; demolition of the west part of the hospital that was built in 1924; new entrances to the Women and Families department and surgical procedure area; upgrades to the central utility plant; and investment in leading edge diagnostic and operative equipment. This phase is expected to be completed by January 2015. Winter 2013
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in season Winter
winter 6 • good eat’n 7 • get green 8 • be well 9
Silencing CO Winterize your home to fend off carbon monoxide poisoning By Paul Nicolaus
• Switch out detectors according to the manufacturer’s specifications, typically every five to seven years. To simplify this process, write the replacement date on them when installing. • Have any devices that burn fuel – kitchen ranges, water heaters, space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces – inspected regularly by a professional to make sure they are operating properly and free from any blockage. • If warming your vehicle before driving, be sure to pull it out of the garage first. • When power outages occur during winter storms, avoid using generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement, garage, or camper. And never use a gas range or oven to heat a home. 6 | @Affinity
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T ravis foster
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s temperatures plummet and snow continues to fly, the urge to hunker down settles in for many. Before cozying up to the fireplace and treating yourself to a piping mug of hot chocolate, just remember – ‘tis the season to guard against a lurking threat that is out of sight and, often times, out of mind. Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness or death if inhaled, is commonly referred to as the “silent killer,” and for good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, with more than 20,000 people visiting the emergency room and nearly 500 killed each year from overexposure. Steven Unruh, firefighter and public information officer with the City of Appleton, says, “The best way to protect yourself is to get detectors installed. That can’t be stressed enough.” Wisconsin state code requires that all homes and duplexes have at least one CO detector installed on every level, including the basement. Unruh also suggests putting detectors in or near any sleeping areas. He offers several tips to assist with prevention and detection in order to help ensure a safe and healthy winter season and year ahead for you and yours.
Breath of Fresh Air
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ffinity Health System offers life-saving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment for emergencies such as carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. It is also used for routine care like healing diabetic foot wounds or tissue damaged by cancer radiation therapy. “HBO is administering oxygen under pressure,” says Dr. Michael Broderdorf, medical director of the department of hyperbaric medicine and wound care at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. In 2011, the hospital installed two new chambers, which are even larger and more comfortable than the previous models.
In addition to taking appropriate measures to prevent incident, it pays to be aware of the warning signs associated with CO poisoning. “What’s scary about carbon monoxide is that symptoms of an acute exposure are very similar to flu-like symptoms,” Unruh notes. “The only real difference is that the flu is going to usually give you a fever.” Be on high alert if everyone in a household
Treatment consists of a painless procedure that uses 100 percent oxygen to bolster your body’s healing process and cure damaged tissues quicker. Each session lasts about 90 minutes, and you can choose to rest, sleep or watch TV. A specially-trained nurse stays with you and monitors treatment, and a two-way intercom allows you to communicate easily at any point. St. Elizabeth Hospital is the only facility in the immediate area providing HBO therapy, including 24-hour emergency care. For further details about HBO therapy, please call (920) 738-2751 or 1-800-223-7332.
is displaying common signs such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Another indicator of a potential problem is if you experience these symptoms at home but not elsewhere. If you suspect exposure to unsafe levels of CO, evacuate the home or building immediately and then call 911 from a safe area. w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
good eat’n
Julia’s Guilt-Free, Crustless, Mediterranean Quiche Serves 8
By Sheree Rogers
What’s for Brinner? Save the best for last – breakfast for dinner!
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• Go with Greek yogurt as an alternative to sour cream or mayonnaise in dips • Reduce portion sizes and add a serving of fruit to your meals
• Instead of using all white flour in baked items, substitite half the amount with whole-wheat flour • Use egg whites or egg substitutes as an alternative to whole eggs • Sweeten pancakes and waffles with fruit instead of syrup • Replace heavy cream with fat-free evaporated milk • Substitute low-fat or skim milk instead of whole milk • Use low-fat cheese
“It’s a change, and I think it can be a lot of fun, especially for families with kids,” she says. “The cautionary note is many breakfast foods can be sugar-heavy, so we need to keep an eye on that.” Steering away from sugar, quiche is a versatile dish that can be eaten at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Use whatever you have in your refridgerator: mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, olives, tomatoes or sweet peppers. Many quiche recipes call for butter, full-fat cheese, whole milk, eggs, bacon or some other high-fat protein. In this recipe, we have retained the flavor but used ingredients that reduce calories and fat. Because we are using olives there is no need to add salt to this recipe. If omitting the olives, add ½ teaspoon salt. Sun dried tomatoes add a smoky flavor and are bursting with taste. If using fresh tomatoes keep in mind, they will add moisture.
t’s no wonder the breakfast-for-dinner tradition – creatively known as “brinner” – is a favorite of families across America. Breakfast ingredients are convenient and easy to prepare, are often less expensive than dinner ingredients, and serving breakfast foods in the evening usually allows more time for savoring their comforting flavors. Julia Salomón, corporate dietitian and nutrition educator with Affinity Health System, says “brinner” can be even better with small, healthy changes:
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Ingredients cooking spray 1/2 cup chopped onions 1/4 cup chopped sundried tomatoes 1/4 cup green or Kalamata Greek olives 1 – 14 oz. can of artichoke hearts, drained, quartered 1 – 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained (optional) 6 large egg whites or 1-1/2 cup egg substitute 1 large egg 1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 3/4 cup 1% low fat milk 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon oregano Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray cooking spray on a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. In a nonstick skillet, sauté onions over medium heat until translucent. If using spinach, add it to the onions and stir until most of the liquid from the spinach has evaporated. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add milk and spices. Sprinkle pie plate with half of the cheeses. Add the onions and spinach. Add artichoke hearts, olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese mixture. Carefully pour the egg/milk mixture evenly over the cheese. Place pie plate in middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake 30-40 minutes or until set. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into wedges and enjoy! Winter 2013
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get green lighting system. Set-point adjustments were made to the electric heaters in order to tame usage in 2011. In November 2012, a huge improvement occurred with the installation of light emitting diode (LED) fixtures, which each use 41 watts (one-third less than a traditional 60-watt incandescent light bulb). The biggest difference is the light output and the safety it provides for patients, visitors and staff, especially during winter seasons when days are short of sunlight. Behind the scenes, another major difference is in the energy reduction. The parking garage structure now uses 75 percent less energy, dropping its energy equivalency to the electrical needs of 5.2 homes. Most consumers have become familiar with LED lighting through TV manufacturers, but the energy-saving bulbs have been around since 1962 when they emitted low-intensity red light. Versions today are available across the visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths with very high brightness. They use a fraction of the energy and are proving to outlast the life expectancy of their predecessors by thousands of hours. The energy and lighting enhancements certainly make this quiet structure louder, but it no longer has to be shy about using energy!
ChargePoint Electric Vehicle Charging Station at St. Elizabeth Hospital
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Iqbal Mian heelclicking in jubilation for energy savings
Ramped Up Newly-installed LED lights at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s parking garage is a bright improvement By Iqbal Mian, Sustainability Team Leader at Affinity Health System
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ost of us don’t see buildings or structures as people, but they have personalities, too. At Affinity Health System, sustainability teams work to identify ways to reduce the energy and emissions impact of our hospitals and clinics. In 2010, we discovered just how much energy the parking garage at St. Elizabeth Hospital was spending. After aggressive benchmarking, data revealed that the lights in the garage emitted enough electricity to power 21.4 homes in a year (248,720 kilowatts). So what’s the personality of this structure? Definitely the silent type! By utilizing root cause analysis, energy demands of the parking garage pointed to inefficiencies in electric heaters in a stairwell and the
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id you know 17 percent of the emissions of an organization come from its employees’ cars? At Affinity Health System, we go to great lengths to reduce emissions by lowering energy usage and using more efficienct technologies. Now, St. Elizabeth Hospital will be the first in the Fox Valley to offer patients, visitors and staff a recharge of electricity for their electric vehicles. ChargePoint (based in California) ran a national program focusing on organizations with aggressive sustainability initiatives and awarded St. Elizabeth Hospital with an electric vehicle charging station. Through innovative, web-based software and a mobile app, users will be able to access and reserve a time to recharge their vehicle. Wisconsin currently has dozens of electric vehicle charging stations in Madison, Green Bay and Milwaukee, and now the geographical gap is filled with Appleton’s first at St. Elizabeth Hospital! Many domestic and foreign manufacturers offer hybrid and fully-electric vehicles that can take advantage of the recharge. Makes and models that can take the charge include: Ford Focus Electric, Chevy Volt, Tesla Model S, Toyota RAV 4 EV, Honda EV, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius (PHV).
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be well
Going the Extra Mile Athletic trainers exercise their skills to coordinate quality care for high-school athletes By Paul Nicolaus
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ffinity Medical Group’s licensed athletic trainers (LATs) are teaming up with high schools in the Fox Valley to offer personalized care for student athletes both on and off the court. Through their presence at area schools, practices and sporting events, these athletic trainers are able to provide basic medical services along with information about nutrition, strength training, and injury prevention and treatment. Whether it’s discussing proper stretching techniques or rushing onto the field to assist with a potential concussion, LATs are always on the ball. “I like being on-site when things happen,” says James “Rudy” Rudolph, an Affinity LAT who provides services to Lourdes Academy and Valley Christian High School in Oshkosh. Formerly considering a career in teaching, Rudolph has discovered an excellent fit as an LAT. The role blends his love for sports with a passion for educating the high-school population. “I really enjoyed being around athletics as a kid and I still do,” Rudolph says. “Because of my enthusiasm for athletics, I know and understand what’s going on better in the games. I understand the whole process – what’s going through everyone’s mind and what needs to be done.” LATs take on the unique role of fostering relationships and facilitating communication between players, coaches, parents and physicians by ensuring all parties are well-informed and kept up-to-date along the way. Their ability to easily contact Affinity Medical Group colleagues allows for direct referrals and added convenience for athletes and their families.
“We can be a source to get you where you need to go within the system,” says Kerrie Linsmeyer, sports medicine coordinator and director of Affinity’s LAT services. She also notes the way LATs can guide students through the process of determining what questions could be useful to ask when calling NurseDirect or sitting in a doctor’s office. Despite all the immediate help and game time assistance provided to Appleton Xavier High School students, Linsmeyer points out that the rewards of her position also come along with the chance to watch the bigger picture unfold as she witnesses injured players return to action. She recalls a recent example of a senior who sustained a substantial knee injury. While early indications made it seem that getting back into soccer may not be a possibility, hard work and
A QUEST for the Best
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ffinity Health System’s Quickness Utilization and Explosive Speed Training (QUEST) summer program is designed to help middle- and high-school athletes optimize their potential. QUEST incorporates power, flexibility, biomechanics, agility and core strength to improve performance and decrease the potential for injury. The program is staffed by LATs who specialize in strength and conditioning, performance enhancement and injury prevention. In addition, Fútbol QUEST offers the same
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great components with the soccer athlete in mind. Drills focus on footwork, hip power and ball control to develop the skills of indoor and outdoor players alike. The five-to-six weeks of intensive training builds teamwork, competitiveness and mental toughness. Participants meet three times per week, and each session lasts 90 minutes. For more information, please contact Brian Milnarich at (920) 470-4707 for the Little Chute area program or Andrea Kraemer at (920) 209-0162 for the Oshkosh area program.
Affinity Medical Group licensed athletic trainers, from left to right: Joe Fox, Oshkosh North H.S.; Brian Milnarich, Little Chute H.S.; Kerrie Linsmeyer, Xavier H.S. in Appleton; Ashley Pheifer, Oshkosh North H.S.; Jim Tonn, Oshkosh West H.S.; Andrea Kraemer, Oshkosh West H.S. Not pictured: James Rudolph.
effective coordination of care eventually led to an opportunity to join his Xavier teammates and compete for a state title. “Things like that make a huge difference in my world, in the athlete’s world, and in the parents’ world,” Linsmeyer says.
Hit Your Stride
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ffinity’s LATs can help runners be the best they can be with GAP, or Gait Analysis Program. Through a detailed evaluation of running style, GAP provides valuable feedback on ways to improve form and prevent or alleviate common injuries, such as shin splints, muscle strains and lower back pain. High-school or college athletes, recreational runners, long distance runners, hip and knee replacement patients or anyone engaging in physical activity who places stress on the feet can benefit. The program is supported by Affinity’s team of orthopaedic doctors. Contact Joseph Fox at gaitanalysis@ affinityhealth.org to learn more, or call (920) 223-7075 to schedule an appointment.
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Yesterday L i k e I t Wa s
A program called HouseCalls is pleasantly surprising and scoring high with seniors by offering in-home health visits much like that of yesteryear
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hester Steiner wants to live to be 100 years old. In fact, the 91-year-old insists he’ll cross the century mark with flying colors. The lifelong Appleton resident will tell you he was “born with tools in his diaper” and built his very own Ford Model T using scrap parts from the salvage yard when he was 15 years old. He is rich in stories, all of which are filed in the “long story short” catalogue. Steiner openly shares chapters of his life, such as serving as a marine in World War II when he was 21 years old; starting his own business as an electrician in the Fox Valley and sticking with it for 42 years; happily becoming a father, grandpa and now great-grandpa. One particular achievement goes down as his proudest – 69 years of marriage to his sweetheart, Grace. She died in 2011
of heart complications, and since then, Steiner has struggled to find his footing without his better half. He endured a series of disappointing experiences throughout her illness, but Steiner’s sinking faith in the health care industry began decades ago when he was stationed on a boat during the war. A handful of interactions with doctors over the years left a bad taste in his mouth. That was, until May 2012, when he received a phone call asking if he would be open to having a nurse practitioner (NP) pay him a visit for a health assessment. Steiner scheduled an appointment through a new program called HouseCalls, which offers free, inhome health screenings once a year to Medicare members. Despite his adverse experiences, the HouseCalls visit left him far from disappointed. In fact, he was so impressed by the visit, he requested to meet the person who started the program – Dr. Thomas Zoch.
B y A l i s o n F i e b i g • P h o t o g r ap h s b y S h a n e V a n B o x t e l , I m a g e S t u d i o s
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Chester Steiner, a healthy gent today, photographed in his Appleton home where a HouseCalls nurse practitioner visited with him last year.
History Repeats Itself
Dr. Zoch fondly remembers being the subject of a house call as a young boy growing up in the Town of Friendship, just west of Fond du Lac. Going on to work in various positions in emergency, internal and sports medicine throughout his 30-year career, he collected many memories made during the times he cared for patients in their homes. After accepting the role as associate medical director for Network Health in 2010, he reflected on his clinical career with only one major regret – not being able to do more in-home visits. That dissatisfaction inspired him to develop HouseCalls, which is a joint venture between Network Health and Affinity Medical Group (AMG) spanning nine counties in Wisconsin.
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“I believe each life is sacred; that’s what drives me, both as a physician and in my new role, and it’s also what drove me to develop HouseCalls,” Dr. Zoch says. The mission of the program is to keep patients healthy and safe by meeting them on their own terms and turf to provide the highest quality of care in a highly-personalized way. Participation is voluntary and provided at no cost to the member. “The majority of patients want a highly-personalized health care experience,” Dr. Zoch explains. “Sitting down, talking to them and asking questions makes them feel respected. We encourage our providers to build a relationship – walk around their garden, look at family photos.” Like most things in life, HouseCalls is a recycled idea; after all, history repeats itself. But in this case, what was good is still good – the comfort of care in one’s home is hard to beat. “Let’s return to the old way of healing,” he adds, “but also resource the technologies we have.” An engagement specialist with HouseCalls has access to a database of patients who haven’t seen their primary care physician in a year or more. They are the first point-of-contact for folks, responsible for scheduling appointments and preparing charts for NPs. In the 90-minute in-home visit, a nurse practitioner (NP), physicians assistant (PA) or doctor provides a brief health exam, reviews medication regimens and the patient’s health history. “The spirit of the program is to connect them with their primary care physician and close the loop hole,” says Stephanie Van Boxtel, HouseCalls program coordinator. “Our goal is to make sure they’re moving forward as healthy adults. It’s nice to discuss their health in a casual, comfortable environment.” The health care provider might request a follow-up call is made to the patient after the visit to discuss any additional questions or address specific concerns. A patient might have problems paying for medications or need help getting to and from an appointment. In that case, the NP makes a referral to case management at Network Health for additional assistance. The program has already proven highly successful with a satisfaction score of more than 98 percent from patients who have participated. “If we sit down and take our time, that opens the doors for them to express their feelings and tell us what’s really going on,” Dr. Zoch says. At the end of November 2012, more than 4,000 exams had been completed since the inception of the program in October 2011. The program has grown from four NPs and two engagement specialists to 14 NPs and five engagement specialists. Van Boxtel anticipates more hires next spring to accommodate for the expanding need. “It’s not designed to be a separate practice,” Zoch explains. “The purpose of the program is to activate and motivate patients and their families so they develop a relationship with their primary care physician or Medical Home, and follow-up appropriately.”
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Averting Potential Catastrophe
Just last November, Jane Ochowicz was counting down the minutes until her HouseCalls visit. For about a month, the 74-year-old Oshkosh woman had been experiencing shortness of breath. Every day tasks were suddenly agonizing – carrying groceries, shopping, delivering newspapers to the third floor of her apartment building. “It consumed me,” Ochowicz says. “I felt so isolated during that time because I wanted to do things. I didn’t know how much longer I could go on like that.” Quiet but courageous, Ochowicz has had her share of health battles. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with arterial fibrillation but was managing it with medication. She has survived breast, thyroid and skin cancers, and is currently battling bladder cancer. She has seen the gamut of specialists through the years. Having smoked for 15 years and worked in a factory for most of her life, Ochowicz thought she had developed emphysema or asthma, which her aunt and grandmother had in their lifetime. Before the visit, Lisa Stephens, NP with HouseCalls, reviewed Ochowicz's health history and medical records. This is done with the patient's consent. “Nothing stood out as an imminent concern during my chart review,” Stephens remembers. “But it did not take long after entering her home for me to know something was wrong.” Stephens worked as an emergency room and intensive critical care nurse for 15 years, and five years as a nurse practitioner before joining HouseCalls as a board-certified NP one year ago. Her diverse experiences have lent to her ability to identify a grave health situation. “It became clear as I started the interview that she was anxious about how she had been feeling lately,” she explains. “Often times, patients are not fully aware of the extent of their symptoms or what they can mean.” After a routine examination, Stephens knew Ochowicz’s situation was serious. Her legs and feet were swollen, and her heart rate clocked around 150. “I was very surprised when she told me my heart was racing,” Ochowicz says, adding that she never felt ill. “I got a little tearful; someone was helping me.” Based on Jane's clinical picture, Stephens determined a hospital visit was necessary. She immediately called Ochowicz’s physician, Dr. Matthew Kramer, an AMG internist at the Koeller Street clinic in Oshkosh, to explain the situation. “It’s very important that the primary care physician be involved in decision-making,” Stephens explains. “We went through the triage process together and decided to send her to the emergency room. We value the opportunity to work with the primary care doctors in order to give their patients the very best possible care opportunity.”
Ochowicz was diagnosed with acute congestive heart failure and uncontrolled atrial fibrillation. She spent one week in the hospital, and during that time, Stephens both called and personally delivered a Christmas cactus to her while she was at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. “HouseCalls demonstrates that health care providers not only care for patients, but make them feel cared about,” Stephens says. “The caring doesn’t stop just because we have left their home.” What makes HouseCalls different from other programs, she says, is that the only diagnostic tools on hand during a visit are a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. NPs must rely on instinct and critical-thinking skills. “You have to look beyond the obvious and be as proactive for the patient as you can be,” she says. “You’re not just using intellectual energy, but you have to give them an emotional type of energy, too. I’ve held many a hand and given many a hug. Sounds corny, but I’m so lucky to meet people like Jane.”
Opening More Doors
Every 13 seconds, someone turns 65 years old. There are more than 40 million seniors in our country, which accounts for 12 percent of our population. It’s projected that in 20 years there will be more than 70 million people over the age of 65 in the United States. “They’re going through so much – losing their spouses, ailing health, new things every day,” Van Boxtel says. “It’s a great time to come into their life, talk to them and really look at the overall picture – current health and health history.” Steiner would agree about the timing. He hadn’t been in a good place mentally since the passing of his wife. Guilt weighed heavy on his heart and he couldn’t help but feel responsible for the poor care she received during her last days.
The HouseCalls team, from left to right: Stacie Bernard, engagement specialist (ES); Andrea Verhagen, nurse practitioner (NP); Mary Buser, administrative assistant, Network Health; MySee Luangla, NP; Stephanie Van Boxtel, program coordinator; Dorinda Brownie, ES; Tricia Promer, NP; Lisa Stephens, NP; Jean Vandenacker, administrative assistant; Julie Rivers, physician assistant; Amy Bouressa, NP; Dr. Thomas Zoch, associate medical director, Network Health; Mary Heimmermann, NP; Mary Lou Cliff, ES; Kathleen Peterson, NP; Jill Collier, NP. Not pictured: Dr. Paul McAvoy, physician; Debra Schmidt, NP; Debra Franciosi, NP; Jayne Korevec, NP; Margie Weiss, NP; Dale Poliak, manager. w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
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Jane Ochowicz, a recent HouseCalls patient in Oshkosh, remembers the first time a doctor visited her at home in the 1960s.
FALLS PREVENTION While visiting with patients, nurse practitioners (NP) and other providers with HouseCalls take time to share information on important screenings, immunizations and programs. “I’m there to make suggestions and answer questions,” says Tricia Promer, NP. “Providers in the clinic don't know if a patient has the proper railings by the staircase or rugs with rubber backings. These are safety concerns.” According to the Department of Health Services, falls are the leading cause of injury and deaths among older adults in Wisconsin. A program called Stepping On empowers seniors to carry out health behaviors that reduce the risk of falls, improve self-management and increase quality of life. As part of falls prevention, Promer and other HouseCalls providers also discuss bone health when reviewing a patient's list of medications and vitamins. “Our goal is to help decrease that risk,” Promer says. “I want every patient to be in charge of their health.” For information on Stepping On, call 1-800-769-3186. 14 | @Affinity
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But then, his special request was granted when Dr. Zoch appeared on Steiner’s doorstep a few days after his HouseCalls appointment. Conversing in the living room, surrounded by photos spanning generations, hours passed as Dr. Zoch took the time to answer Steiner’s burning questions about Grace’s diagnosis and care, as well as issues in his own life. “I see the future that way – taking care to folks, and everyone becoming more cognizant of the transitions of care,” Dr. Zoch explains. “Patients are more forgiving and understanding of issues that come up when you’re taking care to them.” As his health exam proved, Steiner is a healthy, storytelling gent. His HouseCalls NP, Tricia Promer, advised him to make an appointment to get vaccinated against shingles – a contagious, viral infection most common to occur in people 50 years of age or older. Promer spent 10 years in public health as a registered nurse and almost two years in occupational health as a board-certified advance practice nurse practitioner prior to joining HouseCalls in 2011. She is passionate about preventive health. “We educate our patients on different cancer and cholesterol screenings, immunizations, visiting the eye doctor – anything that pertains to that stage in their life,” she says. “Then they can take that information to their doctor to discuss.” Steiner plans to do so the next time he sees his physician at the veteran’s assistance clinic. “Chester felt it was important to tell me about his past before he could talk about his present health,” Promer adds. “My favorite part of this job is having the ability to meet people in their home. It's a privilege to hear patients' life experiences.” And Steiner can tell you a thing or two about prevention, or “preventive maintenance” as he calls it. After all, his life’s work revolved around it. Only now he can apply the concept to his outlook on health, too. “HouseCalls put a new light bulb in the socket for me as far as reinstalling my faith in the health care industry,” he says. “Isn’t that darnnear perfect, coming from an electrician?” w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
Br@nd New,
! y b a B As the postpartum unit opens in St. Elizabeth Hospital’s BirthPlace, a mother/daughter duo reflects on the new construction, community and — oh baby! — their careers as labor and delivery nurses.
By Alison Fiebig
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Ph o tog raphs by Shan e Van B ox tel , Image St u d i o s
Angie De Moraes and Donna Giles
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D o n n a G i l e s a n d A n gi e d e M o r a e s a r e co n sta n t ly t ry i n g to convince one another that the other is better at their job. But it’s not what you think. • The two are related, you see. Angie is Donna’s daughter, and both are labor and delivery nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s BirthPlace. Having worked on the same team for the last eight years, the two were able to land a career that centers around one of life’s most precious moments – childbirth.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Donna, 54, has spent all but one year of her nursing career working at St. Elizabeth Hospital – the last 32 years to be exact. Coincidently, Angie was eight weeks old at the time she started. When asked what brought her to become a labor and delivery (OB) nurse, Angie answers the question (for her mother) with another question: “What’s better than watching babies be born?” “It’s what has kept me in OB,” Donna replies. “It’s a privilege.” Angie, on the other hand, transitioned into being a nurse eight years ago. She started her nursing career in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), working there for four years before making the move to labor and delivery. “I always tell her she’s a natural,” Donna says, turning to look at Angie, as to pay her a compliment for the one-hundredth time. “It was her ‘ah-ha’ moment. She brings the energy!” “I’m glad I worked in the NICU first because it forced me to get comfortable working with babies real fast,” Angie explains. Not that that was any trouble. Angie now has three children – all of which were born at St. Elizabeth Hospital. But like every new nurse on a unit, she had orientation and whom do
you suppose Angie shadowed during that time? Donna, of course. They delivered a baby every shift during those three months. While most people feel like their colleagues become a second family, this duo gets the best of both worlds. Donna works the morning shift, while Angie takes the night shift; every so often they will work a shift on the weekend together. “Working as OB nurses is different from other nursing specialties,” Angie says. “I like OB because I get to socialize! It’s fast-paced, not longterm care. We care for a patient for a few days – and their new baby – and then they’re gone.” “We have an amazing staff,” Donna adds. “Everyone [working in the BirthPlace] feels families are important. How can you not working where we do?”
The Rebirth of Recovery Rooms
Around the same time that Donna started working at St. Elizabeth Hospital, women were laboring and delivering in one room before moving to a separate room to recover. Since then, women have labored, delivered and recovered in the same room. That is, until now. As part of the hospital’s renovation project, the BirthPlace has gone
The new postpartum suite presents soothing colors, abundant space and comfortable furniture
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Modern bathroom with chromotherapy lighting brings ease to the childbirth recovery experience.
“The rooms are both functional and gorgeous. We look forward to providing better, family-centered care.” ~ Donna Giles, labor and delivery nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital through a complete update starting with 11 brand new postpartum rooms. In its own wing, mom and baby can now recuperate in a spa-like suite separate from laboring and delivering moms. Kathy Moy-Bye, director of the BirthPlace, says the rooms were designed with the patient in mind. In fact, ideas for the new amenities came from survey responses submitted by hundreds of women who delivered at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Equipped with new security features, the latest technology, modern design and ample, functional space, moms and babies will have a healthy start together in a relaxing environment. Wood-themed cabinets hide medical equipment and the rooms were built with sound-insulated materials to keep down noise and improve privacy. The star of the room is the adjustable full bed, which boasts memory foam. There is plenty of room for overnight guests and visitors with a pullout sleeper couch, recliner and a café table and chairs. One big window provides an abundance of natural light, but remotecontrol operated window shades and lighting can be adjusted without leaving bed. Each room has its own flat-screen TV, along with free ondemand movies and educational programming for new parents, and wireless Internet access. An HDMI cable hook-up right next to the bed allows mom to plug in her mobile or tablet device and fill the room with her own music through a high-end sound system. Then there are the beautiful bathrooms. Nine rooms have whirlpool tubs while two have large showers (moms who have a Caesarean section [C-section] can’t take a bath). Most women can appreciate additional counter space to keep toiletries. All bathrooms feature chromotherapy lighting, adding to the spa-like experience. Supported by scientific evidence, light therapy uses colors to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that result in health and harmony. w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
Each color possesses frequencies of a specific vibration, and each vibration is related to different physical symptoms. Different colors are thought to have different effects. For example, red is thought to increase pulse rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. Blue is believed to cause relaxation and calm. The wing also features lactation education rooms, a spacious family waiting room complete with its own slushy machine, and a new nursery. When visitors step out of the elevator, they are greeted by a host of newborn babies resting comfortably in the nursery. The glass window panels can be frosted (making them opaque) at the flip of a switch when a nurse, doctor or nursing mother needs a private moment with baby.
Delivery of Care
While appealing to mom and her family, the renovations also excite the nursing staff. A committee of OB nurses was formed during the early planning stages of the new unit. They were asked for input on ways the new design could improve the delivery of care. Many of their suggestions became reality, such as having a computer and blood pressure machine in each room, being able to stock the room with medication or supplies without disturbing the patient (with cabinet doors that open into the room from the hallway), and easy access to the NICU, just through a door in the nursery. “The rooms are both functional and gorgeous,” Donna says. “We look forward to providing better, family-centered care.” “It’s going to make patients want to deliver here more than ever before,” Angie adds. Winter 2013
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after care
“Baseball requires more than physical aptitude. It’s a cerebral, strategic pursuit... just like medicine.” — Dr. Thomas Zoch
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Get to know your care provider
By Samantha Zinth
or Dr. Thomas Zoch, baseball is not just a physical game: it’s a mental one. “When I was a player, I learned how to use my brain, rather than just brawn,” he recalls. “In my experience, baseball requires more than physical aptitude. It’s a cerebral, strategic pursuit… just like medicine.” As associate medical director for Network Health, Dr. Zoch continues to attack problems from the perspective of an athlete, even years after he traded his cleats for a white lab coat. Although he’s been a physician for nearly 30 years, Dr. Zoch has been a ball player for even longer. He’s juggled baseball with academic, professional and family commitments since he was a high-school student in North Fond du Lac. After graduating as a decorated high-school student athlete in 1974, Dr. Zoch played Division III college baseball at UW Oshkosh while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biology. As a junior in college, he began his semi-professional baseball career as a first baseman with the Oshkosh Giants, earning Rookie of the Year honors after batting .436 in the Wisconsin State League. Following his graduation from UW Oshkosh in 1979, Dr. Zoch attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin. To the dismay of his coaches, he didn’t have much time to play baseball as a medical student, instead focusing on his studies and gaining valuable clinical experience. However, as Dr. Zoch began his residency in internal medicine at Marshfield Clinic in 1983, the Wisconsin State League came calling again. After being scouted by the Marshfield Chaparrals, Dr. Zoch played in the semi-pros for nearly a decade while building his career as a physician. “As a resident, your time is limited,” Dr. Zoch recalls. “I spent long hours in the clinic and long hours in the field, but we made it work. My kids spent a lot of time at the ball park!” Even as a resident, Dr. Zoch proved to be a true talent on the field, batting over .400 five times in his Wisconsin State League career, including a .500 season in 1986 while playing for the Marshfield Chaparrals. He never batted less than .300, ending his career with a .401 average and 54 home runs to his credit. Given his incredible success as a ball player, it’s no surprise that w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
“At the end of the day, or at the end of the game, what really counts are the people who love, respect and support you.” —Dr. T h o m a s Zo c h
As said in the movie, Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” Dr. Thomas Zoch has spent more than 30 years as a physician in the Fox Valley after a successful 10 years playing for one of Wisconsin’s semiprofessional baseball teams. Now, he makes it his life’s work to build healthy habits.
Dr. Zoch was inducted into the Wisconsin State Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2012. In a statement to the league for the induction, Dr. Zoch’s former coach and lifelong friend, Tom Kraus, remarked: “I feel that if he hadn’t gone to medical school, the big league would have been knocking on his door.” Despite being a talented and successful baseball player, Dr. Zoch always knew his professional calling was in medicine. Even at the height of his baseball career, the awards and accolades he earned on the field were no comparison to the difference he believed he could make as a physician. As important as baseball was to him, the pull to help people was even stronger. “I cannot think of anything superior to helping a fellow man or woman at a time when they are most vulnerable or in the greatest need,” says Dr. Zoch of his decision to become a physician. “The people you meet, the lives you touch. There is no greater reward.” As Dr. Zoch learned throughout his career, he didn’t have to choose between his two passions; he could be both a doctor and ballplayer. In fact, he often played both positions simultaneously. One such instance occurred in a game against Wausau while he was playing for the Marshfield Chaparrals. At bat, Dr. Zoch hit a line drive right to the pitcher. The force of the ball knocked the young Wausau player to the ground, leaving him in quite a bit of pain. Dr. Zoch ran to first base then immediately out to the mound to assess the pitcher’s injuries. He personally took the young man to the ER, and stayed with him until he had been cleared. “Luckily he was fine,” Dr. Zoch recalls. “And I found out years later that he started medical school to become a doctor.” Although his last season in the semi-pros was in 1993, Dr. Zoch stayed in the game as team physician for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from 1995 to 2005. His primary responsibilities were in treating players and managing their care, but he’d also take an occasional batting practice with the team for old time’s sake. “They’d throw this old bulldog a bone every once and a while,” says Dr. Zoch. “It was fun to get out on the field and be active with a professional team again.” Dr. Zoch remains involved with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, where he presently serves as an associate board member. Undoubtedly, baseball has afforded Dr. Zoch many unique opportunities, but he maintains the greatest reward is in the friendships he has made and maintained over the past 30 years. He’s quick to credit his coaches, teammates and family for his success, especially his wife, Suzanne, and their three children. “Awards crumble, but relationships last,” Dr. Zoch says. “Getting to know others and sharing of yourself… that lasts a lifetime. At the end of the day or the end of the game, what really counts are the people who love, respect and support you.” w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
Dr. Sumit Ringwala, cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center, is interested in all aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including stress testing, echocardiography and coronary interventional, peripheral vascular and endovascular procedures
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giving back
By Diane MacDonald, gift shop and fundraising manager at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton Photographs by Shane Van Boxtel, Image Studios
We Salute You Each issue, an Affinity Health System team member shares their story of volunteerism at a local nonprofit organization. Affinity is committed to supporting local organizations and charitable events aligned with our mission of providing services that promote the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Old Glory Honor Flight of Northeast wISCONSIN is a local non-profit organization that my husband, Drew, and I are deeply involved with. It all began in the summer of 2009 when we were talking about volunteering together, but our interests were so vastly different. What could we possibly do that we could both enthusiastically embrace and support? Then, like a gift from above, we saw a news story about a Milwaukeebased charity that was part of the Honor Flight Network. Their mission is to transport local World War II veterans on a day-long trip to Washington, D.C. Those veterans had the time of their lives and seeing how impactful that day was really touched us both and spoke volumes about the organization. We looked at each other and instantly knew we found our calling. My thought was to travel to my hometown, Milwaukee, and volunteer for this special group, but Drew had other ideas. Why should the veterans from the Fox Valley have to travel to Milwaukee? Why can’t we start our own hub? I am proud to say through a lot of hard work and help from other enthusiastic volunteers from our area, Old Glory Honor Flight was born in Appleton. Old Glory Honor Flight’s mission is seemingly simple. We transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor. It’s a whirlwind; this trip happens in one day. It is completely free to the veteran. We visit the WWII memorial, Iwo Jima memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. To top it off, we also plan special surprises for the veterans (but we’ll need to keep those a secret). On each mission, our vets are given an opportunity to visit long, dormant memories, contemplate their place in history, and pay respect to fallen comrades. We exist solely because of what they did for our country and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We try not to forget the
opportunities afforded to us and to our children, and this is our way to say “thank you.” Each Honor Flight mission is a thoughtful process; everything we do is carefully planned and coordinated. Because veterans come to us with varying abilities, we took the lead of other honor flight hubs to ensure the safety of our veterans. Knowing that a WWII vet can be 83 years old or older (our oldest vet was 98), we needed to be sure we could handle their medical needs. Enter physicians, like Dr. Jack Meyer. Dr. Meyer, an Affinity Medical Group family practitioner in Little Chute, was kind enough to offer his services after our second mission and has coordinated the physicians’ training ever since. We also travel with other medical volunteers. I’ve lost count of how many Affinity nurses, physician assistants and doctors have traveled on an honor flight with us. We also travel with volunteer “guardians.” The guardians act as escorts to our veterans to ensure they have a safe, special and meaningful day. In less than three years, Old Glory Honor Flight, a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization, has taken 15 missions and transported more than 1,300 WWII veterans and terminally-ill veterans from other wars, to Washington. In June 2012, we completed a once-in-a-lifetime mission by transporting 19 Pearl Harbor survivors from around Wisconsin back to Hawaii to observe the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack. We could never have imagined how the honor flight would affect their families and friends, and our community. That being said, the impact goes far beyond the vets and
Drew and Diane MacDonald
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Old Glory Honor Flight veterans and Appleton residents, from left to right: Clyde Stephenson, Henry J. Meyer, Emmett Hoks and Marvin “Phat” Filz.
their families. We believe Old Glory Honor Flight will change your life if you let it in. Most of our current members on the board of directors are former volunteer guardians. We actually have a waitlist of people who want to volunteer with us – how amazing! Some of our corporate sponsors, such as Affinity Health System, Appleton Coated, Community First Credit Union, EAA,
Kwik Trip and Oshkosh Defense and have become true partners. Many schools, like Clovis Grove Elementary School, Einstein Middle School, Kimberly High School and Appleton North High School, have involved their students in supporting the organization. Old Glory Honor Flight has no employees; its sole capital investment is 70 wheelchairs. We do not receive government funding. We are supported through donations and couldn’t be more thankful of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and our community.
Return to Pearl In June 2012, Old Glory Honor Flight raised the funds to make a special trip to Hawaii with 19 Pearl Harbor veterans from Wisconsin – the largest group from any one state to return to Pearl Harbor. Chris Hibben, Oshkosh-based filmmaker, and Jeff Alexander, reporter with WBAY-Channel 2, accompanied the group to capture footage for a 90-minute documentary. The film premiered on December 5, 2012, and is available for purchase at www.returntopearl.com. Money raised by the sale of the DVDs will be used to get the movie into schools across the state so kids can learn about Pearl Harbor and their local heroes.
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Besides raising our children, I don’t know that we’ll ever do anything as special as this. We will not always be a part of Old Glory Honor Flight, but Old Glory Honor Flight will forever be a part of us.
SNAPSHOT The mission of Old Glory Honor Flight is to offer local World War II veterans a memorable, safe and rewarding tour of honor to our nation’s capitol. This trip happens all in one day and is completely free of charge to the vet. The organization vows to continue this program until every WWII veteran gets the opportunity to visit their memorial, and will proceed to offer honor flights to veterans of other armed conflicts in the future. Are you a WWII veteran or know a WWII vet who hasn’t been on an honor flight yet? Call 1-888-6-FLY-VET or visit www.oldgloryhonorflight.org.
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learn & live
Education happening at Affinity
, What s Cooking in Chilton?
Foundations for Giving Back
By She ree rogers
By Dana Baumgart
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S h a n e Va n B ox t e l , i m a g e st u d i os
usting the myth that healthy lifestyles and nutrition come only at a higher price, Calumet Medical Center (CMC) in Chilton is sponsoring the very first Healthy Living Cooking School on Monday, April 1, 2013, at Chilton High School. It will kick off a series of workshops taking place in 2013 and 2014 in partnership with Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) and Chilton High School. “This event sets out to educate the public about healthy nutrition options and physical activity,” says Jenny Konen, marketing and community relations coordinator at CMC. “There are a number of fitness programs in Calumet County that will be participating in this event.” Chef Jason Coleman, culinary arts instructor at FVTC, will demonstrate cooking techniques and prepare a healthy meal during the April workshop, showing participants that eating healthy can be quick and inexpensive. “My hope is that each person leaves the workshop with at least one bit of knowledge that they didn’t have when they came in, be it a technique they weren’t familiar with or a trick to make their cooking experience easier,” he says. A graduate of FVTC’s Culinary Arts program, Chef Jason worked at several restaurants in the area including The Classic Arts, the Pioneer Inn and Shenanigans before returning to FVTC as an instructor in 1996. Known for entertaining while cooking, Chef Jason promises to entertain with his cooking demonstration. “Food is fun, and I like to share that fun,” he adds.
DETAILS: Healthy Living Cooking School Cost for the Healthy Living Cooking School is $10. Register online at www.affinityhealth.org/classes or by calling NurseDirect at 1-800-362-9900. WHEN: April 1, 2013, from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Chilton High School, Engler Center for the Performing Arts • Local food and fitness vendors • Healthy cooking demonstration with Chef Jason, 6 p.m. • Giveaway bag and samples • Raffle prizes
Comforting Measures
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hink about the consolation a blanket provides when placed upon your shoulders or the way a pair of slippers warms your feet on a cold morning. This feeling of comfort is spread to hospital patients through the donation of goods and services, especially during long, Wisconsin winters. In 2013, a new service called Lids of Love will offer patients at both St. Elizabeth Hospital and Mercy Medical Center a personal gift by providing cancer patients warmth when chemotherapy treatments cause them to lose their hair. “What caught our attention was the sincere motivation of the donors, the terrific designs for the head gear and the opportunity for cancer patients to decide what style and fabric best suits their personal taste,” says Vicki Schorse, executive director of Mercy Health Foundation (MHF). The idea was born when Beth Zwicky of Fond du Lac saw a woman who was undergoing chemotherapy wearing an unflattering hat to cover her hair loss. She spoke with her friend, Bobbi Sprague of Oshkosh, and the pair started the Lids of Love campaign. They will donate sleep hats to the cancer centers in all of the Fox Valley hospitals, including the St. Elizabeth Hospital Cancer Center and the Michael D. Wachtel Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center. Anything from sleepwear to special-event accessories will be available and personally created for each patient. “Donations like these help provide warmth and comfort during what can be a very difficult time for patients,” says Tonya Dedering, executive director of St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation (SEHF). “Volunteers, such as church groups, high-school clubs, Girl Scouts and families, are making a meaningful difference in helping to provide that special touch, so thank you.” Both SEFH and MHF welcome non-cash contributions of items that directly benefit our patients. However, in order to protect its patients, both hospitals have a process through which donations are received.
To make a tax-deductible, charitable donation to support projects at Mercy Health Foundation and St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, please visit www.affinityhealth.org and under ‘About Us,’ click on ‘Foundations.’ To donate soft fabric or yarn for Lids of Love, send an email to lidsoflove2@hotmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook by searching for Chemo/Cancer headgear “Lids of Love.”
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olton Kopf, Chilton, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, but he hasn’t let cancer stop him from giving back to his community through Relay for Life, organizing coat and toy drives, and now making bracelets for cancer patients. Colton, who is 13 years old, started a company with his parents, Nathan and Sarah, called Something Simple. He sells his hand-crafted bracelets and key chains online and donates the money to local charities. He welcomes your donation of already-made bracelets for Something Simple, or to drop off a batch at your local hospital. For more information, visit www.alittlesomethingsimple.com. On April 25, 2013, the world celebrates International Pay It Forward Day with all different types and sizes of kindness. Let’s show one another that we care and that there is love, hope and magic all around us. Make a difference!
Down: 1 humble, 2 helping, 3 friend, 4 adoption, 7 senior, 10 vacation, 14 green thumb, 16 library, 17 knit, 18 veterans, 19 food pantry Across: 5 recycle, 6 money, 8 respect, 9 environment, 11 school, 12 holidays, 13 walking, 15 work well, 19 fundraising, 20 tutor.
word search Across
5. Instead of throwing glass, metal or paper in the trash, you should try to _____ it. 6. You’ll get a lot out of being a volunteer, but you won’t get this. 8. Good volunteers always show _______ to others. 9. It’s the natural world that’s all around us, and we need to protect it. 11. This place of learning can be a good place to ask about getting involved in charity. 12. Special days of the year when most people are happy, but some might feel extra lonely or sad. 13. _______ a dog at the local animal shelter keeps you and them healthy! 15. If you are “cooperative,” that means you _______ ________ with others (two words). 19. This is the term for collecting money to give to a worthy cause. 20. A ________ helps other students learn and get better in school subjects.
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1. If you go around bragging about your accomplishments, you aren’t being _______. 2. You can ask for an extra _____ of potatoes or lend a ______ hand to someone in need. 3. As a volunteer, you might meet a new person who will become a life-long ______. 4. You can help out at an ______ event to help shelter animals and pets find homes. 7. Elderly men and women are also known as ______ citizens. 10. You could spend this time lounging at the beach, or helping with an important cause. 14. If someone steps on your foot, you get a black and blue toe, but if you plant trees, you get a _______ ________ (two words). 16. It’s a building that has lots of books and also lots of volunteers. 17. One creative way to help the needy in winter is to ________ hats, mittens and scarves. 18. These people served their country in the military, but might need your help now. 19. This is a place that distributes food to those who have difficulty buying it (two words). w w w. a f f i n i t y h e a l t h . o r g / b l o g
Winter 2013
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@Affinity
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Affinity Health System 1570 Midway Pl. Menasha, WI 54952
sn @ps
Courtney Klatt and Brittany Walker-Tessendorf, both of Neenah, were guests at St. Elizabeth Hospital’s Girls’ Night Out event on Friday, November 30, 2012 for a sneak peak of the new postpartum unit in the BirthPlace (before it opened December 5). They enjoyed dinner, a tour, cupcake onesie-making crafts, their own suite to relax in and watch a movie, massages, manicures and make-up touch-ups provided by Agea Spa in Appleton, and a root-beer-float bar!
We do n’t jus t care we’re p for the roud t comm o be an unity, Here i active s a glim p art of pse of activit it. some o ies in t f our r he com ecent munit ies we serve.
Staff at Affinity Medical Group’s new clinic on Main Street in Neenah decked the halls for Future Neenah’s Live Mannequin event on Friday, December 7, 2012. Joining more than 30 downtown businesses in the annual Christmas celebration, the clinic team entertained visitors with handbell musicians and dancers with Valley Academy for the Arts.
All aboard the Mercy Express! On November 15, 2012, Mercy Medical Center staff boarded a train made especially for the Oshkosh Holiday Parade. Both the engine and caboose were constructed by staff from the hospital’s facilities, maintenance, security and biomed departments, as well as parade committee members. It carried Santa and Mrs. Claus, and nearly 100 walkers from Mercy, Affinity Health System and students from various Oshkosh schools accompanied the float, which took home the 2012 Chancellor’s Award!
Health care providers from the Affinity Medical Group clinic in Clintonville trimmed a tree for their float in the community’s Christmas parade on Saturday, December 1. Those pictured are: Samantha Everard, clinic manager; Cailey Everard, Samantha’s daughter; Angela Snowden, family nurse practitioner; Pamela Rouleau, health care associate; Marissa Clark, Pamela’s niece; and Diana Reath, health care associate.