Progress 2021: Health & Spirituality

Progress Health & Spirituality

Albert Lea Tribune

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Maxine Borge, left, and Stefanie Stevens have both worked at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea COVID-19 testing site — Borge in registration and Stevens as a registered nurse. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Mayo Clinic workers on the

FRONT LINES Employees say they are happy to know they’re helping in some capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

Tribune Albert Lea

Registered nurse Deb Wessling had retired in August before returning in December to help administer COVID-19 vaccines. Provided

A

rea resident Deb unfold in the weeks after her retireWessling had worked as ment. As she learned about the new a registered nurse for vaccines that were being released, 43 years — including she decided she could help.

She contacted the Albert Lea clinic at Mayo Clinic Health to see if she could System in Albert Lea help with the swab or and at Mayo Clinic in vaccine clinics, and Rochester — when the week of ChristCOVID-19 became a mas she returned to reality last year. work, this time adFurloughed in May ministering vaccines. and June when elec“I feel like Santa tive surgeries were Claus,” Wessling limited, she was said. “The majority called back in July of these people are and worked another so excited to get this, month before retiring in August.

— Deb Wessling and I am giving them a gift. I feel so good Her retirement was that I have a purshort-lived, however, as she decided to return to the Albert pose in helping to put a stop to this Lea clinic to assist in whatever way pandemic.”

Wessling is one of many health she could.

Wessling said she watched on television as the pandemic continued to See WORKERS, Page 2

“I feel so good that I have purpose in helping to put a stop to this pandemic.”

What’s inside?

Meet the management team: Crystal Miller: Publisher 379-3420 | crystal.miller@albertleatribune.com Sarah Stultz: Editor 379-3433 | sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com Krista Bell: Circulation Manager 379-3421 | krista.titus@albertleatribune.com Lisa Foley: Business Manager 379-4324 | lisa.foley@albertleatribune.com Terry Thissen: Pressroom Manager 379-9854 | terry.thissen@albertleatribune.com Offices: 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 Phone: 507-373-1411 Fax: 507-373-0333 Website: albertleatribune.com Want to subscribe or moving?

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Meeting needs in new ways

‘Looking forward to the growth’

Church puts number of protocols in place during the pandemic. Page 3

Albert Lea’s first 2 MercyOne doctors prepare to open in new clinic space. Page 4

Keeping spirits up at care centers Senior facilities have worked diligently to support residents during pandemic. Page 4

Page 2 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | Health and Spirituality | saturday, February 27, 2021

Bags for the testing specimens are labeled with different priorities inside a cubicle at the Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 testing site at the East Annex in Albert Lea. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Workers Continued from Front Page

care workers through Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea who have worked on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Making a difference in people’s lives’

CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT.

Randi Monnahan-Chicos had also retired 3 1/2 years ago as a registered nurse after working in the cardiology department for 41 years at the Albert Lea, Rochester and Austin campuses.

She said she got involved because she came back to give flu shots in the fall, and when the hospital received the COVID-19 vaccine, she was asked to help with those.

“I’m happy to be back,” Monnahan-Chicos said. “I know there’s nursing shortages almost everywhere at this point. To help in this capacity so they don’t have to pull from other areas — to do this, it’s been a very pleasant experience and everyone seems grateful.”

She said it gives her a good feeling to be a part of helping during the pandemic.

“I’ve always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “It feels good to be back doing that again.”

‘You feel good to know that you are helping’

Mayo Clinic Health System remains committed to providing the care you and your family need. Whether you are seeking routine or preventive care, or treatment for a serious or complex condition, Mayo Clinic Health System has convenient and safe options available, including virtual or in-person appointments.

Before COVID-19, Maxine Borge worked in registration for the family practice department on the fourth floor of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. In April or May 2020 she volunteered to join the registration staff at the Albert

“I’m happy to be back. I know there’s nursing shortages almost everywhere at this point. To help in this capacity so they don’t have to pull from other areas — to do this, it’s been a very pleasant experience and everyone seems grateful.”

— Randi Monnahan-Chicos Lea COVID-19 testing site, checking in patients for their appointments to get tested for the virus.

For much of the summer, that meant working in the heat and humidity as the testing site was outdoors in a parking lot.

She greeted the patients and radioed inside the building as the other workers prepared and then conducted the testing.

The testing site moved indoors when colder weather arrived.

“It does make you feel good to know that you are helping,” said Borge, who has worked in desk operations and appointment services at the clinic for 17 years.

“There were a lot of patients that are very scared.

It’s reassuring to talk to them and to let them know we’re here for them and we want to make this as best as we can for them,” she said.

Stefanie Stevens, a registered nurse who has also worked at the COVID-19 testing site, said staff are passionate about serving their patients, and patients in turn are appreciative and kind even though they are in an unfortunate situation.

Stevens, who has worked at Mayo Clinic Health

System in Albert Lea for two years, said the family practice nurses were required up until November to take shifts at the testing site.

‘We’re not just getting this for ourselves’

Despite working in settings where they encountered patients with COVID-19, Borge and Stevens said none of the RNs nor the swabbers at the testing site tested positive for the virus.

Borge said they were never worried because they wore the proper personal protective equipment.

The women said they also believe strongly in facemasks and other safety precautions.

Monnahan-Chicos said wearing masks and properly sanitizing hands are two things that can be done to keep everyone healthier.

Wessling also talked about the importance of getting the vaccine — not so much for yourself, but for others.

“We’re not just getting this for ourselves,” she said. “We’re getting this for our family members, our relatives and for those people who cannot get this vaccine.”

Learn more at mayoclinichealthsystem.org.

Signs are around the Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 testing site on St. Mary Avenue in Albert Lea. Hallie Cantu/Albert Lea Tribune

No matter where you’re at in life, you’ll find a home in our community!

Independent Living Assisted Living Secured Memory Care Skilled Care Short Term Rehab Sunday Worship

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year.

For more information, call 507-373-8226 or visit www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org 901 Luther Place and 1761 Eagle View Circle Albert Lea, MN 507-373-8226 www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org

saturday, February 27, 2021 | Health and Spirituality | Progress 2021 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 3

Mark Boorsma, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, found several ways to connect with his congregation during the pandemic shutdown, including virtual Bible studies, drive-up communion and calling his congregation members on their birthdays and anniversaries. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Meeting the needs of a congregation

albert lea church puts number of protocols in place during pandemic

By Tyler Julson

tyler.juslon@albertleatribune.com

The COVID-19 pandemic that swept across the globe in 2020 impacted churches worldwide, and Albert Lea’s Ascension Lutheran Church was no different.

When it was announced that churches in Minnesota would temporarily be banned from holding in-person services, Ascension was not like many other churches in that they were unable to broadcast their services online.

According to the Rev. Mark Boorsma, the church wasn’t sure it had the broadband capability to pull off online services, let alone the equipment.

Instead of having services held at Ascension, Boorsma elected to take part in performing a part of the prerecorded services at First Lutheran Church, which broadcasts its services on KAAL. When the Rev. John Holt of First Lutheran approached Boorsma and other area pastors about being a part of their service, Boorsma said it was an easy decision.

“The one thing about it that made it kind of a no-brainer for me was I’ve been hearing for years, especially from our elderly members, that whenever they couldn’t get to church, they would watch ‘Peace and Power,’” Boorsma said. “I already knew that was the go-to for most of our folks. It really was a no-brainer when the pastors at First Lutheran invited me to participate, I was like ‘Yeah, absolutely.’”

Even though Ascension wasn’t allowed to hold in-person services, that didn’t mean the

“Even when people couldn’t come to church and put something in the offering plate, they were giving electronically. They were mailing in their contributions. ... It was both humbling and inspiring.”

— The Rev. Mark Boorsma of Ascension Lutheran Church congregation wasn’t finding creative ways to share the faith with one another.

Boorsma and some members of the congregation started a Zoom Bible study in which they would get together virtually every Sunday to discuss one chapter of the book of Genesis. The church also offered a drive-up Communion, in which members of the congregation would drive up the door and receive Communion in a small disposable container from Boorsma. The congregation was also still sending in their offerings through the mail, something Boorsma said was great to see.

“Even when people couldn’t come to church and put something in the offering plate, they were giving electronically,” Boorsma said. “They were mailing in their

Xs mark the pathway from the doors into the chapel to remind people to stay socially distanced. contributions. It was pretty inspiring to see pretty much every day’s mail brought another contribution. It was both humbling and inspiring.”

Another thing Boorsma has started doing in the pandemic is giving his congregation members a call more often. He keeps a list of the birthdays and anniversaries of each congregation member during the current month on his desk and will call each person that day to wish them a happy celebration.

When word came that churches would finally be able to hold in-person services again, Ascension quickly got to work forming a plan that would allow them to have services while also keeping the members safe.

The plan designated the

Ascension Lutheran has had a drive-up Communion available with disposable cups with grape juice and a wafer.

ushers with a few more responsibilities, closed off all areas of the church aside from the chapel and bathrooms, sectioned off some of the pews and put Xs on the ground to remind people to distance themselves when entering the chapel. Masks are also required at all times, and frequently-touched surfaces are sanitized after each service.

Even though Ascension has gone back to socially-distanced services, Boorsma wants to make sure members of his congregation don’t feel like they need to be coming.

“We want people who choose to come through the doors to feel as safe as possible in a very scary time,” Boorsma said. “But we also don’t want any of our members to get the

impression that they have to come in person, especially if they feel that they are a part of the vulnerable population.

“We don’t want to give the impression that we’re shaming anyone for not doing something they aren’t comfortable with.

We want to meet the differing needs of as many congregation members as we can.”

Ropes mark off every other row of pews to keep congregation members distanced.

Page 4 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | Health and Spirituality | saturday, February 27, 2021

‘We plan to be here for them for some time’ Albert Lea’s first 2 MercyOne doctors prepare to open in new clinic space

By Tyler Julson

tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com

The hard work of the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition has paid off in the form of a new MercyOne clinic set to open in the former Herberger’s building in the Northbridge Mall.

Drs. David Heine and Brittany Waletzco Bartz are the first two doctors who have been hired to work at the clinic, and both are excited to become a part of the Albert Lea community.

Heine, who received his medical degree from Mayo Medical School in Rochester, worked as a private family physician in Decorah, Iowa, for about 10 years before moving to Cresco, Iowa, to work for the Mercy clinic there.

Based on his training and expertise, Heine said the opportunity to come and start the new clinic in Albert Lea was one he needed to jump at.

“Albert Lea was the place I needed to be,” Heine said. “I had done some graduate work at St. Thomas in Minneapolis. I got a graduate degree in physician leadership and clinic building, so I had some background for something like this.

MercyOne has made this opportunity available, and it’s just really been exciting. It’s fun to be a part of the building project, it’s fun to meet new patients and it’s fun to be part of a new community.”

Waltezco Bartz, originally from Albany, Minnesota, went to school at St. Olaf in Northfield before going to medical school in Des Moines. She completed her residency at MercyOne in Mason City.

Waletzco Bartz said she was attracted to Mason City because that clinic is well known for its family medicine program and

Drs. Brittany Waletzco Bartz and David Heine, center, were the first two doctors hired to work at the new MercyOne clinic at Northbridge Mall. Here, they are pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new clinic in January.

Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune.

“Albert Lea was the place I needed to be. ... It’s fun to be a part of the building project, it’s fun to meet new patients and it’s fun to be part of a new community.”

— MercyOne Dr. David Heine training people well to do deliveries from a family medicine perspective.

Waletzco Bartz was offered the job, and after a meeting with Heine and members of the coalition, she immediately felt confident that she wanted to be involved in the project.

“I met Dr. Heine and immediately felt good about our relationship and that we would be able to work really well together,” Waletzco Bartz said. “It

led me to feel confident that this was going to be a really cool project to be a part of. It kind of goes both ways, that I could serve a need in the community here, but also be able to fulfill some of the things that I love to do.”

While both doctors are excited to get to work in the new clinic, that doesn’t mean some small challenges haven’t presented themselves along the way.

Working in a temporary

Dr. David Heine said the opportunity to come and start the new clinic in Albert Lea was one he needed to jump at. He has experience in physician leadership and clinic building. space while the new clinic is constructed has forced the team to come up with some creative solutions to day-to-day tasks. Waletzco Bartz said just expanding into the new space will help in many facets.

“Once we get in the

new space, we’ll be able to expand our providers and our staff to really serve the community,” she said. “We’re here, we want people to know that, but we’re looking forward to the growth that’s to come.”

Heine added that

starting a new clinic also comes with the challenges of meeting all new patients and learning their medical histories. He also said figuring out whether insurance companies were in-network or out-of-network was a bit of a challenge for both the staff and patients alike. He encouraged patients to contact their providers to make sure they are in-network as the most successful way around the problem.

Waletzco Bartz currently commutes from Mason City to the temporary clinic, and will be looking at houses in Albert Lea come springtime with her husband and young son.

Heine moved to Albert Lea with his family and has enjoyed being out in the community.

“It’s a little awkward because of the pandemic,” Heine said. “There are lots of things that I would like to be doing, but as a family we’re still cautious about COVID exposure. We haven’t been able to try every restaurant we’d like to. We haven’t had those opportunities to meet people socially in town as much as we would like. However, we’ve done more biking, kayaking and tennis playing in the last nine months than we had in our previous 20-some years of marriage.”

The first phase of the new clinic is expected to open in July, but both Heine and Waletzco Bartz are currently seeing patients in the temporary location in the mall.

“I want people to know that we’re here for them and that we plan to be here for them for some time,” Waletzco Bartz said.

“Whatever name is on the outside of the door, we’re committed to be here for our patients and we plan to utilize whatever resources are available to best serve our patients.”

Keeping spirits up has been a priority at local senior care facilities

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

When COVID-19 surfaced in 2020, life instantly changed for residents of senior care facilities.

Visitors were restricted for much of the year, and staff at the facilities had to quickly alter their plans out of an effort to not only keep the virus at bay and to protect residents but to try to keep residents’ spirits high, despite all the changes.

Kathy Woodside, director of public relations, fund development and volunteers at St. John’s Lutheran Community, said when the pandemic began, the main goal at St. John’s was to keep as many activities the same as they could — though they had to modify how to engage residents.

Instead of gathering residents for special events, staff went door to door with special snacks or happy hour items.

The senior care center offered hallway bingo — socially distanced and with masks — and the organization’s pastor offered a hallway chapel service.

The St. John’s location off

of Minnesota Highway 13 also has a channel everyone can turn on to listen to the service.

Woodside said chaplain Don Malinsky went room to room for one-on-one pastoral care as well.

“We’re trying to keep everything as routine as it can be so there aren’t a lot of changes, but how things got implemented was different to keep things safe,” she said.

Throughout the year, they collaborated on group dress-up days for staff and residents to keep spirits high and also tried different meal days. St. John’s offered hair, makeup and a photoshoot for women for Mother’s Day and offered activity packets that residents and tenants could pick up that included coloring pages and word searches. The care facility also partnered with other community groups to offer various parades outside of the facilities — everything from cars and motorcycles to emergency vehicles.

“We’ve been so blessed by the generosity of community members and See FACILITIES, Page 5

Thorne Crest residents Irvin and Mary Zenk enjoyed a visit with their son, Steve, and their great-grandchildren over the holidays, utilizing the latest technology to safely window visit. Provided

St. John’s Lutheran Community Activities Director Emily Hardison curls the hair of Mary Evans during a special Mother’s Day event for women at the senior care facility.

Tenants of St. John’s Knutson Place had a fun treat of peanuts, popcorn and pop delivered to their doors. They enjoyed lively music, smiles and laughter. Pictured are two St. John’s Knutson Place staff, Sandy Duncan, left, and Kelli Schindler Nelson, with a tenant from Knutson Place.

saturday, February 27, 2021 | Health and Spirituality | Progress 2021 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 5

Facilities Continued from Page 4

stepping up,” Woodside said.

Because outside volunteers could not come indoors, decorating for the holidays took on a new feel.

She said many people who live at St. John’s stepped up to help decorate, giving them a sense of purpose and community.

She said though the role of volunteers was different this year because they could not enter the buildings, their role was still critical, though in an unconventional way. Many made masks, greeting cards and lap blankets.

“Our volunteers pretty much stepped up, too, even though they couldn’t physically come in,” she said.

“Those guys were pretty important to keep things running smoothly.”

As a whole, Woodside said residents have been understanding of the circumstances.

“Everybody’s been amazing and grateful and kind,” she said. “They know we’re all in it together. People are hopeful.”

Marilyn Claassen, activities director at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community who has worked at the care facility for 44 years, said Thorne Crest has been lucky to have music therapy twice a month offered virtually, in which residents use headphones and the organization’s Eversound system in their doorways to listen.

They have relied heavily on FaceTime and Skype to connect residents with their families, which she described as “a lifesaver,” as well as window visits.

Now that the weather is colder again, Thorne Crest is offering people to come into the first set of doors at the exit on the southwest side of the building. The resident is within the second set of doors.

“It’s almost like being together, just separated by a sheet of glass,” she said.

They try to have ice cream treats in the evenings and still try to celebrate national theme days as best as they can. Despite

Jolene and the membership of Albert Lea Moose Lodge 1703 donated gifts for all Thorne Crest skilled nursing residents.

Though volunteer efforts have looked different during the pandemic, they have still been critical. Provided the changes, birthday celebrations also continue.

Claassen said religion is a big part of the residents’ lives, so they offer a daily devotion with residents with the chaplain, Todd Walsh.

In addition, they offer hand and arm massages to relax the residents, as well as a game system called It’s Never Too Late with various games and brain teasers.

Like other facilities, they have offered hallway bingo, as well as exercise for each resident in their room. Residents have also taken advantage of walking in the hallways for exercise.

Claassen said as a whole, residents are coping well.

She said she is grateful now that residents are able to come out of their rooms and socially distance. The beauty shop is also open again in the facility, which has been popular.

For a short time, Thorne Crest opened up the facility for essential caregivers on the health care wing, and there was a special room where those visits could take place for up to two

hours. As of the middle of January, the visits were discontinued because of the high COVID-19 cases in Freeborn County.

Claassen said in all her years as activities director, this year has been one like no other.

Instead of planning months in advance, she has had to plan her calendar a couple weeks at a time because she’d never know when something would change.

She said there have been flu outbreaks previously in her time with the care center that lasted for just a few weeks and then life returned to normal.

“This has lasted a long time,” she said. ‘You just keep going. You keep each other going as staff. You try to do fun things with residents.”

She thanked various family members who have donated food items for staff and have helped boost staff morale.

The bistro has also reopened at the site, which gives residents and staff something to look forward to with special snacks and coffees.

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Come Worship with Us!

Page 6 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | Health and Spirituality | saturday, February 27, 2021

We’re all in this together, Albert Lea!

Protect yourself and others by:

Wearing a mask

Washing hands

Social distancing