Monday, August 30, 2010

Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair Scholarships Available

The annual Grinnell Regional Medical Center Baby Fair has merged with the annual Women’s Health Focus to create an evening full of activities for women of all ages. The Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair will be Wednesday, Oct. 6. GRMC and event co-sponsor the Grinnell Regional Auxiliary have teamed up with area businesses and the Grinnell Ministerial Association to help fund tickets for women who do not have the financial means to purchase a ticket.

“As we’ve evolved the Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair event, we worked to reduce barriers to attending, such as cost and childcare,” explains Denise Lamphier, director of communications and development and event committee member. “We understand that some women may need financial and childcare assistance to attend and we are very grateful that the ministerial association, the auxiliary, and local businesses have decided to help fund tickets. This event has so much to offer all women who want to learn about their health and well being.”

To apply for a scholarship to attend the Women’s Health Focus, call the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center 641-236-2324. A brief application process will be completed. Scholarships will only be accepted until seating is sold out.

The Women’s Health Focus will be held at Grinnell Community High School, Wednesday, Oct. 6. The educational exhibits and the Market Place will be open from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. A buffet dinner catered by the Mayflower Community will be available from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Colette Carlson, keynote speaker, will begin her presentation at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Tickets are on sale for $18 until Sept. 24, and $25 after Sept. 24. Tickets are available online at www.grmc.us or http://tinyurl.com/2010whf; and at The Glass Gift Box in GRMC.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Herbers Rejoins Lynnville Medical Clinic

The Lynnville Medical Clinic, a Grinnell Regional Medical Center Clinic, welcomes back Kasey Herbers, PA-C, as a full-time healthcare provider. Herbers provides primary care services to all ages of patients. Her scope of practice includes preventive and diagnostic services for chronic and acute care, women’s health, well-child exams, sports physicals, annual wellness physicals, DOT physicals, and workers compensation.

Herbers originally joined the GRMC Medical Staff in March 2004 as the primary provider at the New Sharon Memorial Clinic. She also provided care at the Lynnville Medical Clinic as needed.

“We are very excited to have Kasey back at the Lynnville Medical Clinic full time,” explains Todd C. Linden, president and CEO of GRMC. “Her professional experience and gentle, caring personality contribute to her excellent reputation as a healthcare provider. With a full time provider, we can have the clinic open every day and for longer hours.”

The Lynnville Medical Clinic will be open Monday through Friday. Kasey will have clinic hours 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Guy McCaw, MD, will be in the clinic each week on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Herbers earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Iowa State University and a physician assistant degree from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD.

The Lynnville Medical Clinic is located at 303 East St., Lynnville. To schedule an appointment or for information, you may call the Lynnville Medical Clinic at 641-527-2929.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Annual GRMC Auxiliary Fund Raiser Set

Yellow tags will flutter everywhere on Friday, Aug. 27, when the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary hosts its one-day Tag Day blitz. This annual event has been a GRMC auxiliary tradition for nearly 90 years where area residents are asked to make a donation in exchange for the bright yellow tags.

“Our auxiliary and the hospital continue to be strong because of the exceptional support from the communities we serve,” says Shannon Reding, GRMC Auxiliary Tag Day co-chair. “This fund-raising activity, along with other fundraisers, allows the auxiliary to make significant contributions to hospital that can positively influence patient care. We hope the community again chooses to support the auxiliary and our work for healthcare. Last year we collected more than $2,000 and we hope to exceed that goal. These funds are more important than ever.”

Tag Day supports the auxiliary’s projects every year. For 2010, funds collected will go toward the $10,000 pledge to scholarships for students entering college and advancing their degrees in the healthcare field. Other goals for the auxiliary’s fundraising efforts during the year include donating $7,000 toward the physical therapy rooms at Postels Community Health Park and $8,000 for hospital equipment, as well as support the Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair on October 6.

Area residents from all the communities in the GRMC service area are encouraged to stop at participating businesses or collection places to make a donation. Tables will be set up in Brooklyn, Grinnell, Montezuma, and New Sharon. In Grinnell look for auxiliary members at GRMC, Beckman's Gallery, Brown’s Shoe, Fareway, HyVee, Marketplace on Main, McNally’s, Pioneer Bookstore, Post Office, Saints Rest, Wal-Mart and Yumi’s. A table will also be located at the farmer’s market in Grinnell on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more information or to be an auxiliary Tag Day volunteer, call 641-236-2588.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Annual Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair Set

Stress less and laugh more. Learn how you can balance life at the Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair, co-sponsored by Grinnell Regional Medical Center and the Grinnell Regional Auxiliary. The fourth annual women’s event will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Grinnell Community High School.

This year’s keynote speaker, Colette Carlson, will discuss “The Truth about Balance: How to Stress Less and Laugh More.” She promises to take us on a heartfelt, humorous journey into our own lives and help us bring about the self-awareness that begins long-lasting change.

“In our crazy-busy world, people often think they must have more, do more, and be more, but the truth is that mantra only leads to more mayhem and stress,” Carlson says.

The theme “No More Nylons” plays into Carlson’s presentation as she shares with us how clear boundaries and thoughtful choices lead to greater satisfaction and stronger results, whether we are never-been mothers, expecting mothers, new mothers, been-around-the-block mothers, or grandmothers.

Record Number of Exhibitors and Retailers at Event

The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a record number of educational booths covering everything from breast health, heart health, obstetrical services, childcare resources, public health, hospice care, community resources, and more – 45 in all. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet GRMC’s new obstetrician/gynecologist, Seanna Thompson, M.D., FACOG, who will join the medical staff in December.

New at this year’s Women’s Health Focus is the inclusion of the GRMC Baby Fair. This combination provides a special night out for women of all ages and access to educational booths that cover the spectrum of health and wellness—while also enjoying a girl’s night out.

Childcare will be provided for a small fee. Happy breastfeeding babies under six months of age may remain with their mothers. Due to the increased number of exhibitors, stroller access will be limited.

The GRMC Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair is a relaxed night out with the girls. The Mayflower Community chef and catering services staff will do all the cooking. This year’s menu includes: Pasta primavera, stuffed chicken breast, steakhouse salad, sweet and sour pork stir fry, fresh vegetable salad, fruit and cheese tray, assorted breads, and a wonderful dessert table.

In addition to door prizes tailored to new and expecting mothers, the Women’s Health Focus will give away body wraps and massages from Postels Community Health Park, a three-month membership at GRMC Wellness Services, a Flip camera, jewelry from Bill’s Jewelry, chocolates from Storybook Chocolates, and gift certificates to The Glass Gift Box. All women who attend will have their names entered for these drawings. In addition, many vendors and exhibitors will offer drawings for prizes and raffles.

The MarketPlace will also open with 11 area vendors offering our guests “retail therapy” as part of the evening’s fun. Scheduled for the event are: Aiyana Tanning and Day Spa, Cory Hall Photography, Dori’s Fashions and More, Flower Connection, Jo Jones Photography, Jockey Person to Person, Mary Kay Cosmetics, The Pampered Chef – Inc. Sales Director Susan Ross, Scentsy, The Glass Gift Box, and The Mixing Studio.

Ticket Information

Tickets are $18 and financial assistance is available. On-site childcare is also available for $3 per child, including a meal for those over two. Register for childcare at the time of ticket purchase. To purchase tickets, go online to http://tinyurl.com/2010whf. As a special reward, all who purchase tickets online will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate at The Glass Gift Box. Tickets are also available at The Glass Gift Box located inside GRMC. Women who cannot afford tickets may inquire with Sheryl Baarda, OB nurse manager, at 641-236-2326 or at sbaarda@grmc.us.

This year’s Women’s Health Focus is co-sponsored by GRMC and the Grinnell Regional Auxiliary. Many other partners play a significant role in bringing this event to the community, including a direct source award sponsored by Sen. Harkin and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Family Medicine, Grinnell College, Mercy Health Network, Woodard Hearing Services, Grinnell Eye Care, Grinnell Family Care, Iowa Radiology, Maytag Laundry and Tanning, and WindStream Communications.

Friday, August 13, 2010

GRMC Receives $10,000 from Monsanto Fund to Support MRI Project

Grinnell Regional Medical Center has received a $10,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund, a private foundation and the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to help fund an upgrade to the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit services.

“GRMC is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to address the needs of our community,” says Denise Lamphier, director of communications and development at GRMC. “This grant will go toward renovating the radiology department to house our new MRI unit within the hospital.”

“Our philosophy has been to provide the highest quality care to our patients through excellent staff and current technology,” Lamphier says. “This latest commitment to upgrade our MRI services is no exception.”

“GRMC is a great community partner for Monsanto Company. They have been there for us as a company and for our employees who live in the area. We know this project will be a benefit for all,” says Al Henderson, plant manager at Grinnell Monsanto Company.

Iowa Radiology and the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust are also offering a challenge for this technology investment. Under the challenge from Iowa Radiology and the Ahrens Charitable Trust, all new or additional gifts to the MRI campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000.

Anyone interested in more details about the MRI campaign is encouraged to call Lamphier at GRMC’s office of communication and development at 641-236-2589 or visit http://tinyurl.com/grmcmri.

About Monsanto Fund:

The Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. Incorporated in 1964, the Fund’s primary objective is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. The Monsanto Fund is focused on grant-making in four main areas: nutritional well-being through agriculture; science education, primarily on professional development for teachers; healthy environment, which includes conservation, protection of biodiversity, clean water and restoration of wildlife habitat; and improving the quality of life in communities where Monsanto employees live and work.

Visit the Monsanto Fund at http://www.monsantofund.org/asp/welcome.asp.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Talks Underway to Bring Pharmacy Services Back to Victor

Last week, members of the Victor Health Center board, the Victor Community Development Association board, and Grinnell Regional Medical Center, met with a pharmacist/entrepreneur to talk about the possibility of bringing pharmacy services back to Victor.

Earlier this summer, Phillip Pharmacy closed its Victor location and relocated all its activity at its other pharmacy in Brooklyn. Since then the Brooklyn pharmacy has obtained a new owner. Todd Thompson, pharmacist and owner of Remedy Drug in Montezuma, just purchased the Brooklyn pharmacy from Phillip Pharmacy. Thompson is considering the possibility of expanding to offer pharmacy coverage in Victor again.

“Our focus is working with small communities to keep pharmacy service available locally,” Thompson says. “I was really happy to hire Erin Riffel, Pharm.D., when I purchased the Brooklyn Pharmacy. She is a top notch pharmacist and has such strong local ties.”

Thompson, the VCDA, the health center board, and GRMC are exploring various options to bring a pharmacy back to Victor. The groups are examining locations, possible services and hours, and staffing needs. The largest obstacle to overcome is approval from the state pharmacy board.

“Todd Thompson has been a great partner in Montezuma working with Dr. J.B. Paulson and GRMC to provide outstanding pharmacy services there,” says Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO, which manages the Victor Health Center. “Having a pharmacy in Victor is important to the viability of the Victor clinic. We stand ready to assist Todd in any way in retuning pharmacy service to Victor.”

Leonard Seda, president of the VCD agrees. “We are thrilled to be working with Todd Thompson to make the Victor Pharmacy a real community asset. Many people have commented on what a loss it was when Phillips closed the pharmacy. VCD has been working hard to make sure we get back this vital downtown business.”

Bill Lynch, chair of the Victor Health Center board, says: “We are excited that Todd Thompson has such a focus on working with smaller communities to bring pharmaceutical service back to Victor and help make sure patients at the Victor clinic have access to their needed medications. It is also exciting to be exploring other services such as home oxygen.”

Thompson is working with the board of pharmacy to obtain the appropriate licensure.

“I hope to get a time frame established very soon for re-opening a pharmacy in Victor. In the meantime, we will gladly deliver prescriptions to Victor residents,” Thompson says.

Victor residents may use the old Philips Pharmacy number to call the Brooklyn Pharmacy for prescriptions. The number is 319-647-3322. It will be listed under Victor Pharmacy in the new phone books this fall.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Hospital Merges Public Relations and Development Offices

(Left to Right) Laura Lof, Ashley Grundler, Conni Gause, Denise Lamphier,
Jan Veach, Barbara Hansen, and Jeanette Budding.

Denise Lamphier will serve as the director of the newly merged Communications and Development Office at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Lamphier has been the director of public relations at GRMC for the past 13 years.

“Denise has always been an integral part of the fund-raising team at GRMC. She has done excellent work in developing annual campaign materials, fund-raising materials, and proposals. She already knows the organization inside and out, so moving her into this role to oversee both departments makes logical sense for GRMC,” says Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO.

“The medical center has benefited over the years from Denise’s leadership in the areas of communication and community relations. With the current economy and the unfair healthcare reimbursement that GRMC has faced, this merger of departments saves the hospital money and improves efficiency by cross training staff in the two areas. Plus, Denise will continue to build upon the solid relationships with donors we already have and expand our connections as we look to future fund-raising campaigns,” Linden says.

Lamphier will begin a transition immediately into assuming the responsibilities of fund raising. With the departmental merger as well as changes in the public relations industry, GRMC decided to change the name of the department to communications and development, giving it a broader scope than just public relations. Managing all communications such as social media, community relationship building, and patient relations all influence the success of a business and this broader scope reflects the department’s activities.

“Denise will be able to step into this position in a seamless manner. We had an opportunity to combine the departments following the decisions by the development office’s Mindy Uitermarkt and Leslie McKnight to pursue their life’s dreams,” Linden adds. Uitermarkt, the former director of the development department, is now working full-time at her two retail stores in Marshalltown and Grinnell. She will remain on the GRMC staff through December to help with the transition. McKnight is working with her husband, Matthew McKnight, DPM, in his podiatry office.

“This move is a further testament of the medical center’s commitment to continually improving its structure and efficiency, and developing excellent leadership to pursue even higher goals. Denise brings a depth of knowledge and a sincere passion for the medical center and community to the new structure,” says Todd Reding, chair of the GRMC Foundation Board and president/CEO of ASI in Grinnell.

Lamphier joined GRMC in 1998. Prior to joining the medical center, she served as the editor of Grinnell College’s alumni magazine and as the editorial director/assistant director of public relations. She also was a daily newspaper reporter. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. Lamphier has served the Grinnell community in several volunteer roles. She is currently the vice-president of the Drake Community Library board and has served on the board since March 2006. She has been a volunteer board member with Imagine Grinnell since November 2005, and just completed a two-year term as the president.

“Change is the one constant. We all know that,” Lamphier says. “I’ve always thought that if you say ‘This is how we’ve always done it’ then it’s probably time to rethink it. Over the years, GRMC has built a strong fund-raising department because of the great support from the community we serve. Now is great time to reflect on the accomplishments of our community as we transition into this new role. I want to build upon GRMC’s wonderful relationships with individuals. So if we have never met, please introduce yourself to me. I look forward to talking to everyone about supporting quality healthcare close to home.”

The Office of Communications and Development is located on the third floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building. Working along with Lamphier in the department are Jeanette Budding, Conni Gause, Ashley Grundler, Barbara Hansen, Laura Lof, and Jan Veach.

For information about fund raising or communication, contact Lamphier at 641-236-2589.