Thursday, March 31, 2011

Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers

Grinnell Regional Public Health continues to accept volunteers for the newly formed Medical Reserve Corps. This community-based volunteer group will respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. The mission is to engage medically and nonmedically trained volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resiliency in Poweshiek County.

“We are looking for volunteers from the community with varying backgrounds,” says Patty Hinrichs, Grinnell Regional Public Health director. “To promote healthy living and staying involved in the community, the MRC will be participating in events such as RAGBRAI, the marathon race, and distribution of vaccines in large clinics such with the H1N1 vaccine.  We would like more volunteers who will be trained before these events this summer in Grinnell.”

During an emergency the MRC falls under the medical center’s emergency plan and would be assigned to appropriate locations as needed.

For more information or to sign up, call the Grinnell Regional Public Health office at 641-236-2385.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Physicians Assistant Beck Joins Victor Health Center Staff

The Victor Health Center and Grinnell Medical Associates announce that Wendi Beck, PA-C, will shift her primary family care practice to the Victor Health Center, effective April 4.

Beck joined the GRMC Medical Staff in 2009 as part of the Grinnell Medical Associates clinic. She graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine with a physician assistant advanced degree. She completed a bachelor’s degree at Simpson College in biology. Beck is a familiar with GRMC, where she worked from January 2005 to April 2007 as a patient care tech in med/surg and nursing technician in ICU. She grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from BGM High School.

 “I’m excited to be working in Victor to help area residents. It’s closer to home and I grew up in the Brooklyn area,” explains Beck. “I hope to build long-term relationships with the residents. I plan to work with and support individuals to help achieve their optimal health and wellness.”

The Victor Health Center will be open five days a week. Beck will be in the clinic four days a week. David Cranston, MD, will continue as the rural health clinic director for the Victor clinic and will see patients three mornings a week. Hours for the clinic will be:

Monday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to noon
Friday: 7:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“The Victor Health Center has been seeking a mid-level provider and Wendi is the natural fit. She comes from the area and knows many residents plus she’s had the benefit of working with GRMC physicians for the past two years. She’ll be able to step into the Victor clinic with ease,” says Clay Francis, MD, Grinnell Medical Associates physician. “We wish Wendi the best and will continue to collaborate with her as part of the GRMC Medical Staff.”

Beck and Cranston provide the spectrum of family care services at the Victor Health Center including acute and chronic diagnosis and treatments, as well as sports physicals, blood screenings, flu vaccinations, and preventive care services.

To request an appointment or for more information, call the Victor Health Center at 319-647-7511.

GRMC Auxiliary to Host Spring Luncheon

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites the public to its annual spring luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, April 13. The gathering will begin at noon in the Buckley Dining Hall, Mayflower Homes, in Grinnell.

“The auxiliary continual finds new ways to support the health of our community. At this year’s luncheon, we will collect monetary donations to support the Stork’s Nest,” explains Donna German, GRMC Auxiliary spring luncheon committee chair. “We’ll recognize the 2011 scholarship recipients as well as our milestone anniversary service awards to volunteers.”

Door prizes will be given away. The menu features a chicken and fruit salad on a bed of mixed greens, muffin, fruit torte, and drink. Tickets, $8, are available at the GRMC Glass Gift Box. For more information, call 641-236-2588.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Medical Practices Merge

Grinnell Regional Family Practice will open on Friday, April 1, following the consolidation of Grinnell Health Alliance, Grinnell Medical Associates, and Rebelsky Family Practice. This newly formed family practice clinic will be located on the third floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building, 210 4th Ave., in Grinnell.


Providers at the clinic will be Roy Doorenbos, MD; Clayton Francis, MD; Michelle Rebelsky, MD; and Kristin Phelps, PA-C. David Cranston, MD, will see patients on a limited basis at the new clinic as he shares his time with the Victor Health Center. Wendi Beck, PA-C, will shift her practice and begin serving at the Victor Health Center on a full-time basis.

The providers offer the full spectrum of family medicine providing obstetrics, hospital, and nursing home care as well as normal outpatient visits. Same-day appointments will be available and the clinic is accepting new patients. The clinic’s spring and summer hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Grinnell Regional Family Practice is also adding up-to-date electronic health records and a health coach to assist patients with chronic conditions.

“All of these changes revolve around improved patient care and satisfaction,” explains Roy Doorenbos, MD, responding for the physicians. “This consolidation will allow us to spend more time with patients and less time on administrative and management responsibilities. Healthcare is changing but we don’t want the relationship with our patients to change. The newly merged clinic allows us to focus on our primary passion – caring for our friends and neighbors.”

To schedule an appointment or for more information on Grinnell Regional Family Practice call 641-236-2500.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Auxiliary Challenge Drive Launches

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary launched its fundraising Challenge Drive on March 1, inviting anyone in the GRMC service area to take part. The auxiliary and its Challenge Drive support the medical center through volunteer, financial, and educational initiatives.

“Quality healthcare needs the strong support of the community and the auxiliary,” explains Char Ewan, the 2011 Challenge Drive chair. “Your involvement helps us provide this support that enhances quality healthcare. The auxiliary plans to donate $15,000 toward the hospital for equipment and $3,000 to support the Stork’s Nest this year. Plus, the auxiliary will again provide major scholarship funds to students in healthcare fields and co-sponsor the Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair, set for October 5, 2011.”

A new component of the 2011 Challenge Drive will be the addition of a business membership category. Area businesses who understand and appreciate the auxiliary’s purpose may now demonstrate their support with a membership pledge.

The auxiliary has two meetings each year. The public is welcome and anyone who makes a donation to the Challenge Drive will receive an invitation to these special gatherings. The auxiliary hosts activities such as coordinating an annual trip to Legislative Day at the state capitol; fund-raising activities that financially support the medical center; supplying gifts to all newborns at GRMC; and providing car seats to needy families.

The Challenge Drive has five individual giving levels: Bronze - $5; Silver - $15; Gold - $25; Platinum - $50; and Lifetime - $150. Business levels are $50 annually or $500 for a onetime Lifetime level. To accept the Auxiliary Challenge, stop by the Glass Gift Box, inside GRMC, and complete a Challenge card. Or mail your Challenge donation to the GRMC Auxiliary, 210 4th Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112

For more information on the GRMC Auxiliary, please call 641-236-2588.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Healing After the Death of a Loved One

Grinnell Regional Medical Center will offer a four-week grief support group designed for anyone in the community who has lost a loved one. The group will explore the challenges associated with loss as well as the opportunities that loss presents for healing and growth.

“We create a confidential setting where participants can share their memories, their experiences, and their feelings with others who have also experienced a loss,” explains Susan Sanning, group facilitator and GRMC chaplain. “This will be a time for group members to explore ways to remember, heal, and grow.”

Gatherings will be held on Tuesdays, beginning April 5 and run through April 26. The support group will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Presbyterian Church, 303 E. Washington St, Montezuma.

There is no fee to participate, but interested persons must pre-register by calling Grinnell Regional Hospice at 641-236-2418. Childcare will be offered free of charge for those who may need it. Please request childcare when you register.