GRMC Wellness to Offer New Intense Workout Class

Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness Center offers a new group exercise class targeted to individuals wanting an intensive workout that’s integrates team approach to exercise and fitness. This offering complements the list of courses and fitness options designed to meet all levels of fitness and ages.

“We’ll use a large team component as well as circuit format to energize participants in a boot camp culture,” explains Holly Pettlon, GRMC wellness specialist and instructor. “The one-hour class will change depending on the weather so, for example, we may be outside running and relays or a tug of war with ropes. Our goal is create an supportive environment where participants can work together and encourage each other, with a full understanding that individuals will be at different fitness levels. We’ll push the limits in this high energy class with encouragement and team support.”

Like all exercise classes offered at GRMC, this will include the option to have pre and post class fitness testing. Membership in the GRMC fitness center also entitles members to a free monthly personal coaching session. 

“We want participants to focus on progress in health not focus on numbers or measurements. We teach life-long wellness that encourages families to build healthy habits and exercise options,” Pettlon adds.

The Boot Camp class will be offered in six-week increments. The first class will begin Thursday, Nov. 1, at 5:15 p.m. It will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, until Dec. 6. Individuals interested may reserve a space by calling the GRMC Wellness and Fitness Center at 641-236-2999. Registration is requested but not required.

GRMC offers a full range of group exercise classes for different fitness levels including gentle yoga, gentle aerobics, Spinning, spin and tone, power pump, step aerobics, body boost, gentle Zumba, and power flo yoga. For a schedule go to http://www.grmc.us/events/WFCschedule.pdf. 

Influenza Season Begins Early in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDHP) reports sporadic influenza activity in Iowa already. Since September 2012, the State Hygienic Laboratory has identified three strains of influenza in Iowa – influenza A (H3N2), 2009 H1N1, and influenza B. 

Iowans can protect themselves from the influenza virus by following disease prevention steps including receiving the vaccination. Grinnell Regional Public Health is currently hosting clinics in the county to give many opportunities for individuals to be vaccinated.

IDPH urges all Iowans over 6 months of age to receive their yearly seasonal influenza vaccine. Surveillance by IDPH influenza sentinel sites shows the flu appears to be particularly spreading among children.

While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness. Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or very old, or those who have underlying health conditions.

Four vaccination clinics will be held in Poweshiek County:

Oct. 25      9:30 to 11:30 a.m.            Mayflower Community, Carmen Center

Oct. 29      3 to 6 p.m.                       Montezuma School, elementary library

Nov. 1       10 to 11 a.m.                    Seeland Park, Tenplex lobby, Grinnell

Nov. 8       11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.      Grinnell United Methodist Church

For more information about where and what kind of influenza is in Iowa, go to www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/Influenza.aspx?pg=FluHome. 

What should you do to protect yourself and your family from the flu?

·        Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. Wash your hands before and after eating, going to the bathroom, or touching pets, phones, or keyboards.

·        Use hand sanitizer. If you cannot wash your hands, alcohol-based hand cleaner may be used if your hands do not look dirty.

·        Stay home from work or school when you are ill, and encourage others to do the same.

·        Stay away from others you know are ill. You are less likely to become ill if you stay at least three feet from someone who is coughing or sneezing.

·        Vaccination. The first line of defense against influenza is to get your influenza vaccination each year.

·        Contact your health care provider. If you experience flu-like symptoms contact your physician. Your physician may be able to prescribe antiviral medications for you to shorten the duration of the illness and prevent transmission.

·        Clean frequently and appropriately. Frequently clean commonly used surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, eating surfaces, toys, and phones. Commercial disinfectants or bleach solutions should be used. (Mixing ¼ cup bleach with 1 gallon of water makes bleach solution. Mix this solution fresh daily) Some viruses can live from 20 minutes up to two hours or more on some surfaces. 

GRMC Auxiliary Angel Tree An Annual Holiday Tradition

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary hopes to fill its tree in the the medical center with angels. This project is a way to honor or remember loved ones through the purchase of an angel ornament for the tree. The GRMC Auxiliary will begin selling the ornaments on Thursday, November 1, in The Glass Gift Box at GRMC. 

This year’s angel ornament is made of brushed pewter with small clear jewels in the dress of the angel. After Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, more angel ornaments are added to the tree as they are purchased. They remain on display in the admissions department of the hospital until the week of December 17 when the ornaments may be picked up and taken home by the person who purchased the ornament or given to the honoree. The tree will remain on display until after December 25.

Funds raised will go toward the purchase of new beds for GRMC and the auxiliary scholarship fund for individuals pursuing a healthcare degree. This year the auxiliary provided $5,000 in scholarships to area residents entering or continuing a healthcare education.

To purchase an angel and support the work of the GRMC Auxiliary, stop by the GRMC Auxiliary’s gift shop, The Glass Gift Box. Ornaments will be sold from Nov. 1 through Dec. 16. Angels are $10. For more information, contact the GRMC volunteer coordinator at 641-236-2588. 

Hospital CEO to Present on Healthcare Reform

Todd Linden, president and CEO of Grinnell Regional Medical Center, will present on healthcare reform and its effects specifically on GRMC on Thursday, October 25, beginning at 5:15 p.m. The presentation will be held in the Caulkins Community Room at the Drake Community Library. There is no charge for the event and no registration is needed.

“There’s a lot of information out there right now about healthcare reform. It can be hard to sort out the facts to learn how this legislation is affecting our community hospital and healthcare in general,” Linden says.  “In fact, the healthcare industry has been looking down the road toward reform for years and there are many reforms that were in place before the Accountable Care of 2010.”

Linden has presented on trends and the latest information in healthcare legislation at a variety of workshops and conferences around the country. Locally, he has presented this information to service clubs, the GRMC SE*ED program, at Grinnell College, and for employees at GRMC.

For more information on this presentation, please contact Laura Nelson-Lof, Communications and Development at GRMC, 641-236-2954.