Inside this issue. Lasting Impressions. Turning Adversity Into Inspiration. Meet Francine Rask SPRING 2015

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1 Inside this issue SPRING 2015 Lasting Impressions Turning Adversity Into Inspiration Serving Iowa County and the Surrounding Area Meet Francine Rask Cover Photo: Randy Larson

2 Lasting Impressions When first time parents Liana and Dean Mericka met their son Everett on January 5, their minds instantly filled with all the things they had to look forward to his first smile, giggle and word would it be mommy or daddy? They both knew they d always remember the special birthing experience at Upland Hills Health (UHH) that safely brought Everett into their lives. An Easy Decision Living on a farm just north of Dodgeville, the Merickas knew the moment they found out Liana was pregnant that they wanted to deliver at UHH. Besides being close to their home, the Merickas good friends delivered both of their children there and had very good things to say. And Liana s experiences were just as positive. When I chose UHH as my delivery location, the staff became a supportive team, following me through my pregnancy, and sending me resources in the mail, Liana says. They seemed to answer my questions before I even had to ask them. Liana attended a pre-delivery conference with the birthing center staff about six weeks before her due date. She met the birthing center nurses, took a tour of the facility and was delighted to see such large and private birthing suites. The birthing suites felt comfortable, like a bedroom and living room as opposed to a sterile hospital room, Liana says. The pre-delivery conference is a great opportunity for our staff to teach expecting families about all of the other educational resources available to them, says Dori Christenson, Maternal Child Director at UHH. Our ultimate goal is to help parents feel prepared and 2 Inspire Health SPRING 2015

3 comfortable with the birthing process and with caring for their new baby when they return home. Liana and Dean came to UHH late in the night on January 4 feeling prepared, comfortable and mostly excited to meet their baby boy. Unfortunately, Everett s birth was not without a few complications. Immediately after delivery, Liana began to lose blood. UHH s on-call Barb Yanna, RN; Brenda Quale, RN; Michele Esser, RN, Lactation Consultant; Megan Kammerud, RN; Dori Christenson, Maternal/Child Director OB/GYN and other birthing center nurses were able to quickly diagnose and repair the cause of the bleeding. As soon as the bleeding started, it seemed like the room filled with staff determined to fix the problem, Liana says. But what I also appreciated was that the nurse who was at my side during the delivery stayed by my side and never let go of my hand. This high level of nursing care is one of the things that the UHH birthing center prides itself on. The actions of the nurses can really affect a laboring mom s experience, which is why all of our birthing center nurses are skilled in finding the balance between the high-tech and high-touch aspects of nursing, says Lynn Hebgen, Vice President of Nursing at UHH. They are able to be as comforting and supportive as the mom wants, while still managing the clinical needs of childbirth. Continuity of Care In many cases, the nurse who works with a mom during her pre-delivery conference is also the nurse who attends the delivery. Then, the delivering nurse stays with the family to care for both mom and baby post-partum. At every point through the pregnancy and delivery, we felt completely confident in choosing UHH because they had everything we needed, Liana says. And little things like the fact that our anesthesiologist was our neighbor made the whole experience more personal and enjoyable. n Resources for Expecting Families Educational opportunities for the whole family, include: Childbirth Education Classes Learn relaxation exercises, the changes you can expect during each stage of your pregnancy and how to prepare for labor and delivery, post-partum, breastfeeding and much more. Available in person or online. The Newborn Channel This online tool is available 24/7 to provide expecting families with additional educational information on pregnancy, delivery, post-partum and newborn care. Sibling Class Get soon-to-be big brothers and sisters excited about their new sibling in a class designed to teach them about the birth of the newest family member. Breast Feeding Support The UHH birthing center lactation consultant is available before and after your delivery to answer questions, address concerns and support moms in having a successful breast-feeding experience. The Upland Hills Health Foundation also recently funded several breast pumps for new moms needing assistance. UplandHillsHealth.org 3

4 This technology upgrade team implemented the Epic EHR system within UHH Outreach Clinics in 2014, and have been working to convert the Dodgeville Campus hospital and clinics this year. They are, back left: Patricia Ramsden, Maureen Teubert, Lisa Schnedler, Mike Peterson, Karen Thuli, Rachel McCarthy and Vicki Scheel. Technology Upgrades to Help You Build a Healthy Life 4 Inspire Health SPRING 2015 From MRIs and CT scanners to minimally invasive surgery techniques, healthcare technology is a crucial element in providing high quality patient care. But it s not just important for diagnostic equipment to be state of the art. Technology is also central to your experience with Upland Hills Health (UHH). That s why we re proud to bring our patients and community these technology upgrades: EPIC Electronic Health Records The new EPIC electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of patient medical records. It presents many benefits for patients and UHH providers, including: Direct access to your health information through the mychart patient portal. Here you can see test results, medication lists, allergies and more. Quicker and easier sharing of lab results, imaging records and prescription information between healthcare providers. Collaborative and holistic care. Our EPIC records will be accessible to our departments as well as Dean and St. Mary s, so physicians at those locations will be able to view and add to a patient s chart, says Karen Thuli, information system coordinator at UHH. Maureen Teubert, BSN, RN and nursing informatics, adds, Information is key in taking care of patients, and EPIC gives us so much more information right at our fingertips. Central Scheduling Upland Hills Health is moving to a central scheduling system. As of March 1, is the number needed to make an appointment in these five service departments: Clinical Nutrition Diagnostic Imaging Therapy and Wellness Center Heart, Lung, Sleep Center Laboratory Specialist Physicians A team of five will schedule appointments, verify insurance, collect preregistration information and verify or obtain prior authorization for services. Rachel McCarthy, director of patient financial services, says, Central scheduling will help prevent patients from worrying about finding the right number to call for an appointment. n

5 Did you notice the name change? Inspiring Health is now Inspire Health! UHH Clinic Mount Horeb Opens in May The change in the name is slight, but the change in the meaning is huge. It is a challenge to you, the reader to take control of your health and inspire others to do the same. As your local healthcare organization, we want to pave the way to a healthier you. But ultimately, it is up to you and your family to walk down the path. Take the challenge! Dr. Maria Sandgren Obstetrics & Gynecology Dr. Joseph Berg Family Medicine Emily Radke, APNP Family Primary Care A brand new Primary Care and OB/GYN clinic is slated to open May 4 and will serve patients of all ages and health needs. Our Mount Horeb team will include, Dr. Maria Sandgren an OB/GYN with 15 years of experience and Emily Radtke, an advanced practice nurse at UHH. A second physician, Dr. Joseph Berg, Family Medicine, will join the team in August. Upland Hills Health and our Mount Horeb providers plan to become involved members of the Mount Horeb community, which will allow us to learn what the greatest health needs are and grow to meet these specific needs, says Lisa Schnedler, Upland Hills Health CEO. The location of our new clinic is easily accessed off of highway 151. Mount Horeb residents will discover the convenience of: Little to no traffic Shorter wait times for appointment Mount Horeb patients will also have easy access to additional services at the Upland Hills Health Hospital and Health Center in Dodgeville. Board-certified physicians providing emergency and urgent care are only a 25-minute drive away west on highway 151, exit 44. And our ER wait times average just eight minutes. State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, surgical and rehabilitation services are also available at Upland Hills Health Hospital in Dodgeville. Map our new location! 1809 Springdale Street Mount Horeb, WI And learn more at UplandHillsHealth.org. n What inspires you to stay healthy? With all of the unhealthy temptations that surround us, it takes determination to stay true to a healthy lifestyle. Encourage others to find their inspiration by sharing what works for you! In 100 words or less tell us what inspires you to stay healthy. uhh_community_relations@uplandhillshealth.org with your story and photo by June 1, Be sure to include your name and contact information. By submitting your story, you are giving Upland Hills Health permission to share your story and photos via print and social media. One winning story will be selected. The author will win $50, and the story will be featured in the next issue of Inspire Health. n EXAMPLE: My dad s old, homemade, iron t-post pounder reminds me of the many years of hard work that went into caring for the valley behind me. The sight of it inspires me to stay healthy and strong. Tina Mineral Point SUBMIT YOUR STORY & PHOTOS TODAY! UplandHillsHealth.org 5

6 Community Spotlight Turning Adversity into Inspiration Jeremy Amble grew up working on his family s dairy farm in Barneveld. As a young adult, he planned to continue working there, until a car accident at the age of 21 changed his life forever. It left Jeremy paralyzed, and after his extensive recovery, he knew he wouldn t be able to return to a career in dairy farming. However, in the midst of the tragic circumstances, Jeremy found motivation to pursue his interest in art. I went through a program that helped me get a computer that used voice commands and a track ball, which enabled me to start dabbling in graphic design software, Jeremy says. And things snowballed from there. A year after completing this program, Jeremy became the editor and graphic designer for the Barneveld Shopper the local paper that s been published weekly since 1950 through the Barneveld Advancement Association. In today s technology-filled world, it may not be the most read paper, but our little community finds it useful for learning about school news, village announcements and our community s history, Jeremy says. And it gave me an opportunity to use my art skills, while getting to know a lot of community members. Jeremy has been the editor for 20 years now, and he thanks Upland Hills Home Care for helping him start his day and get ready for work. Without the UHH Home Care nurses, I wouldn t get out of bed in the morning, Jeremy says. The Healing Power of Art Jeremy is passionate about art as a healing activity. He helps with UW Health s Art in Healthcare program by setting up still-life photography sessions in their outpatient area. Patients who are having outpatient treatments are able to learn how to use the camera, set up lighting and take photos. Then, Jeremy helps them create greeting cards with their pictures. This kind of program wasn t around when I was going through my therapy, but I know I would have benefited from it, Jeremy says. I can see that it helps patients take their minds off their treatment or condition, and it makes me feel better knowing I can help them do that. Jeremy also visits with people who ve been through recent spinal cord injuries, listening to their stories and sharing his own. I ve become involved in these different organizations because I ve experienced first-hand how wonderful it feels when your community comes together to help in your time of need, Jeremy says. The benefits and fundraisers my hometown of Barneveld held for me has allowed me to modify my house so I can live and give back in my own home and in my own community. n Besides living in a supportive community, Jeremy is also incredibly thankful for his wife, Renee, and their children, Jossy, Hallie, Brayden and Tristyn. 6 Inspire Health SPRING 2015 Do you know of someone in the community who you would like us to feature in our community spotlight? Send your nomination to whitet@uplandhillshealth.org.

7 Employee Spotlight Meet Francine Rask Freshman year of college is a time of big transitions. There are a lot of things for a young adult to think about. Francine Rask s freshman year was also the year her mother was diagnosed with leukemia. She passed away a year later. While this was a hard transition for Francine, she took this experience and used it to inspire her future career in laboratory sciences. I d always been interested in science, so walking with my mom through her illness showed me how I could use my passion and skills to help others, Francine says. Now, Francine is the Director of Laboratory Services for Upland Hills Health (UHH) and Clinics. She oversees all operations for the lab department, which supports every area within the hospital, three nursing homes and nine clinics. In this role, she ensures the quality of each and every test that is performed by the lab whether it s a strep throat culture, lipid or cholesterol screening or cross-matching blood for transfusion. The quality and accuracy of these tests is critical because often the results provide patients and their doctors with clues to why they aren t feeling well. I ve always loved the problem-solving that comes with laboratory science, Francine says. And now in the management level, I like helping my staff find and develop their unique gifts within the field. Francine is also involved with the Upland Hills Health lab department s internship program. She helps UW- Stevens Point and Southwest Technical College bring in students for internships and practical experience. Caring for the Community Outside of work, Francine continues to provide care for the people of her community through her volunteer and ministry work. In fact, Francine recently completed an Associate in Ministry (AIM) with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Her concentration was in service to the local community, the country and the world. To achieve her AIM, Francine went through a Clinical Pastoral Education unit, and this inspired her to become a night chaplain at Meriter Hospital in Madison. About once a month, Francine visits with patients and families who are experiencing a crisis in their lives due to physical, mental or spiritual health challenges. Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to listen to them, Francine says. And I believe with my medical background, I m able to get right to the person I m visiting with because I m familiar with the medical side of things. Through her dedication to service, Francine is also a team lead for the Serve & Care Ministries at New Heights Lutheran Church in Black Earth, where she works for the monthly Second Harvest mobile food pantry. She also has played a significant role at the Community Clothes Closet an organization that provides free clothing to residents in the Barneveld, Mount Horeb and Mount Vernon areas. Being involved in these different organizations is rewarding in two ways, Francine says. It helps meet the specific needs of our community and presents a wonderful opportunity for me to meet others who are passionate about service. n Francine was the first in her family to pursue a career in healthcare, but she isn t the last. Her children also work in healthcare her daughter as a physical therapist and her son as a software engineer. UplandHillsHealth.org 7

8 PO BOX 800 DODGEVILLE, WI NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MAIL HAUS Please contact us if you do not wish to receive fundraising requests in support of Upland Hills Health Foundation, (800) , ext This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Please see your physician if you have a health problem. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. UplandHillsHealth.org facebook.com/uplandhillshealth Upland Hills Health Calendar Monthly Support Groups: Cancer Support Group 2nd Monday of the month 6:00 pm Heart Building 101 2nd Wednesday of the month 10:00 am May Food Drive for Iowa County Food Pantry Cash donations go further! Donations will be collected at Upland Hills Health in May. Upland Hills Health Clinic Mount Horeb opens May 4! Check UplandHillsHealth.org for your Open House invitation! May 1, 6 pm Iowa County Relay for Life Harris Park, Dodgeville May 7, 4:30 pm Nurses Day Community Fun Run/Walk Kids Run, 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, May 13, 5 pm Community Links Program: Dementia Care Whitney Thompson, MPH, CHES ADRC Dementia Care Specialist May 18, 5:30 pm Grief Support Group Topic: What s next? JUNE June 3, 10 am Diabetes Education Four-part Series Begins June 9, 6 pm Heartsaver CPR/AED Class For more information, call or visit UplandHillsHealth.org