Eastern Iowa Health

Notre Dame Alumni welcome Dean Greg Crawford to Iowa City

From a Media Release — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:17:03 +0000

The ND Club of CR/IC is planning an informal get together at the Iowa City Arts Fest on Saturday, June 2nd, to welcome Dean Greg Crawford to Iowa City as he bikes across the U.S. to bring awareness to research in support of rare diseases and in particular, Notre Dame and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation’s joint fight against Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC). Gregory P. Crawford, dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, has – for the third consecutive year – set out on a remarkable bicycle ride to support research seeking treatments and a cure for Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC), a rare and deadly neurodegenerative disease that primarily strikes children before or during adolescence. Crawford departed May 21 on a 3,250-mile ride from Boston to Pebble Beach, Calif., with stops to visit NPC researchers and families, as well as Notre Dame alumni clubs, along the way. Early in the day on June 2 the Dean is riding from Davenport to Oskaloosa, Iowa, a distance of 125 miles. He will join the UND Alumni Club of Cedar Rapids / Iowa City after he completes the ride. The University of Notre Dame and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation have [...]

Mercy celebrates elite milestone for cardiac care

Karen Vander Sanden/Mercy Medical Center — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:45:43 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (Fri., June 1, 2012) – Mercy Medical Center is celebrating a milestone that once again illustrates its excellence in cardiac care. For three consecutive years, Mercy is the area’s only hospital providing 100 percent of its cardiac patients with “Door to Balloon” times of less than the national standard of 90 minutes. Mercy reaches the three-year mark on June 1. This milestone, achieved by only a few hospitals in the nation, reflects the efficiency and coordination of Mercy’s Emergency Department, cardiac team and staff in handling cardiac emergencies. During a heart attack, every second counts and opening a blockage is critical to minimize permanent damage to the muscle of the heart. “Door to Balloon” time measures the amount of time from a patient’s arrival at the hospital to time of diagnosis and treatment initiation, resulting in the opening of the patient’s blocked artery. Mercy’s team of healthcare providers has made it a priority to work seamlessly together to coordinate care and hone their response times into a finely-tuned, standardized process. Mercy’s “perfect heart attack care” results are noted on the CMS Hospital Compare website for procedure times under the national standard of 90 minutes. A number of [...]

Memorial service scheduled for Haitian baby treated in Iowa City; girl died this month in Haiti

Cindy Hadish/SourceMedia Group News — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:04:59 +0000

IOWA CITY – Surgery changed the outlook for a Haitian baby brought to the United States by an Iowa City couple, but it was a common disease that took the little girl’s life at home. Bedica Ermilus likely died of cholera after being returned to her family in Haiti, said Dr. Christopher Buresh, 36, an emergency physician at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics who made arrangements for the then 3-month-old girl’s surgery at UI Children’s Hospital in March. “It’s been really hard,” Buresh said Wednesday night. “We’ll never really know what it was.” Bedica became ill with a fever, vomiting and diarrhea just days after returning to Haiti. Despite efforts of community health workers and her family, she died May 17 at nearly 5-months-old. Cholera, which causes diarrhea and dehydration, can spread by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. The bacterial disease is rare in the United States, but an outbreak that started after Haiti’s earthquake in 2010 saw an upsurge this spring. “Babies are really susceptible to it,” Buresh said. “What’s sad is the same day she died, I bet there were 500 or 1,000 other babies who died of the same thing.” The disease would be [...]

Partnership announced to improve dementia care in nursing homes; reduce use of antipsychotic drugs

From a Media Release — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:38:10 +0000

Today, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced the Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, an initiative to ensure appropriate care and use of antipsychotic medications for nursing home patients. This partnership – among federal and state partners, nursing homes and other providers, advocacy groups and caregivers – has set a national goal of reducing use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home residents by 15 percent by the end of 2012. Unnecessary antipsychotic drug use is a significant challenge in ensuring appropriate dementia care. CMS data show that in 2010 more than 17 percent of nursing home patients had daily doses exceeding recommended levels. “We want our loved ones with dementia to receive the best care and the highest quality of life possible,” said Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. “We are partnering with nursing homes, advocates, and others to improve the quality of care these individuals receive in nursing homes. As part of this effort, our partnership has set an ambitious goal of reducing use of antipsychotics in nursing homes by 15 percent by the end of this year.” CMS and industry and advocacy partners are taking several steps to achieve this goal of improved care: Enhanced [...]

Mercy offers Webinar on cancer survivorship

Karen Vander Sanden/Mercy Medical Center — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:05:12 +0000

Live Webinar: Thursday, June 14, noon to 1 p.m. More than 12 million people are currently cancer survivors. The transition from active treatment to cancer survivor can be difficult, even lonely. Patients often need emotional support and guidance about healthy lifestyle choices. After a battle with cancer, therapy to regain strength and deal with issues of sexuality and depression may be necessary. Join Deborah Wilbur, M.D., Oncology Associates at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, to learn how patients can develop a plan for life as a cancer survivor. Dr. Wilubr will take your questions live during the webinar. Register and join this live webinar at www.mercycare.org/live. You can also view the archived webinar at a later date at a time that’s convenient for you.

Horizons Meals On Wheels Offers Free Lunch to Area Youth

Horizons, A Family Service Alliance — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:32:12 +0000

With summer right around the corner, Horizons Meals On Wheels is proud to announce their partnership with the USDA in conjunction with local school districts, Cedar Rapids’ Parks & Recreation Department, and neighborhood associations to ensure our children continue to eat healthy meals while school is out. FREE meals will be served weekdays this summer, with exceptions of July 4, July 26, and July 27 at Daniels and Jones Parks, Oak Hill Jackson Resource Center, and Springville Community Center. Please see the schedule below for locations and times: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at Jones Park 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Daniels Park 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. at Oak Hill Jackson Resource Center 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. at Springville Community Center “The USDA’s Fuel Up for Summer Fun program is a great opportunity for Horizons Meals On Wheels to wrap services around all of our neighbors, from the oldest to the youngest.” states Horizons Meals On Wheels Director, Dianna Young. “We’re proud to ensure our older adults, AND our children, have an opportunity to enjoy a well-balanced lunch. Many thanks to the USDA for partnering with Horizons to provide meals to kids this summer.” Each year, the [...]

Funding targets increased food assistance accessibility at farmers markets

Cindy Hadish/SourceMedia Group News — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:40:52 +0000

New federal funds could make it easier for shoppers to pull out a card to pay for strawberries, fresh greens, homebaked bread and other farmers market food, but Iowa is scrambling to come up with a plan to use the money. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act provides $4 million in funding to increase farmers market participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. Teresa White, who coordinates seasonal markets in Cedar Rapids, said machines that accept electronic benefit cards used by food assistance recipients also can be used for credit and debit cards. Offering that option is a boost to market vendors whose customers appreciate the convenience, she said. “I keep trying to get more (vendors) to use them.” With about 210 farmers markets, Iowa is set to receive $162,131 of the federal allocations, among the top 10 in the nation. The funds are intended to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale equipment in farmers markets not currently participating in SNAP, but using that money isn’t a given. Tracy Penick, of the Iowa Department of Human Services, said Iowa is trying to come up with a plan to meet federal criteria to [...]

UI Professor: Stressful Economy Keeping Half of Americans from Using Vacation Time

Jillian Petrus/SourceMedia Group News — Wed, 30 May 2012 03:06:29 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS – Millions of unused vacation hours. Polls taken by JetBlue and several large hotel chains, like Radisson Hotels, show nearly 57 percent of Americans don’t use all of their earned time off . It’s something many Eastern Iowans can relate to, like Ben Samuelson of Cedar Rapids. His boss is begging him to take a break, but Samuelson says he doesn’t feel it’s an option. “I don’t have enough time. I got to much to do and I can’t afford it,” Samuelson said. More than half of Americans feel the same way. National poll put the average at between 50 and 65 percent of workers who say they don’t use all of their earned vacation time. “American has always had a culture of nose to the grindstone hard work,” said University of Iowa Leisure Studies Faculty member, David Gould. “As we’ve downsized, we’ve absorbed other people’s jobs. So it becomes a lot more difficult for people to get away.” And even when people do getaway, Gould says most find it hard to disconnect. ” We log on, we answer emails, we try and do some work to keep things at bay,” he said. Gould says smart employers want [...]

Companies agree to pay fine over natural gasoline pipeline spills in Iowa; two other states

From a Media Release — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:20:59 +0000

(Kansas City, Kan., May 29, 2012) – Mid-America Pipeline Company, LLC (MAPCO), and Enterprise Products Operating LLC (Enterprise), of Houston, Texas, have agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $1 million to the United States to settle violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to three natural gasoline pipeline spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. As part of a consent decree lodged today in U.S. District Court in Omaha, Neb., and in addition to paying the $1,042,000 civil penalty, the companies have agreed to undertake various measures aimed at reducing external threats to their pipeline, enhance their reporting of spills, and spend at least $200,000 to identify and prevent external threats to the pipeline involved in the spills. MAPCO owns and Enterprise operates the 2,769-mile West Red Pipeline, which transports mixed natural gasoline products between Conway, Kan., and Pine Bend, Minn. The settlement resolves Clean Water Act violations related to three spills that occurred along the pipeline: A March 29, 2007, rupture near Yutan, Neb., which caused the discharge of approximately 1,669 barrels of natural gasoline directly into an unnamed ditch and Otoe Creek. An April 23, 2010, rupture near Niles, Kan., which caused the [...]

Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative in Luana fined for EPA violations

From a Media Release — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:12:14 +0000

(Kansas City, Kan., May 29, 2012) – Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative, a cheese manufacturer, has agreed to pay a $33,880 civil penalty to the United States to settle two violations of environmental regulations related to the public reporting of toxic chemicals at its facility in Luana, Iowa. In settlement of this matter, Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative will also complete a supplemental environmental project. Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative will purchase emergency response equipment for the Luana, Iowa fire department valued at approximately $10,786. According to an administrative consent agreement and final order filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan., in May 2011, the Agency requested information from Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative and found the company had failed to submit reports to EPA and the State of Iowa concerning quantities of certain toxic chemicals that were manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility during 2009. Those chemicals were nitric acid and nitrate compounds. Nitrate compounds are known to be harmful to human health and toxic vapors of nitric acid may cause severe injury, burns, or death. During calendar year 2009, the facility manufactured, processed, or otherwise used 187,000 pounds of nitric acid and 71,000 pounds of nitrate compounds. [...]

FDA issues warning about counterfeit version of Adderall

From a Media Release — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:48:35 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers and health care professionals about a counterfeit version of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ Adderall 30 milligram tablets that is being purchased on the Internet. Adderall, which is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and narcolepsy, is a prescription drug classified as a controlled substance – a class of drugs for which special controls are required for dispensing by pharmacists. See more here: FDA warns consumers about counterfeit version of Teva’s Adderall

Next step for Medical Mall, end of legacy for First Christian Church

Nadia Crow/SourceMedia Group News — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:30:34 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS- It’s the next chapter for the new Medical Mall in Cedar Rapids. But it’s the end of a hundred year tradition for First Christian Church. The building sits on the 800-block of third avenue southeast. It’s the same location for the medical mall’s future parking lot. This has been a passionate issue for one group. Save Cedar Rapids Heritage wants to preserve the history in the area amidst plenty of changes by the city and large corporations like Saint Luke’s and PCI. But for area businesses this could mean the revitalization they’ve been waiting for since the flood of 2008. From the front of First Christian Church you can’t tell much has changed. But from the back, down falls history. “I’ve lived in Cedar Rapids all my life. I’ve seen a lot of buildings go down. Way, way too much,” said Save CR Heritage Chair Beth DeBoom. And now the group, Save Cedar Rapids Heritage will document the First Christian Church as yet another. The church stands in the way of the new Medical Mall. “For Saint Luke’s and PCI not to yield at all? It’s maddening, it’s heartbreaking, it’s beyond frustration,” said DeBoom. “But the tradeoff is [...]

Community event about prostate cancer features Voice of the Hawkeyes

Sarah Corizzo/St. Luke's Hospital — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:01:40 +0000

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. About one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play broadcaster for the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer. In an upcoming free St. Luke’s LiveWell event he will share the story of his battle with the disease, and why he urges all men to be vigilant about their health – especially prostate cancer screening. Dr. Jonathan Rippentrop, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, Urology and Medical Director of St. Luke’s Minimally Invasive Surgery Program, will also explain PSA testing, symptoms and treatment options, including robotic surgery. Talking Cancer with the Voice of the Hawkeyes Monday, June 18 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Kirkwood Training & Outreach Center – 3375 Armar Dr. in Marion (across from Carlos O’Kelly’s) Free, but please register at 319/369-7395 or stlukescr.org/livewell

Church demolition spurring historic preservation efforts in Cedar Rapids

Cindy Hadish/SourceMedia Group News — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:17:34 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS – Today’s demolition of First Christian Church will become the “poster child,” of sorts, for historic preservation efforts in Cedar Rapids. “I’m going to make sure that nobody forgets this day,” said Beth Chacey DeBoom, as she recorded crews from D.W. Zinser Co. of Walford demolishing the church shortly after 9 a.m. “I don’t want this to happen again. I’ve seen it too many times.” Representatives of St. Luke’s, which bought the building to make way for a parking lot for the new Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa medical pavilion, have said no one offered a viable proposal to purchase and renovate the property. Save CR Heritage, a preservation group DeBoom leads, had raised $45,000 within weeks and the city offered to contribute $300,000 toward renovation costs. The City Council changed parking standards for the medical district earlier this year, so the 40 parking spots were not required for the project, but PCI CEO Mike Sundall has said parking would be tight without the spaces. Just last week, demonstrators marked the 100th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the church, 840 Third Ave. SE, which was dedicated in 1913 and was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Celebrated [...]

FDA Gives Sunscreen Manufacturers Extension to Update Misinformation on Labels

Jillian Petrus/SourceMedia Group News — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:38:52 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS – Last year, The Food and Administration asked sunscreen manufactures to clean up some false claims on their labels. They were asked to change terms like ‘water proof’ to ‘water resistant’, test for both UVA and UVB protection and recommend a time for reapplication of lotion or spray. “I think a lot of them, even though they say water proof, I don’t believe that’s the case,” said Janet Kibbie. Kibbie spends the majority of her summers out on the Cedar River. The companies had until June 18th of this year to fix the labels, but manufactures couldn’t meet the deadline. To avoid having sunscreen pulled off the shelves entirely, the FDA has now given them another six months to make the updates. So as a consumer what do you do? How do you know if your sunscreen is keeping you safe? “It’s kind of scary,” said Jessica Salzwedel with the Five Seasons Water Ski Team. “You don’t know what’s going to happen to your skin when you get older.” The FDA is also looking at the effectiveness of sunscreen in the form of a spray. Something Kelly Burns says he uses regularly. “It’s something that’s easy to apply, [...]

Dubuque’s Julien Care Facility Up for Sale

Katie Wiedemann/SourceMedia Group News — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:23:54 +0000

(Dubuque) -The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors is selling the Julien Care Facility for $1.25 million. That’s a residential treatment facility for adult who have mental illness. For people living at the Julien Care Facility, life in general can be very difficult. Developing Alternative Choices Director, Dave Smith said, “They live with Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, severe depression and anxiety and personality disorder. ” Dubuque County owns the building but Developing Alternative Choices, or D.A.C. runs the residential treatment program. County supervisors say it’s too expensive to keep paying to make physical improvements to this old building. So they’re selling it. Smith said, “We would like to own the building outright. ” Hillcrest Family Services also wants to buy the building and run a residential treatment program. Hillcrest Family Services Executive Director Gary Gansemer said, “With Hillcrest taking over and expanding the level of services and the number of staff it will cost Dubuque County less per resident than what it’s costing them now. ” But Smith disputes Hillcrest’s claim. He believes it would cost tax-payers $150,000 more per year if Hillcrest takes over. Smith also worries about Hillcrest’s plan to move its juvenile sex offender residents to the Julien Care [...]

“Don’t Fry Day” draws attention to skin cancer prevention for Midwesterners

Cindy Hadish/SourceMedia Group News — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:39:52 +0000

The following is from the EPA: The sunny days of spring and summer represent an entirely different dynamic for people in the Midwest. While large numbers of people are heading for camp sites, parks and beaches that flourish throughout our region, it also means that the agriculture community – our farmers and ranchers – are hard at work in the fields and on rangeland. This means that the risk will increase for those spending more time in the sun. Several agencies have designated Friday, May 25, 2012, as “Don’t Fry Day” as a way to highlight sun safety. EPA has joined the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Park Service (NPS) to emphasize the dangers of skin cancer and has provided simple steps Americans can take to protect themselves. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day “Don’t Fry Day” as a way to highlight sun safety. Farmers and ranchers face a range of occupational hazards–from machinery accidents to chemical exposures from fertilizers and pesticides, to injuries from working with animals. A less-visible danger comes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can damage skin, leading to skin cancer, [...]

Mercy hosts local National Cancer Survivors Day® celebration

Karen Vander Sanden/Mercy Medical Center — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:04:54 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (Thurs., May 24, 2012) – National Cancer Survivors Day® is Sun., June 3. This 25th annual celebration of life will be held in hundreds of communities worldwide. Cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, friends, and healthcare professionals will unite to show that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and productive. Mercy Medical Center is hosting a prayer service for all faiths as well as an open house, beginning at 1p.m. on Sun., June 3, at the new Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. The public is invited. (Event details below) “Surviving cancer is an attitude about life and living each day to the fullest,” says Dee Eadie, Exec. Dir., Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. “Our prayer service and open house will be filled with joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith, and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage. We will also recognize the contributions of their families, friends, and healthcare providers and discuss the issues of cancer survivorship.” Mercy’s local event is part of a worldwide celebration coordinated by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. Nearly 12 million Americans are now living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer. In the United States, men have a slightly less [...]

Alzheimer’s Association Round to Remember Golf Classic raises nearly $60,000

Jessica Simon / Alzheimer's Association — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:03:15 +0000

Area golfers came together to support the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter on Monday, May 21, 2012 for the 22nd annual Alzheimer’s Association Round to Remember™ Golf Classic. The event, held at Cedar Rapids Golf & Country Club, raised nearly $60,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter. Funds raised from the event will fund Alzheimer research, education, support and advocacy. “We continue to be thankful for the ongoing support of our generous corporate sponsors,” stated Kelly Hauer, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter. “I believe community leaders understand the threat Alzheimer’s disease poses locally and nationally, and the event offers them a vehicle to support our cause and become more engaged,” Hauer added. The 2012 Round to Remember Championship flight winners include Chad Kellogg, TJ Carmody, Ken Brown and Randy Johnson. The 2012 Hope Sponsor is Mercy Medical Center. Tournament Sponsors include: Area Ambulance Services, Cedar Memorial, Dr. Larry McCray, Modern Piping, Physicians Clinics of Iowa, Rockwell Collins, Skogman Reality, The Views Senior Living, Transport Permits and United Fire Group. For more information Alzheimer’s disease or corporate sponsorship opportunities to support the Alzheimer’s Association visit alz.org/eci.

IDPH Supports National Effort to Warn of Laundry Detergent Packet Dangers

Iowa Department of Public Health — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:30:02 +0000

IDPH joins the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center in urging Iowans, especially parents, to keep highly concentrated “single dose packs” of laundry detergent up and out of the reach of children. Continue reading

Older adults can be organ donors

From a Media Release — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:15:54 +0000

The following is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: HHS launches national campaign to educate older adults on registering as organ donors People in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond can save lives by becoming donors An effort to educate adults 50 and older about the importance of registering to be organ, eye, and tissue donors was launched today in observance of Older Americans Month. The campaign was developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in partnership with the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging and the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. More than 114,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list for an organ, and more than 100 of them die each week waiting for an organ that never comes. In 2011, people 50 and older accounted for 32 percent of donors but 60 percent of the total number of transplants. “It’s important for everyone to know any age can be the right age to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor,” said Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Imagine how many more lives we could save [...]

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Iowa Department of Public Health — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:50:02 +0000

May is Stroke Awareness Month and High Blood Pressure Education Month. These observances offer another opportunity to remind Iowans to control their blood pressure and reduce their risk for stroke. Continue reading

New study shows rise in teen diabetes, heart disease risk

Nadia Crow/SourceMedia Group News — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:38:53 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS- A new study shows alarming statistics about the health of many U-S teenagers. Since 2000, the rate of kids with diabetes and pre-diabetes nearly tripled from 9% to 23%. One of four kids ages 12 to 19 have two or more risk factors for heart disease. These numbers mirror data just released about childhood obesity. It all goes hand-in-hand. Too much weight, not exercising, and eating unhealthy foods speeds up the likelihood you’ll have a severe medical condition. It’s the reason for multiple family-oriented wellness programs across Eastern Iowa. Get up, get active, get fit. To many, it’s easier said than done. That’s why research says teen diabetes is skyrocketing. “Our bodies are designed to be active and we spend a lot of time sitting. Whether it’s at school or at work or at home we sit on the couch,” said Mercy Medical Center Exercise Specialist Holly Kepros. Exercise Specialist Holly Kepros says it’s a learned behavior that’s making our society overweight and at risk for serious health conditions. “A lot times it happens with their parents and then it’s passed down to their kids and it’s just going to continue. We’ve got to break that cycle,” said [...]

Summer Health is ‘Made in the SHADE’

Iowa Department of Public Health — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:10:01 +0000

As Iowans enjoy more outdoor recreational opportunities and events, it’s important to remember some basic summer safety guidelines.” IDPH reminds Iowans that by following a few tips, summer health can be ‘Made in the SHADE:’ Continue reading

“STOP Planned Parenthood” Director Visits Dubuque

Katie Wiedemann/SourceMedia Group News — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:57:42 +0000

Members of Dubuque County Right To Life are revealing a new effort to push Planned Parenthood out of that community. The organization has been protesting Planned Parenthood since the clinic opened in 2008. On Wednesday, Rita Diller, Director of the national organization STOP Planned Parenthood explained to members of Dubuque County Right to Life how she’s says she was able to get 19 Texas based Planned Parenthood Clinics to close. Diller said, “The key is persistent activism. The key is building a solid wall of resistance against Planned Parenthood within the community. Meeting them at every corner, because they are in places you wouldn’t even imagine. ” Ellen Markham and Maureen Ward have been fighting Planned Parenthood’s Dubuque presence since day one. “as soon as we found out they were there. In fact, we were there one hour before they opened and began standing out from of their facility. ” The pair schedules the volunteers who stand outside Planned Parenthood each hour the clinic is open for business. Ward said, “our number one issue,of course, is the fact that (some Planned Parenthood clinics) provide abortions and that’s why we are there. ” While some Planned Parenthood Clinics offer abortion services, [...]

Hospice House of Mercy celebrates five years of serving eastern Iowa

Karen Vander Sanden/Mercy Medical Center — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:11:26 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS (Wed., May 16, 2012) – The Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy has been serving eastern Iowa patients and their families with compassionate, end-of-life care for five years. The Hospice House is marking this milestone with a public open house and refreshments on Wednesday, May 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Hospice House is located at 315 18th Avenue, Hiawatha. The Hospice House of Mercy provides 24-hour nursing care for each patient, serving people of all ages from all walks of life. Since opening in May 2007, more than 1,100 patients have been directly served. As the only hospice house in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor, its outreach is extensive. The next closest hospice house is in Waterloo. The goal of the Hospice House is to provide a variety of services so patients can spend their final days in a caring, comfortable environment, surrounded by family members and caregivers who are both competent and compassionate. The 22,000-square foot facility has 12 patient rooms with hospital-standard medical resources and accommodations for families. Each patient room has access to a private outdoor patio. An open kitchen, dining room and living room areas, children’s play areas, walking paths, a garden, a chapel/meditation room for [...]

Iowa Observes EMS Week

Iowa Department of Public Health — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:10:24 +0000

The Iowa Department of Public Health joins local and national partners in recognizing May 20 through 26 as EMS Week. Continue reading

City intervention unsuccessful at preserving church

Cindy Hadish/SourceMedia Group News — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:14:58 +0000

CEDAR RAPIDS – An 11th hour intervention by Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett and promise of $300,000 in funding won’t be enough to save a former historic church from demolition. Demolition of the former First Christian Church, 840 Third Ave. SE, is expected to begin next week. Laura Rainey, spokeswoman for St. Luke’s Hospital, which purchased the church as part of the site for the Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa medical pavilion, noted that demolition has already been delayed four months to give people time to submit viable proposals for the property. “No one came forward,” she said Tuesday, and demolition will likely start next week. A preservation group known as Save CR Heritage had raised $45,000, but not the remainder of the $900,000 purchase price and $2 million renovation estimate, Rainey said. “It was a lot of hoped-for funds,” she said. “It really lacked substance.” The city offered to provide about $300,000 toward the cost of renovating the building for offices or other reuse. Those funds could have come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or other sources, Corbett said, and as details were still being worked out, he put the offer on the table. “I’m really sad about it,” [...]