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PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE

2008
July - Present
January - June

CONTACT

Maggie Koehler,
Public Relations
(218) 894-8818
e-mail

Press Releases

11/13/08

LHS Foundation Sponsors 13th Annual Season of Lights

11/12/08

Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Now at LHS

11/11/08

Telehealth Technology Expands Care Options at Lakewood

11/06/08

Freedom From Smoking at LHS

10/30/08

LHS Employees Raise Funds for Susan G. Komen

10/30/08

Survivors Inspire at Breast Cancer Program

10/27/08

Saturday Flu Shot Clinic at Lakewood Health System

10/24/08

Lakewood Health System Hosts “Bids for Kids” Auction

10/22/08

Lakewood Health System Implements Perinatal Software

10/16/08

Lakewood Health System Offers Six Week Childbirth Course

10/10/08

LHS Participates in Statewide Palliative Care Initiative

This birthing class is designed to help expecting moms and coaches learn about what to expect during pregnancy, labor, delivery and the special time following the birth of the baby.  Key topics include:

 

• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• How to care for a newborn
• A “game plan” for coaches
• Infant CPR
• Feeding Options

 

Expecting mothers in their fifth and eighth months of pregnancy are welcome to participate in the prepared childbirth class. Moms are encouraged to bring a coach to assist with their preparation.

For more information or to register for the two-day prepared childbirth class at Lakewood Health System, please call Gayle at 218-894-8623.

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LHS Participates in Statewide Palliative Care Initiative

October 10, 2008 —Lakewood Health System has recently been selected to participate in Stratis Health’s Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative to strengthen palliative care programs in their communities. Lakewood Health System’s participation is part of a 10-community effort throughout the state to increase palliative care services for patients.

Palliative care is an approach to managing chronic disease and other serious and advanced illnesses that center on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care customizes treatment to meet the needs of each individual, seeking to relieve pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and other symptoms and to provide emotional and spiritual support. It differs from hospice in that it is appropriate at any point in a serious illness and can be provided at the same time as curative treatment.

“We ultimately see the palliative care program implemented into the full scope of the care continuum at our facility,” said Julie Benson, MD, a champion for palliative care within Lakewood Health System. “This would mean aligning all services from our family practice physicians all the way through to hospice care.”

The program will help patients better manage their symptoms, improve satisfaction with family-clinician relationships, improve transitions between health care providers—such as when patients move from hospitals to nursing homes or from nursing homes to receiving care at home from a home health agency.

“Health care needs are changing. Chronic diseases are now the leading cause of death and disability in Minnesota. Our health care services need to evolve to provide appropriate care,” said Jennifer Lundblad, PhD, MBA, president and CEO, Stratis Health. “Palliative care is new to many health care providers. By fostering palliative care in rural communities we hope to decrease the number of patients having to leave their home community to receive this patient-centered care.”

Stratis Health (www.stratishealth.org) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 that leads collaboration and innovation in health care quality and safety, and serves as a trusted expert in facilitating improvement for people and communities.

This initiative was made possible by funds provided by UCare (www.ucare.org)—an independent, non-profit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 140,000 members.

For more information about Lakewood Health System’s participation in Statis Health’s Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative, please call Laurie Bach at 218-894-8611.

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Lakewood Health System Hosts Breast Cancer Program

September 30, 2008 —October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lakewood Health System recognizes the importance of raising awareness for breast cancer by hosting a free Breast Cancer Program on Monday, October 27th at TMaxwells is Staples.

This event offers an opportunity to learn about the latest in breast health and also offers a chance for participants to talk with a panel of breast health experts and cancer survivors. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with appetizers and beverages. The following presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m.

 

“Breast Cancer—Know the Facts”

 Kris Posner, RN and Breast Health Navigator at Lakewood Health System

“Close to Your Heart—Exploring Breast Health.” 

Sandra Hanson, M.D. and Surgeon at Lakewood Health System.

“Exploring Genetic Testing and Counseling”

Joy Gustin, M.S., Genetic Counselor

During the Breast Health Program, an emphasis on “Passionately Pink for the Cure” will help Susan G. Komen fight breast cancer by asking all participants to wear pink. A $5 donation will be accepted, but is not required. All donations will go directly to Susan G. Komen to help raise funds to find a cure.

Each attendee will receive a free bottle of pink nail polish. Please call Nola Varilek at 218-894-8586 for more information or to register for the Breast Health Program.

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Lakewood Health System Introduces “Women at Heart”

September 30, 2008 —Lakewood Health System is proud to introduce “Women at Heart,” a program designed to prevent and detect heart disease in women. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in women and surprisingly to most; one in three women develops heart disease.

The Women at Heart program at Lakewood Health System gives women the opportunity to make an appointment and receive a comprehensive heart risk assessment and one-on-one consultations with a nurse practitioner to create a custom risk-reduction plan, a cardiac dietitian to create a nutrition plan and an exercise physiologist to design a fitness plan—all to lower a woman’s chance of developing heart disease.

In partnership with the Central Minnesota Heart Center, Lakewood Health System’s Women at Heart program will be held monthly and by appointment only.

To make an appointment, please call 218-894-1515. For more information about the Women at Heart program at Lakewood Health System, please call Nola at 218-894-8586.

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“Baby Spa Class” New at Lakewood Health System

September 29, 2008—Lakewood Health System is introducing a new educational class offering called “Baby Spa.” The first Baby Spa Class will be held on October 21st at Lakewood Health System’s Main Campus from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

This interactive class will teach parents about exciting topics including infant signing, infant massage and aromatherapy. Infant signing has become a new way of communicating with infants. Babies can actually learn sign language before they can walk. After learning how to use infant signing, parents will receive a laminated baby signing tool to take home.

Through the infant massage portion of the Baby Spa Class, parents will learn how to use infant massage to help alleviate pain from common infant problems like colic and constipation. Infant massage will be taught by Andrea Broughten, Lakewood Health System’s certified infant massage therapist.

The aromatherapy section will give parents information about the benefits of using the sense of smell during labor and in the stages after the baby is born.

Cost for the Baby Spa Class is $25. Each participant will receive a free gift. To register, please call Gayle at 218-894-8623 or call Nola for more information at 218-894-8586.

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Flu Mist Now Available at Lakewood Health System

September 25, 2008 —The Flu Mist, a needle-free flu vaccine is now available at Lakewood Health System. As an alternative to having a traditional flu shot, this gentle nasal mist delivered into the nose is a painless, easy way for young children and even adults to be vaccinated for the flu. 

All healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 are eligible for the convenient Flu Mist. The traditional and equally effective flu shot is also available at Lakewood Health System for anyone over the age of 6 months.

During the flu season, patients do not need to make an appointment to receive a flu vaccination at Lakewood Health System.

Flu vaccinations are administered by Lakewood Health System’s triage staff and are available at the Staples, Motley, Pillager, Browerville and Eagle Bend clinics.

For more information about the Flu Mist and traditional flu shot, please contact Alice Carrell, Clinic Nursing Director at 218-894-8424.  

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Young Women’s Health Nite Hosted by LHS

September 23, 2008 —On Thursday, October 9th, area high school junior and senior girls are invited to partake in a causal conversation about young women’s health at the Stomping Grounds in Staples, hosted by Lakewood Health System. Moms are also invited to participate and enjoy a complimentary dinner with their daughters while discussing important health topics.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., young women’s health topics will be discussed including:

• When is the appropriate time in a young woman’s life to get a women’s physical
• HPV (human papilloma virus)
• The myths and misunderstandings about Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents cervical cancer
• Answers to embarrassing questions that those in attendance can confidentially submit

 

Becky Bennett and Amy Winkels, certified Physician Assistants will be presenting the program.

Each person in attendance will receive a free gift, compliments of Lakewood Health System’s Women’s Health team. Registration is free but seating is limited. Please register by Tuesday, October 7th by calling Nola at 218-894-8586.

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Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Ceremony
September 17, 2008 — October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Each year, approximately one million pregnancies in the U.S. end in miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of the newborn child.  This year, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is on October 15th and Lakewood Health System is hosting a special ceremony to acknowledge these painful losses and provide comfort to families.

 

Lakewood Health System invites those who have been touched by a pregnancy or infant loss to a ceremony of dedication and remembrance on Monday, October 6th.  The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the patio level of the Main Campus just east of Staples. 

The nondenominational ceremony will include poems, a lighting ceremony and a time for reflection.  Refreshments will be served at the close of the ceremony.  There is no charge to attend the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Ceremony and those attending will receive a special token of remembrance. 

Whether your loss is recent or was experienced in the past, all—parents, family and friends—are invited to attend.  For more information contact Nola Varilek at 218-894-8586.

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Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery Offered at Lakewood
September 16, 2008 —Lakewood Health System announces a new, recently FDA approved minimally invasive sinus procedure coined FinESS, which in many cases can replace the invasive alternative - traditional sinus surgery. Lakewood Health System visiting specialist Dr. Ted Truitt from the St. Cloud Ear Nose and Throat clinic co-founded and developed the procedure.

FinESS treats rhinosinusitis – also known as ‘sinusitis,’ inflammation of the sinus tissue. Rhinosinusitis affects millions of Americans each year, and if it becomes chronic, patients were typically recommended traditional sinus surgery (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS) before FinESS was developed. 

In traditional sinus surgery, bone and tissue are removed, which can unfortunately lead to considerable post-operative pain and nasal packing to control bleeding. The traditional surgery is performed under general anesthesia with a typical recovery time of several days to weeks.

However, through the FinESS procedure at Lakewood Health System, a small device directly accesses the sinus and a tiny endoscope is used to visualize the sinus opening. A small balloon catheter is inserted into the sinus drainage pathway and expanded.  This remodels the area in and around the sinuses, resulting in multiple benefits for the patient including:

• Optimized procedure time
• Local anesthesia - with or without light sedation
• Gain direct sinus access
• Use endoscopic visualization only
• Minimized patient pain and bleeding
• Shortened recovery time to 1-2 days – Many patients are actually able to resume normal activity within hours.

This new FinESS treatment is direct, simple and highly effective. Since FinESS does not require the removal of delicate bone or sinus tissue, there is less pain, bleeding and scarring for patients.

Dr. Truitt is now performing FinESS at Lakewood Health System. Talk to your doctor if you think FinESS is right for you.  

For more information about FinESS at Lakewood Health System, please contact Criag Wolhowe, Director of Clinic Services at 218-894-8600.

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15th Annual Golf Classic Raises $15,000 for LHS FoundationSeptember 8, 2008— The 15th Annual Lakewood Health System Foundation Classic co-sponsored by Nyhus Chevrolet-Buick and First International Bank and Trust, Staples, was held on August 22, 2008 at The Vintage at Staples. Twenty-eight teams enjoyed a great day of golf and helped raise over $15,000 to support the Foundation’s mission; “to provide the opportunity to preserve and enhance health and wellness in the communities its serve.”

The winning score of 54 was carded by Nyhus Chevrolet-Buick. Other place winners included second: Hired Guns sponsored by Dr. Freeman of Lakewood Health System; third: Neumann Insulation, fourth: Deerwood Bank; and fifth place: Lakewood Health System Auxiliary.

Prizes were awarded for longest putt and to both men and women for longest drive and closest to the pin contests. Raffle prizes included airline tickets, won by Paul Kanga, Dan McQuillen and Randy Wilson; and Timberwolves tickets, won by Bridget Gerard.

For more information about this and other Lakewood Health System Foundation events, call Connie Etzler at 218-894-8503.

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Lakewood’s Medical Home Viewed as a National StandardSeptember 5, 2008 —Just in the last few months, the words “Medical Home” have been trickling into healthcare innovation meetings across Minnesota and across the country. This innovative model of healthcare has been getting a lot of attention, and for good reason.

When Lakewood Health System decided to initiate the program, there were few healthcare systems even thinking about it. As a fore-runner in the Medical Home, Lakewood Health System has captured the attention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

On Thursday, September 25th, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) on Rural Health and Human Services from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will visit Lakewood Health System as the chosen organization for setting a national standard for the Medical Home.

As part of a three-day Minnesota visit from the NAC titled “The Medical Home Model: Viability for Rural Communities,” a nine-person NAC subcommittee will study, learn, and absorb the practices Lakewood Health System has implemented in its Medical Home.

Since Lakewood Health System introduced the Medical Home in early 2008, over 200 patients have been added to the program. A Medical Home patient is defined as someone dealing with multiple illnesses, unstable illnesses and is taking multiple medications. Benefits for the program include:

• Coordinated care under a single “Medical Home” physician
• Medical Home “team” of physician, nurse, pharmacist, therapists, medical consultants and all health providers.
• Increased and regular communication between the patient, physician and Medical Home nurse.
• Appointment reminders for office visits and testing
• Extra education including Medical Home specific newsletters and individual teaching
• Increased patient inclusion in medical records and medical decisions
• Computerized record reviews to assure optimum healthcare

State and national legislation is developing the Medical Home due to evidence that this special, comprehensive care can improve the health of people with complex medical needs.

About The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services: The NAC is a 21-member citizens' panel of nationally recognized experts that provides recommendations on rural health and human services issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Committee was chartered in 1987 to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services on ways to address health care problems in rural America. Chaired by former South Carolina Governor David Beasley, the committee's private and public-sector members reflect wide-ranging, first-hand experience with rural issues -- in medicine, nursing, administration, finance, law, research, business, and public health. For more information, visit http://ruralcommittee.hrsa.gov/

To learn more about the National Advisory Committee visiting Lakewood Health System’s Medical Home, please contact Dr. John Halfen at 218-894-8590 or by e-mail
at drjohnhalfen@lakewoodhealthsystem.com

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Lakewood Health System Nationally Recognized
September 3, 2008 — Spend a day with Lakewood Health System employees and they’ll tell you that winning a national leadership award isn’t about the award at all. It’s about the service they’re able to provide for our communities. It’s the care that their friends, families and fellow community members receive at each visit. On August 28th, the efforts made by Lakewood Health System employees were applauded…nationally.

During an award presentation held at the new hospital campus in Staples, Lakewood Health System’s leadership team and employees were awarded with the 2008 Top Leadership Team in Healthcare for small hospitals by HealthLeaders Media.

The award was presented by HealthLeaders Media Editor, Jim Molpus. As the leadership team stood at the front of a beaming crowd of fellow employees and community officials, Molpus explained the uniqueness of Lakewood’s accomplishments, “Every hospital has a plaque in their front lobby that states its mission and vision. Lakewood Health System doesn’t just frame those words and hang them on a wall; this leadership team actually lives those words. There aren’t enough leadership teams that follow through with their goals like that.”  

Lakewood Health System’s President Tim Rice thanked each of Lakewood’s employees in his acceptance speech, “The fact that this is a team award recognizes the efforts of everyone in this organization. We wouldn’t be standing next to Jim [Molpus] without all of you.”

In December of 2006, over 600 employees moved into the new $42 million building that now houses the hospital and one of five Lakewood clinics. Molpus pointed out the criteria for a particular organization to win this national award:

1. The organization must have goals.
2. It must have a plan to reach those goals.
3. It must show that the goals have been met.

The goals that Molpus speaks of aren’t simple, everyday goals either. They’re community-changing goals. Building a new $42 million dollar building took extreme risks and lofty goals. In order to reach benchmarks for construction of the new facility, the leadership team had to increase new growth by 300 percent to ensure long-term financial viability in an economically challenged area.

Lakewood Health System has grown from a small community hospital to an independent, integrated, regional health network providing a full continuum of services that includes a 25-bed hospital, an attached clinic, 22 medical providers with four satellite clinics, a 100-bed care center, a 40-apartment senior housing unit, a 27-apartment assisted living unit and a senior behavioral health unit.

The 2008 honorees of the Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare will be featured speakers at the annual Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare Conference and Awards, to be held Oct. 16-17 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. Along with the winners, more than 40 healthcare chief executives and team members will share their secrets of teamwork success in focus areas including financial strategy, quality improvement, technology and physician relations. For more information, visit www.topleadershipteams.net

 

About HealthLeaders Media

HealthLeaders Media is the premier publisher of information resources for senior-level healthcare executives, reaching more than 100,000 healthcare decision-makers nationwide every month. In addition to its flagship monthly journal, HealthLeaders magazine, HealthLeaders Media distributes relevant industry information, practical advice, case-study solutions, and innovative strategies through newsletters, e-mail publications, live events and state-specific healthcare business news services. For more information, visit online at www.healthleadersmedia.com

 

For more information about the 2008 Top Leadership Team Award Presentation, please contact Maggie Koehler at 218-894-8818 or by email at maggiekoehler@lakewoodhealthsystem.com

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Urologist joins Lakewood Health System
September 2, 2008 —Dr. Keegan L. Maxwell, Urologist of Adult and Pediatric Urology in Sartell will now be consulting at Lakewood Health System every Tuesday.  

Prior to his practice in Sartell, Dr. Maxwell offered community-based urology and privately practiced in Spokane, Washington.  Dr. Maxwell finished his doctorate at the University of Washington and completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Urology at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

At Lakewood Health System, Dr. Maxwell will be focusing on adult and pediatric urology including urologic malignancies, urinary incontinence, kidney stones and other urology conditions. Dr. Maxwell is a member of the American Urological Association.

Dr. Maxwell served as Chief Resident during his residency in the Division of Urologic Surgery at the Washington University in St. Louis. His extensive research in various urology areas have been published in numerous medical journals and publications.

For more information about Dr. Keegan L. Maxwell, please contact Craig Wolhowe at 218-894-8600.

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Rheumatologist Joins Lakewood’s On-Staff Specialists
August 21, 2008 —Lakewood Health System welcomes Dr. Kathryn Riordan as the newest addition to Lakewood’s growing list of on-staff specialists. Dr. Riordan, Rheumatologist, will be accepting appointments four days a week.

Dr. Riordan previously practiced at Lakewood Health System as a consulting specialist through CentraCare and is now transitioning into an on-staff position at Lakewood Health System. Dr. Riordan’s extensive experience in management and research lend unsurpassed knowledge to her practice. After finishing medical school at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland, Dr. Riordan attended the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to complete her internship, residency and Rheumatology fellowship.

Dr. Riordan’s Military and teaching experience bring a distinct dedication to her relationships with patients. Dr. Riordan will be focusing on patients suffering from back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus, fibromyalgia and other rheumatic diagnoses.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Riordan, please contact your physician. For additional information about Dr. Riordan and Rheumatology services at Lakewood Health System, please contact Craig Wolhowe at 218-894-8600.

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LHS Care Professionals Attend Critical Care Conference
August 20, 2008 —On September 11 and 12, eleven healthcare professionals, including two surgeons from Lakewood Health System will attend the “Update in Critical Care 2008” conference presented by the Center for Excellence in Critical Care and sponsored by the University of Minnesota.

Lakewood attendees include on-staff surgeons Dr. Sandra Hanson and Dr. Patricia Mahoney. Other healthcare professionals also attending include Cindy Denning, Director of Nursing; Deanne Blake, ICU Coordinator; Connie Wells, ER Nurse Manager; Traci Formanek, Cheryl Chouinard and Karla Jenkins, Nursing Supervisors; Stacy Grossman, ICU RN; Kirsten Smith, Respiratory Therapist and Jennifer Strickland, Education Coordinator.

At the close of the conference, this multidisciplinary team from Lakewood will be able to identify new guidelines and best practices for the care of the critically ill, assess the outcomes of implementing such guidelines, and discuss new research findings impacting patient care.

The conference will be lead by Course Director Greg J. Beilman, MD and facilitated by various medical doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals from the University of Minnesota.

For more information about the critical care conference Lakewood Health System employees will be attending, please contact Jennifer Strickland at 218-894-8578.

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Care Coordinator Assigned to “Medical Home”

August 13, 2008 —Lakewood Health System’s “Medical Home” would like to introduce Niki Worden as the Medical Home Care Coordinator. As the Care Coordinator, Niki will coordinate appointments, reminders, education, record reviews and physician access for Medical Home patients.

In the Medical Home, a patient’s care is coordinated under a single “Medical Home” physician with an increase in communication between the patient, physician and Medical Home nurse. The Medical Home is being developed by the State of Minnesota and Medicare due to evidence that this special, comprehensive care can improve the health of people with complex medical needs. A similar model has been successfully used for special needs children for over 20 years.

Since the debut of the Medical Home at Lakewood Health System, nearly 200 patients have joined this comprehensive model of care.

Medical Home patients are identified by the facility through a review of factors such as multiple medications, multiple illnesses and unstable illnesses. If you are a patient at Lakewood Health System and qualify for joining the Medical Home, you will be notified by your doctor. If you would like to become part of this group of patients or if you have a family member who would benefit, let your doctor know.

For more information about Niki Worden and the Medical Home at Lakewood Health System, please contact John Halfen, M.D. at 218-894-8590 or by e-mail at drjohnhalfen@lakewoodhealthsystem.com

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Grief Support Group at Lakewood Health System

August 12, 2008 — Weekly Grief Support Group meetings will be held every Tuesday from September 16 through October 21 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Lakewood Health System’s Main Campus in the Fireside Room.

The death of a loved takes us on an unpleasant and unfamiliar journey. Grief support can alleviate the pain that cloaks us with each loss. Join us for discussions centering on various aspects of the grieving process: shock and denial, anger, depression, guilt, hope, renewal and acceptance.

With grief support, sharing your experiences after the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of pets, possessions and even your sense of family and faith can help lift the heavy burden of grief and bereavement. For more information or to join the Grief Support Group, please contact Gayle at 218-894-8623.

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Meet the Medical Marketplace Staff at LHS

August 5, 2008 —With the recent grand opening of the Medical Marketplace store front at Lakewood Health System, new staff members have been added to better serve our communities. Lakewood Health System is proud to introduce Tracy Gaffke, Home Medical Equipment Coordinator and Cab Nixon, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Technician.

Tracy maintains and coordinates all activity within Medical Marketplace by attending the store and keeping equipment stocked. She takes care of all insurance needs and ensures all discharged hospital patients are set-up with the correct equipment. Tracy’s history in customer service, insurance handling and office managing lend a helping hand to Medical Marketplace customers.

As the DME Technician, Cab provides in-home medical equipment set-ups and medical supply needs for Medical Marketplace customers. “Meeting people is something I enjoy,” says Cab. “When I set up necessary medical equipment right in a patient’s home, we’re able to maintain a safe environment similar to what a hospital stay can provide. It’s a good feeling to see this work so well for our patients.”

A team of Lakewood Health System clinical staff members, respiratory care practitioners and Medical Marketplace staff help to offer a variety of equipment and set-up services including:

• Power Chairs and Scooters
• Wheelchairs
• Sleep Therapy Supplies
• Custom Seating Systems
• Braces and Supports
• Hospital Beds
• Wound Care Supplies
• Lifts
• Blood Pressure Monitors
• Maternity Support Products
• Bathroom Aids

For more information about Medical Marketplace at Lakewood Health System, stop by or call Christy Davis at 218-894-8776.

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Dr. Amy Lelwica Consulting at Lakewood Health System

August 4, 2008 —Dr. Amy Lelwica of Northern Orthopedics in Brainerd has recently joined Lakewood Health System as a visiting Orthopedic Surgeon. With the addition of Dr. Lelwica, Lakewood Health System now has five consulting orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Lelwica will visit Lakewood Health System once every other week.

Dr. Lelwica will allow Lakewood Health System to offer orthopedic procedures including: shoulder, knee, and leg surgeries, fracture care and arthroscopy.  Dr. Lelwica attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Medical Schools where she earned numerous awards for outstanding performance. Dr. Lelwica also finished her orthopedic residency at the University of Minnesota.

Other specialist areas at Lakewood Health System include neurology, nephrology, pulmonology, obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, pathology, ophthalmology, rheumatology, psychiatry, gastroenterology, surgical dentistry, podiatry, urology and ear, nose and throat.

For more information about Dr. Amy Lelwica, please contact Craig Wolhowe at 218-894-8600.

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Lakewood Health System Celebrates 295 Births!

July 29, 2008 — Lakewood Health System hosted its 5th Annual Expectations Birthday Party on Thursday, July 24th. The event celebrated babies born at the facility between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008.During the year of 2007, 295 babies were born at Lakewood Health System—more than twice the babies born in 2006.

 The birthday party was hosted by the Lakewood Health System Expectations team, which is comprised of nurses who work with expectant parents and families through pregnancy, the birth of their child and beyond. More than 130 guests were treated to games, prizes, balloons, a picnic dinner and of course, birthday cake!

A set of new grandparents who had just heard news of their grandchild hours before the party joined in the festivities and were quoted as “AMAZED at the birth experience and beyond that LHS provides to new families!” 

To learn more about the Expectations program at Lakewood Health System, contact the Expectations team at 218-894-8525.

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Clinical Psychologist Now On-Staff

July 23, 2008 —The on-staff specialist list continues to grow at Lakewood Health System with the addition of a Clinical Psychologist, Julie Eggers Huber, PsyD, LP. Dr. Eggers Huber is a licensed psychologist under the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Dr. Eggers Huber’s time will be mainly focused at Lakewood Reflections, Lakewood Health System’s senior behavioral health program and with residents of the Care Center, both of which are located at Lakewood Health System’s Senior Campus. Clinic patients may be scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Eggers Huber with a Lakewood Health System physician referral.

Dr. Eggers Huber comes to Lakewood Health System from Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services in Brainerd where she developed and implemented multiple behavioral programs and oversaw and managed services as the Psychology Clinical Lead. With an extensive background in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Dr. Eggers Huber brings unique and pertinent experience to our surrounding communities. Dr. Eggers Huber finished her doctorate in psychology at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in Minneapolis and has completed multiple psychology internships in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arizona.

For more information about Dr. Eggers Huber, contact Craig Wolhowe at 218-894-8600.

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Farmers’ Market - Thursdays at Main Campus

July 22nd, 2008 —The first Farmers’ Market hosted by Lakewood Health System was held on Thursday, July 17th. Throughout the growing season, Lakewood Health System will host the Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 3:30-6 p.m. at the Main Campus parking lot, just east of Staples on State Highway 10. Everyone is welcome to attend the Lakewood Health System Farmers’ Market.

Employees and community members welcomed the benefits of locally grown food items last Thursday. “With the rising prices of food and the food quality scares we’ve seen in the recent past this is a great time to experience the high-quality food items that our local producers are willing to share with us,” said Lakewood Health System employee Kelly Coughlin. “Locally grown food tastes better and is better for the environment.”

A few of the benefits for buying locally grown food include maximum freshness, affordability, increased nutritional value, and availability of healthy food choices. By buying locally, we help sustain our family farms and keep food dollars in the community. Items available at the Farmers’ Market include produce, meats, eggs, home-made baked goods, jams/jellies and fresh cut flowers. Other Central Minnesota Farmer’s Market locations include Bemidji, Brainerd, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, St. Cloud, Motley, Staples, Sandstone, Park Rapids, Crosslake, Detroit Lakes and New York Mills.

For more information about the Farmer’s Market hosted by Lakewood Health System, please contact Chris Colsen at 218-894-0123.

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Patient Safety Excellence Award

July 22nd, 2008 —The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) recently awarded Lakewood Health System with a Patient Safety Excellence Award for outstanding performance in the SAFE SKIN initiative. The SAFE SKIN initiative is a program implemented by the MHA to prevent serious pressure ulcers commonly developed during hospital stays. Lakewood Health System is one of 90 hospitals working towards healthier skin for hospital patients across the state.

At Lakewood Health System, a safe skin committee was created to prevent dangerous skin conditions and follow the SAFE SKIN Roadmap to a Comprehensive Safe Skin Prevention Program—a set of specific steps to follow in an effort to decrease the number of pressure ulcers in hospital patients. To measure improvement in the SAFE SKIN initiative, participating hospitals report implementation of recommended safe skin practices to the MHA in three month intervals.

By implementing over 90 percent of all recommendations, Lakewood Health System, along with other outstanding hospitals in the initiative were awarded with the Patient Safety Excellence Award.

“This award sets the bar very high,” said MHA Patient Safety Vice President Tania Daniels. “Hospitals that qualify have achieved measurable and meaningful progress toward implementing best practices to drive down adverse health events, and we truly commend their outstanding efforts.”

For more information about Lakewood Health System’s Patient Safety Excellence Award, please contact Melissa Erickson, RN, Certified Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse at 218-894-8402.  Erickson is Lakewood Health System’s SAFE SKIN Coordinator.

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Foundation’s Golf Classic - August 22nd

July 15, 2008 — Lakewood Health System is teeing up for its 15th Annual Foundation Classic Golf Tournament. The five-person scramble, co-sponsored by Nyhus Chevrolet-Buick and new sponsor, First International Bank and Trust, will be held on Friday, August 22nd at The Vintage in Staples. 

Participants are given the option of selecting from either a 7:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. shotgun start and teams are treated to breakfast, lunch, dinner, participation prizes, door prizes and awards. While the majority of the proceeds will be given to the Mission Fund at Lakewood Health System to support health related activities in the surrounding communities, a portion of the proceeds will contribute to building a bereavement garden at Lakewood Health System. The implementation of the bereavement garden will give community members a place to remember and honor their lost loved ones.

For more information on this event, contact the Foundation Director, Connie Etzler at 218-894-8503.

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Top Leadership in Healthcare by HealthLeaders Media

July 17, 2008 — Just staying open is a challenge for many hospitals in rural America. To be able to grow and become a regional contributor of care is an accomplishment that has earned the leadership team at Lakewood Health System of Staples, Minnesota the honor as the 2008 Top Leadership Team in Healthcare for small hospitals by HealthLeaders Media.

The HealthLeaders Media Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare 2008 program, sponsored by Cejka Search, CIT, HealthGrades and Pershing Yoakley & Associates, is designed to celebrate the outstanding teamwork that occurs in healthcare organizations each day, to share what makes top leadership teams successful, and to encourage other healthcare leaders to learn more from the best practices of top leadership teams. Winners are judged on the leadership team’s overall leadership culture, their ability to overcome challenges, and their ability to demonstrate successes that result from outstanding leadership teamwork. Only one winner per category receives this national honor each year.

Lakewood Health System has grown from a small community hospital to an independent, integrated, regional health network providing a full continuum of services that includes a 25-bed hospital, an attached clinic, 22 medical providers with four satellite clinics, a 100-bed care center, a 40-apartment senior housing unit, a 27-apartment assisted living unit and a senior behavioral health unit. Under the direction of CEO Tim Rice, the leadership also took a patient-centered approach to the design and construction of a new $42 million facility that opened in 2006. In order to reach benchmarks for construction of the new facility, the leadership team had to increase new income by 300% to ensure long-term financial viability in an economically challenged area.

“Not only was I impressed by the leadership culture, but I was amazed at the aggressiveness with which this team is advancing healthcare for its community,” says Top Leadership Teams judge Colleen Meza, CEO of Clearwater Valley Hospital & Clinics/St. Mary’s Hospital & Clinic in Orofino, Idaho. “The region around the town of Staples is truly fortunate to have healthcare being delivered by Tim Rice and his team.”

“Our leadership team has tirelessly focused on developing a trusting relationship with board members, physicians and employees,” explains Tim Rice, CEO of Lakewood Health System and an integral part of the award-winning leadership team. “These efforts have created a culture that has allowed us to focus our energies on the anticipation and delivery of exceptional care to our customers and communities we serve.”

Other winners in the 2008 Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare program include Scripps Health in San Diego, for large hospitals and health systems; Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., for community and mid-size hospitals; Bangkok Hospital Medical Center in Thailand for Global Hospitals; HealthTexas Provider Network in Dallas, Texas, for medical group practices, and CareSource Management Group in Dayton, Ohio, for health plans.

HealthLeaders Media Editor-in-Chief Jim Molpus says the 2008 Top Leadership Teams share a commitment to make their leaders mutually accountable for reaching high measures in areas from patient satisfaction to financial performance. “Healthcare is moving toward an era where transparent results will become increasing crucial for survival,” Molpus says. “Those leadership teams who are already preparing for the era in their own culture will have an advantage in the times ahead.”

The 2008 honorees of the Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare will be featured speakers at the annual Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare Conference and Awards, to be held Oct. 16-17 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. Along with the winners, more than 40 healthcare chief executives and team members will share their secrets of teamwork success in focus areas including financial strategy, quality improvement, technology and physician relations. For more information, visit www.topleadershipteams.net

About HealthLeaders Media
HealthLeaders Media is the premier publisher of information resources for senior-level healthcare executives, reaching more than 100,000 healthcare decision-makers nationwide every month. In addition to its flagship monthly journal, HealthLeaders magazine, HealthLeaders Media distributes relevant industry information, practical advice, case-study solutions, and innovative strategies through newsletters, e-mail publications, live events and state-specific healthcare business news services. For more information, visit online at www.healthleadersmedia.com

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Area Healthcare Professionals Attend Perinatal Hospice Conference

July 16th, 2008 — Area healthcare professionals attended a perinatal hospice conference on June 26th hosted by Lakewood Health System and titled “Fragile Gifts.” The conference focused on caring for children who are not expected to reach adulthood and how to appropriately care for their families.

The difficult time that is associated with perinatal hospice can be overwhelming for a parent, but can also be a loving experience for themselves and their baby. During “Fragile Gifts,” attendees learned of the support system they’re able to give families through the spirit of hospice.

Topics included birth planning, how to work with children and adolescents as patients and siblings, ethical issues involved with perinatal hospice, and making every moment count for families throughout the perinatal hospice journey. Guests Speakers Jody Chrastek, MSN, CHPN and Martha Schermer, MSW, LICSW from Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota addressed issues associated with perinatal hospice and pediatric palliative care from referral through bereavement. For more information, please contact Nola Varilek by calling 218-894-8586.

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Urgent Care Physician Welcomed at LHS

July 9th, 2008 —Lakewood Health System continues to recognize and address the growing need for new services and programs made available to the communities in our service area. With an increasing demand for urgent care and the possibility to make same-day appointments, Lakewood Health System is proud to introduce and welcome Dr. Dirk Thompson as the new full-time urgent care physician practicing at the Staples Clinic.

Dr. Thompson, a native of Wadena, comes to Lakewood Health System from the Buffalo Clinic where he practiced as a family physician with obstetrics. Dr. Thompson’s strong research and supervisory experience gained throughout his schooling and practice will bring additional skills and know-how to the urgent care program at Lakewood Health System. Dr. Thompson expressed his enthusiasm for Lakewood, “I have a strong commitment to this area and look forward to serving the surrounding communities in a system so technologically advanced. By utilizing technology, we’re able to continually improve patient care and optimize the health in the communities we live in.”

Dr. Thompson studied medicine at the Medical College of Ohio and finished his residency through the St. Joseph Program in St. Paul. Dr. Thompson belongs to the American Board of Family Medicine.

For more information about Dr. Thompson and the urgent care program at Lakewood Health System, please contact Craig Wolhowe, Clinic Services Director at 218-894-8600.

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Lakewood Reflections Outpatient Program

July 3, 2008 — The Lakewood Reflections Senior Behavioral Health Structured Outpatient Program, located on the Senior Campus in Staples, is a personalized group treatment regimen designed for adults 55 years and older who suffer from psychiatric, emotional or behavioral disorders. Different than the inpatient, short stay unit, the Structured Outpatient Program provides the opportunity to focus on improving overall health while still allowing daily living situations and relationships to exist.

Our multi-disciplinary team of social workers, professional counselors, mental health staff and a psychiatrist provide support and guidance in helping our patients reach their very best self through individualized care in a comfortable, unrestrictive setting. This is accomplished through comprehensive mental health care including:

• Individualized treatment planning
• Psychiatric services throughout stay
• Group Psychotherapy
• Skills training
• Family education
• Psychiatric medication checks
• Other community and social support systems
• Individual and family therapy as directed by clinical indication
• Coordinate with existing therapy

The Lakewood Reflections Structured Outpatient Program is designed for persons who need more support in dealing with behaviors or symptoms that may be interfering with social, vocational or educational functioning. Several signs include failing of other less restrictive treatments, lack of energy or motivation, avoiding family and friends, constant worry, sleep irregularity, changes in appetite, confused/paranoid thinking, constant feelings of sadness/loneliness, loss of interest in daily activities, low self-esteem or change in temperament.

A referral for admission can come from you, a health professional or a family member. The Lakewood Reflection Structured Outpatient Program can provide a clinical evaluation as a courtesy, as needed to determine the need for treatment.

For more information or to submit a referral for admission, please call 218-894-8214, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m

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