the pulse

KOSSUTH REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER SUMMER 2015

KRHC Foundation dedicates new Chapel

The viewing and dedication of the new chapel at
Kossuth Regional Health Center drew 130 people to the
hospital on June 21. The project, funded completely by
private donations through the KRHC Foundation, was a
meaningful one for donors, as well as KRHC staff.
"There have been many impressive additions at KRHC,
but this one is meaningful to us for another reason," said
KRHC administrator Scott Curtis. "The chapel is here not
only for the patients, but also for the community and
the staff members. Treating our patients is much more
than the physical aspect."
Curtis acknowledged several groups and individuals
who helped with the planning, creation and funding of
the chapel project. He specifically noted the support of
the local ministerial association.
The Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation hosted a
dedication of the new chapel for donors and guests in June.

Farewell reception
held for Dr. Doolittle
Patients, volunters and staff gathered to say farewell to
Dr. Jeff Doolittle and his family at a reception on July 8.
He will leave KRHC in July to teach at Via Christi Medical
Center in Wichita, Kansas.
"Dr. Doolittle will be greatly missed by our staff, board
of trustees and patients," said KRHC administrator Scott
Curtis. "We are sorry to see him go, but understand his
passion for teaching. We have been fortunate to witness that commitment during his time here."
Doolittle joined Kossuth Regional Health Center in 2007.
In addition to his role as a family physician, he served
as medical director for Hospice of Heartland, provided
medical care to nursing home residents, and helped develop the program for medical students at KRHC.
"Dr. Doolittle brought so much to our staff and patients,
and has personally mentored several medical students.
We wish him the best in this next chapter of his career,"
Curtis said.

Story continued on page 7

Gerber honored as
outstanding nurse

Deb Hansen (l.) and Dar Elbert (middle) presented Cali

Gerber (r.) with the DAISY Award for outstanding nurses.
Story continued on page 6

from the administrator

Sometimes you don't recognize what you've got
until it is gone.
This thought occurred to me as I gathered with
130 guests and donors to dedicate Kossuth Regional Health Center's new chapel on a bright Sunday
afternoon this June. When the facility opened its
doors as St. Ann's Hospital back in 1949 the hospital had a chapel in addition to many other rooms
to treat and care for patients.
Years later, that sacred space was repurposed for
other things. Eventually, it became the location
for our first dialysis center in Algona. Wes Bartlett
advocated strongly for Mercy to bring this service
to our community, after driving his wife Mary to her dialysis treatments
on a regular basis. The location was made available and dialysis machines
were put in place, providing a life-giving service to many people. When
that service moved offsite to Call Street last fall, an opportunity was upon
us to bring the chapel back.
In my 15 years as administrator, one of the most common questions I
heard was, "When will we bring back the chapel?" Once the chapel was
gone, people missed it. Thanks to the support of our KRHC Foundation
donors, the chapel has been reinstated.
It's a cozy, comfortable space that makes you feel like you are in a place
apart from the rest of our health care facility. Dark cherry wood is on the
walls and the four original stained glass windows glow with vibrant colors
on the north wall. Just walking into the chapel, one feels at peace.
As Rev. Mark Holmer said during his dedication speech, "I can tell you
that when you're in that chapelGod is present. So many emotions so
much happens in that space. We are happy to finally say it's back here in
Algona."
I couldn't agree with him more. This project was full of meaning for our
staff, our donors and our guests. Many gifts were made in honor or in
memory of a loved one. More than 300 people who have never given previously to the KRHC Foundation were inspired to support this project.
We may not have realized how important the chapel was to our overall
approach to care the first time around, but we fully understand it now.
And we are so appreciative of the help and support that we have received
for this project, from area churches and religious groups, organizations and
service clubs, our own KRHC staff, and our own hospital Auxiliary. Many
individuals and groups contributed to this project, and we are thankful.
The chapel was reconstructed completely with private donations to the
Foundation, most of it raised within about six months. Thank you for your
support of this project and many other improvements that contribute to
the health and healing of our patients and community.

-Scott Curtis, KRHC Administrator

Wound Care
at KRHC
Kossuth Regional Health Center
offers a wound care clinic, managed by Juliana Bormann, a nurse
specializing in wound and ostomy
care.
Treatment includes dressing
changes, basic wound debridement, and care for colostomy. A
surgeon is also available to treat
advanced wound debridement.
Referrals for wound care can be
made for patients for any of the
following reasons:

Diabetic foot ulcers

Venous stasis ulcers
Pressure ulcers
Skin tears
Post surgical care incisions
Traumatic injuires
Any wound that has not shown
signs of healing after 30 days

For more information regarding

the wound care clinic please call
KRHC at 515-295-2451.

Want more
KRHC news?
Find Kossuth Regional Health
Center on
Facebook
for news,
updates, baby
announcements
and more.

auxiliary news

KRHC Auxiliary Garden Tour

July 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tickets available for a freewill donation
in advance at the KRHC front desk or
on the day of the tour at Lucia Wallace School.
Maps and garden descriptions will be available.

Featured gardens include:

Frank and Carol Merrill, Sharon Kelch,

Scott and Sara Curtis, Elmer and Donna Alt,
Chris and Jessica Kern.

Auxiliary Year in Review

The KRHC Auxiliary year begins in the fall and ends in
Auxiliary volunteers help introduce children to KRHC
June. With another busy season wrapping up, its time and its services through P.O.D. (Pediatric Orientation
to recognize the many dedicated
Day) tours to all Kossuth Counpeople who volunteer their time
ty first grade students. Auxiland take responsiblity for many
iary members coordinate and
areas of our heath care system.
display all the art which apFirst, we thank the front desk lapears on the walls in the clinic
dies and gentlemen who perform
on the way to the hospital for
many duties to help both patients
many to enjoy.
and staff. These volunteers also
Every spring the Auxiliary
help in the gift shop, in addition
recognizes young people who
to our gift shop coordinators. Our
give back to the community as
gift shop is a wonderful place to
volunteers with awards to one
find cards, gift, scarves, jewelry,
senior from each of the local
baby apparel and many other
high schools. This years winMary Illa Kisch and Shelly Harms welcoming ners included: Max Herbst-Ulunique and affordable items.
The Auxiliary performs many guests at the April volunteer recognition event.
mer of Algona High School,
fundraising activities such as an
BELOW: Tag Day volunteers (l. to r.) SanDee Voss, Taylor Illg of Bishop Garrigan
annual Bake Sale at the fall Craft Marcia Sundet, Mandy Redenius and Karilyn and J.C. Eaton of North Union.
Show, Tag Day, Bridge Round Rob- Claude raise funds in the hospital lobby.
Membership in the Auxiliary
in, Bunco, and the annual tour of
is a sign of support.
local homes and yards.
Please consider joining the
All proceeds from our fundraisAuxiliary. It is such a rewarders are donated towards worthy
ing way to give back as they
causes at KRHC such as Joyce
say. Join us! Find the AuxiliaRobes for mammograms, pediry membership form at www.
atric and adult Staxi Chairs, supkrhc.com or call 295-2451.
port for the Chapel and many
educational devices for trainees
-Sonny Christensen,
and staff.
Auxiliary Board Member
3

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME

Call now for back-to-school
appointments for students

Who needs a
checkup?
Need a check up before school
begins? Appointment times will
be limited in August, so please
call as soon as possible to make
back-to-school appointments.

KINDERGARTEN

Immunizations or booster
shots and well child visit
Dental visit
Lead test
Eye exam

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Immunizations recommended for adolescents include:

Tdap, HPV, MCV4 for meningitis and seasonal flu vaccine.

Student Athletes

Wellness athletic physical

College students

Wellness physical and

immunizations as needed

School days might seem far away right now, as were in the midst of ball games,
swimming lessons and family vacations. Dont wait until its time for classes to
begin to start making back-to-school appointments.
KRHC and Community Health employees are encouraging parents to make visits
for immunizations and athletic physicals as soon as possible. In late August, KRHC
will transition to an electronic health record throughout the facility. Paper charts
and files for patients are in the process of being turned into electronic records that
can be pulled up on a computer.
Due to the timing of this transition, the ideal time for "back-to-school" appointments will be June and July. Clinic appointments will be greatly limited during the
month of August due to training and transition to the new system.
"Meeting the health and wellness needs of our local students is important to
us," said Jennifer Savage, director of clinics at KRHC. "Our goal is to reach as many
families as possible regarding this issue before summer sets in. We want to help
parents and their students be prepared for a healthy school year in the fall."
This is especially relevant for students who would require:

A student athletic wellness physical

Immunizations and well child visit for kindergarten students

Immunizations for middle school students

College student physical and immunizations
For more information about immunization requirements for students or other
back-to-school health questions, call the KRHC at one of the following numbers:

Algona Clinic at 515-295-7714

Bancroft Clinic at 515-885-2336
Community Health at 515-295-4430

New system, new look

When Kossuth Regional Health Center transitions to the new,
facility-wide electronic health record system early this fall, the look of
your medical bills will also be updated. Depending on when a person
received care, they could receive bills from two different systems, and
both versions should be paid.
We want people to know that they could potentially have two bills
that look different from one another even if they are both from KRHC,
said Jason Feucht, Chief FInancial Officer at KRHC. The look of the bill
depends on when a patient received care from us. Any care they receive
up through August 30 will look different from bills from care received
after August 31. If youre not sure why things look a certain way, give us
a call and well be glad to help.
People with questions about their medical bill are encouraged to call
Patient Financial Services at 515-295-2451.

Acne Care KRHC Summer Interns

at Ageless
Solutions

Do you want to improve the look

and feel of your skin? Ageless Solutions Aesthetic Clinic works with
people of all ages to help them have
the skin they want.
We get a lot of younger clients who
are seeking an alternative treatment
for acne, said Dr. Alan Hjelle, medical director of Ageless Solutions.
Our clients have seen great success
treating acne with none of the side
effects that are caused by medication.

KRHC is proud to host several students and interns throughout the year. This
summer eight interns are getting on-the-job experience in many departments, including (l. to r.): Weston Shaw, Erin Larsen, Sara Poeppe, Alyssa Kerkhoff, Jordan
Reding, Madison Bollig, Levi Bernhard, and Heather Nattersted.

Meanwhile, other clients appreciate

the skin care products and services
that help skin look younger, fresher
and rejuvenated.
The Botox and dermal fillers are often done together, since the Botox
helps reduce lines and wrinkles and
the dermal fillers help fill and manage lines and wrinkles.
Ageless Solutions has products for
sale from the Jane Iredale Make
Up Line and Dermalogica skin care
products. Take good care of your
skin this summer, and try one of our
skin treatments:
Botox
Dermal Fillers
Chemical Peel
Mircodermabrasion
Photo Rejuvenation
Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

Call today for a

free consultation
515-295-4564

Celebrating Outstanding Nurses at KRHC

Kossuth Regional Health Center honored Callie Gerber as this year's DAISY Award recipient during a ceremony
held during National Hospital Week in May. The DAISY award honors nurses for the hard work, support and care
they provide while working with
patients. A panel from within the
Mercy Medical Center North Iowa
Network reviews the nominees and
selects the DAISY award winner each
year. KRHC presents the award to
the winner during a staff event held
on National Hospital Week.
"All of the nurses that were nominated this year are great examples
of people who go above and beyond
for the health and happiness of their
patients," said Dar Elbert, Assistant
Administrator at KRHC.
DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Nominees are nurses who show
compassionate care and illustrate
other important criteria, such as
making connections with patients KRHC honored the 19 nurses who were nominated for the DAISY award. Front row
and families, working well with the (l. to r.): Jan Collins, Mary Vollrath, Stephanie Capesius, Deb Schulz and Jamie Elbert.
health care team and providing ex- Back row (l. to r.): Amber Carlson, Joan Kern, Emily Erpelding, Deb Hansen, Dar Elbert,
Joan Wiemann, Callie Cerber and Diane Gerber. Not pictured: Cameron Giddings, Sara
cellent education and care.
-Jordan Reding, KRHC intern

McGregor, Jessica Schrauth, Kelsey Garrett, Alicia Brass, and Anna Olson.

Soroptimist gift

helps prepare new parents

The Algona Chapter of the Soroptimists Club presented KRHC with a $500 donation to be used for What to
Expect When Youre Expecting books for new parents.
Thank you to this club and its members for the generous
support they continue to show for parents and families!

Foundation Annual Appeal

Each year the KRHC Foundations annual appeal, Give
From the Heart, offers donors the opportunity to make a
difference in health care in our area. This years appeal
offers three opportunities to direct your gift:
FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT: Growing the principle
of this fund generates annual income to assist with
the purchase of equipment and special projects.
CHAPEL PROJECT, PHASE 2: Plans are underway to
create a Heritage Room next to the Chapel for preserving and honoring the history and people behind
making healthcare what it is today.
RADIOLOGY UPGRADE: Increasing privacy while
improving patient care and comfort are the two top
priorities for KRHC with this construction project
within the Radiology Department.
To find out more about giving opportunities, contact
KRHC Foundation Director Nancy Grandgenett-Besch at
515-295-4582 or email grandgen@mercyhealth.com

Chapel Dedication, story continued from page 1

The new chapel at KRHC features the original windows from

St. Anns (above) and a cross created by Jerry Janssen (right).

Rev. Mark Holmer, pastor at St. Thomas Episcopal

Girres gave special acknowledgement to Father Cecil
Church and Hospice of the Heartland chaplain, provided Friedmann, who lived at the hospital for five years in the
a short dedication ceremony at the event. He discussed chapel apartment. He provided daily mass for the Sisthe importance of having a place within the hospital ters and others, amongst other duties.
that allowed time and space for healing and prayer.
We thank Father Friedmann for his years of service
"I can tell you that when you're in that chapelGod is here. His presence today is a concrete connection to
present," Holmer said. "So many emotions so much that past, Girres said.
happens in that space. We are happy to finally say it's
Kossuth County took ownership of the hospital in the
back here in Algona."
1970s, but the commitment to spiritual care continued.
Time in the chapel with the
"It's been clear to me since
"When you're in
family provides the support
my arrival seven years ago,
and encouragement many
that the hospital's administrathat chapel
need to deal with a difficult
tive team, medical team and
God is present.
health situation of a loved
staff value the spiritual care
one.
of patients and their families.
We are happy
"All of a sudden, God's spirThey're quick to allow pastors
to
finally
say
it is moving within us and we
and ministers access to pait's back,
can provide the comfort, the
tients and their families, and
solace, the wisdom and the
respect our time and presence
here in Algona."
strength to move ahead with
with them," said Girres. "The
-Rev. Mark Holmer,
whatever decisions they have
reestablishment of a chapel in
to make," Holmer said.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church pastor the hospital is Kossuth RegionFather Ed Girres of St. Ceceial Health Center's testament to
and Hospice Chaplain
la's Catholic Church offered a
the importance of total holistic
brief history of the hospital
care of the sick and their famiand its connection to the church. He quoted from the lies which includes spiritual care."
September 29, 1949 edition of the Algona Upper Des
The next phase of the chapel project is to create the
Moines.
Heritage Room, which will feature stories, photos and
"Algona can boast of the most beautiful, modern, up- videos about the history of the hospital and health care
to-date hospital of its size in the whole state of Iowa. It in Kossuth County.
has been a community project, supported by everyone
For more information about the second phase of the
in the community, regardless of creed," he said. "We campaign, please contact KRHC Foundation Director
could say the same today, couldn't we?"
Nancy Grandgenett Besch at 515-295-4582.
7

POSTAL CUSTOMER

The Pulse is published by Kossuth Regional Health Center. Submit questions or suggestions to: KRHC Public Relations, 1515 S. Phillips, Algona, IA 50511.

Upcoming
Events
Auxiliary Garden Tour
Thursday, July 7

Tours of local gardens and

outdoor areas from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tickets are freewill donation.
Get maps at the front desk of
the hospital or on the day of the
tour at Lucia Wallace School.

Breastfeeding Basics
Wednesday, June 24

from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Conference Rooms E/F at KRHC. This

is a free class for parents. Call
295-4430.

Meet

Dr. Brinkley

KRHC family physician

Q: Where were you before coming to KRHC?

A: I was a physician at Scott County Hospital in
Scott City, Kansas.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My wife Becca and I have three children. Our
youngest son was just born, here at KRHC, in
early June of this year.
Q: How did you find out about KRHC?
A: I did my residency program with Via Christi
Family Medicine in Kansas and met Dr. Brent
Owen. When a position opened up, he helped
introduce me to KRHC and it was a good fit.

Radiology Upgrade & Construction

Childbirth Education Class

Saturday, June 27
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in
KRHC Conference Rooms E/F
Free for those delivering at
KRHC.

Find more KRHC news and

events by following Kossuth
Regional Health Center on
Facebook or go visit us online
at www.krhc.com.

The radiology registration desk has moved! Find us in our new location
across from the fireplace in the hospital lobby. The radiology department
has construction work underway, which will bring about many improvements. Stay tuned for more information soon.