News

Thank you to all who volunteered and drove through the 11th Annual Burgess People Care Thanksgiving Dinner. Over 175 community members received a delicious Thanksgiving Feast, take-out style this year.

Volunteers started preparing for this event months ago, knowing that additional considerations were needed for take-out options. This type of event requires many dedicated helpers, and this year Boy Scout Troop 332 volunteered their time. Burgess employees donated many of the needed grocery items, and volunteers made pies. Cooks were peeling potatoes and making turkeys in their own homes on Wednesday night. It was a team effort, and the result was a remarkable Thanksgiving for all involved.

Burgess People Care, an employee organization at Burgess Health Center, sponsors this event each year and relies on the generosity of employees, friends, family, and other community members to make it happen. The committee wants to thank the many volunteers and donors who work to keep Nancy Broer’s dream of a community dinner on Thanksgiving alive.

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and Burgess People Care and the family and friends of Nancy Broer are preparing and adjusting to host the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. In its 11th year, the Community Dinner plans to serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but take-out style to keep our residents and volunteers safe. This event strives to ensure no one misses out on this traditional feast because they are alone or unable to prepare a meal.

The Thanksgiving Dinner Take-Out event will be held on Thursday, November 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On a normal year, the dinner attracts more than a hundred adults, senior citizens, and families. The meal will be handed out at the First Christian Church, located at 722 15th Street in Onawa. Please enter the First Christian Church driveway from Cameo Street and exit on 15th Street. Free will donations are accepted but not expected.

“Nancy started this tradition because she wanted the people who are alone or in need to enjoy a warm, traditional dinner in a family atmosphere on the exact holiday,” said Nancy’s niece, Teresa Butler. “Burgess People Care will continue to fulfill her dream.”

Burgess People Care is a long-time employee committee of Burgess Health Center that raises funds to support community drives, events, and fellow employees. This event enhances the overall quality of life in Onawa and the surrounding areas.

Persons experienced with cooking for crowds will prepare the main course. Burgess volunteers and family members will prepare special dishes. Family and friends of Nancy will be among the

volunteers, giving of their time to serve those in attendance on Thanksgiving.

There is a limited amount of orders, so please register by noon on Monday, November 23. Please call Burgess Human Resources at 712-423-9200.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Cindy Parks, Rehabilitation Technician in the Burgess Rehabilitation Services Department, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

The business and registration office at Burgess Health Center wanted to recognize and thank Parks for her dedication to Burgess and our patients. Cindy was vital in the process of coordinating COVID-19 precautions. Without hesitation, she stepped up and successfully took over the screening desk in the front lobby of Burgess Health Center. Cindy had little time for training but quickly embraced her new duties.

“Every day, Cindy welcomes patients and staff with an inviting smile, calms patient’s nerves, and explains with true empathy why we are enforcing new rules at our facilities,” said her fellow coworkers. “She goes above and beyond her duties, which sometimes ends in her making a quick trip to the cafeteria for a cup of water of coffee for a patient.”

“Thank you, Cindy, for your teamwork, compassion, empathy, and willingness to do whatever is needed,” added her coworkers.  “Our staff and patients continue to be safe because of your hard work and dedication. You are a true Guardian Angel.”

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Bart McDowell, Foundation Director, Cindy Parks, and Carl Behne, Chief Executive Officer at Burgess Health Center.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Fran Tramp, president of Burgess Health Center, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Sharon Taylor, Director of Risk Management/ Accreditation Services at Burgess Health Center, and husband, Gary, wanted to recognize and thank Tramp for his 27 years of service at Burgess, first as Chief Financial Officer, then Chief Operating Officer, and in his current role as president.

“His commitment to our patients, community, and staff has been evident to us as well as many others,” said Taylor.

Taylor has worked at Burgess for 46 years under every CEO except the first and has seen leadership through the ups and downs.

“I appreciate working with Fran over the past 27 years,” she said.  “I value not only his leadership but also his friendship.”

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Fran Tramp, president of Burgess Health Center, Sharon and Gary Taylor.

Burgess Health Center today announced that its board of directors hired Carl Behne, FACHE, as chief executive officer. Behne will be responsible for the 25-bed critical access hospital in Onawa, five Burgess Family Clinics serving the communities of Dunlap, Sloan, Whiting, and Mapleton in Iowa as well as Decatur, Neb., and two retail family pharmacies in Dunlap and Whiting.

Burgess Health Center board chairman, Keith Schrunk, said Mr. Behne will start his new role September 21, succeeding current CEO Fran Tramp. Tramp will fill in as Chief Financial Officer until a new hire is appointed. Tramp is currently filling both the CEO and CFO positions at Burgess.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Carl’s caliber and experience step up to lead Burgess,” said Schrunk. “We are at a critical moment in healthcare, and with renewed leadership, we look forward to successfully continuing to improve the quality of life for the people and communities we serve by providing excellent healthcare and exceptional patient experiences.”

During his eight-year tenure as CEO at Green County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa, Behne was named 2013 Iowa Hospital Association Young Executive of the Year, steered culture improvement which led to being named one of Iowa’s Best 150 Places to Work in 2015,’16 and ’17, oversaw the construction of a $22.5 million expansion and renovation that improved access to emergency care, developed and led the philanthropic achievement of a $4 million capital campaign goal, to name a few.

“I am excited to lead a strong, independent, and forward-thinking organization such as Burgess,” said Behne. “Now more than ever healthcare organizations need to be willing to adapt and change rapidly to the needs of our consumers and the external environment. Burgess is uniquely positioned to do both and I am ready to be the next leader to support driving the change.”

“I can think of no one better to push Burgess to another level in healthcare,” adds Schrunk. “Carl is an engaging leader with proven qualifications in strategic planning, physician recruitment, master planning, community relations, and patient experience. We look forward to welcoming him to the Burgess team.”

Behne and his wife Allison have been married for over 21 years and currently live in Jefferson, IA.

Their daughter Samantha, 19, is studying early childhood education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Their son Nathan is a freshman in high school and keeps them moving with all his weekend AAU activities.

Behne enjoys spending time with family, golfing, bow hunting, and anything outdoors. He is hoping to relocate early this fall. He and Allison look forward to building a home in the future in or around Onawa. Behne is extremely excited to meet the team at Burgess and hear about the great things we have going on and our shared vision for the future.

Buress Public Health today announced the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The individual was a male, age 41-60.

“We wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family,” said Burgess Public Health Director, Erin Brekke. “Burgess Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities.”

All residents should:

• Wear a mask and social distance when out in the community
• Stay home as much as possible. Leave only for essential errands like groceries or getting medication. When you run errands, send only one person from the household, if possible.
• Stay home when even mildly ill (the kind of illness that normally wouldn’t prevent you from your everyday activities)
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ website.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nominations of eight Home Health and Hospice team members for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Frank Archer, of Moorhead, IA, wanted to recognize and thank the exceptional caregivers by nominating and donating in honor of his late wife, Carolyn. These caregivers went above and beyond to care for Carolyn and her family.

Guardian Angels:

Jenny Kenney
Brenda Hinrickson
Corrina Schild
Melissa Gaukel
Tina Bernholtz
Missy Koenigs
Stacy McMinamen
Sandy Beechy

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel, rather Angels in this unique case, received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Corrina Schild, Bart McDowell, Foundation Director, Frank Archer, Jenny Kenney, Sandy Beechy, and Sherri Johnston-McDowell, Director of Home Health and Hospice. (Not pictured: Brenda Hinrickson, Melissa Gaukel, Tina Bernholtz, Missy Koenigs, and Stacy McMinamen)

Burgess Health Center would like to remind patients and visitors that restrictions for visitors continue. We understand that limiting visitors may be difficult for our patients and families. Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our patients.

• No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed to enter.
• Obstetric patients may have two (2) visitors.
• Two (2) visitors may be allowed for an in-patient.
• Only one visitor for a pediatric patient will be allowed in the emergency department.
• Pediatric surgical patients in recovery may have one visitor.
• Patients with disabilities may have a designated support person accompany.
• For an unfortunate end-of-life situation, two (2) visitors will be allowed.
• Visitors are not allowed to accompany patients in congregate care settings such as infusion.

Burgess Health Center is asking patients and visitors to bring and wear a mask to be worn at all times when entering Burgess facilities including the hospital, family clinics, and pharmacies.

We encourage family and friends of our patients to consider using phone calls or video chats on personal phones or mobile devices to communicate. Burgess Health Center does provide complimentary Wi-Fi.

Thank you for your consideration and for helping us keep our communities safe.

Thanks to generous gifts from 8 area families and Monona County Community Partners Foundation, an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, the Burgess Foundation was able to purchase a LUCAS Device for the Burgess Health Center Emergency Department.

A LUCAS Device is a chest compression system that helps patients that are in cardiac arrest. The device provides CPR delivery to a patient with more consistent quality depth and rate with fewer interruptions. It also can provide greater blood flow to the brain and heart with a higher chance of the return of spontaneous circulation.

“We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors and the Monona County Community Partners Foundation for their efforts in getting us this equipment,” said Karla Copple, Director of the Emergency Department at Burgess Health Center. “Being able to have an additional LUCAS device will provide a great benefit to our surrounding communities and enable us to provide better care for our patients in cardiac arrest.”

The Emergency Department currently has one LUCAS device. Having this additional device on hand in emergent situations is vital to the health of patients at Burgess Health Center and also in the ambulance.

“When the Foundation heard of the need for a second device, there was no question that we would raise the funds,” said Bart McDowell, Foundation Director. “We want our patients and our staff to have the best possible outcomes with the best tools available.”

Photo: Kelsey Gray, Emergency Department nurse, showcasing the LUCAS device.