News

Burgess Health Center Public Health, Learning for Life Program, was very pleased to be able to host a Family Paint Night on November 18th at the Soldier Community Center. The Public Health Department applied for and received special funding from the Neighborhood Network Grant, which made it possible to provide this event for free to the residents of Monona County and the surrounding areas. The Learning for Life Parent Educators worked with Simply Signs and Creative Customs, and the Iowa State University Extension Office to provide this fun event.

During this event, families were able to pick from two different wood designs to create, ‘Welcome to our Home” or “Let it Snow.” Families worked together to paint each block, place the stencil, and complete the painting to have a beautiful new decoration. The designs were created on separate blocks so that everyone in the family could be involved and have a roll in this creation. There were 12 families in attendance for a total of 24 participants. All families were entered into a drawing, and three lucky families were able to go home with a new blanket and book.

Simply Signs and Creative Customs provided instructions to complete the project and helped each family individually answer questions as they arose. The Learning for Life Parent Educators provided information on the importance of parent-child interaction. The Iowa State University Extension Office provided a healthy snack, details on how to make healthy snacks and make healthy eating choices. This event was funded by the support of Community Partnership for Protecting Children’s Neighborhood Networks Grant. This grant’s goal is to bring families together to build lasting relationships in their community. The Learning for Life program is funded by grants from the Harrison, Monona, and Shelby Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) board and the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP).

To learn more about Public Health, visit www.burgesshc.org/services/public-health/ or 712.423.9153.

The public is invited to commemorate the holidays at the annual tree lighting ceremony for the Burgess Foundation Milestone & Guardian Angel Trees, Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Burgess Health Center lobby.

Following the lighting, Burgess Auxiliary will serve complimentary refreshments for all in attendance.

Personalized brass ornaments recognizing loved ones are remembered in a memorial or honorarium to the Burgess Foundation during the last year are placed on the nine-foot, frosted blue spruce Milestone Tree. The Guardian Angel tree honors Burgess staff members and volunteers recognized through the Guardian Angel program during the last year.

Commemorative gifts made to the foundation also observe births, graduations, anniversaries, and the holiday. All commemorative gifts help to enhance the quality care provided at Burgess Health Center.

For more information, contact Bart McDowell, director of Burgess Foundation, by emailing foundation@burgesshc.org or calling 712-423-9374.

The Brunch is Friday, December 6, at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Onawa, and the Poinsettia Ball is Saturday, December 14, at WinnaVegas in Sloan, starting at 5:00 p.m.

These celebrations attract hundreds of supporters for fun, great food, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Proceeds this year will go toward the purchase lifesaving equipment for Burgess Health Center.

Reservations are $50 each for brunch and $75 each for the ball if purchased by November 22. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those wanting to contribute even more towards these incredible technological upgrades that will benefit many area residents.

Country Knot is set to entertain during the Brunch. Guests at the Ball will enjoy the music of Stimulus Package Band. This year’s theme is “Believe in the Magic, Give with your Heart.”

Auction items include several experience packages, autographed sports memorabilia, overnights stays, and dozens of other unique items.

Those who would like to attend an event or be a sponsor can fill out a form available online at www.BurgessHC.org/ball. For more information, email Foundation@BurgessHC.org or call 712-423-9374.     Follow the Foundation Facebook page for more details: Facebook.com/BurgessFoundation.

The Learning for Life Program, offered by Burgess Health Center Public Health, held a group meeting at Gaukel Park in Onawa, IA, on October 22, 2019. There were ten families and 25 children in attendance. Each child got to pick a large pumpkin to paint, decorate, and take home. Parents had the opportunity to paint with their children, meet new families, and build support systems in the community. Families were able to enter their name for a door prize. Six lucky families were able to go home with a carving kit that they could use on their pumpkins.

If you or a friend would like to know how to enjoy group meetings, such as this, and to learn how to participate in educational home visits that will help your child’s growth and development, please contact Burgess Health Center Public Health’s Learning for Life Program, at 712-420-0054. Sara Keenan or Debie Lahr would be happy to talk to you about this exciting and beneficial program available in Monona County! Learning for Life is a free home visiting program for families with children under five years of age and expectant mothers. It is funded by a grant from the Harrison, Monona, and Shelby Early Childhood Iowa Board and the ICAPP grant.

To learn more about Public Health visit www.burgesshc.org/services/public-health/ or 712.423.9153.

It’s once again time to start planning Bomgaars Ladies Night for the Onawa Bomgaars Store! A night of Festive Fun & Fall Shopping!

For the past three years, Bomgaars has held a Ladies Night in December. During this one evening, 5% of the total sales have been donated to cancer centers/hospitals in the communities we serve. The first year we were able to give over $18,000 to the 21 locations participating, last year, we were able to donate just over $35,000 to 86 locations!

This year, Bomgaars Ladies Night is set for, October 27th, 2019 from 5 PM – 8 PM.

After investigating and going thru lists of possible organizations, we would like Burgess Health Center’s Radiology Department to be a recipient in Onawa.

What does this mean?
The Radiology Department will be receiving a donation check from Bomgaars in December 2019! The donation is based on the total sales of Ladies Night in the local Bomgaars Store. In 2018, $259.70 was donated.

Bomgaars endeavors to make this event special for the ladies with discounts, giveaways, and refreshments.

Make plans to attend this special event at the Onawa Bomgaars Store – Sunday,  October 27th, 2019, from 5 PM – 8 PM.

Patients who arrive at Burgess Health Center’s emergency department will now be treated by local medical providers, with assistance from an online team of board-certified emergency physicians and critical care nurses.

The new eCARE Emergency telemedicine program, funded by a $170,988 grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Health Program, launched online recently at Burgess. The facility’s medical staff is now connected with Avera Health in Sioux Falls, S.D., where emergency professionals are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Using high-definition live video and sound equipment, Avera’s eCARE Emergency virtual team can guide nurses and emergency staff until a local physician arrives. They can also consult with doctors on difficult cases.

“We are committed to delivering the best possible healthcare to our community, and this technology takes a big step toward meeting that commitment,” said Fran Tramp, president of

Burgess Health Center. “We really appreciate the assistance of the Helmsley Charitable Trust to make this possible.”

This type of hub-and-spoke health delivery, pioneered by Avera and Helmsley, is also being used to bring pharmacy services and intensive care specialty access to rural hospitals and patients across the seven-state region.

“In rural areas such as our seven-state region, a full complement of medical services is difficult to provide, especially in emergencies,” said Walter Panzirer, a Helmsley trustee and rural South

Dakota resident. “The goal of the Helmsley Charitable Trust is to make quality healthcare available regardless of geography. eCare technology can help us do that.”

The eCare programs are part of the ongoing efforts of Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program to improve the lives of rural residents in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota,

Montana and Wyoming. Programs also include training, emergency medical care, diagnostics, cardiac care, cancer care, and research into innovations that specifically address the challenges of healthcare delivery in rural America.

Pictured: Karla Copple, Director of the Emergency Department, Dr. Kovar, of Family Medicine Clinic, along with local providers, watch Avera’s eCARE Emergency virtual team during training.

Grief is a journey that doesn’t have to be traveled alone. Often, talking or being with someone else who has experienced a loss can be helpful.

Burgess Home Health and Hospice is offering a 5-session grief support group for adults. Sessions will be October 2, 9, 17, 16, 23, and 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. The support group will meet in the conference rooms at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa.

There is no charge to participate. Please bring a photo of your loved one for the first meeting.

This support group is for any adult who has experienced a loss through death. It is designed to offer members a safe and understanding atmosphere where support can be drawn, and feelings, fears, and frustrations can be shared with others traveling the same “road of grief.”

While there is no time frame for when you experienced the loss of your loved one, it is recommended the loss have occurred at least two months before the start of the grief group.

Participants must pre-register by Friday, September 27. A minimum of four members is required for the group to take place. If you have questions or would like to register, please contact Sandy Beechy at Burgess Hospice by calling 712-423-9265.

The Learning for Life Program, offered by Burgess Health Center through Public Health, held a group connection event, I-Smile, at the Onawa Public Library on July 17, 2019. I-Smile provided a presentation to children and their families.

Families were able to learn about dental care and how to help their children take care of their dental hygiene. Guardians and children were able to ask questions and have their child’s teeth checked by a dental hygienist. Once their teeth were checked, they were given a bag of goodies, filled with a toothbrush and fun information. The children were also able to play with a dinosaur that taught them proper brushing techniques.

If you or a friend would like to know how to enjoy group connection events, and to learn how to participate in educational home visits that help your child’s growth and development and better prepare them for preschool and kindergarten, please contact The Learning for Life Program, at 712-423-2311.  Sara Keenan or Debie Lahr would be happy to talk to you about this exciting and beneficial program available in Monona County.

Learning for Life is a free home visiting program for families with children age 5 and under and for expecting mothers. It is funded by grants from the Harrison, Monona, and Shelby Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) board and the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP).

Creating healthier communities has always been a top priority for the Monona County Board of Health. Recently, the Monona County Board of Health and Board of Supervisors, and Burgess Health Center decided to combine efforts to better meet health needs for residents of Monona County.

This collaboration will allow individuals to receive the resources and services they need through effective and engaged community-based systems.

“We all share a common goal of improving population health,” said Burgess Health Center President, Fran Tramp. “This was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the services each organization provides to solve community health problems.”

There is great potential in leveraging the strengths and resources to integrate public and population health needs to create healthier communities. In mid-September, the Learning for Life program and staff will move from the county courthouse to Burgess Health Center.

“It’s the right time to combine public health and private health care in our rural community,” adds Tracy Kahl, DO at Family Medicine Clinic and Chair of the Monona County Board of Health.  “We both have the same goals, improving health for our residents.”

To learn more about Public Health, visit www.burgess.org/services/public-health or 712.423.9153.