News

Burgess Health Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $18.1 million expansion project that was announced in August 2021. This 26-month expansion and renovation project to expand access, improve privacy, and respond to current and future infectious diseases.\

Dozens of providers, board members, and staff gathered at 2 p.m. on the east side of the Health Center as Carl Behne, CEO led the event. Steve Pratt, Burgess Health Center Board Member, Brian Crichton of CMBA Architects, and BJ Gehrki from Graham Construction Company followed with more remarks on the future of the project.

Cake, cupcakes, and punch were enjoyed by all following the event.

Pictured: (left to right) Todd Ernesti, Project Manager at Graham Construction Company, Micheal Keller, Plant Operations Director at Burgess Health Center, Carl Behne, CEO of Burgess Health Center, BJ Gehrki VP of Graham Construction Company, Jeremy Vogel, Project Superintendent at Graham Construction Company, Chase Froehlich, Project Engineer at Graham Construction Company, and Brian Crichton, CEO of CMBA Architects.

 

Burgess Public Health is proud to report that their Learning for Life program was awarded the Iowa Family Support Credential in May. The Iowa Family Support Credential is awarded to family support and parent education programs that are validated through an external evaluation to be in substantial adherence to the Iowa Family Support Standards.

The Iowa Family Support Standards are based on the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice in the family support field.  Adherence to the standards indicates that the program is providing high-quality services that will result in positive outcomes for young children and their families.  The Learning for Life program diligently worked toward meeting all of the required standards over the course of more than two years with the assistance of a program specialist.  A peer review was conducted by trained peers from central Iowa to validate the program’s adherence to the standards.  The Iowa Family Support Credential is valid for five years.

Monona County’s Learning for Life program partners with Shelby and Harrison counties to be a Parents as Teachers Affiliate.  Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based home visiting model and curriculum used by staff in their home visits.  In August, the affiliate received the Blue Ribbon Affiliate designation, meaning our affiliate met or exceeded all essential requirements and met all or most of the additional Parents as Teachers Quality Standards.

The Learning for Life program would like to thank all of the community partners, board members, families, and staff that participated in the credentialing processes for our program.  We are grateful to all who took the time to help us receive these two honors.

The Learning for Life program is available to any family in Monona County with children prenatal through age 5.  Our staff aims to give your child the best possible start by building a strong relationship and increasing every parent’s confidence.  The program is free and provides twice-monthly in-home visits-we come to you because that is where your child learns best!  Being a part of Learning for Life gives you access to developmental screenings and health assessments, fun parent-child activities, family wellbeing support, car seat checks, child care items such as diapers, wipes, and so much more, including free passes to the zoo and area museums.  But best of all, parents will gain knowledge, confidence, and support as their children learn and grow!

For more information or to enroll, call Sara at 712-423-9253.

The Learning for Life program is supported by grants and funding from the Harrison, Monona, and Shelby Early Childhood Iowa Board, Prevent Child Abuse of Iowa, and the Monona County Board of Supervisors.

Burgess Health Center announced it is launching an $18.1 million investment in the local communities we serve. This 26-month expansion and renovation project to expand access, improve privacy, and respond to current and future infectious diseases kicks off this week at Burgess Health Center, located at 1600 Diamond Street, Onawa, Iowa. During construction, all hospital departments will remain open and operational.

The substantial phases in this project are comprised of expanding our available Specialty Clinic space for both Burgess and visiting specialty providers, more than doubling its current size and adding a dedicated entrance. This clinic relocation will also allow the cardiology clinic to move inside the Health Center, making coordinating care for those patients more convenient. In addition to the clinic expanding, our Emergency Department, Infusion Services, and Surgical Service areas will also grow, allowing added patient privacy and access to care when needed. Once the new construction phases of the project are complete additional improvements will be made to patient registration, the business office, support areas, educational spaces, waiting areas, and the gift shop.

Preparation for construction of the new Emergency Department will begin to the North of the hospital on Wednesday, August 25, with additional work to the East for the Specialty Clinic taking place in the weeks to follow. Patients will notice some minor road disruptions and rerouting of traffic during this time.

Burgess chose Graham Construction Company based out of Omaha and Des Moines as the general contractor for this project. Their values and relationship-building abilities make them one of the top healthcare contractors in the Midwest. Partnering with Graham Construction is CMBA Architects also based out of Sioux City and Des Moines. CMBA’s focus is on patient care, well-being, experience, and most importantly, their health. All these align with Burgess’ vision to be the best rural healthcare system in America.

Graham Construction and the Burgess Plant Operations teams are working diligently to make these disruptions minimal and appreciate your patience while we grow to better serve your needs. Please be on the lookout for construction equipment moving around the campus, as well as frequent updates about the project.

 

Burgess Health Center’s Diabetes Update Class is scheduled for Thursday, August 26 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at Burgess Health Center or you can attend via Zoom from the comforts of your home.

Diabetes Update is for anyone who would like to prevent diabetes and for those who have diabetes or lives with someone who has diabetes. During this class, you will receive the latest update on ways to stay healthy with diabetes or prevent it.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Please call Sue McLaughlin or Michele Kirkendall at 712-423-9268 with any questions or to pre-register.

 

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Brenda Hinrickson from the Burgess Home Health and Hospice Department for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Mary Lou Carritt and her son, Jeff, want to recognize Hinrickson for her exceptional care by nominating and donating in honor of their beloved husband and father. In a letter to the Burgess Foundation, Mary Lou wrote that Brenda was so understanding and had so much care and concern for Jerry; she was truly our angel.

“There were days when you are just about out of all hope,” said Jeff Carritt. “And then she would show up, and it gave us hope for the next time she would come.”

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.###

Photo: (back L to R) Sherri Johnston-McDowell, Bobbi Johnson, Jeff Carritt, Mary Lou Carritt, Brenda Hinrickson, and Carl Behne.

Burgess Health Center is proud to display the drawings of Onawa native, Kim Johnston, on the art gallery wall near inpatient services. Eight pieces of Johnston’s collection will be on display for the next few months.

Johnston, who was raised in Onawa, Iowa, graduated from Central High School in 1962.  He recalls falling in love with drawing as early as the first grade. Even having his first published piece of art in the High School Album.

In 1976, while in the Air Force, Johnston was selected among hundreds of other military artists to create a piece of work about important events in military history.

Now, retired and living in Ardmore, Texas, with wife Becky, he finds his most creative times to be in the middle of the night until dawn. He uses Prismacolor pencils, graphite, electric and kneaded erasers, and has been known to use up to 15 different colors in one drawing. An average piece takes about 21 hours to complete, dependent on his golf schedule.

“It is an absolute privilege to exhibit these stunning works of art,” exclaimed Carl Behne, CEO of Burgess Health Center. “Not only do they dress up our hallway, but they offer our patients and staff a moment to pause, reflect and appreciate each piece.”

For more information about the works on display, please call 712.423.2311. As a result of the hospital safety precautions because of COVID, the art gallery is only available for viewing for staff, patients, and their designated visitors at this time.

Pictured: Kim Johnston in front of “Black Hills Bison”.

The Diabetes Department at Burgess Health Center offers a new telehealth support program for patients with type 2 diabetes and limited access to specialty care and self-management programs. The Dunlap library and the Burgess Family Clinic in Dunlap are providing access and support to telehealth visits on site.

“Our hope with this new telehealth option is to make it easier for persons with diabetes to talk with a diabetes educator without the added expense and hassle of travel,” said Sue McLaughlin, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Burgess. “This will help give the support and information to care for your diabetes.”

Telehealth programs offer an opportunity for providers to improve access to care for underserved populations, boosting care management plans that will enhance outcomes and reduce costs. They can also be a critical piece of Diabetes Prevention Programs, which help those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes through counseling and health and wellness education.

For more information, please call 712.423.9268 and speak to one of our Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Grady Warner, Director of Information Technology (IT), for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Di Lenz, previous staff member in the IT department, wanted to recognize Warner for offering her the best opportunities to grow her career at Burgess.

According to Lenz, Warner, as a manager and coworker, always has his door open. She says Warner puts his team’s needs as top priority and lives our Burgess Mission, Vision, and Values in everything.

“16 years ago, Grady made a difference in my life by taking me, who had very little computer experience at the time, under his wing,” said Lenz. “He took the time to train and educate me in the world of Information Technologies, supported my dream to learn more, and helped me with all the necessary steps to further my career at Burgess.”

Lenz is the new Executive Assistant in the Quality Department at Burgess Health Center.

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.

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Photo: Di Lenz, Grady Warner, and Bobbi Johnson, Foundation Director.

Burgess Foundation held two successful golf tournaments on June 11 and 12, and it was all thanks to our supporters and volunteers. We hope you had a great time and enjoyed golfing, the steak sandwich meal, putting contest, pin prizes, and camaraderie. We exceeded our goal by raising nearly $33,000. Burgess Rehabilitation Services in Onawa, Mapleton, and Dunlap will be receiving new physical therapy equipment with the money raised.

Congratulations to our golf tournament winners!

Mapleton Tournament

Champion Flight
1st: Team Lander – 54
2nd: Hoffman Agency – 55
3rd: US Bank – 56

First Flight
1st: Graham Construction – 61
2nd: Ramm Farms – 62

Second Flight
1st: Security National Bank/Shrunk –  66
2nd: 6 Mile Pursuit – 69

Putting Contest Winner: Tom Thompson

Onawa Tournament

Champion Flight
1st: Team Miller – 51
2nd: Spring Valley Ag – 51
3rd: Frannie’s Café – 54

First Flight
1st: WinnaVegas Casino & Resort – 59
2nd: WinnaVegas Casino & Resort – 61

Second Flight
1st: CMBA Architects – 69
2nd: Dr. Peter & Jennifer Daher – 69

Putting Contest Winner: Josh Lander

Tournament Sponsors
Burgess Auxiliary, CMBA Architects, Dr. Peter & Jennifer Daher, Family Medicine Clinic, Graham Construction Company, Monty & LaRae McKinven, Shawn Gosch Memorial, Great Southern Bank, WinnaVegas Casino & Resort

Team Sponsors
6 Mile Pursuit, AgriVision, Bayer Crop Science, Broadway Dental, Continental Fire, Denison Drywall, Echo Group Inc., Edward Jones: Brandon Madison, Fister Farms, Frannie’s Café, Friends Divided, In the Stands Apparel, Interstate Mechanical Corp., Lander Farms, MAC’s Chevrolet, Inc., Maple Heights, Morton Buildings, Ramm Farms, RBC Wealth Management, Security National Bank, Specialized Engineering Solutions, Spring Valley Ag, Stangel Pharmacy, Team Lander, Team Miller, The Hoffman Agency, US Bank, Vision Care Clinic, PC, Grady & Stacy Warner, Westendorf MFG Co Inc., and WinnaVegas Casino & Resort

Meal Sponsors
Fran & Mary Tramp – Breakfast, Williams & Company – Lunch

19th Hole Sponsor
Shawn Gosch Memorial