News

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Susan Mann, purchasing assistant in the Materials Management Department, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Mann was nominated by Grady Warner, Director of Information Technology, who also serves on the Incident Command team for COVID-19 at Burgess.

“When we were made aware that COVID-19 was a growing threat to the well-being of all lives, Susan jumped in to help identify, organize, purchase, and distribute necessary supplies to ensure the safety of those at the hospital, clinics, home health, our providers, our EMT’s, and our patients,” said Warner.

Grady said she ensured the hospital had accurate inventory of personal protective equipment and helped setup secure storage. Mann also assisted in developing a minimal distribution model that would help ensure the staff had what they needed to continue providing patient care, as well as helping maintain other daily operations.

“Susan worked with our vendors, as well as new resources to get gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns, cleaning supplies, and much more,” added Warner. “She never gave up.”

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) Carl Behne, CEO, Susan Mann, Grady Warner, and Bobbi Johnson, Foundation Director.

The West Monona Community Schools put together a giving tree where employees and students could donate items to provide to families involved in the Learning for Life Program. A special Thank You to Cheryl Holiday for organizing this event. We would also like to thank the Blencoe Community Center for donating fun Christmas crafts and Sally Hartley for donating books.

Learning for Life is a free home visiting program for families with children prenatal through age 5, or kindergarten entry. Through educational activities and helpful information, this program focuses on your child’s growth and development to create an eager learner that’s ready for school. If you’re interested in joining our program, please contact Burgess Health Center’s Public Health, Learning for Life Program at 712-423-9153. Sara Keenan or Debie Lahr would be happy to talk to you about this exciting and beneficial program available in Monona County!

The Learning for Life Program is funded by grants from the Harrison, Monona and Shelby Early Childhood Iowa Board and the Harrison, Monona and Shelby Decategorization Board and ICAPP grant funding.

Burgess Family Clinic in Sloan opened the doors on Wednesday, December 9, after a two-month-long remodeling and renovation project. The new space showcases a repositioned layout for registration and patient waiting room, updated cabinetry, new paint and flooring throughout, increased functionality for lab specimens, ADA compliant hallways, and restroom, along with a larger slab of concrete at the back entrance for easier patient accessibility.

“We are excited to offer this updated space to Sloan and the surrounding communities and the increased functionality for patients and staff,” said Justin Hummelgard, Clinic Director.

Additional updates to the front of the building are yet to be completed.

Clinic Hours are Mon., Tues. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wed. & Fri. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thurs. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Photo: (left to right) Julia Byers, Jennifer Weber, Mandy Lander PA-C, and Michelle Hunter

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.

Michelle Hanner, along with her brother Jeff McCunn, sister Donna Archer, and mother, Carolyn McCunn, want to recognize Hinrickson for her exceptional care by nominating and donating in honor of their beloved father and husband, Herschel “Newt” McCunn. They said she went above and beyond to care for Newt and his family. This nomination was made on Newt’s birthday, December 11, and a happy birthday in Heaven poem was read.

“Brenda was so kind and professional and not only took care of Newt but also took care of our whole family,” said Hanner. “She was available no matter what time of day or night.”

“Newt’s last days were full of dignity and respect thanks to Brenda,” added Hanner.

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 Bobbi Johnson at 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

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Photo: (back L to R) Brenda Hinrickson, Bobbi Johnson, Sherri Johnston-McDowell. (front L to R) Michelle Hanner and mother Carolyn McCunn.

The Burgess Foundation announced Bobbi Johnson as Director of Foundation and Community Outreach. Johnson will be responsible for coordinating all development and public relations activities and implementing a plan of strategic growth in the cultivation, solicitation, and distribution of gifts for the Burgess Foundation.

“I am honored to serve in this position and for an organization we are so fortunate to have in our rural community,” said Johnson. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Burgess Foundation to support the hospital’s priorities.”

“This is an exciting time for the Foundation. We are positioned well in many ways to grow for the benefit of the communities we serve,” said Carl P. Behne, CEO of Burgess Health Center. “With Bobbi’s passion for excelling and willingness to learn, she will be an excellent leader.”

Johnson was born and raised in Monona County, and after college, she and her husband, Cory, moved back to western Iowa to raise their family. She enjoys supporting her children’s events, spending time with family, and boating on Blue Lake. Bobbi and Cory have four boys, Andrew, 18, Breyden, 16, Tyler, 13, and Calvin, 10. 

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.

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

Sandy Harris, along with her brother Dennis Lee and sister, Vicky Lee, want to recognize and thank these two exceptional caregivers by nominating and donating in honor of her beloved mother, LaVirta “Vertie” Lee. These caregivers went above and beyond to care for Vertie and her family.

“With family members living in Seattle, Phoenix, and Soldier, they took extra time to communicate with all of us in a very compassionate way,” said Harris. “We appreciated their professionalism and the kindness they extended to our family.”

“We are so pleased that our mother’s last days were treated with dignity and loving care,” added Harris.

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).

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 Home Health and Hospice recognized hospice volunteer and veteran Gwen Clemon and hospice volunteer Sharon Holverson at the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa Volunteer Recognition event on November 6, 2020.

Unfortunately, this year’s event was held virtually due to COVID. However, this did not stop Jenny Kenney, Home Health/Hospice Social Worker at Burgess Health Center, from celebrating them.  Kenney presented the ladies with a small gift while enjoying lunch. Both Gwen and Sharon have been volunteers since 2017.

Burgess Health Center Home Health and Hospice is grateful for all the volunteers who spend time with our organization and are glad to choose these two to be recognized.

Photo: Gwen Clemon and Sharon Holverson