Touching Lives - Spring 2016

Prompt diagnosis puts baby back on track Shaping Jesus’ skull and future

Fifteen-month-old Jesus Juarez’ smile throws off a light that draws you in like a beacon. Maybe it’s because his future looks bright, although it didn’t always seem so. Jesus was born prematurely and later diagnosed with an uncommon skull condition that can affect appearance and brain development.

A complicated pregnancy

Jesus’ parents are SanJuanita Vazquez and Lazaro Juarez Sr., of rural Hector. While carrying Jesus, SanJuanita developed preeclampsia. The symptoms are dangerously high blood pressure, elevated protein in the urine and swelling of the feet, legs

and hands. Pre-eclampsia can lead to lifethreatening complications. The only cure is to deliver the baby.

When SanJuanita’s blood pressure spiked during the thirty-first week of pregnancy, her Glencoe Regional Health Services (GRHS) obstetrician, John Mark Johnson, DO, FACOOG, sent her by ambulance to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. There, clinicians monitored her condition and made a daily decision as to whether it would be better for unborn Jesus to stay in the womb or be delivered early.

Nearly three weeks later, doctors decided the time had come. They induced labor and Jesus was born at 34 weeks of pregnancy, weighing just 3.81 pounds. He spent four days in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), followed by two weeks of hospitalization to gain weight before going home at 4.36 pounds.

An unexpected bump

GRHS pediatrician Alexandria Kalina, MD, became Jesus’ primary care provider two days after his hospital discharge and has seen him for all of his well baby visits and illness care since then.

Right from the start, Jesus almost always met developmental milestones, even without adjusting for his premature birth. But at his six-month visit, Dr. Kalina could no longer feel Jesus’ fontanelle, which is a smooth “soft spot” normally found on babies’ heads. Instead, she felt little peaks and ridges. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed that Jesus had craniosynostosis. Simply put, this word means “fused bones in the skull.”

Infants are born with openings between the bones in their skulls that allow the skull to expand as the baby’s brain grows. These openings are actually joints – called sutures – that typically close between 18 and 24 months of age. In Jesus’ case, one

We are adding several providers to our medical staff during 2016. John Heller, MD, is a urologist who became a permanent member of our medical staff in February after serving as a visiting specialist since 1989. Next up is Nora Burkart, MD, a general surgeon who will begin seeing patients here in early April. She’s a fluent speaker of English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, so brush up on your language skills for an engaging chat with her. Ashley Hieronimus, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology physician, will join us in August and Kristen Budahn, MD, will become a permanent member of our family medicine team in September after completing several rotations here during her training.

A retired member of our staff made the news recently for qualities that are well known to us locally. Peter Smyth, MD, FACP, received an award for community service from the Minnesota chapter of the American College of Physicians in November. It came with a $1,000 donation to the charity of Dr. Smyth’s choice, which the GRHS Foundation was honored to receive in recognition of his long career here.

It’s always exciting to welcome new faces and cheer for old friends, but sometimes we must also say goodbye. Curt Forst, MPAS, a physician assistant in our family medicine department since 1999, has advised us that he will retire from GRHS at the end of April. We will certainly miss him and wish him all the best in his retirement.

A word from the president Jon Braband

Prompt treatment of a prematurely fused skull suture gave Jesus Juarez, 15 months, room to grow and his mother, SanJuanita, a reason to smile.

My Chart

Get connected with MyChart

MyChart enables you to view portions of your medical record, get test results, schedule appointments online and more.

Ask the receptionist or nurse to help you sign up at your next clinic appointment or hospital visit. You may also visit grhsonline.org/mychart to download a sign-up form that you can complete and submit by mail or fax.

If you need help to fill out the form or log in, call MyChart Services toll free at 1-855-551-6555. MyChart Services is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm.

Health Talk

Hypertension: The Silent Killer

Sheryl Bartholow, FNP-BC

Monday, April 4

Free blood pressure checks: 6 - 7 pm

Presentation: 7 - 8 pm

Stewart Community Center

551 Prior Street, Stewart

There is no charge to attend, but we ask that you let us know you are coming by calling 320-864-7810 or 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7810 by noon on Friday, April 1.

Health Fair

Join us at the Ridgewater Community Health Fair

The annual event will be held Tuesday, March 29, 10 am to 12:30 pm, on the Ridgewater College campus, located at 2 Century Avenue SE in Hutchinson.

Health News

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Second Tuesday of the month 2:35 pm

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Touching

Early diagnosis is key

Dr. Kalina immediately referred Jesus’ parents to specialists at Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, who recommended surgery to separate Jesus’ fused skull bones.

If the skull can’t expand in one spot because of a closed suture, the growing brain will push the still-open sutures further apart. This can result in an abnormal skull shape if not corrected. And in cases where multiple sutures are closed, the brain may not have enough room to expand and developmental problems can occur. Jesus was fortunate to have only one prematurely closed suture.

“At first, we were scared because it was something affecting his head, and they’d need to open it up to fix it,” says Jesus’ father, Lazaro, “but we wanted him to look like other kids.”

Surgical success and a shiny helmet

A neurosurgeon and a craniofacial surgeon performed Jesus’ surgery at Gillette Children’s in October 2015. They separated the fused area in his skull, giving his brain room to grow and enabling his head and face to develop symmetrically. To provide support and help shape Jesus’ skull, they also inserted a plate that will dissolve over time.

Jesus took a tumble about a month later, so he began wearing a helmet to promote the proper skull shape and provide additional

protection for an active toddler. Jesus wears it 24/7 except for 30-minute breaks every four hours. The fit is adjusted as his head grows.

Future looks bright

Today, Jesus is walking and exploring. Better yet, his head looks nearly symmetrical and his days of wearing a helmet may soon be over.

His prognosis is great, according to Dr. Kalina. “Jesus will have a normal head shape. He has no developmental problems and is growing like a weed,” she adds with a proud smile.

His parents are equally optimistic – and relieved. “We were worried about the surgery, but we knew for his future, he needed to have it,” SanJuanita says.

A ‘medical home’ for little people

Alexandria Kalina, MD, often finds herself the adult in the room. And that’s the way it should be. As a pediatrician, she performs well-child exams and cares for sick children of all ages, from newborns to adolescents and young adults.

Dr. Kalina practiced in Phoenix and suburban Minneapolis before joining GRHS in 2014. Here, she quarterbacks a team of staff experts who work together to deliver comprehensive care for children. For any given patient, the team might include physical, occupational or speech therapists, dietitians, care coordinators, nurses and interpreters. Dr. Kalina is also available to consult with the family medicine providers and certified nurse midwives at GRHS who also provide care to infants and children.

“I’m proud that we are able to provide all the care that most kids need, right here at GRHS. We are truly a medical home,” she says. “In those exceptional cases where highly specialized care is needed, we’re fortunate that the Twin Cities are not too far away. I’m good at making those diagnoses, knowing when and where to refer patients, and providing follow-up care when they return.”

Dr. Kalina and her husband, Paul, raised three children who are now grown. When time allows, she enjoys reading political thrillers and traveling, especially on beach vacations. Raised in New England and proud to be “a real ocean girl,” Dr. Kalina has lived in Minnesota for 11 years.

GRHS interpreter Claudia Heck (right) attends Jesus’ appointments to translate conversations between Dr. Kalina (left) and Jesus’ Spanish-speaking parents, SanJuanita and Lazaro.

The 67,000 lights that twinkled for 34 evenings this past holiday season in our annual Trees of Lights display were made possible by the sponsors listed here. These and other gifts to the Foundation are used to fund scholarships for area students studying for careers in health care and to support health initiatives at GRHS and in the community. Thank you for your gifts. We are grateful for your support.

Sponsor In Honor of In Memory of

6 FT. TREE OF TRIBUTE

Anonymous Mary Buckentin

Jon & Jodi Braband

LEAPING ARCH

ACT Services, an HMS Health Company

John, Pat, Ryan & Marissa Bergseng

Michael Gavin

Howalt+McDowell Insurance

John Shamla

STRING OF LIGHTS

Amy Pak Incorporated

Alan & Karen Buckentin

Mary Ellen Bullert

Bryan Fritsch

Robert Hajicek

Stephanie Halverson

William & Diane Hammes

John Heller

Hite Hardware Inc

Ken & Bev Hults

Laura & Mike Kuvaas

Timothy Lane

Anna Mathews

Tynee Peterson

Marlys & Tim Pinske

Professional Insurance Providers

Chad Robbins

Evelyn Ruschke

Arlene Torgerson

Pastor Katherine Rood, Joy Braband, Josh Ruth Sunde, Col. Roger Kettleson, Arlene Wangen, Dianne Kays, Kevin Grack, Braband, Betty Elliot, Donna Braband, Mary Buckentin, Elvera Brelje, Tyler “Chuck” Peterson, Roger Vorbeck, Penny Don & Betty Exsted Verdeck, Justin Posusta, John Elliot, Bernard Braband

Alice & Albert Huber, Jack Huber, Dwayne Huber, Carl & Joanne Bergseng

Mr. & Mrs. Otto Shamla, father and mother

Bonnie Espeland

Merlin & Marlene Timm

7 Relatives who Passed Away this Year

Irene Hajicek

GRHS & Surgical Services Dept.

Our Parents

Hults Families, Sietsema Families, Fritz Familes

Soren Kuvaas

Dr. Waymire, My Grandkids

My loving family, Rod & Mary, Harlan & Norma, Kevin & Tammy, James & Becky & Grandchildren & the Greats

All employees of Professional Insurance Providers

My Dad, Curtis Robbins and my family Gina, Caden & Zach

Loryn Jo Kuvaas

Roger Peterson, Mary Peterson, Chelsea Aker, Margaret Schaefer, Sylvia & Earl Peterson

Deceased Family Members

Waldemar Ruschke & Ranaye Suttles

Curt L. Rutske

Evelyn Truesdale Dr. C.W. Truesdale

INDIVIDUAL LIGHTS

Myrtle Anderson & Linda Lindberg

Elroy Bargmann

Lura Beckwith

Mickey Beltz

Alice, Arla & Kari Brede

Jerome Burmeister Family

Louise Carlson GRHS – a gift to the community!

Matt & Liz Cheney

Jeanne & Terry Conkel

Bill Curtis

Joann & Ryan Dammann

Sandra Dammann

Leona Donnay

Ryan, Elisa & Alex Dording

Nick, Becky, Max & Jax Edwards

Glendora Ehrke, Eugene Ehrke,

Debbie Dettmann & Families

Beverly Emme

Elvira Exsted

Ken Farrell Family

Barbara Flom, your soulmate forever

Ted Anderson, Husband and Dad

Marcella Bargmann

Jack Beckwith

My mother, Elsie Bandelin & my grandson, Chad Bargmann

Arthur Brede

Joanne Burmeister

Rita Maiers

Our Friends & Loved Ones

Linda Curtis

Benjamin Dammann

My husband, Dennis Dammann

My husband, Cyril Donnay; my son, Bruce Donnay; my grandson, John Pinske; my grandson, Brian Pinske & Brandy Pinske; my grandson Spencer

Oltmann; my step-grandaughter, Allison Williams

Family & Friends with us in spirit

Lori Edwards

Lorna Ehrke, Edmund Ehrke

Stanley, Junetta & Phillip Fishbaugher

Alfred Exsted, Elvira Exsted, Kenneth Exsted, Glorian Kappel

Troy Farrell

Wayne M. Thiesfeld

Anita (wife), Larry, Leah & Jeff, Layna & Mike, Melvin Thiesfeld & Barb

LaJean Koentopf & Barb

Larry (husband), Leah & Jeff, Layna & Mike,

Sponsor In Honor of

LaVerne Ford

Myron & Betty Franke

Bernetta Glander

Darlene & Irvin Godel & Family

Gail Haag

Stephanie Halverson

Bev & Ken Hults

Kevin & Brenda Jacques Family

Darryl Kieser & Sherry Paschke

Amy Koelfgen

Bob & Paige Kosek

Karen Kosek

Sharon Krueger

Nancy & Matt Krull

Cindy & Keith Latzke

Donna Lemke

Kenneth & Marilyn Mackenthun

Betty Mahnke

Steven & Debbie Mahnke

Larry & Carol Maiers

Ron Makovsky

Jeffery & Julie Mallak

Myra Martin

Ramona Nagel

Katherine Olson

Lona Oltmann

Diane & Milan Osmek & Family

Sherry Paschke & Darryl Kieser

Daniel Perschau

Bernadine, Troy & Kelly Pettis

Dale, Carmen & Emily Popelka

Vic & Saundra Proeschel

Dorothy Rose

Donald Rudy

Anita Rue

Schad, Lindstrand & Schuth LTD

Joyce Schmidt & Family

Julie, Jillian, Jeremy, Leah & Madelynn Schuch

My children, Zachary and Maryn

In Memory of

John W. Ford

Evon Franke

Denis Glander

Gert Ellig

Earl & Lilly Dummer

Family & Friends

Betty Buesing

Theresa Austad, Kenneth Jacques, Burt Klitzke, Shari Witte, Brenda Trnka

Walter & Arleen Kieser, Kevin Kieser

Martin B. Mahon

Leroy Polzin

My husband, David Kosek & my parents, Edmund & Marietta Rozeske

Kevin Grack, Harold & Leona Wroge

Elmer & Myra Templin, Hillard & Clara Latzke

Harold (Skeets) Lemke, Beth Lemke Nelson

Lorna Bentz, Harry Bentz

Elroy Mahnke

Elroy Mahnke

Our Parents

Ellie Makovsky

Talon Jade Dressel

Jerry Martin

Warren Nagel, Elfie Sikora

Mary Buckentin, Penny Verdeck, Kerry Olson, Edna Pesina, Pastor Katherine Rood

Dr. Singh, Dr. Bergseng, Kari Knodel,

Barb Rausenberger, Carmen Nelson

Orville Hoernemann, Myra Hoernemann, Rudella VonBerge

Gert Ellig

Arlen & Grace Dostal, Roxanna Blankenhagen

Marguerite D. Perschau

Russel D. Pettis

Theodore Popelka, Geraldine Popelka, Kenneth Jacques

Kenneth Jacques, Jim Rue

First Sergeant John J. Schmidt

Bernice Nowak

Elizabeth & William Schwarze Our Children

Madonna Stuedemann

The Jonas Center

Connie Timm

VFW Auxiliary Post 5102

Karen Vogt

Joyce & Leroy VonBerge

Marilyn Vorbeck

Vorlicek Family

Gladys Wangerin

Scott & Lisa Weber

Clara Witthus

Sharon Zaske

Rev. Ron & Lin Ziemer

Karen Buckentin

Caroline & Milton Schwarze, Ruby & Millard Nehring

Arthur & Ann Stuedemann

Merlin & Marlene Timm, Eric Niebuhr

My parents, Harvey & Evelyn Knop & my granddaugher, Ava Kathryn Weiseman

Arnold Soderquist, Stanley Soderquist

Roger W. Vorbek, Pastor Randy Tonn

Mitchell Vorlicek

Donald Wangerin

Our Parents & Family

Brea O’Donnell

Elroy Witthus

Jim Zaske

Our loving parents, Clarence & Rosie Ziemer, Marvin & Lydia Kruschke

New spaces for transitional care patients

In January, GRHS opened a comfortable new lounge for patients who are receiving complex medical care in our transitional care unit. “The length of stay for these patients can range from several days to three months. That’s a long time to be in the hospital. Now they have a comfortable space to relax and visit with their friends and family,” explains Jon Braband, FACHE, president and CEO of GRHS.

The lounge features upholstered seating, a kitchenette and a private meeting room for conferences and family parties. Just around the corner are new respiratory therapy treatment and equipment rooms – important for patients who are on ventilators. Both projects were funded by a generous gift from Security Bank & Trust Co. and the Hoese family.

Before joining GRHS in December, orthopedic surgeon and world traveler Brian Walters, MD, went to medical school in Israel, served his residency in New York City, completed fellowship training in Alabama and practiced medicine in Shanghai, China. But he feels right at home in Glencoe. As he puts it, “I’ve lived in all sorts of ‘bright-lights’ places, but I’m no stranger to the Midwest.” He spent eight of his growing-up years in Missouri.

“Glencoe is a place where I can care for entire families, across generations,” he says. “That’s a rare privilege for specialists practicing in large cities, but something I expect will happen quite often at GRHS. I’m glad to be getting to know people here.”

Comprehensive orthopedic care, 5 days a week

Dr. Walters’ family includes other doctors who influenced his decision to become one himself. Playing competitive sports in his youth fueled his passion for sports medicine – a major focus of his practice in addition to general orthopedic care.

Dr. Walters provides surgical treatment to patients of all ages, with all types of orthopedic conditions and injuries.

“Sports medicine is for people of all ages and activity levels, from casual fitness buffs to serious athletes,” he says. Dr. Walters is at our Glencoe campus on Mondays and Thursdays, seeing patients in the clinic and performing surgeries. Away from work, he enjoys cooking, running, traveling and being outdoors.

Terese Haasken, PA-C, MPAS, has used her orthopedics expertise for nearly 10 years to treat patients with bone, muscle and joint problems. Before joining GRHS in October, the certified physician assistant learned what it’s like to need orthopedic care. Terese fell off a hay wagon last summer while helping out at her parents’ hobby farm and badly injured two ligaments in her left knee.

Now well into her recovery, Terese has witnessed orthopedic care help many people. She recalls one patient who loved to dance, but stopped for 20 years because of hip pain. After two hip replacements, Terese’s patient was tickled to once again kick up her heels. “It makes me feel great

Get to know Dr. Walters by watching his video at grhsonline.org/walters. Get

to see people get better and return to activities they enjoyed before their joint pain or injury,” Terese says.

Terese provides non-surgical orthopedic care to patients at the Glencoe clinic five days a week, Monday through Friday. She conducts physical examinations, orders lab tests and imaging studies, prescribes medications, gives injections, fits splints and explains surgical treatment options. When a patient needs surgery, Terese assists Dr. Walters in the operating room and provides the patient’s follow-up care.

A former power lifter, Terese enjoys skiing, running and spending time with her husband and their two young boys.

Brian Walters, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Terese Haasken, MPAS, PA-C Physician Assistant

Appointment scheduling

To make an appointment with your GRHS provider at any of our clinics, please call 320-864-7816 or toll free 1-800-869-3116 between 7 am and 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.

To make an appointment for a medical imaging test or for physical, occupational or speech therapy, please call 320-864-7730 or toll free 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7730, between 7 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.

To make an appointment with a consulting specialist or to schedule outpatient tests, please call 320-864-7750 or toll free 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7750, between 8 am and 5:15 pm Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted in the outpatient clinic staff listing at right.

To talk with a doctor or nurse, or if you have general questions, please call 320-864-3121 or toll free 1-888-526-4242.

Important phone numbers

Hospital

Main Switchboard .............................864-3121

Anticoagulation Clinic .....................864-7980

Diabetes Education ..........................864-7710

Human Resources ............................864-7812

Outpatient Scheduler .......................864-7750

Rehabilitation Services .....................864-7730

Social Services .................................864-7860

Volunteer Coordinator ......................864-7703

Clinics

Appointment Scheduler ...................864-7816

Senior Services

Long Term Care................................864-7790

Social Services ..................................864-7720

Orchard Estates ................................864-7798

Three convenient locations

Glencoe Campus

1805 Hennepin Avenue North

Lester Prairie Clinic

1024 Central Avenue

Stewart Clinic

300 Bowman Street

Visit our hospital gift shop

Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mon – Fri

Staffed by volunteers

Give a cheery gift to a hospital patient, Long Term Care resident, Orchard Estates tenant or even yourself. We’re fully stocked with cards, sweet treats and other day-brighteners!

Dreaming of a health care career?

Each year we award scholarships to help local students prepare for careers in health care. The scholarships are made possible by bequests to our Foundation from Carl Sanken, a farmer from Biscay who was impressed by the care he received at GRHS, and Don Hatz, a farmer and postal clerk who lived his last years at Orchard Estates senior apartments on our campus.

Family Medicine

William Hammes, MD

Tyler Helland, MD *

Kristine Knudten, MD *

Amanda Leino, MD

Laura Olson, MD

Bryan Petersen, MD *

Douglas Wagoner, MD

Christa Waymire, MD *

Curtis Forst, MPA-C

Kari Knodel Vettel, MPAS, PA-C

Sheryl Bartholow, FNP-BC

Michelle Quale, CNM, FNP-BC

Emergency Medicine

Liban Hired, MD

James Jessen, MD

Mitch Palmer, MD

General Surgery

John Bergseng, DO, FACOS

Chad Robbins, DO, FACOS

Hematology/Oncology

To schedule an appointment, please call

320-864-7750 or 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7750

Birendra Kumar, MD

Internal Medicine

Bryan Fritsch, DO *

Shoeb Mohammed, MD *

Outpatient consulting staff

Audiology

Kurt Pfaff, AuD, every other Tuesday Cardiology

Minneapolis Heart Institute, three Fridays per month

Low Back and Neck Care

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stulc at GRHS, please call 1-800-669-2513 Steve Stulc, DO, one Wednesday per month

Long Term Care

Michele Schuberg, CNP *

Midwifery

Laurel McKeever, MSN, CNM

Michelle Quale, CNM, FNP-BC

OB/GYN

John Mark Johnson, DO, FACOOG

Orthopedics

To schedule an appointment, please call 320-864-7750 or 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7750

Brian Walters, MD

Terese Haasken, MPAS, PA-C

Pediatrics

Alexandria Kalina, MD, FAAP

Podiatry

Amie Scantlin, DPM, MS, FACFAS

Urology

To schedule an appointment, please call 320-864-7750 or 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7750

John Heller, MD

Nephrology

Rajeev Kaul, MD, one Monday per month

Richard Moore, MD, one Monday per month

Neurology

Sarah Benish, MD, twice per month

Otolaryngology (ENT)

Bradley Johnson, DO, Tuesdays

Pulmonology

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Larson at GRHS, please call 952-442-2191, ext. 5420 Barrett Larson II, MD, once per month

Apply for scholarships before March 31

Sanken-Hatz scholarships will be awarded to qualified high-school seniors and post-secondary students who will be enrolled during the 2016-2017 academic year in approved programs for:

• Certified Nurse Practitioner

• Dentist (and Pre-Dentistry)

• Dental Hygienist

• Medical, Surgical or Medical Laboratory Technician

• Nuclear Medicine Technician

• Occupational, Speech or Respiratory Therapist

• Paramedic

• Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician

• Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant

• Physician (and Pre-Medicine)

• Radiologic or Ultrasound Technologist

• Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse

Visit grhsonline.org/scholarships to review eligibility requirements and download an application packet. Complete the documents and mail to the address shown. Applications are not complete until we receive applicant appraisal forms from two references, one of which must be a current teacher or academic reference. All materials must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2016.

* These providers also serve as hospitalists.