Keeping You Well
SUMMER 2021
Royce’s Story Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics
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Foundation Launches Community Campaign PAGE 4
Grateful PATIENT
Message from Tim This year we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary!
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I am beyond grateful I was able to have my foot surgery
here at GMHC with Dr. Jedlicka. It was wonderful to be in the comfort of our
small hospital and be cared for by familiar faces. Rehabilitation
for my foot and ankle
As we settle into our new normal, please know that GMHC is safe, ready and poised to take care of you. We are here to partner with you on your health and wellness journey. For the third year in a row, our Cornerstone Family Practice Clinic is a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) certified Patient Centered Medical Home. This means we have met high standards to provide you with high-quality access to care right here at home. You will notice we have added more access to specialists in Guttenberg, including more surgical procedures. We are focused on coordinating your care, so you achieve the best outcomes. Rest assured, we are here to provide you with the best experience possible. As we renovate part of our facility to serve you better, we ask for your patience. We are adding space to our Cornerstone Family Practice clinic in Guttenberg to make room for Dr. Carol Gunnett who will join us in August! In addition, we are co-locating our general surgery clinic with our operating rooms to create a surgery center concept that will provide a more convenient setting.
with the GMHC Rehab team was intense,
but with their help, I’m already back to
running! Another great experience at GMHC! A GRATEFUL PATIENT
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics
As we build our next 60 years, please consider a financial commitment to the Foundation of Cornerstone Communities. An envelope is included in this edition for your convenience. The purpose of this newly formed foundation is to create healthy and vibrant communities in our service area to ensure local health care for years to come. I am extremely excited about the future of GMHC! Sincerely,
Timothy Ahlers 2 Keeping You Well | Summer 2021
Timothy Ahlers
CEO Our community hospital and clinics truly would not be what they are today without your involvement. I sincerely want to thank you for your support over the years, especially this past year. The pandemic changed our lives in ways we couldn’t foresee. It also helped us appreciate what we have every day and reminded us to make each day count. As more and more people are vaccinated and we climb out of this pandemic, it feels good to live again!
Royce’s STORY
GMHC was “home away from home” for 65 days It was a long overdue but welcomed sight. Guttenberg Municipal Hospital and Clinics staff, friends and family watched 76-year old COVID-19 patient Royce Hansel of Elkader, leave what had been his ‘home away from home’ for 65 days. Balloons, well-wishing signs, and music filled the hospital halls as tears of joy filled the eyes of those witnessing this medical miracle. From Royce’s diagnosis of COVID-19 on November 8, to his admittance to GMHC several days later having developed COVID-19 related pneumonia, to his release on January 15, it was a constant uphill battle to regain his health. The first month was the most critical in his long stay, as his lungs had closed on themselves and he fought dropping oxygen levels whenever he exerted himself. The long road to recovery would involve several departments at GMHC beyond our Patient Care Unit, including Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Once Royce was strong enough to begin rebuilding his strength to go home, he was transferred to a skilled level of care for rehab. Royce was able to receive uninterrupted care from all departments during all stages of recovery within the walls of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.
Royce proved to be a hardworking and determined patient who didn’t complain even when the road ahead was uncertain. The decision to allow Hansel’s wife Janan to visit, despite strict hospital visitation rules due to COVID-19, proved to be a turning point in his recovery. Respiratory therapist and hospital Rehabilitation Manager Amy Sitzmann felt if Royce could see his wife and hear her voice, it may give him the strength and determination he would need to complete his therapy and return home, and she was right. It brought Royce great comfort and a sense of calmness when his wife was visiting. He said it motivated him to work harder to be home with her, and many other family members, including a great-grandson who was born in November and he had not yet met, and that this was what kept him going. “All the staff of GMHC treated Royce like he was a part of their family”, commented Janan. His hospital stay spanned Thanksgiving Day, his birthday on December 3, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Both Royce’s family and hospital staff worked to keep his spirits up and make the holidays special. Janan could tell that just before Christmas, her husband had begun making significant improvement. All of the therapy and hard work was paying off.
Before his release, Royce’s family underwent detailed training on using medical equipment that would enable his continued therapy at home. A grateful Royce commented on more than one occasion, “I don’t know how to thank you all; the only thing I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart”. His family also gave their repeated thanks to the staff. Finally it was time to be discharged on January 15, 2021! When GMHC’s longest-staying COVID-19 patient left for home, he was escorted by wheelchair to his car, which at the time was clearly necessary. On a follow-up visit with Dr. Mark Janes in Dubuque, his doctor commented that Royce had received excellent care during his hospital stay, which had been critical for his recovery. Later, when he jaunted in and out of GMHC for follow-up appointment with pep in his step and using only a cane, Royce was barely recognizable. Hospital staff were truly stunned to see the improvement. Indeed, Royce, you are remarkable!
3 Keeping You Well | Summer 2021
A Strong
TOMORROW FCC ENDOWMENT CHALLENGE
COMMUNITY GIVING CAMPAIGN The Foundation of Cornerstone Communities is pleased to announce that it applied and was approved for a $75,000 challenge grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Small Town Dreams Initiative in its mission to build the local endowment to $450,000. The first phase of the campaign, the quiet phase, was to raise $150,000 using a two to one $2 local leaders: $1 challenge grant match. The first milestone was met with gifts and pledges secured over three years by the FCC Board, GMHC leadership and physicians, making the total raised, with the match, $225,000.
Foundation Launches Community Giving Campaign to Capture Matching Grant To celebrate this milestone, the Foundation held a special event for its leadership donors in the courtyard of the Creativity Center on April 29. The celebration included recognition of the Foundation board of directors and comments from FCC board members and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Director Nancy VanMilligen.
A Strong Tomorrow Community Campaign The Foundation of Cornerstone Communities is now launching the community phase with a campaign called “A Strong Tomorrow” to raise an additional $225,000 to meet the challenge grant goal of $450,000. We invite you to give your most meaningful gift to help the FCC reach this challenge.
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About the Foundation The Foundation was created to remedy two serious challenges facing the future of our local rural healthcare; the decline in the populations served by GMHC and recruitment and retention of health care providers. The Foundation supports initiatives and projects that directly impact the everyday health and vitality of our communities, keeping them strong and attractive to future generations. The staff of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics shares the common goal of protecting the future of local healthcare. On June 1 GMHC launched an internal giving campaign in efforts to raise $60,000 towards the community phase. GMHC staff have an opportunity to make a onetime donation or enroll in a three year giving campaign via payroll-deduct.
I can’t think of a better way to solidify our future than to support a Foundation that focuses on the health and vibrance of the very place we live. We invite you to join us in sending a gift to protect the future of local healthcare in the attached envelope.” TIM AHLERS, CEO
Foundation board member Roger Thomas poses with Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Director Nancy VanMilligen during the celebration for leadership donors at the Creativity Center Courtyard in Guttenberg on April 29.
FCC in Five 1
The Foundation of Cornerstone Communities is a community foundation created in 2019 after two challenges facing the future of GMHC were identified: 1. Decline in populations of communities served by GMHC 2. Recruitment / retention of health care professionals at GMHC
2
FCC was designed to support projects that impact the health and vitality of our communities, to keep them strong and attractive to future generations and health care professionals.
3
With a common goal of protecting the future of local healthcare the FCC had generous founding donations and pledges from GMHC leaders and leaders in communities served by GMHC.
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To date the FCC has provided grants to support playground improvements and pickle ball courts in Guttenberg, the Guttenberg promotional video project, Edgewood’s Viking Loop Trail project, and Osborne Walking Path project.
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The FCC Endowment Challenge will help to launch our endowment funds to $450,000 with a $75,000 match and $15,000 for grant making. The Leadership Phase of $225,000 has been met. Your gift will help us reach our Community Phase of $225,000.
GMHC CEO Timothy Ahlers and members of the FCC Membership Committee Russ Loven and Kathy Lansing served food to the GMHC staff during the FCC Kick-Off Grill-Out on June 1.
All businesses in the GMHC service area are invited to host a giving campaign for staff, whether it is having jeans day for a donation to the FCC, or a three-year campaign, all donations are appreciated to help reach the $225,000 community campaign goal. Please contact Amy Speed at amy.speed@ guttenberghospital.org for more information. If you value the future of local healthcare and believe in a healthy and vibrant today for all residents, we invite you to become a member of the Foundation of Cornerstone Communities with a pledge for an annual gift to the FCC Endowment, or a one-time gift of any amount in the attached donation envelope.
Grant Making When the Leadership Phase goal was met, the FCC was awarded an additional $10,000 for grant making. To date, the FCC has funded $35,000 in local projects that share the mission of keeping our communities healthy and strong. Projects include Edgewood Viking Loop Trail; Osborne Walking Path; Guttenberg pickleball courts,
playground equipment, promotional video and City of Guttenberg vitality initiatives. The FCC is pleased to offer grant application opportunies four times per year; each January, April, July and October. Do you have a project in your community that needs funding, or maybe a great idea or initiative that will enhance the health of your community? The Foundation will partner with visionary leaders in all communities served by GMHC on initiatives that align with the FCC mission of creating a healthy and vibrant today.
Endowments are Forever The FCC Endowment is held by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and is invested permanently. The earnings provide annual funding to sustain FCC grant making, securing the health and vitality of our communities for decades into the future.
Thank you for your gift towards our common goal of protecting the future of local healthcare!
Learn more from any board member, or by visiting the website: dbqfoundation. org/cornerstonecommunities or call 563-252-5516 or email amy.speed@ guttenberghospital.org.
5 Keeping You Well | Summer 2021
Cornerstone Family Practice
What is a Patient Centered Medical Home? Patient Centered Medical Home is a model of care that emphasizes care coordination and communication between the patient and their provider/care team. Medical Homes lead to higher quality of patient care, lower costs and improved patient satisfaction. Each year a practice sustains recognition by demonstrating continuous alignment and support of each of the six key concepts in the PCMH program by submitting an annual report. The report is reviewed by an NCQA Review Oversight Committee and if the requirements are met the practice sustains their recognition status.
Partnering with you on your health and wellness journey Trained to care for patients of all ages, the Cornerstone Family Practice board-certified family medicine physicians and nurse practitioners diagnose and treat most medical issues, from infections and sprains to diabetes and asthma. Our team will partner with you on preventative and routine care for the entire family, working together to understand your unique health and wellness journey.
1. Patient-Centered Access and Continuity – accommodates patient’s needs.
2. Team-Based Care and Practice Organization –
provide continuity of care in a team based approach.
3. Knowing and Managing Your Patients –
Andrew Smith, MD
Jeffrey Hoffmann, DO
Michele Dikkers, DO
Guy McCaw, MD
Carol Gunnett, MD
Lana Erion, DNP
Amber Wessels, FNP
Hayle Bockenstedt, DNP
Taylor Grinstead, DNP
identify patients and remind them of care of needed care.
4. Care Management and Support –
use of evidence-based guidelines for preventative, acute and chronic care management.
5. Care Coordination and Care Transitions– track and coordinate testing, referrals, and care transitions.
6. Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement –
Collect and use the performance data for quality improvement activities.
Cornerstone Family Practice
Clinic Hours
GUTTENBERG
MON – THURS: 8am - 7pm FRI: 8am - 5pm SAT: 8am - Noon 563-252-2141
GARNAVILLO
MON & TUES: 8am - 5pm Closed on Wednesdays THURS & FRI: 8am - 5pm 563-964-2608
EDGEWOOD
MON – WED: 8am - 5pm Closed on Thursdays FRI: 8am - 5pm 563-928-6435
Introducing Dr. Carol Gunnett Cornerstone Family Practice is pleased to welcome Dr. Carol Gunnett to the team of family medicine providers at GMHC. With over 15 years of experience as a family medicine physician in the Cedar Valley area, Dr. Gunnett looks forward to making Guttenberg her new home and will begin seeing patients on August 2.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gunnett, call 563-252-2141.
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What I like best about family medicine is caring for several generations within a family. Grandparents share stories about their lives full of extraordinary experiences, parents come in to keep their bodies healthy and for treatments when needed, and the most rewarding of all is to watch a child grow up healthy, and keep the cycle going!” CAROL GUNNETT, MD
Choose GMHC Skilled Care for Recovery
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The care I received here was wonderful. I am so grateful to have GMHC right here in our community!” CAROL (AND OREO), GRATEFUL SKILLED CARE PATIENT
Recovering from a recent stroke, heart attack, orthopedic injury or joint replacement surgery? You have a choice! Choose GMHC, an optimal setting for patients who are medically stable but still require specialized care on a daily basis. Led by our physicians, the GMHC Skilled Care Team includes professionals from: • physical therapy
• occupational therapy
• nursing
• speech therapy
• respiratory therapy
• dietary
• social work
• care coordination
• health coaching
Our priority is to help our Skilled Care patients reach their highest potential for health and independence before transitioning home. For more information on GMHC Skilled Care services, please call a Care Coordinator at 563-252-5522.
Stay Close to Home with Specialty Care at GMHC You don’t have to travel far for outstanding specialty care. Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics has specialtytrained doctors and practitioners here, where you need them. Experience the expertise and compassionate patient-centered care in a convenient environment.
Tauseef Khan, MD Cardiology Clinic
Thomas Johnson, MD RS Ramabadran, MD Rami Eltibi, MD Cardiology Clinic Cardiology Clinic Cardiology Clinic
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics
200 Main Street Guttenberg, IA 52052 (563) 252-1121 guttenberghospital.org
Surgery at GMHC Orthopedic Surgery at GMHC Dr. Trumm of Dubuque Orthopaedic Surgeons is now providing orthopedic care, including surgical procedures, the fourth Tuesday of every month at GMHC.
Michael Arnz, DPM Podiatry Clinic/ Surgery
Nicole Jedlicka, DPM Kara Franzen, DPM Podiatry Clinic/ Podiatry Clinic/ Surgery Surgery
Theresa Hughes, DPM Podiatry Clinic
“Growing up in a small farming community myself, I enjoy the opportunity to spend quality time with my patients which a small community hospital like Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics allows me to do,” said Dr. Trumm. Dr. Pierotti, who has been providing orthopedic care at GMHC for over twenty years, will continue to see patients at GMHC.
General Surgery at GMHC Stephen Pierotti, MD Bryan Trumm, MD Orthopedic Clinic/ Orthopedic Clinic/ Surgery Surgery
Dan Armstrong, PA Orthopedic Clinic
Kyle Korth, MD Orthopedic Clinic
Dr. Daniel Mansfield General Surgeon
Steven Rock, MD Orthopedic Clinic
Juan Nieto, MD Eye Clinic/Surgery
Tammi Noonan, DNP Charles Parker, MD Oncology Clinic ENT Clinic/Surgery
David Auer, OD Eye Clinic
Charles Weber, DO Dermatology Clinic
Timothy Daley, MD Eye Clinic
Scott Chastek, DNAP, ARNP, CRNA Pain Mgmt. Clinic
You can rest assured you are in good hands with our team of experienced professionals, including skilled surgeons, anesthesia providers, registered surgical nurses and operating room technicians. We are dedicated to making your surgical experience a successful one and we will make you as comfortable as possible during your stay.
In addition to two spacious operating rooms, GMHC offers deluxe same-day surgery suites for outpatient procedures. Comfortable, state-of-the-art hospital rooms, skilled care for extended stays, and physical therapy are available to help you through recovery and rehabilitation. Robotic-assisted surgery allows our surgeons to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques to treat a range of conditions such as: • Hernia repair • Colon resections • Fibroid removal • Gall bladder removal • Hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures