Author: Winneshiek Medical Center

Longtime Winneshiek Medical Center Board of Trustees member, Roger Huinker, attended his final meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.  

Huinker joined the Board in 2005, just as WMC signed the Management Services Agreement and Professional Services Agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System.  He says, “One of the most interesting transitions in the early years of being on the board was adapting to our new affiliation with Mayo Clinic Health System.”   Over the years, Huinker has seen net patient revenues grow from $31 million in 2006 to nearly $68 million currently.  Additionally, the workforce has grown from 380 employees in 2006 to nearly 480 employees in 2022.  “As a board member, I saw WMC becoming more of a regional medical center that is providing excellent care through our partnering with our own staff and Mayo Clinic Health System,” he says.

Winneshiek Medical Center is owned by the citizens of Winneshiek County and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees.  Seven members serve on the board and elections are held every four years with staggering terms.   In addition to Huinker, who currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Board, members include: Clark Goltz, Chair; Karen McLean, Vice-Chair; Steve Hildebrandt, Karl Jacobsen, Tim Schweizer and Lora Friest. 

Clark Goltz, chair, says, “Roger Huinker is one of those individuals who has made a real positive difference in his role as a member of Winneshiek Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. His seventeen years of dedicated service speak to his commitment to not only the hospital, but to his efforts to make this part of the world a better place to live. Martin Luther King said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?’ We are grateful that Roger answered that question through his work as a member of the WMC Board of Trustees.”

New Appointee

To complete Huinker’s term, which expires in December of 2022, the Board has appointed Justin Gullekson.  Gullekson is a long-time Winneshiek County resident and is the Decorah Market President for Decorah Bank & Trust Company.  He and his wife, Jeanne, have five children. 

Gullekson has a history of service to our region.  He currently serves as Treasurer of the WMC Foundation Board and on the Board of Directors for the Decorah Community Free Clinic.  His past volunteer experience includes President of the WMC Foundation, Vesterheim Museum Board of Directors, and co-chairperson of Decorah High School’s successful bond issue campaign.  He says, “Our family makes an effort to help out with various community endeavors, and I’m happy to be asked to serve with the medical center.”  He adds, “I hope that my financial background and knowledge will be useful to WMC. I look forward to working with the great folks on the Board of Trustees and at WMC.  Roger will be a tough act to follow.”

The slot opened up by Huinker and temporarily filled by Gullekson will be on the ballot in November 2022. 

Winneshiek Medical Center is offering Winneshiek County senior citizens free coupons to be used at the Decorah Area Farmers Market this season.  Participants will receive $10 in coupons for locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The Winneshiek Medical Center Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program is funded by The United Way of Winneshiek County, with participating vendors from the Decorah Area Farmers Market.  The coupons can only be used for fruits and vegetables and may not be exchanged for money. 

Recipients of these coupons must be Winneshiek County residents, age 65 and older, and bring proof of their residency and age to the distribution site.  A driver’s license or the yellow 2021 WMC farmers market ID are both acceptable. There are no income guidelines to participate in this program.

The coupons will be distributed on the following dates:

• Wednesday, June 8, 3:00 – 4:30 pm – Decorah Farmers Market (399 Heivly Street)
• Thursday, June 9, 10:00 – 11:30 am – Decorah Senior Center (806 River Street)
• Monday, June 20, 11:00am – 12:00 pm – Decorah Senior Center (806 River Street)

Note: At this time these are the only dates/times for distribution. If there are extra coupons remaining we will have another distribution date later in the summer. Coupons will not be mailed out.

For more information call 563-382-2911 and ask to speak with a Winneshiek Medical Center dietitian.

At the Winneshiek Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, leadership announced an upcoming rebrand project for the medical center.   The project will include a review of items including name, logo, colors, messaging and more. 

The rebranding project will take place alongside planning for significant facility updates to the Obstetrics, Clinic and Surgery units at the medical center.  Steve Slessor, Winneshiek Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer, says, “As we begin this trajectory forward in growth initiatives and facility updates, now is the ideal time to review our Winneshiek Medical Center brand.  The process will be supported by local research and brand elements may not necessarily change; at the conclusion of the project we will have a clear identity to support our growth.”

The last rebranding was completed in 2005 when the medical center transitioned from Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital to Winneshiek Medical Center.  In part, this was reflective of their deeper relationship with Mayo Clinic Health System through the newly established Management Services Agreement and Professional Services Agreement, and to their strategic initiative to serve the region with an expanded breadth of specialty care and ancillary services.

Rebranding work will begin this summer with the intended roll out to be delivered by the end of 2022.  WMC has partnered with an advertising firm out of La Crosse, Wisconsin to assist in this effort.  They will be conducting market research over the summer months which will include seeking input from WMC staff, providers, Mayo Clinic Health System leaders, community stakeholders and the general public. 

Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M., Winneshiek Medical Center Medical Center Chief Medical Officer, says, “As we move into our rebranding project, we are working in parallel with Mayo Clinic Health System leadership to determine the best way to showcase both organizations, reduce confusion in the community related to ownership and naming, and to accurately reflect our strong partnership.” Slessor says, “The rebrand furthers goals described in our long-range planning initiative and will reflect our uniqueness as a regional hub for health care.”

Long-time and well-respected Mayo Clinic Health System physician, James Ott, M.D., retired from his skin care practice at Winneshiek Medical Center in January of this year.  To continue to meet the needs of patients requiring skin services, Laurie Tope, D.O. and Anna Mark, M.D., both MCHS family medicine physicians, have extended their practices to include skin specialty services.  These physicians, along with the support of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialty and general surgery, can treat most skin conditions locally at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Dr.  Mark says, “Dr. Tope and I shadowed Dr. Ott prior to his retirement and have taken extended education at Mayo Clinic in the skin care specialty.  I have enjoyed working more intently in the skin specialty this year, and look forward to helping patients needing these services in the future.”

Additionally, WMC has welcomed Dayna Soukup, PA-C, to solely cover the skin care specialty in Decorah. Dayna received her undergraduate degree from Wartburg College and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University.  Since 2016, she has provided care in the Urgent Care setting in Cedar Falls and Waterloo. 

Dayna says, “I will be available to provide daily access to patients with new or chronic skin problems.  By working with this team of physicians, and dermatologists from Mayo Clinic Health System when needed, we will provide our patients with skin care available locally. I am excited to join this community and medical center.”

Skin services at WMC may include treatment for:

• Acne
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Dry or sensitive skin
• Nail problems
• Pigmentation disorders
• Rashes
• Warts
• Psoriasis
• Skin cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment

To make an appointment for skin services at Winneshiek Medical Center, call 563-382-2911.

Every three years, Winneshiek Medical Center leads, or participates in, a Community Health Assessment.  The assessment is designed to gather information on unmet health needs in the area. With this data, communities can map out a course for health improvement by creating strategies to make positive and sustainable changes. In 2022, Winneshiek Medical Center partnered with Winneshiek County Public Health to complete the survey.

The survey was made available online and garnered 515 responses.  Following an analysis of the data and other population health information, the 2022 Community Health Assessment final report was approved at the July 6, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting.

The Community Health Assessment identified five overall priority categories of concern:

• Housing Options
• Mental Health Care
• Older Adult Care
• Alcohol and drug use
• Suicide

The five most prevalent diagnoses among respondents were:

• Vision problems
• Hypertension
• Sleep apnea
• Hearing problems
• Respiratory problems

The five highest areas of need for health care services, according to survey respondents were:

• Access to mental health care
• Shelter and services for victims of abuse, violence and assault
• Alcohol and drug abuse prevention
• Family planning services
• Services for persons with disabilities

The full report and Winneshiek Medical Center’s Health Improvement Plan can be found on www.winmedical.org/community-health-assessment/

In collaboration with Winneshiek Medical Center, the Luther College Athletic Department will have two new athletic trainers for the upcoming academic year: David Kragness, ATC, LAT, NASM-PES, NASM/CES; and McKinley Lillegraven, MS, LAT, ATC.

Kragness will serve as the new head athletic trainer for the Norse.  He received a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the Minnesota State University in Mankato.  Kragness has served in the field of Athletic Training since 2005, with experience in professional and collegiate athletic programs, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Winona State University, South Dakota State University and most recently, Wartburg College.  He is certified by the Iowa Board of Athletic Training and began his role at Luther College in July 2022.

Lillegraven, a Decorah native, is returning to her hometown to care for Norse athletes.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Studies and her Master of Athletic Training from University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her athletic training experience includes football, volleyball, wrestling and men’s basketball programs for UNI, a Division 1 school. 

Returning athletic trainers for the 2022/23 academic year include: Amber Suckow, MS, LAT, ATC; Maggie Vihovde, MEd, LAT, ATC; and Whitney Pavlat, MS, LAT, ATC.

Kragness says, “I am excited to join both the WMC and Luther College Athletics teams. As we move into this athletic season, I look forward to the progression of this partnership and to being a member of both organizations for years to come.”

Luther College Athletic Training is dedicated to providing the highest quality of professional health care and services to student athletes with a commitment to enhancing their collegiate athletic experience and ensuring their overall health and safety.  Collaborating with Winneshiek Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Health System Decorah Clinic Physicians, they respond to the health care needs of student athletes by providing excellent emergency and clinical care on location and in the training room. 

Renae Hartl, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Luther College, says, “The addition of David and McKinley to our Sports Medicine team will enhance the student-athlete experience immediately. The new partnership between WMC and Luther has started on a great note with these two hires and I am excited to see our team come together this month as all our fall teams arrive.” For more information on Luther College Athletics, visit www.luthernorse.com.   To learn more about Winneshiek Medical Center, visit www.winmedical.org.

Winneshiek Medical Center will hold their Grand Community Picnic on Thursday, September 1 from 4-7 pm on the WMC campus. 

“WMC is excited to once again host the Grand Community Picnic after a few years’ hiatus. This event highlights WMC’s connection to the communities we serve, and we look forward to having individuals on our campus for another reason besides receiving excellent healthcare. This event comes at a perfect time as we begin to plan for many exciting new endeavors for WMC, many of which we hope to be able to showcase during this event,” says Steve Slessor, chief administrative officer, Winneshiek Medical Center.

Free Community Picnic Attractions

• BBQ pork sandwich, chips and a beverage
• Game/activity area for kids
• Popcorn from the Lion’s Club
• Pokey Pete rides
• Live music by Mike McAbee
• Garden tours
• Emergency vehicle tours
• And more!

Moo-Mobile shakes will also be available for $1 each throughout the evening.

More Information

The picnic is made possible with the help of staff volunteers from Winneshiek Medical Center, the WMC Auxiliary and WMC Foundation, and will be held rain or shine.

Convenient parking will be available, with regular Earl Bus rides from the medical center parking lots to the event site.

Information on the WMC Grand Community Picnic is also available at www.winmedical.org/event/grand-community-picnic.  For additional information on the picnic or other Winneshiek Medical Center activities, please call the WMC Marketing & Communications department at 563-382-2911 or email communityrelations@winmedical.org. 

Influenza season is approaching and it is an important and effective prevention strategy to get a flu shot.

When should I get a flu shot?

Influenza season generally begins in November and ends in March.  It is best to get your flu shot in October or November so the protection offered by the vaccine carries you through to the end of flu season.  Getting the vaccine too soon in the season may leave you unprotected in the later months.

What types of vaccine are available this year?

The injection is the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses, and is for ages 6 months to 49 years. Flublok, for ages 50-64 years and High Dose, for ages 65+, also protect against four different flu viruses.  Flu mist is not available. 

Who should get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all people 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine. It is especially important for pregnant women to get vaccinated because of their increased risk for influenza-related complications. Pregnant women can get vaccinated during any trimester, including the first. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu.

How will flu shots be given this year?

At Winneshiek Medical Center, influenza vaccines will be available through an appointment, though walk-ins will be accepted as the vaccine schedule allows.  (If you have a scheduled appointment for another reason, you may also get a flu shot at that time.)  Flu vaccine charges will be submitted to your insurance.  For more information or to request an appointment for your influenza vaccine from Winneshiek Medical Center, call 563-382-2911.

Influenza season is approaching and it is an important and effective prevention strategy to get a flu shot.

When should I get a flu shot?

Influenza season generally begins in November and ends in March.  It is best to get your flu shot in October or November so the protection offered by the vaccine carries you through to the end of flu season.  Getting the vaccine too soon in the season may leave you unprotected in the later months.

What types of vaccine are available this year?

The injection is the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses, and is for ages 6 months to 49 years. Flublok, for ages 50-64 years and High Dose, for ages 65+, also protect against four different flu viruses.  Flu mist is not available. 

Who should get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all people 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine. It is especially important for pregnant women to get vaccinated because of their increased risk for influenza-related complications. Pregnant women can get vaccinated during any trimester, including the first. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu.

How will flu shots be given this year?

At Winneshiek Medical Center, influenza vaccines will be available through an appointment, though walk-ins will be accepted as the vaccine schedule allows.  (If you have a scheduled appointment for another reason, you may also get a flu shot at that time.)  Flu vaccine charges will be submitted to your insurance.  For more information or to request an appointment for your influenza vaccine from Winneshiek Medical Center, call 563-382-2911.