Building Local Community Through Arts, Cultural, and Recreational Events, and the Exchange of Goods and Services
WinnMed is pleased to welcome Ben Krouse-Gagne as the new Director of Foundation.
Ben brings a wealth of experience in philanthropy and community engagement, having spent over a decade building strong donor relationships and leading successful fundraising initiatives. Most recently, he served as Senior Development Officer at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) Alumni & Friends Foundation, where played a key role in generating significant philanthropic support by managing the Planned Giving program, serving as the liaison to the College of Science & Health, and leading multiple strategic fundraising initiatives.
Nearer to home, Ben served as the Director of Community Engagement at Helping Services for Youth & Families, where he partnered with individuals, businesses and organizations to provide local support for those in need. He and his wife, Christina, an Occupational Therapist at WinnMed, live in Decorah with their two young children.
“I’m thrilled to join the WinnMed Foundation at a moment of real momentum, with the chance to help turn that energy into transformative healthcare for our region,” says Krouse-Gagne. “Strengthening community health and expanding access to exceptional care are deeply important to me, and I’m eager to work alongside the WinnMed Foundation Board to build relationships, elevate our mission, and mobilize the support that will shape the future of care here.”
The WinnMed Foundation, a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization, partners with donors who value community service by providing impactful ways to support local healthcare. The Director of Foundation leads their philanthropic strategy alongside the Foundation Board and in coordination with the WinnMed leadership team. Recent Foundation initiatives include the Transforming Tomorrow expansion naming opportunities for WinnMed’s new Clinic and Obstetric spaces. This momentum also extends to strengthening surgical services and building permanent endowments that will support WinnMed’s mission in perpetuity, ensuring exceptional care for generations across the region.
Steve Slessor, WinnMed Chief Administrative Officer, says, “The WinnMed Foundation has done excellent work to support our organization over the years and with the recent success of our naming opportunities for Transforming Tomorrow, there is great momentum moving forward. Ben was clearly the right candidate with his background to help take our foundation to the next level and match potential donors with areas they are passionate about.”
The WinnMed Foundation Board is comprised of community leaders who volunteer their time, knowledge, compassion and resources toward serving the healthcare needs of WinnMed patients. Current board members: Kerbie Dahlen, President; Mike Huinker, Vice President; Jennifer Harman, Secretary/Treasurer; Jim Burns, Rick Burras, Richard Gaard, Karla Hageman, John Heying, Erick Kephart, Kelly Sorenson, Eric Svestka, M.D., Steve Slessor, WinnMed Chief Administrative Officer (Ex Officio); and Ben Krouse-Gagne, WinnMed Foundation Director.
To reach the WinnMed Foundation, call 563-387-3129 or email [email protected].
Cardboard makes up the largest share of material processed at our recycling center. It adds up to more than half of everything we collect and ship to recycling mills. Because of this, keeping our cardboard baler running efficiently is essential to maintaining a smooth and effective recycling operation.
Recently, we completed several important upgrades to our baler that will improve both efficiency and reliability.
One of the biggest improvements was the installation of an ejector base pedal. This upgrade allows staff to more easily and safely eject finished cardboard bales from the machine, speeding up the process and reducing the physical effort required to move each bale.
We also completed mechanical improvements to the baler itself. The hydraulic cylinder was repaired, and the hydraulic oil was replaced, helping ensure the machine continues to operate smoothly and consistently. These updates will help extend the life of the equipment while minimizing downtime.
None of these improvements would have been possible without support from the Winneshiek County Area Solid Waste Agency. The Agency awarded a $5,002.78 grant, which funded a significant portion of the project costs.
We are extremely grateful for their continued support of recycling infrastructure in our community. Investments like this help ensure we can continue processing large volumes of cardboard efficiently and keep valuable materials out of the landfill.
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WinnMed is pleased to welcome Cole Puffer, M.D., to its medical team. Joining the practice the end of April, Dr. Puffer provides family medicine care for patients of all ages in the clinical setting and serves as a hospitalist, caring for inpatients during their hospital stay.
Originally from southeast Minnesota, Dr. Puffer spent his undergraduate years in Decorah where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Luther College. He went on to medical school at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus prior to moving to the west coast for a family medicine residency through Cascades East Family Medicine Residency, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Since completion, he has provided clinical and inpatient medical care through Sky Lakes Medical Center, alongside his teaching responsibilities for OHSU. Dr. Puffer is certified with the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Puffer returns to Decorah with his wife, Devon – originally from Decorah and a fellow Luther College alum – and their young daughter. His medical interests include health policy and health systems work, community health and wellness, pediatric care, education, and preventive medicine.
“I provide person-centered care for people of all ages, including newborn and pediatric care, preventive care, and geriatric care,” says Dr. Puffer. “I take a collaborative approach and value each patient’s perspective. I’m glad to be returning to the Driftless area after completing my training out west. Outside of work, I enjoy woodworking, literature, and spending time outdoors with my wife, daughter, and our border collie.”
Family medicine, also known as primary care, is a medical specialty dedicated to providing comprehensive and continuous care for individuals and families of all ages, genders, and health conditions. Family medicine providers serve as the first point of contact for patients, playing a vital role in preventive care, chronic disease management, and overall wellness. By building long-term relationships, they ensure personalized care and coordinate with specialists when needed. At WinnMed, physicians and advanced practice providers deliver primary care services in Decorah, as well as in outreach locations including Ossian, Mabel and campus clinics at Luther College and Upper Iowa University, serving the college population.
To make an appointment with Dr. Puffer call 563-382-2911 or request an appointment through MyChart.
QUICK RECYCLING TIPS FOR THE WEEKEND:
1. Please rinse your containers before placing them in recycling containers. They don’t need to be spotless, just empty and mostly clean!
2. Please flatten cardboard before placing pieces in the bins. Either do this at home before transporting the boxes or step on them at the collection site. If I forget to break one down, I use my key to cut the tape on the box and fold it 🙂 This makes room for more recyclables and helps trucks operate more efficiently.
3. Please DO NOT put plastic bags in our recycling bins. They get tangled in sorting equipment and contaminate our other materials. If there are store drop-off options, take them there instead.
Feel free to reach out with questions! Here is a link to our “Accepted/Unaccepted Materials” page. If you visit this page, you can also find a link to an updated printable recycling guide.
Phone: 563-382-6514
Email: recycling@co.winneshiek.ia.us
You can also contact us through Facebook Messenger.
Thanks for doing your part!
In this episode of Your Health, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Katie Greving talks about the challenges of going off to college.
FREE EVENT
Grab your snowshoes and join us for a spontaneous adventure at the Decorah Community Prairie, Sunday March 1st at 1:30pm.
Easter Egg Hunt (8yrs and Under)