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Morning sports clinic offers immediate treatment to athletes

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805
   
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Injured athletes can receive immediate diagnosis and treatment during Luther Midelfort’s Saturday Morning Sports Medicine Clinics this fall. This year’s clinics are from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday, Aug. 21 through Oct. 16, in Luther Midelfort’s Orthopedics Center, 1400 Bellinger St.

Kurt Jacobson, licensed athletic trainer

The walk-in clinic, located on the fourth floor, is specifically designed to help athletes injured during practices or events earlier in the week.

A complete set of sports medicine professionals, from physicians to physical therapists to athletic trainers and X-ray technologists, are assembled in one location to provide an immediate, one-stop source of care without an appointment. Athletes can receive X-rays, a physician examination, treatment plan and rehabilitation exercises within a single visit.

“Nothing can be more frustrating to an athlete than to be hurt and out of commission,” Luther Midelfort licensed athletic trainer Kurt Jacobson says. “Through the Saturday Morning Sports Medicine Clinics, athletes can quickly access an entire team of medical specialists who are trained in getting athletes back into the game.”

Common injuries seen include knee sprains, fractures and shoulder injuries.

Parental consent is required before any treatment. Services are billed; most insurance is accepted.

Appointments can be made beginning at 8:45 a.m. the day of the clinic by calling 715-838-MEND (6363), or athletes can walk in for treatment.

Don’t let an injury wait. Oftentimes the sooner an injury is diagnosed and treated, the sooner an athlete can resume his or her activity.

For more information about Sports Medicine at Luther Midelfort, visit www.luthermidelfort.org.

# # #

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Don’t overlook obesity’s role in cancer

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Summers in Wisconsin typically usher in a signature event for the American Cancer Society: the Relay for Life. Not only do these events raise substantial funds for the organization, but they also raise public awareness.

Diane Dressel, registered dietitian

It’s no coincidence that an activity featuring exercise should highlight efforts at fighting cancer, said one healthcare professional at Luther Midelfort.

“Whether you’re diagnosed with cancer or fortunate to not be diagnosed with cancer at this time, a healthy lifestyle is more important than what one would think to prevent cancer or a reoccurrence of cancer,” said registered dietitian Diane Dressel, a program coordinator with Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services.

A 2007 presidential report on cancer stated that two-thirds of cancer deaths could have been avoided through the adoption of six lifestyle changes:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Eating more fruits and vegetables
  • Eating less fat
  • Moderating alcohol consumption
  • Not smoking

“Most people know that obesity is connected with heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes ,” Dressel said. “But what they may not know is the ‘cancer connection.’ Obesity — along with poor nutrition and lack of physical activity — is second only to tobacco use as a major risk factor for cancer.”

For example:

  • Gaining 10 pounds or more after age 45 doubles a person’s risk of breast cancer (National Cancer Institute 1996).
  • Once breast cancer is diagnosed, every 11 pounds gained increases the chance of fatality by 14 percent (American Association for Cancer Research Conference 2009).
  • Only 7 percent of people diagnosed with cancer meet national guidelines for exercise and diet (Cancer,115, 4001-4009).
  • The American Cancer Society predicts obesity will be the No. 1 cause of cancer in the United States.

At Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services, emphasis is placed on behavioral changes, in addition to diet changes, to manage people’s weight, Dressel said.

“We focus on getting ahead of obesity and weight problems with effective strategies for weight loss,” she said. “We then focus on a healthy lifestyle of eating more fruits and vegetables, moderate fat intake and increasing physical activity. We understand how weight management and health management walk side-by-side.”

National trends toward younger, heavier Americans give Dressel reason to be alarmed, she said.

  • 66 percent of adults are either clinically obese or overweight
  • 18 percent of children ages 12 to 19 are clinically obese
  • 20 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are clinically obese
  • 1 in 5 preschoolers are clinically obese

“Ninety-nine percent of weight problems are not genetic. They’re lifestyle-driven,” she said. “And for these kids, those lifestyles are being ‘inherited’ from their parents.”

Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services is a nine-time Gold Standard-winner from Boston-based Health Management Resources for its effectiveness in participant retention and effectiveness. It was featured in a Mayo Clinic study published in the December 2008 issue of Disease Management & Health Outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of medically managed weight-loss programs compared to their commercial counterparts.

Weight Management Services offers a variety of weight-loss choices, including in-clinic programs with optional medical supervision or at-home diet kits with optional phone support. Free orientation meetings for people who want to lose 10 to 200 pounds are at 5:30 p.m. on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays at Luther Midelfort’s Clairemont Campus, 733 W. Clairemont Ave.

For more information, call 715-838-6731 or visit www.luthermidelfort.org.

# # #

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Doughnut demons plague registered dietitian

Monday, July 5, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Eileen Dutter was just a child when she heard her mother’s astonished exclamation from the downstairs kitchen: “Who ate the box of doughnuts in the freezer for breakfast?”

Registered dietitian Eileen Dutter

One of 12 children, Dutter remained silent out of fear for what her parents and siblings would say, but she knew she’d eventually be found out.

“I could almost hear them saying, ‘No wonder she’s so fat,’” Dutter said.

 But even more than the embarrassment of her selfish act was how distraught she was over her lack of self-control.

“I remember praying to God, ‘Please God, I don’t want to be fat, but I can’t stop eating,” she said.

Though Dutter’s mother’s words still ring sharp in her ears, she uses them now to inspire others as a registered dietitian with Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services. Dutter shares her painful and moving story in Luther Midelfort’s blog, “Sharing Luther Midelfort.”

“It made me sad to see all of my beautiful sisters become cheerleaders, go out on dates and to school dances, and all I did was stay at home and babysit because no one wanted to be seen with a fat girl,” Dutter wrote. 

Dutter later enrolled in college to become a dietitian (“Maybe I could learn to eat right,” she wrote), but ended up feeling even more insecure and depressed as she compared herself to her thinner classmates.

“I turned to doughnuts to comfort the intense feelings of loneliness and fear that plagued me….It seemed they were the only answer to the discomfort I felt,” she wrote.

And even after being hired for her first job – at Luther Midelfort – the guilt of being an overweight dietitian drove her to binges of 3,500 to 4,000 calories in doughnuts in single sittings.

While working in Luther Midelfort’s medically managed weight-loss program, she began tracking her caloric intake much like the patients she was treating.

  “I was then able to see the bigger picture about the role fruits and vegetables, exercise, meal replacements and especially environmental control had in my own food choices and the consequences of those choices that followed,” she wrote. 

That’s when Dutter’s weight loss truly began. Within a year and with the support of her co-workers, she had lost 50 pounds, and now – 10 years later – she has kept it off.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still love doughnuts,” she wrote. “I just hate how they make me feel and the difficulty they create for me when I am trying to weigh a healthier weight.”

To read Dutter’s complete story, visit “Sharing Luther Midelfort” at http://sharing.luthermidelfort.org. For more information about Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services, call 715-838-6731.

# # #

 In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Support groups and classes offered in July 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010 by Corporate Communications

Birth Basics: This series of two 2½-hour classes is for women (and their partners) in their seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. The classes include information on labor, delivery, cesarean birth, breathing techniques and a tour of the BirthCenter. Class size may be quite large. If you are interested in smaller classes, more detailed information and relaxation practice, please consider our Prepared Birthing classes. The sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 7 and 14 in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $15. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Blood Pressure Screening at Oakwood Mall: Free blood pressure screenings are offered from 7 to 9 a.m. every Thursday (except holidays) at Oakwood Mall in the Luther Midelfort kiosk near the “Oakwood Forest” play area. This month’s screenings will be July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. For information, call 715-838-3014.

Breast-Feeding Class: This one-session class is designed for women in their third trimester of pregnancy and their support person. In preparing you for breast-feeding, instructors cover the basics, including making the decision to breast-feed. The class also will introduce the anatomy and physiology of the breast, breast-feeding techniques and information about working and breast-feeding. The next class meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $10. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Building Baby’s Brain: Brain development in infants is about 50 percent nature and 50 percent nurture. The experiences you provide for your child could either slow brain development or encourage it. In this class, you will learn how positive interactions with your baby enhance social and emotional development, creativity and even I.Q. Activities for specific ages will be shared and demonstrated. Class content will be geared toward development from birth to age 3. This class will meet at the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. Cost is $10. Child care is available free of charge. Please mention child care is needed when registering. Call 715-833-1735 for dates and times.

Chippewa Valley Community Aphasia Support Group: This is a free service. Contact Mary Beth Clark at 715-838-3258 for more information.

Joint PREP (Patient Resource & Education Program): This two-hour program will discuss the benefits and risks of joint replacement as well as any special needs and concerns. Presenters include orthopedic surgeons, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, and Social Services/case managers. Hip replacement will be discussed Tuesdays, July 6 and 20. Knee replacement will be discussed Thursdays, July 8 and 22. Shoulder replacement will be discussed Wednesday, July 21. Hip and knee classes are from 1 to 3 p.m., and shoulder classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Luther Midelfort’s fourth floor Orthopedic Center conference room, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call the Orthopedic Center at 715-838-6161.

Mild Brain Injury Support Group: This support group is designed for people with mild traumatic brain injuries from accidents, falls, tumors, etc., and their family and friends. The group provides individuals the opportunity to obtain information on brain injury symptoms, listen to guest speakers and talk with other persons with brain injuries and healthcare professionals. The group also promotes brain injury prevention and community awareness. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Luther Midelfort’s lower level Deli, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Call Mary Beth Clark at 715-838-1725 for information.

Myeloma Support Group: This support group is intended for patients, caregivers and family members involved with or interested in multiple myeloma. Participants can share information and experiences regarding understanding of the disease and treatment. The next meeting is from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 12, in the fourth floor Orthopedic Center conference room, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Call Luther Midelfort’s Oncology Department at 715-838-6072 or e-mail eauclairemyeloma@me.com for more information.

Newborn Care: This two-hour class is designed for women in their seventh to ninth months of pregnancy, but may also be effective for those who have recently delivered. Topics addressed include feeding baby, bath time, sleep patterns, parenting and signs of illness. Often a pediatrician is present during a portion of the class to answer questions. The next class meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $10. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Prepared Birthing: This class meets once a week for six consecutive weeks on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class is for women (and their partners) in their sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. The class size is limited to 12 couples and lends itself to a greater level of interaction with the instructor and more practice time and reinforcement by the instructor. The class includes discussions about labor, birth and early postpartum; active instruction in comfort measures, massage techniques and labor support; and exploration of communication skills between the woman, her partner and the members of the healthcare team. In addition, the class covers discussions of births in general, as well as what challenges may occur and what options are available. The class also includes a tour of the BirthCenter. The next session begins Monday, July 26, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $70. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Saturday Birth Basics & Newborn Care: Birthing Basics Weekend: This one-session class is for women (and their partners) in their seventh and eighth months of pregnancy whose schedules would not allow a multisession class. It is a basic labor and delivery class with a goal of preparing the woman and her partner for birth while adding basic newborn care instruction. The class includes information on labor, delivery, cesarean birth, breathing techniques and a tour of the BirthCenter. This is also a great refresher class. This class is not limited in size and does not include the presence of a pediatrician during the newborn care segment. If you are looking for a more detailed childbirth education class, then we recommend the Prepared Birthing class. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $20. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Sibling Class: This class is open to brothers- and sisters-to-be ages 3 to 6 and their parents. The instructor will read a book with the children and encourage them to discuss their feelings about becoming a big brother or sister A high point at the end of the class is a tour of the BirthCenter. Children ages 7 to 11 are invited to tour the birthing facilities at 7 p.m. the same evening and will also receive information about becoming a big brother or sister (preregistration for the tour only is still required, although there is no charge). Cost is $10 for one child or $15 for two or more children. The class meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.

Stroke Support Group: This group has been organized for stroke survivors, families and friends. The group will provide occasional guest speakers, educational information regarding current stroke news, available resources within the community and social opportunities. Members will share their experiences, successes, problems and concerns about a stroke, and how the individual and family have coped with it. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at The Center for Health Living, 2103 Heights Drive, Eau Claire. This is a free service. For more information, please contact Shannara Faupl at 715-838-3350.

US TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group: This group offers prostate survivors fellowship, peer counseling, education about treatment options, and discussion about medical alternatives. Meetings provide a forum for medical experts to inform group members about treatment options and allow members to ask questions and get answers from experts. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, in Luther Midelfort’s Chestnut Conference Room at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. For information, please call 715-838-3610.

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Zehms receives inaugural pharmacy residency award

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by pmeznarich

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Luther Midelfort pharmacist David Zehms recently received the first “Preceptor of the Year” award from the Luther Midelfort Pharmacy Residency Program.

Pharmacist David Zehms, 2009 Preceptor of the Year

The residency program was launched a year ago and offers pharmacy graduates a postdoctoral opportunity to broaden their education within a clinical setting, while also specializing in niche areas of pharmaceutical practice. Preceptors serve critical roles in the residency program as instructors, coaches, role models and facilitators.

Zehms was recognized for his instruction in clinical problem-solving, his commitment to the residency program and his dedication to the residents.

“Dave’s commitment to the residency program and dedication to the teaching of residents is an inspiration to those who work with him,” said pharmacist Catherine Lea, director of the residency program.

Lea and pharmacy residents Brandon Simmons and Jennifer Paulus presented Zehms with a certificate of appreciation during a recognition ceremony last week.

For more information about the Pharmacy Residency Program or the role of preceptors, contact Lea at 715-838-5195.

# # #

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Luther Midelfort nurses earn excellence awards

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Susan Barber Lindquist

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –– Nominated by their colleagues, five Luther Midelfort registered nurses recently earned 2010 Excellence in Nursing Awards in five categories:
• Nursing research: Jackie Semingson, Education Department, Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley, Bloomer. Semingson has worked on a project to increase education to staff about patients with dementia.
• Nursing quality: Norbert Knack, Nursing Support Services, Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire. Knack has worked with nurses, educators, dietary staff and healthcare providers to improve care of diabetic patients.
• Nursing practice: Bryan Laskowski, Behavioral Health Services, Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire. Laskowski has served many leadership roles in committees and teams. He always is respectful and considerate of his patients and their families.
• Nursing education: Katie Clay, Emergency Department, Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley, Bloomer. Clay has worked on staff development to assure that patients get the best quality care. She is willing to take time to teach others, especially more inexperienced nurses. She is a valuable member of any team, asking thought-provoking questions and offering valuable insights.
• Nursing leadership: Ashley Nesbit, London Road Dialysis, Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire. Nesbit has worked to foster communication among staff members. She leads by example, working closely with staff. She seeks feedback from patients, promptly following up on any concerns.

Nurses also nominated for Excellence in Nursing Awards were:
• Nursing practice: Annie Bailey, Women’s Health; Shawn Breezee, Neurology; Karen Winegarden, Medical/Surgical; Barb Strube, Orthopedics; Amy Fish, Critical Care Unit; Lori Marcon, Critical Care Unit; Deb Lane, Neurology; Julie Marion, Women’s Health; Brian Lund, Critical Care Unit; Susan Koller, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Trudy Smeltzer, Emergency Department; and Denise Lenfant, Critical Care Unit, all Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire.

• Nursing education: Lynn Severson, Diabetes Education; Deb Noel, Cardiac Center; Michael Willert, Operating Room; Lynn Cherrier, Allergy & Asthma; and Norbert Knack, Diabetes Education, all Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire.

• Nursing leadership: Sarah McCune, Emergency Department; Karen Yeskie, Medical/Surgical; and Ellen Myrhe, Medical/Surgical, all Luther Midelfort Oakridge, Osseo; Greg Chase, Cardiac Center; Angela Oldenberg, Neurology; Dawn Tweed, Nephrology and Dialysis; Roxy Westland, Emergency Department; Jennifer Zimmerman, Medical/Surgical; and Rebecca McMahon, Digestive Health, all Luther Midelfort, Eau Claire.

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In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Mayo Clinic a top U.S. health system

Friday, June 25, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805
meznarich.paul@mayo.edu

Amy Mittlestadt
715-233-7362
mittlestadt.amy@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic has been a named a top U.S. health system, according to a Thomson Reuters survey that analyzed the quality and efficiency of 255 health systems across the country. Mayo Clinic, which includes Red Cedar Medical Center and Luther Midelfort through the Mayo Health System, was ranked among the 10 top performers.

Red Cedar Medical Center has locations in Menomonie, Elmwood and Glenwood City.

Sites included within Luther Midelfort are:

  • Luther Midelfort: Clairemont and Luther campuses in Eau Claire
  • Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley: Bloomer, Chippewa Falls and Colfax
  • Luther Midelfort Northland: Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Prairie Farm and Rice Lake
  • Luther Midelfort Oakridge: Osseo and Mondovi

The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals program found statistically significant differences between top and bottom performers in several areas and measured key metrics that gauge clinical quality and efficiency.

Among those were medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, readmission rates and adherence to clinical standards of care based on measures published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Also key to the assessment was a patient survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that looked at quality of care in hospitals.

Public data from the 2007 and 2008 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Data and CMS Hospital Compare data sets were used in the study.

Mayo Clinic president and CEO John Noseworthy said it was an honor to be among the top 10 U.S. health systems.

“Staff at Mayo Clinic have a deep-rooted commitment to delivering high-value health care that best meets patients’ needs,” Noseworthy said in a statement. “They work as a team to help identify ways to eliminate unnecessary expense and improve safety, outcomes and affordability. The ultimate goal is to provide the best health care that is both trusted and affordable.”

Also in the top 10 were Advocate Health Care of Oak Brook, Ill.; Banner Health of Phoenix; Catholic Healthcare Partners of Cincinnati; Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis; Kettering Health Network in Dayton, Ohio; OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio; Scripps Health in San Diego; Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich.; and University Hospitals in Cleveland.

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Nephrologist promoted to associate professor at Mayo Clinic

Thursday, June 24, 2010 by Susan Barber Lindquist

Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012

Dr. Macaulay Onuigbo, nephrologist

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Dr. Macaulay Onuigbo has been promoted to associate professor of medicine in the College of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Onuigbo is vice chairman of Luther Midelfort’s Nephrology Department. Nephrology is the branch of medicine concerned with the kidneys. Onuigbo also is a transplant physician and hypertension specialist.

“This honor is the culmination of my dreams of being a professor at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic,” said Onuigbo, who also will continue to see patients at Luther Midelfort.

Onuigbo’s contributions to the different fields of nephrology, transplantation medicine and hypertension, include published articles with his wife, Nnonyelum Onuigbo, on late onset renal failure from angiotensin blockade and related findings. Their reports in many international journals have continued over the past few years to garner increasing recognition, appreciation and acknowledgement among the academic community.

Onuigbo also continues to work on several research projects with nephrologists at Luther Midelfort and with members of the dialysis staff.

# # #

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Unique camp breaks down communication, social barriers

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Luther Midelfort is sponsoring its seventh annual Aphasia Camp for people with an impaired ability to use or comprehend words, usually as a result of a stroke or brain injury. Aphasia Camp 2010 will be Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10 to 12, at YMCA Camp Manitou in New Auburn.

Registration deadline Aug. 20.

Registration deadline for Luther Midelfort's Aphasia Camp is Aug. 20.

Individuals with communication disorders tend to withdraw from social settings as well as refrain from activities that might expose them to such settings.

Aphasia Camp offers people with aphasia and their family, spouses or caregivers a chance to increase social interaction and practice communication skills in a supportive setting. It is one of a few camps nationwide that caters to people with aphasia.

“We didn’t set out to create something unique,” said Mary Beth Clark, a speech pathologist at Luther Midelfort who was one of the camp’s original organizers. “We just saw a real need among our patients and their families for a social, yet therapeutic, outlet such as this, so a bunch of us got together and said, ‘Let’s do this.’ ”

The camp runs largely on clinicians, instructors and community members volunteering their time, as well as local businesses donating goods and services. Campers can choose to participate in activities, such as fishing, boating, golfing, biking, computer technology, arts and crafts, cooking and games.

Medical support and counseling is provided by Luther Midelfort speech pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, chaplains and registered nurses.

Tuition includes materials, activities, meals and accommodations for two nights and three days. The weekend cost is $150 per person with aphasia and $100 per caregiver/family member. The one-day cost is $75 per person. Cabins accommodate six to eight people. Bathrooms are centrally located, and trained staff members provide help at any time.

For more information or to register, contact Clark at 715-838-1725 or clark.marybeth1@mayo.edu. Registration is due Friday, Aug. 20.

Luther Midelfort, Chippewa Valley Aphasia Groups and the Eau Claire YMCA sponsor the camp.

 # # #

 In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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Software helps diagnose uncommon conditions faster

Friday, June 18, 2010 by pmeznarich

Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — When a patient came to see Dr. Rick Stoughton, a physician at Luther Midelfort Oakridge in Mondovi, her skin condition was unlike anything he had encountered. But within that same appointment, he had the condition diagnosed, treatment prescribed and critical follow-up exams scheduled, all because of a new diagnostic program being used throughout the Luther Midelfort system.

“It’s an outstanding program,” Dr. Stoughton said. “It really helped me nail the diagnosis.”

The software features a catalog of thousands of detailed photographs and symptoms that can be searched using laymen and medical terminology. Once a diagnosis is selected, the program alerts the physician of any underlying medical conditions or complications that also should be assessed.

“It’s the most comprehensive atlas of pathologies available,” Dr. Stoughton said.

The license to the software was purchased as part of Luther Midelfort’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of its care, said Dr. Terrance Borman, medical director.

“It’s one more step of giving our patients the right care at the right time,” he said.

In Dr. Stoughton’s case, his patient was able to be treated immediately in her hometown, as opposed to waiting on a diagnosis or being sent to a specialist in a larger city.

“She was treated according to the program guidelines, and her condition improved significantly,” he said.

Physicians throughout the Luther Midelfort system hospitals and clinics can access the program through a “medical resources” link from any office or exam room computer.

# # #

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.

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