Here's To Your Health - CCMH Denison

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is more commonly referred to as COPD. Patrick Stevens, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services at CCMH, discusses the causes of COPD, how it is diagnosed, and treatment options for COPD. To learn more, contact Patrick at CCMH by calling 712-265-2500.

SHIIP stands for Senior Health Insurance Information Program. It is a government program funded by grants to assist those on Medicare with questions and challenges related to Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), and Medicare Supplement Insurance. Connie Riesselman is the volunteer counselor for the SHIIP program at CCMH. She provides the c...

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further...

As we move into the late fall and winter months, controlling infections is an important consideration. Not only can these infections include things like staph and strep, we're also talking about influenza and COVID. Heather Rasmussen, Executive Director of Care Integration at CCMH, discusses how infections occur, how they spread, and what we can do to break the chain of transmission.

Emergency Nurses Week is a time to recognize the important role nurses play in emergency and trauma situations. Jason Franklin, Director of Emergency Services at CCMH, discusses the specialized training emergency room nurses receive, the challenges they face, and the personal satisfaction they receive for a job well done.

Healthy aging can be a challenge as we get older. Jill Kierscht, ARNP, MSN, and a gerontologist at CCMH, discusses what each of us can do to stay healthy and age gracefully.

September 13-19 is National Healthcare Environmental Services Week. Crawford County Memorial Hospital is committed to providing a clean and safe environment for patients, families, visitors, and staff. Nakeya Cano, Environmental Services Coordinator at CCMH, discusses the processes and procedures used to keep the hospital and clinic clean and sanitary. She also talks about the UV light techology u...

September is National Food Safety Month. Listeria and salmonella, among a number of foodborne bacteria, cause thousands of cases of food poisoning each year. Brooke Tasler, CCMH Director of Dietary Services, discusses the basics of food safety, and how to make sure you limit your exposure to any foodborne illnesses.

Crawford County Memorial Hospital is holding its quarterly Community Wellness Event on Wednesday and Thursday, September 15 and 16, from 6 am to 8 am, in Conference Rooms C & D at CCMH. The basic wellness screening is $40. Additional tests are available for thyroid function and prostate function for an additional fee. A free sleep study consultation is also available. These are fasting screenings...

Opioid awareness, especially as it relates to misuse and overdoses of the drug, continues to be in the news. Ed Cutler, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with Crawford County Memorial Hospital, defines what opioids are, the uses of these drugs to control pain, and how new techniques in anesthesia are limiting the need for opioids for surgery patients. If you or someone you know is dependent o...

Heather Rasmussen, Executive Director of Care Integration and Infection Prevention at CCMH, discusses frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19, the new Delta variant, and the importance of vaccinations.

About 2 percent of all children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and boys are 4 times more likely than girls to be identfied with autism. Kris Steinmetz, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Iowa , and Tyler Leech, Board Member of the Autism Society, and diagnosed with autism, discuss the disorder and the opportunity to life full lives for those who are diagn...

Summertime is a fun time - lots of outdoor activities including camping, boating, biking and more. Nevertheless, fun time can turn tragic if safety is ignored. Mike Schrum, Captain with the Denison Volunteer Fire Department, discusses simple measure we can take to keep ourselves safe when outdoors in the summer.

Blood donations are needed year round but they are vital in the summertime due to injuries received in outdoor activities. Micah Riffey, supervisor with LifeServe Blood Centers, discusses the current need for blood donations/

HAZMAT (hazardous materials) can be obvious, and sometimes, not so obvious. All can agree that spills of diesel fuel or anhydrous ammonia can be hazardous. But what about bleach or milk? Don Gross and Ryan Campbell, both with the Durham, NC Fire Department, and employed by Federal Resources, travel around the U.S. providing hazardous materials training to front line staff for fire departments, law...

Grief is an emotion all of us experience at some point in our lives. Whether its the loss of a loved one, loss of a job or home, or a loss of another sort, grieving is a normal part of the process of living. Emilee Lakner, Hospice Social Worker with Crawford County Home Health, Hospice, and Public Health, discusses grief, how the greiving process effects us, whether children grieve, and local reso...

Headaches and migraines can be a seriously debilitating condition. Knowing the symptoms and triggers for the onset of migraines is an important step in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. Ed Cutler, CRNA, DNP, and Director of Anesthesia Services at CCMH, discusses migraines, their causes, and potential treatments.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Over the past several years, the value of mental health counseling and other services has come more fully into the American conversation. What is the past has been stigmatized and shunned is now being openly discussed both within families and among lawmakers. As people become more aware of mental health - what it is and how it is treated - those suffering from...

Erin Muck, President and CEO of Crawford County Memorial Hospital, discusses the annual National Hospital Week observance. She also notes that CCMH is observing its 70th Anniversary as a healthcare provider, and its 10th Anniversary in its new facility in Denison.

May 6 - May 12 is National Nurses Week. Doug Hollander, the VP of Clinical Services at CCMH discusses what nurses do, why the nursing shortage exists, and what to do if you would like to pursue a nursing career.

Childhood immunizations are important for the overall health of kids. Getting off to a healthy start leads to more productive and happy human beings. Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Ranniger discusses the importance of childhood immunizations, and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about vaccinations.

Distracted driving is becoming a serious problem in cities and counties across the United States. In Iowa, cases of distracted driving are on the increase. Recent Iowa law says a driver using a cellphone, and causing the death of another person, has shown evidence of reckless driving and could face a felony conviction that includes up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Jason Frankl...

Organ donation is an opportunity to share life with up to 30 different people. What is organ donation? What holds us back from becoming an organ donor? Madeline Knoff, Outreach Coordinator for the Iowa Donor Network, answers these questions and more. For more information about organ and tissue donation, and to find out how to become an organ donor, contact the Iowa Donor Network

Occupational therapy is not physical therapy - a common misperception. Occupational therapy is focused on the small motors skills needed to complete the daily activities of living like buttoning a shirt, or eating breakfast. Lisa Weber, OER/L, a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist at CCMH, gives a good description of occupational therapy and how it can help improve the quality of life f...