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Health System Creates Over $30 Million Impact on Local Economy

Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) generates nearly 800 jobs that add over $30 million to Orange City, Alton, and the region’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). In addition, OCAHS employees by themselves spend over $8 million on retail sales and contribute over one-half million dollars in state sales tax revenue.

“We take our role as a leading employer in our region very seriously,” says Martin W. Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System. “In fact, our strategic plan calls for active engagement in the communities we serve through various ways. Providing a stable employment base supporting the local economy is but one of those roles.”

“Indeed, Orange City Area Health System has a significant economic impact on Orange City and the surrounding communities,” reports Les Douma, Orange City Mayor. “Not only is the local economy furthered in huge proportions by the nearly 800 jobs, but OCAHS also partners with the City of Orange City in encouraging new retail and industrial recruitment to the region, fosters a supportive role in crafting a vision for the future of the City, and provides leadership in achieving the vision. In addition, the exceptional quality of services provided by OCAHS enhances the quality of life within the region and is one more reason that Orange City is a special place to live.”

The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales, and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state’s health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 74,027 people and create another 73,953 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $3.65 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.5 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

IHA data show Iowa hospitals added 4,611 employees and more than $747 million to their payrolls (including benefits) between 2004 and 2008, the year for which the latest hospital data is available.

In all, Iowa’s health care sector, which includes employed clinicians, long-term care services and assisted living centers, pharmacies and other medical and health services, directly and indirectly provides 354,907 Iowa jobs, or more than one-fifth of the state’s total employment.

“Iowa enjoys the economic security that comes with having one of the finest health care systems in the nation,” said Kirk Norris, IHA president/CEO. “Iowa hospitals are at the foundation of Iowa’s economy and remain major employers and business partners in all parts of the state. Just as no one provides the services and community benefits found at our hospitals, there is also no substitute for the jobs hospitals provide and create.”

The Orange City Home Health & Hospice staff invites the public to its fourth annual Hospice Memorial Service on Sunday, March 21, at 2pm at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church at 1405 Albany Ave. NE in Orange City. This service brings together bereaved families, friends, Hospice staff and volunteers to remember those who died under Hospice care from April 2009 through March 2010. Hubert Schuller, Hospice volunteer, will be delivering a message entitled “You are never alone.” There will be a candle lighting ceremony and special music, as well as a slide show of pictures of those who have passed away. Home Health & Hospice asks for RSVP by calling their offices at 737-5279.

The Auxiliary of the Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) invites the public to its 17th Annual “Spring Fling” on Thursday, March 18, in the lower level of the health system’s downtown campus at 400 Central Avenue in Orange City. A salad luncheon begins at 11:30am, followed by a fun and educational program at 12noon. This year’s program features OCAHS family physician Marie Moeller, MD, who will speak on the benefits of herbal therapy, and Ground Effects Garden Center, who will do a landscaping presentation. Admission is $6 per person, with all proceeds benefitting health system patients and families.

You asked. We listened.
Orange City Area Health System hosting monthly Diabetes Support Group!
What: “Sweet Talk” diabetes support group for people with diabetes, and their families. Support each other, learn from one another, and share a cup of coffee and light snack.
Where: OCAHS main campus lower level meeting rooms.
When: Tuesday from 7-8pm — February 23, March 23, April 27

Orange City Area Health System is offering wellness screenings in each of its three Family Practice Clinics at the following dates and times. The test includes cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL, risk ratio, and glucose. Patients must fast 10-12 hours prior to the test. Cost is $25 per person. No appointment is necessary. Visit ochealthsystem.org to sign up for email news updates or to join the health system’s Facebook page.

Hospers Medical Clinic: March 2, 7-8:30am

Mill Creek Family Practice, Paullina: March 4, 8-9:30am

Orange City Medical Clinic: March 4 and 5, 6-8am

The Heart Health Extravaganza sponsored by Orange City Area Health System and Mercy Heart Center, scheduled for Monday, February 22, has been postponed due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts. Watch for announcements regarding re-scheduling of this and other healthcare events this spring. To be kept abreast of health system news and events, join the Orange City Area Health System Facebook page, and also sign up for email newsletters on the web site at ochealthsystem.org.

Orange City Home Health & Hospice is offering a Grief Support Group five consecutive Monday evenings from February 22 through March 22. Please note that the time for the meetings has been changed to 12:30pm, ending at 2:30pm. The support group will meet in the lower level meeting rooms of the health system’s downtown campus at 400 Central Avenue NW in Orange City. Pre-registration is required. Call Orange City Home Health & Hospice at 712-737-5279.

Free event features cardiothoracic surgeon, education, heart-healthy refreshments, screenings.

Orange City Area Health System is hosting a Heart Health Extravaganza on Monday evening, February 22, in the lobby and specialty clinic area of the health system’s main campus at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. This free event features a presentation by Dr. Richard Gitter, Mercy Medical cardiothoracic surgeon and outreach physician at Orange City Area Health System. Dr. Gitter will discuss how vascular problems can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, heart disease or leg pain. He will also talk about advances made in screenings and procedures, including an update on heart surgery techniques. Doors open at 6pm, with heart-healthy refreshments and the opportunity to visit a number of interactive displays including blood pressure screenings, basic CPR instruction, Northwest Iowa Diagnostics stroke screening information, and cardiac rehab. Dr. Gitter’s presentation will begin at approximately 6:30, followed by a question and answer session with him and the opportunity to visit the displays until 8pm. This fun and informative event is part of Orange City Area Health System’s recognition of February as American Heart Month. Pre-registration for this event is required by calling the Education Department at 712.737.5260 by Thursday, February 18.

ochealthsystem.org

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