HEALTH SYSTEM TO HOST VIDEOCONFERENCE ON END-OF-LIFE ETHICS
Orange City Area Health System is hosting a Living with Grief videoconference titled “End-of-Life Ethics” by the Hospice Foundation of America on Wednesday, May 2, from 1-4pm at the health system main campus, lower level conference room, at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. This program, moderated by Lynn Sherr, former ABC News’ 20/20 correspondent, will examine – using a case study approach – the ethical issues and dilemmas that emerge at the end of life, the principles of ethical decision-making, and the effects of these decisions on staff and families. There is no cost to attend, and low-cost Continuing Education credits are available. Light refreshments will be served. To pre-register by Monday April 30 or for more information call the Orange City Area Health System Education Department at 712-737-5260 or on-line at ocHealthSystem.org.
Purse-n-ality purse and accessories sale raises money for health system patients
The Auxiliary of Orange City Area Health System will host its popular Purse-n-ality Purse and Accessories Sale on Thursday, April 26, from 8am to 5pm in the health system’s main campus front lobby, located at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. A portion of the proceeds directly benefit patients and families served by OCAHS.
“Camp Hope” hosted by Orange City Home Health & Hospice
Orange City Home Health & Hospice will host a day camp for grieving children on Saturday April 28 from 10am-4pm at the Orange City Area Health System downtown campus located at 400 Central Ave NW in Orange City. Camp Hope is designed to help educate grieving children about the grief process and how to cope with their grief. Hospice professionals and trained volunteers work with the children as a group while also focusing on their individual needs. According to Michele Vaas of Home Health & Hospice, “Our mission is to provide a safe place where children have the opportunity to share their feelings and experiences with other children who have also experienced death, and to equip parents and caregivers with education and support.” Camp Hope activities include games, a puppet show, crafts, and decorating a memory box. Following a parent and caregivers meeting from 2:30-3:30pm, they will join the children for snacks and a balloon release. Pre-registration is required by April 20 by calling 712-737-5279
Chosen name to be unveiled at groundbreaking April 10
Orange City Area Health System announced today a Naming Contest for its new Senior Living Facility. Name suggestions are being sought by April 2, and the chosen name will be announced at Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new facility at 10am on April 10, at the site location on the north edge of Orange City, adjacent to the health system’s Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community. The new senior care facility, which will be a replacement for Orange City’s two existing nursing homes and will feature a “village” atmosphere, all private rooms, and many “livable” amenities, has a total price tag of $18.5 million. Construction is expected to begin in April, with the facility opening in later 2013. Name suggestions can be emailed by April 2 to Char Ten Clay, OCAHS Director of Senior Care Services, at tenclayc@localhost, or mailed to her at Orange City Area Health System, 1000 Lincoln Circle SE, Orange City IA 51041. Please include your name and phone number.
Natural family planning options for those trying to conceive or unsatisfied with current birth control method
Harrison Hanson, MD, one of Orange City Area Health System’s family practice physicians, will be presenting a Fertility Care Seminar on Monday, April 30, from 7-8pm at the health system’s main campus, lower level meeting rooms, at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. Dr. Hanson offers patients – of any reproductive age – the option of the Creighton Model Fertility Care System and NaPro TECHNOLOGY – a scientifically based program offering a high degree of effectiveness to achieve or avoid pregnancy. Light refreshments will be served, and childcare is available upon request. Pre-registration is required by April 26 by calling the Orange City Area Health System Education Department at 712-737-5260, or online at ocHealthSystem.org.
In an effort to make our roads safer, Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) announced today that they have joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All” campaign to stop distracted driving. OCAHS has pledged their support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but everyone else on the road.
This effort is in tandem with the county-wide “Put It Down” Campaign conducted by Community Health Partners of Sioux County, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol, which includes public education through displays, public service announcements, and school presentations.
OCAHS staff and visitors will be reminded to “turn your phone off when you start your car” via on-site posters, signage, newsletters, and other communication methods about the dangers of cell phone use and other distractions while driving. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 people were killed and a half million more were injured in distracted driving crashes. That same year, 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving. While anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.
The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education – the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat belt use.
Orange City Area Health System’s goal with this campaign is simple – save lives by getting drivers to remember that “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.” For more information about distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov.
Giving green, wearing green, planting green …
Many people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. But Orange City Area Health System employees are taking “green” to the next level on Friday, March 16. They are celebrating the many “green” environmental initiatives that have been and are being accomplished throughout the health system, and also raising money to plant a memorial tree at the site of the new senior care facility.
A sea of blue jeans and green garments will be seen at each of the health system’s facilities the day before St. Pat’s, as employees and volunteers donate green to be able to dress down that day. In addition, there will be displays hosted by Orange City Area Health System’s “Green Team” showing the health system’s various environmental projects, offering handouts reminding staff about on-site recycling, providing opportunity to offer additional “green” ideas, and treating staff to shamrock cookies.
“The displays will show employees and visitors the kinds of things our Green Team has done to care for the environment, as we care for our patients,” explained Dan McCarty, COO. “We also want to remind everyone that they can do their part. For instance, when doing spring cleaning employees are encouraged to bring in their batteries, shoes, and cell phones for recycling.”
Following the great green day, a tree will be purchased as a memorial and planted at the new senior care facility currently under construction on the north edge of Orange City.
Orange City Home Health and Hospice is hosting its sixth annual Hospice Memorial Service on Sunday, April 15, at 2:00pm at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church located at 1405 Albany Ave NE in Orange City. The memorial service is a time for bereaved families, friends, Hospice staff, and volunteers to come together to remember those who have died under Hospice care from March 2011 to March 2012. Mary Block, Hospice Chaplain, will be delivering a message of hope and comfort. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting the Home Health & Hospice office at 737-5279.