Cardiovascular, stroke, osteoporosis screenings offered
Did you know that every 53 seconds someone in America has a stroke? Help yourself prevent one with regular screenings. Orange City Area Health System will be holding Cardiovascular/Stroke/Osteoporosis screenings on Thursday, May 10, from 1-4pm in the Radiology department at the health system’s main campus at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. The screenings include: Carotid Artery/Stroke (15 minutes, no preparation required, $40); Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (10 minutes, fast for 6 hours prior, best attire is two pieces, $40); Ankle Brachial Index (10 minutes, wear short sleeves and socks, $40); Osteoporosis (10 minutes, wear removable socks/stockings, $20). All four tests for $100. Checks and cash accepted (no credit/debit cards please). Pre-registration required by calling 737-5241.
Brings accreditation in neonatal care to OCAHS
Marty Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS), announced the hiring of Kara DeGroot, who will join the health system’s family practice team this summer. DeGroot will serve patients in the Orange City and Hospers medical clinics as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). The addition of DeGroot brings the health system’s family practice medical team to 11 physicians and five mid-level providers. DeGroot has eight years of nursing experience in a variety of positions, including supervising the neonatal intensive care unit at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. She is currently studying for her advanced practice credentials at South Dakota State University. As an ARNP, DeGroot’s scope of practice will include patient physicals, diagnoses, and ordering tests, prescriptions, and treatments of care. She holds certification as a S.T.A.B.L.E. Neonatal pre-transport care lead instructor, and will bring that skill and experience to OCAHS’s obstetrics team as well. DeGroot and her husband and children currently live in Sioux Center. She attended Northwestern College and received her B.A. in Nursing from Augustana College.
Orange City Area Health System staff, Board members, fundraising team members, and Orange City officials and residents joined in breaking ground for the area’s newest senior care facility on Tuesday, April 10, at the site located on the north edge of Orange City adjacent to Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community. The name for the new $18.5 million home for seniors — which is part of the health system — was also unveiled. People from throughout the area were encouraged to submit name suggestions, and the final name was chosen from among 94 entries. Two Orange City Area Health System employees — Kathy Van Marel and Gail Van Grouw — submitted the name Prairie Ridge Care Center. Construction is underway, with an expected completion of the facility — featuring 83 all-private rooms in a village atmosphere — in the latter part of 2013. For more information about Prairie Ridge Care Center visit the health system’s web site at ocHealthSystem.org.
The Auxiliary of Orange City Area Health System will hold its popular annual Spring Plant Sale on Thursday, May 3, from 7am to 1pm in the front lobby of the main campus, 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. There will be a large selection of bedding plants, assorted flower planters, and hanging baskets for sale. Proceeds from plant sales go toward the purchase of medical equipment and other things that directly benefit health system patients and families.