GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP OFFERED

Orange City Home Health & Hospice is offering a Grief Support Group five consecutive Monday afternoons from February 25 – March 25 from 12:30 to 2:30pm in the lower level conference room of the health system’s downtown campus at 400 Central Avenue NW in Orange City. 
Bereavement support groups offer a safe place and supportive environment for those who are grieving a recent death, to talk about their feelings of loss. The five-week program provides directed group support within an educational format.. There is no cost to attend the Grief Support Group, but donations are accepted and appreciated. Pre- registration is required. Call Orange City Home Health & Hospice at 712-737-5279.

Adds new physician, extended clinic hours

Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) announced the hiring of Michael A. Jurgens, MD, who will join their family practice physician team in February. Dr. Jurgens will see patients in the health system’s Orange City Medical Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, including a new extended care clinic with same-day appointments available until 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dr. Jurgens comes to OCAHS from Sergeant Bluff Family Medicine Clinic, where he has served since 2008. Prior to that he was a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Iowa, and a Clinical Instructor of Family Medicine in the Department of Family Practice at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Jurgens received his M.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. “We look forward to someone of Dr. Jurgens character and skill joining OCAHS and offering some extended hours to serve our patients,” reports Marty Guthmiller, health system CEO. According to Steve Walhof, OCAHS Clinic Director, “We recognize the need for additional primary care physicians and are trying to meet the demand for scheduling by adding additional appointments and hours.” Orange City Area Health System is a comprehensive health system including three family practice clinics, a sports medicine clinic, physical and aquatic therapy, a critical access hospital, OB, radiology, and surgical services, home health and hospice, two nursing homes, and a senior living facility. More information about OCAHS and its family practice team of 16 providers can be found at ocHealthSystem.org.

Shocking incidence of youth and pornography will be discussed at January 23 event in Orange City

“The shocking incidence and increase in youth and pornography” is the topic of the third session in the Circle of Support series. This session, facilitated by Aaron Baart, Dordt College Dean of Chapel, will be held on Wednesday, January 23, from 6:30-8pm at the Prairie Winds Event Center in Orange City. According to Baart, the statistics regarding youth pornography are alarming: the average age which a child first sees pornography is age 11; one out of every three porn viewers are females, most under the age of 24; and internet porn is a 2.84 billion dollar industry annually in the U.S. The public — especially parents, teachers, and anyone involved with teens or pre-teens — is invited to attend this free session. No pre-registration is required. Light refreshments will be served, hosted by ATLAS of Orange City. Circle of Support is a collaborative series of free sessions sponsored by the MOCHA Kiwanis Club, Orange City Area Health System, Community Health Partners, and Creative Living Center. The sessions revolve around the critical cultural issues impacting our youth today, offering strategies and resources for adults invested in teens and pre-teens, presented by experts, and offering time for questions and conversations. For more information contact Barb Den Herder, Orange City Area Health System Education Coordinator, at 712-737-5260.

First baby of 2013 born January 2

Tonia and Steve Westra of Hull are the proud parents of Orange City Area Health System’s New Year Baby. Grayden Lee was born on January 2, making him the first baby born at the hospital in 2013. He was welcomed with lots of fun gifts from Orange City merchants, and was welcomed home by siblings Marissa, Carter, and Whitney. In 2012, nearly 220 babies were born at Orange City Area Health System. Among the most popular baby names last year were Emma for girls, and a tie between Carter, Logan, and Ryker for boys.