María Valdez, el Enlace Comunitario en Crawford County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), describe la entrevista entre Jill Melby y Sara Gaul, una especialista certificada en diabetes, en donde conversan sobre el Programa de Control de la Diabetes del hospital.

El condado de Crawford tiene una incidencia de diabetes más alta que los promedios nacionales y estatales, afectando aproximadamente al 21% de los adultos en el condado de Crawford. CCMH ofrece un programa formal y acreditado para la educación y el manejo de la diabetes para apoyar a los pacientes en cualquier punto de su camino. Escuchen para aprender mas sobre el programa y compartan la información con familiares y amigos!

This special episode of the "Here's to Your Health" podcast celebrates Nurse Practitioner Week.

Join host Jill Melby as she highlights that nursing is more than a profession—it's "a calling to care, to comfort, and to lift others up on hard days."

The episode features interviews with several Nurse Practitioners, including:

• Julie Graeve: Shares her experience, including being inspired by her mother, who went to nursing school while Julie was a toddler. She also had early exposure to healthcare as a test patient with her parents' involvement on the Dunlap Fire and Rescue team.
• Cyilee Martin: Discusses her initial interest in anatomy and physiology. She was drawn to the caring aspect through her experience as a lifeguard and her desire to take care of people, including her family members.
• Samantha Pauley: Was inspired by her grandmother, who was a surgery nurse here at CCMH.

We thank all the Nurse Practitioners at Crawford County Memorial Hospital for bringing advanced expertise, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to their patients every single day."

Join host Jill Melby on the "Here's to Your Health" podcast as she talks with Sarah Gaul, CCMH's Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), during Diabetes Awareness Month.

This episode focuses on the critical need for and structure of the CCMH Diabetes Management Program.

Discussion points of the podcase include:

• Local Impact: Learn why the incidence of diabetes in Crawford County (at about 21% of adults) is significantly higher than the state and national averages.
• Early Detection is Key: Sarah explains how early detection and management drastically reduce the risk of severe, long-term complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.
• The Care Plan: Understand the program's approach, which combines lifestyle management and medication management, focusing on seven key areas of self-care:
  • Healthy coping
  • Being active
  • Taking medications
  • Healthy eating
  • Monitoring (blood glucose testing)
  • Reducing risks
  • Preventing complications long-term
• Accessing Care: Find out how anyone with a diabetes diagnosis can be seen by the CDCES, which requires a physician or provider order for education.

Tune in to understand how the accredited CCMH program is helping our community manage diabetes and live well.

Learn more about our Diabetes Management program at www.ccmhia.com/medical-services/nutrition-and-diabetes-education/

Join us on the "Here's to Your Health" podcast as host Jill Melby sits down with Kellie Gee, RN and Program Director of Senior Life Solutions, to discuss this vital new mental health service for older adults in our rural community.

The Senior Life Solution program, which started on October 6th at CCMH, addresses the significant need for older adult mental health care, where there is often a lack of mental health professionals. Learn about the negative impacts of a strong stigma against mental health support and the belief that depression and anxiety are normal parts of aging—and why they are not.

Kellie details the program's structure, including:

• Group Therapy: Small, intimate groups of 7–10 people provide a confidential setting where you can connect with peers who understand what you’re going through.
• Individual and Family Therapy: One-on-one sessions and family sessions are available to provide targeted support.
• Medication Management: A dedicated psychiatrist will manage and oversee any necessary medications.
• Education and Aftercare Planning: The program teaches therapeutic interventions and helps patients plan for their continued well-being after graduating from the program.

If you know a senior who may benefit from this service, tune in to find out how they can be referred to the program.

Upcoming Open House

Mark your calendars: Senior Life Solutions is hosting an Open House on November 13th! Join us to learn more about the program.

En este podcast, Maria, el enlace comunitario de Crawford County Memorial Hospital, se sienta con el Doctor Juan Santamaria para platicar sobre el cancer de mama ya que Octubre es el mes de concientizacion de cancer de mama. Doctor Santamaria, quien es de Panama, es un sirugano oncologo que trabaja fuera de la area de Omaha con el Centro de medicina de Nebraska y el centro de buffett cancer donde su practica es la sirugia e investigacion sobre el cancer de mama. Doctor Santamaria nos cuenta: Qué es el cáncer de mama, si solo a las mujeres les da cancer de mama, y si hay maneras de prevenir el cancer de mama. No se les olvide programar su mamografía este mes si aún no lo han hecho. Nuestro departamento de radiología en Crawford County Memorial Hospital está regalando bolsas de regalo a quienes se hagan una mamografía durante el mes de octubre.

We are celebrating National Physical Therapy Month this October with our guest Kelly Wieman, Director of Rehabilitation Services at CCMH. Kelly is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and treats patients in women's health, pediatrics, and vertigo.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy helps people achieve their "best version of themselves" by improving function, strength, balance, and movement. Physical therapy helps individuals regain or improve their function, leading to a better quality of life both at home and at work.

The New CCMH Rehab Facility

CCMH recently opened its expanded, 9,800-square-foot rehabilitation department. The facility houses physical, occupational, speech, and cardiopulmonary rehab services. Key features include:

• A large gym with functional equipment.
• Multiple private treatment rooms.
• A dedicated pediatric gym is nearing completion.

How to Get Started

To begin physical therapy, patients generally need a physician's referral because of insurance requirements. Patients should talk to their primary care provider or specialist. Following a referral, an initial evaluation is scheduled with a physical therapist to create an individualized treatment plan.

This episode of Here's to Your Health focuses on the critical topic of breast cancer screenings and early detection, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Host Jill Melby is joined by Katie Tremel, Director of Radiology at Crawford County Memorial Hospital.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 49. The easiest things a woman can do are a monthly breast exam and an annual mammogram—you do it not just for yourself, but for your family as well.

Jill Melby was recently appointed as the Director of Marketing and Foundation for CCMH and the Hospital Foundation. Melby has a significant amount of education and experience in both marketing and fundraising. Originally from Dunlap, Jill comes to CCMH to lead the department in new endeavors like social media, video, and program promotion. Her first project is “The 1.8 Walk” for breast cancer awareness. The 1.8 refers to the one in 8 women who annually receive a breast cancer diagnosis. To participate in this program, and to see the other events at CCMH, visit our website!

The Homeward Healing program at CCMH, also known as Swing Bed, recently received a testimonial about its value from Carmen Swertzic, a former CCMH employee and Swing Bed patient. Along with describing the circumstances which brought her to CCMH for a Swing Bed stay, Swertzic also talks about the quality of care during her stay.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a relatively common condition that afflicts peopl with a history of smoking, or repeated respiratory diseases like pneumonia. Patrick Stevens, Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehab at CCMH, discusses a new program to help patients with COPD to engage in greater self care. In addition, the program helps keep patients our of the emergency department and reduces the need for repeat appointments with healthcare providers. To gain more information, or to self-refer for the program, contact Patrick Stevens at 712-265-2667.