Prevea, Hospitals Launch Mobile 3-D Mammography Unit

Now taking appointments in communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin

Green Bay – Prevea Health and Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) – Eastern Wisconsin Division are pleased to announce the launch of a 3-D and digital, mobile mammography unit to provide residents in rural areas greater access to breast health screenings.

The mobile mammography unit is now traveling on a regular basis to Prevea Health centers in Kewaunee, Luxemburg, Manitowoc, Shawano, Pulaski, Seymour, Oconto, Marinette, Gillett, Mountain and Lena – with additional locations to be added in the future. Appointments can be made now by calling (888) 277-3832.

“High-quality health care, especially preventive health services and screenings should never be difficult for anyone to find,” said Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO of Prevea Health. “It should be readily available and close to home when you need it – and that is why we’re here. This is state-of-the-art technology on wheels that, with just some gas in the tank, can provide life-saving care to communities all across Northeast Wisconsin.”

The mobile mammography unit is equipped with mammography technology that has the capability to provide 3-D and/or digital images. It also features two changing rooms and a waiting room, and is staffed by a registered mammography technologist.

“Mammograms provide us an X-ray image of the breast, which can help us detect any tumors or other abnormalities,” said Brittany Demeuse, certified mammographer at Prevea Health who cares for patients in the mobile mammography unit. “They play a key role in the detection of breast cancer, a disease in which an estimated 266,120 women have already been diagnosed with this year alone, according to the National Cancer Institute. If we can catch cancer early with a mammogram, it is likely more treatable. Mammograms can even help us detect some forms of cancer before they develop.”

All women should talk with their health care provider about the appropriate timing for screening mammograms, especially women who are age 40 or at high-risk. A schedule will be based upon an individual’s health. At age 40, any woman may wish to begin regular screening mammograms. By age 45, women should have a screening mammogram and continue to have one at least every other year.

The mobile mammography unit was purchased with funds that were donated by private donors to HSHS St. Vincent/St. Mary’s Foundation – the philanthropic, charitable arm of HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay. HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center are part of HSHS – Eastern Wisconsin Division, which also includes HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

“As a not-for-profit health care system, we rely on donations to help us enhance the care that we provide – whether it be through the addition of new services or the purchase of new technology and equipment, such as the mobile mammography unit,” said Therese Pandl, President and CEO of HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division. “We are immensely grateful to the donors who made the purchase of this unit possible and are honored to partner with Prevea to deploy it into communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin.”

To learn more about the mobile mammography unit, visit: www.prevea.com/mammo

Oconto Falls Students Receive WSMA Exemplary Awards

(Row 1 – L to R) Alex Kamke, Camden Jackson, Hunter Ryczek, Hunter Schaden, Aidan Spillane (Row 2 – L to R) Keith VanDornick, Connor Romandine, Colter McCormick, Ethan Winkler, and Gustav Frisack

The Wisconsin School Music Association announced in May, 2018 that the Oconto Falls High School Ensemble CHORALE has earned the WSMA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARD. The men, representing grades 9-12, sang the three-part (TTB) selection BALLGAME by Albert Von Tilzer, a song based on the popular tune Take Me Out To the Ballgame. This ensemble earned a State First and a perfect score at the UW-Green Bay State Festival, as well as earned a State First on their 4-part (TTBB) performance of Fergus ‘N Molly by Vijah Singh.
“I am so proud of these amazing student musicians!  They absolutely love to perform and share their enthusiasm for singing everywhere they go!”, commented OFHS Choral Director, Amy Thiel.
This is the first year that the WSMA has included ensembles to be eligible for the honor as top exceptional performances at the WSMA State Solo and Ensemble Festival.

 

Garrett Wons, son of Bill and Suzie Wons, was recently the recipient of the WSMA Exemplary Soloist Award at the UW-Green Bay State Solo and Ensemble Festival.  Garrett plays alto saxophone and is a junior at Oconto Falls High School.
This is the second year in a row that he has been selected as an exemplary soloist!  He is a member of the Oconto Falls High School Band and will be performing with Wisconsin’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour Band this summer.

Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr Now Seeing Patients in Gillett

Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health are pleased to announce that Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr, a board-certified family medicine physician, is now seeing patients at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Gillett Health Center, located at 340 N. Green Bay Ave. in Gillett.

Dr. Goedtel Birr also continues to see patients at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, located at 835 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls.

Dr. Goedtel Birr specializes in the following:

• Routine care for children, adults and elderly
• Preventive medicine and health maintenance
• Osteopathic medicine and manipulative treatment
• Women’s care
• Pregnancy care up to 28 weeks
• Dermatology
• Minor skin procedures
• Minor psychiatric illness

Dr. Goedtel Birr, originally from Lena, Wis., completed medical school at Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and residency at Fox Valley Family Medicine Residency in Appleton.

“My approach to providing quality patient care includes getting to know the patient and involving them in choosing a treatment plan that works best for them,” said Dr. Goedtel Birr. “I believe we must agree on a course of action that is simple and cost-effective, yet complex enough to accomplish all our goals.”

Appointments with Dr. Goedtel Birr in Gillett can be made by calling (920) 855-2823, and appointments in Oconto Falls can be made by calling (920) 846-8187.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke Be Fast
“BE FAST” in recognizing signs, symptoms of stroke

Stroke, a disease that affects arteries leading to and within the brain, is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. A stroke can happen to anyone at any age – men and women of all ages and races.

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls encourages everyone to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of stroke, as early recognition and treatment of stroke are crucial to preventing disability and death. Signs and symptoms of stroke can include: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance; and sudden severe headache without a known reason.

An easier way to remember stroke signs and symptoms is to think of the phrase/acronym, BE FAST:

B – Balance difficulty
E – Eye changes

F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech slurred
T – Time to call 911

There are numerous risk factors for stroke including age, genetics, gender and race, which cannot be controlled. However, there are several factors that increase the risk the stroke and can be controlled, including:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Alcohol consumption and illegal drug use
  • Stress
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Inactivity
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Abnormal cholesterol

The stroke team at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital provides rapid access to stroke care with specialty expertise and written care protocols to provide individualized attention for patients. Click here to learn more.

Oconto Falls High School Musicians Excel at State Solo and Ensemble Festival

The Oconto Falls High School Choir and Band students recently participated in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival held at UW-Green Bay on May 5, 2018. 32 events received State Firsts and 7 events received State Seconds.

OFHS student musicians also received the honor of being selected as WSMA Exemplary Performers, recognizing them as one of the top exceptional performances in the entire State Festival! Congratulations to Chorale TTBB Ensemble members Gustav Frisack, Keith VanDornick, Camden Jackson, Alex Kamke, Colter McCormick, Connor Romandine, Hunter Ryczek, Aidan Spillane, Hunter Schaden and Ethan Winkler for their performance of BALLGAME and to Garrett Wons for this Alto Saxophone solo.

Congratulations to all of these fine musicians! Results were as follows:

STATE – FIRST
Hailey Ferfecki, vocal solo
Lyndsey Luebke, vocal solo
Laken Wall, vocal solo
Autumn Canavera, vocal solo
Mackenzie Staidl, vocal solo
Cedar Olson, vocal solo
Charis Wirtley, vocal solo
Camden Jackson, vocal solo
Alex Kamke, vocal solo
Keith VanDornick, vocal solo
Ethan Winkler, vocal solo
Gustav Frisack, vocal solo
Garrett Wons, alto saxophone solo – WSMA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARD
Mackenzie Staidl, musical theater solo
Charis Wirtley, musical theater solo
Aliza Dickinson, musical theater solo
Camden Jackson, musical theater solo
Alex Kamke, musical theater solo
Autumn Canavera & Isabella Rennie, vocal duet
Charis Wirtley & Mackenzie Staidl, vocal duet
Andrea Waschbisch-Spang & Hailey Ferfecki, vocal duet
Camden Jackson & Ethan Winkler, vocal duet
Andrea Waschbisch-Spang & Camden Jackson, vocal duet
Delani Romback, Garrett Wons, saxophone duet
Natalie Olson, Delani Romback, Garrett Wons, saxophone trio

Chorale TTB Miscellaneous Vocal Ensemble: Gustav Frisack, Keith VanDornick, Camden Jackson, Alex Kamke, Colter McCormick, Connor Romandine, Hunter Ryczek, Aidan Spillane, Hunter Schaden, and Ethan Winkler – WSMA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARD

SSATB Madrigal – Hunter Ryczek, Hailey Ferfecki, Andrea Waschbisch-Spang, Lyndsey Luebke, Haley Schwantes, Megan Zielinski, Cedar Olson, Isabella Rennie, Mackenzie Staidl, Charis Wirtley, Keith VanDornick, Alex Kamke, Connor Romandine, Ethan Winkler, Gustav Frisack, Camden Jackson, and Aidan Spillane

Cantabile SSA Madrigal: Lindsey Schuster, Emma Bliskey,Autumn Canavera, Madeline Dorn, Diomaris Ortiz, Hope Hujet,Caitrin Lonzo, Cedar Olson, Lydia Romback, Lauryn Slade, and Trinady Vorpahl

Chamber Singers SSA Miscellaneous Vocal Ensemble: Aliza Dickinson, Erin Effenberger, Hailey Ferfecki, Faith Hujet, Flor Martinez-Mora, Amber Proctor, Lydia Murphy-Hendricks, Mackenzie Staidl, Andrea Waschbisch-Spang, and Laken Wall

Cantabile SSA Miscellaneous Ensemble: Isabella Rennie, Hope Hujet, Lyndsey Luebke, Cedar Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Diomaris Ortiz, Paige Renier, Lydia Romback, Haley Schwantes, and Tavia Westcott

Chorale TTBB Miscellaneous Vocal Ensemble: Camden Jackson, Ethan Winkler, Aidan Spillane, Hunter Schaden, Hunter Ryczek, Connor Romandine, Colter McCormick, Alex Kamke, Gustav Frisack, and Keith VanDornick

Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Ethan Winkler, Megan Zielinski, Hunter Ryczek, Hailey Ferfecki, Andrea Waschbisch-Spang, Lyndsey Luebke, Haley Schwantes, Cedar Olson, Isabella Rennie, Mackenzie Staidl, Charis Wirtley, Keith VanDornick, Alex Kamke, Connor Romandine, Gustav Frisack, Camden Jackson, and Aidan Spillane

STATE – SECOND
Aliza Dickinson, vocal solo
Andrea Waschbisch-Spang, musical theater solo
Gustav Frisack, musical theater solo
Natalie Lubenske, alto saxophone solo
Sierra Seizyk, trombone solo
Chamber Singers SSAA Madrigal: Hailey Ferfecki, Aliza Dickinson, Faith Hujet, Lydia Murphy-Hendricks, Mackenzie Staidl, Tianna Rowell-Brown, Paige Stapleton, Andrea Waschbisch-Spang, and Megan Zielinski

Chamber Singers SSA Miscellaneous Vocal Ensemble: Paige Stapleton, Isabella Behnke, Calisa Reyes, Tianna Rowell-Brown, Grace Williams, Megan Zielinski, and Charis Wirtley

Dash O.F. Color 5K Color – Less than one week to register!

Dash O.F. Color: Sat May 26, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

SIGN UP

LOCATION: OCONTO FALLS, WI US 54154 DIRECTIONS
TYPE: 5K RUN OR WALK
Time to get your COLOR on! Early bird pricing ends May 14 for the Dash OF Color 5k fun run/walk! Hurry and register today to guarantee the best price PLUS your official Dash OF Color t-shirt and new this year… neon bandannas!
Don’t forget, there are family pricing discounts, group pricing discounts and prizes for costumes, the most colorful, largest team, etc. WIXX will be on-site providing the jams and of course we will cap the event off with the always exciting color explosion!
Be a part of covering Oconto Falls in neon color Sat. May 26! Register NOW!

Dash O.F. Color
Oconto Falls, WI
Sat. May 26 2018

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