Month: July 2018

Missoula Children’s Theatre Performance on August 4

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MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS THE PRINCESS AND THE PEAThe Princess and the Pea

What do Glacierdom and Riverdom have in common?  The Leprechauns know! Get a new look at a classic story this Saturday, August 4, 2018 when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 40 local students present an original musical adaptation of THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA.  Performances will be held at 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. in the Falls Area Performing Arts Center, located in Oconto Falls High School.

Envision a kingdom of snow where the residents are Winter Wind Workers, Blizzard Bringers, Icicle Sharpeners and Snow Smoothers, ruled by the Storm King and the Snow Queen. Add to that a Prince looking for a proper Princess to share the throne. Now imagine the Princess and her friend the Pea living in a kingdom of green rolling hills and running rivers with her subjects, The Flower Gardeners, River Runners, Green Shoot Growers and Tree Barkers. Her parents, King Size and Queen Size, do all they can to keep things running smoothly. Who knows, maybe the dancing Dust Bunnies can help? Although the two kingdoms think they have nothing in common (except maybe a pesky Jack Frost that freezes anything and everything), the peace-loving Leprechauns prove otherwise. Throw in some Phony Princesses and you have a real fiasco! This is not your grandma’s PRINCESS AND THE PEA. We think you will enjoy its twists and turns!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Oconto Falls is brought to you by the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts with support from sponsor Neva Hodge Lemorande and in conjunction with the Oconto Falls School District Summer School Program.

General admission tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for students and will be available at the door.  For more information, call the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts at (920) 848-7469.

Hospital Sisters Health System – Eastern Wisconsin Division Appoints New Chief Physician Executive

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Dr. Rich Cooley - Newly Appointed Chief Physician Executive

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) – Eastern Wisconsin Division has announced the appointment of Dr. Rich Cooley as Chief Physician Executive of its four hospitals in Northeast Wisconsin: HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

“In his role, Dr. Cooley leads HSHS – Eastern Wisconsin Division’s initiatives around quality, patient safety and clinical integration,” said Therese Pandl, President and CEO, HSHS – Eastern Wisconsin Division. “His extensive experience in health care management and physician leadership is a valuable addition to our hospitals, and we are pleased to have him as part our Franciscan healing ministry.”

Dr. Cooley, a board-certified internal medicine physician, previously served as Regional Medical Director at Sound Physicians in Ishpeming, Mich. Sound Physicians provides emergency medicine, critical care, hospital medicine, transitional care and advisory services for hospital partners across the country. As Regional Medical Director, Dr. Cooley led four hospitalist programs throughout Northern Michigan.

Dr. Cooley holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kirskville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, and was named Medical Resident of the Year at St. John Oakland Hospital in Warren, Mich., where he completed a residency in internal medicine from 1998 to 2001. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, Society of Hospital Medicine and the American College of Osteopathic Internists.

Christopher P. Brabant, MBA, FACHE, Named President and CEO of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital

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Christopher P. Brabant - President and CEO of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher P. Brabant, MBA, FACHE, to serve as the hospital’s next president and CEO.

Since 2013, Chris has served as the HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division Executive Director of Surgical Services for the Heart, Lung and Vascular Center and Prevea Health Vascular Surgery in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Under his leadership, he has been responsible for the strategic planning, business operations and financial viability of the center and service lines, including the implementation of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve program, the new Prevea-HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital cardiology program in partnership with his Prevea SLD counterpart, and the implementation of the Regional Outreach General and Vascular Surgical Program at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

“Chris has done an incredible job in his current role within HSHS, and we know that his combined experience in business and health care and his track record of successful leadership make him a great fit to position St. Clare,” said Mary Starmann-Harrison, president and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), which along with HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, includes 14 other hospitals across Wisconsin and Illinois. “We are pleased he has accepted our invitation to serve in this new role within our Franciscan healing ministry.”

“HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is still a relatively new part to the HSHS family, and we are excited to bring Chris into this leadership role to continue serving the Oconto Falls community,” said Therese Pandl, president and CEO of the HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division, which in addition to St. Clare Memorial Hospital includes HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay. “We look forward to having Chris transition and bring his experience to St. Clare.”

Chris earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Health Care Administration from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and Baccalaureate of Science in Perfusion Technology from St. Louis University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Surgical Technician, holds a State of Wisconsin Perfusion License and is certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. He has been very active in the community, serving on numerous boards, coalitions and groups, and will continue to do so in the Oconto Falls community.

“It’s been an honor to be a part of the HSHS family since 2013, and I’m incredibly honored that our leadership has confidence in my ability to lead the team at St. Clare Memorial,” said Chris.

Chris will officially begin his role as HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital president and CEO on August 20, 2018. Paula Hafeman, Chief Nursing Executive of HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division, is currently serving as the interim president and CEO of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

Certified Hand Therapist Now in Oconto Falls

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Prevea Health now offering appointments with a Certified Hand Therapist in Oconto FallsRobin Frenzel

Prevea Health now offers an enhanced level of hand therapy at the Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center – Medical Services Building, located at 853 S. Main St. on the campus of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

Robin Frenzel, a board-certified occupational therapist at Prevea Health, recently passed a comprehensive exam provided by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). She also has more than 18 years of clinical experience and has completed more than 4,000 hours of direct practice in hand and upper extremity therapy.

As a CHT, Robin is specifically trained to evaluate and provide the most up-to-date treatment of conditions and injuries affecting the finger, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder. She is also trained to address the social, emotional and physiological effects of those injuries and conditions. According to the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, there are only 6,451 CHTs practicing worldwide.

“I believe in providing patient-centered care to help my patients get better as quick as possible,” says Robin. “If therapy does not work, then we discuss their options and together make the best decision for their plan of care.”

Appointments with Robin can be made by calling (920) 846-4680. A complete list of therapy services provided by Robin can be found at: www.prevea.com/Providers/Robin-Frenzel

Safety Tips for Fair, Festival and Concert Season

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Tips for staying safe and healthy while having fun

Summers are synonymous with state fairs, festivals, outdoor concerts and carnivals. Good music, tasty food, fun rides and games at these events draw large crowds every summer. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital wants to ensure those who attend fairs, festivals and concerts this summer stay safe and healthy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne illnesses increase during the summer months due in part to the increase of food being cooked outdoors. Food safety practices should be the same at fairs as they are at restaurants and at home. Before you buy food from a vendor at a fair or festival, consider the following:

  • Does the vendor have a clean workstation?
  • Does the vendor have a sink for employees to wash their hands?
  • Do employees wear gloves or use tongs when handling food?
  • Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?
  • Has the vendor been inspected?

Wisconsin state law requires that each person operating a food service establishment have a valid permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and/or by the local health department. The law also requires the valid permit be noticeably posted in every food service concession.

While at fairs, festivals and carnivals, it is also important to wash your hands often. This is especially true after petting animals, touching the animal enclosure and exiting the animal enclosure – even if you did not touch an animal. Additionally, always wash hands after using the restroom, after playing a game or going on a ride, and before eating or drinking. In case there are no places to wash hands, bring hand sanitizers or disposable wipes to use.

Other important tips to keep in mind when attending festivals and fairs include:

  • Drink plenty of water – this is especially true if it is a hot day with a high heat index and/or if any alcohol consumption occurs.
  • If alcohol is available, exercise care. Don’t take drinks from strangers and don’t leave your drink unattended. Monitor your alcohol intake carefully and do not use alcohol as a substitute for water. Since alcohol can dehydrate the body, it’s important to drink as much (if not more) water than alcohol.
  • Ensure you have suitable clothing for the weather conditions and the location of the event.
  • Take proper sun safety measures – apply and reapply sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater, seek shade periodically, wear sunglasses and use protective barriers such as clothing and hats.

Children running in a funfair

Preventing and Recognizing Heatstroke

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sun shining brightly

With high temperatures in the forecast, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health urge everyone to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, as well as the steps that can be taken to avoid heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. It requires emergency treatment to prevent serious complications or death. If you suspect someone is experiencing heatstroke, call 911 or seek medical assistance immediately.

Heatstroke signs and symptoms

  • High body temperature – The main sign of heatstroke is a core body temperature of 104 degrees or higher.
  • Altered mental state or behavior – If a person who has been in hot temperatures is confused, agitated, slurring their speech, irritable, delirious or experiences a seizure, then heatstroke may be suspected.
  • Nausea and vomiting – Vomiting may occur.
  • Flushed skin – An increase in body temperature can lead to skin turning red.
  • Rapid breathing – Breathing may become rapid and shallow.
  • Racing heart rate – When a person experiences heatstroke, the heart works overtime to help cool the body, therefore increasing the heartrate.
  • Headache – Heatstroke can cause a throbbing headache.

Preventing heatstroke

  • Wear loose-fitting clothes – Loose-fitting clothes allow for your body to cool properly as opposed to tight or heavy clothes.
  • Drink plenty of fluids – Staying hydrated will help you maintain a normal body temperature and will help your body sweat.
  • Protect yourself against sunburn – Use sunscreen and reapply every two hours. Also wear a hat and sunglasses to protect against sunburns. Sit under the shade from time to time.
  • Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day – Try to schedule outdoor activities in the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or the evening. The hottest part of the day is generally 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Better yet, stay indoors – Avoid the heat altogether by staying inside an air-conditioned, well-ventilated space.