Month: May 2021

Packerland Websites Adds Account Rep

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Mike Folk has joined the Packerland Websites team as an account representative. An experienced business owner who is passionate about small business, Mike goes alongside business owners to help them accomplish their goals.

“I’m passionate about small business. I think it’s amazing to see people take their ideas, dreams, skills, and experiences and turn that into a living for themselves and others,” he said. “It is very fun and rewarding to see all the different businesses and business owners, learn about them, and contribute to their business.”

Mike brings more than 10 years of account management experience to this new role. He previously worked at AT&T, Windstream, and Opus Communications, which he co-owns. At AT&T, he placed in the Top 1% for sales to goals, earning the AT&T Summit award two separate years.

Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites, said Mike has excellent customer service skills, along with the skills that can’t be taught, like sincerity and integrity.

“Mike really listens to what clients are saying and asks great questions. He approaches each situation with openness, identifying what a client needs and providing the right tools to meet those needs,” Bill said. “I’m excited to have Mike join the Packerland team. He treats clients like people, not numbers.”

Mike explained, “I want to do what’s truly best for them and their business, rather than treating them like a sales number or pushing products on them for an inflated paycheck. I want to hold my head up high at the end of the day, knowing I’m helping others succeed.”

A graduate of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Mike holds an associate degree in Digital Media Technology. He and his wife, Claire, and two sons, Cooper and Ethan, live in Suamico. Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing tennis and board games, and grilling out. Additionally, he is a partner on Twitch.tv and volunteers at his church as a broadcast director and audio engineer.

Packerland Websites, Green Bay and Abrams, specializes in website design, Search Engine Optimization, and digital marketing strategies. To grow your business with a new or rebuilt website and SEO strategies, contact Mike Folk, 920-826-5901, ext. 3.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month

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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.

In 2020, HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary’s hospitals in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls treated more than 600 people for stroke.

“Stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by either a clot or a break in a blood vessel, and so it is critical someone experiencing a stroke receive treatment as soon as possible,” said Dr. Alison Nohara, a Prevea Health neurointerventional radiologist at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital – a certified comprehensive stroke center and leader in stroke care in Green Bay. “The longer someone waits for treatment to restore blood flow back to the brain the greater risk they face for disability or death. In fact, one million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing risk of brain damage, permanent brain disability or 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

Dr. Nohara further explained these symptoms, as well as other important information about stroke in a recent episode of Prevea Health’s podcast, Plug in to Health which is available on all major podcasting platforms or at www.prevea.com/podcast. Look for the episode titled, “Recognizing Stroke: BE FAST!”

Studies show patients who arrive in the Emergency Department within the first three hours of stroke symptoms have better outcomes and less disability than those who delayed care. Always call 911 if a stroke is suspected. HSHS hospital emergency department locations in Eastern Wisconsin:

HSHS St. Vincent Hospital
835 S. Van Buren St., Green Bay

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
1726 Shawano Ave., Green Bay

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital
3100 Superior Ave., Sheboygan

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
855 S. Main St., Oconto Falls

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 of stroke and can be controlled, including: Smoking, high blood pressure, alcohol consumption and illegal drug use, stress, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, unhealthy diet and abnormal cholesterol.

For more information, please visit: www.prevea.com/stroke