New Chapel at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital

Bishop Homily
The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, delivers the Homily during Monday’s Mass and blessing at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital chapel.

The new chapel at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is now officially open to hospital patients, visitors, physicians and colleagues following a blessing ceremony and Mass on Monday, March 30.

Located on the first floor of the hospital near the main entrance, the chapel is essential to carrying out the faith-filled mission of the hospital and provides a special place of prayer, reflection, solace and thanksgiving to all. Our chapel is a treasured gift and we are pleased to share it with all, 24/7.

Beginning April 22, 2015, Mass will be held in the chapel on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Joel Sember will be the celebrant and each Mass will be open to the community.

The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, blesses the altar inside the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital chapel, as Rev. Joel Sember looks on during Monday’s Mass and blessing.The new chapel at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is now officially open to hospital patients, visitors, physicians and colleagues following a blessing ceremony and Mass on Monday, March 30.
The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, blesses the altar inside the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital chapel, as Rev. Joel Sember looks on during Monday’s Mass and blessing.The new chapel at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is now officially open to hospital patients, visitors, physicians and colleagues following a blessing ceremony and Mass on Monday, March 30.

On Monday, The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay blessed the chapel, altar, tabernacle, liturgical vessels and liturgical vestments. More than 80 people attended the blessing and Mass including Hospital Sisters from Springfield, Ill., Green Bay and Chicago, executive leaders from Hospital Sisters Health System and Hospital Sisters

Health System-Eastern Wisconsin Division, as well as colleagues, donors, auxiliary members, volunteers, physicians, board members and members of the Oconto Falls community.

The chapel at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital was made possible with more than $55,000 in donations from individuals, businesses, community members and the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The altar, ambo, tabernacle stand and credence table were designed and crafted by area resident, Glen Ziemer.

Affordable Care Act Free Information Day

What does The Affordable Care Act have to do with taxes? More than you’d think. There are a lot of changes to this year’s tax code as a result of the Affordable Care Act, but what’s most important is to be aware if your taxes will be impacted. No charge. No appointment needed.

This Thursday, January 8th come in to H&R Block, 1122 Main St. Oconto, WI and speak to a tax expert to be sure you understand the new tax changes so that you’re able to accurately file your 2014 taxes.

H&R Block ACA Specialists know exactly how to help no matter what your situation. We’ll provide you a no charge H&R Block ACA Tax Impact Analysis– your personalized review of how your taxes may be affected by the Affordable Care Act.

WHO DOES THIS APPLY TO?

Most filers will fall into 3 kinds of categories this year:

1. Anyone who was enrolled in a 2014 federal or state Marketplace health insurance plan and received the Advance Premium Tax Credit to help lower the cost of their monthly premium.
2. Anyone who did not have health insurance for all or part of 2014, may face an ACA tax penalty – or be eligible for an exemption.
3. Those who had health insurance for all of 2014 and did not did not receive the Advance Premium Tax Credit (i.e. received health insurance through an employer, Medicaid, Medicare or other non-marketplace health insurance coverage).

H&R Block,
1122 Main St.
Oconto, WI
(920 835 5522)

Community Memorial Hospital Joins Hospital Sisters Health System to Become HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital

10636170_774137115980927_2390473045184817321_nHospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is pleased to announce the addition of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls – formerly known as Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) – to its family as of Sept. 1, 2014.

HSHS, based in Springfield, Illinois is comprised of 14 hospitals – eight in Illinois and six in Wisconsin. St. Vincent Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and now HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls, make up the HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division. All are sponsored ministries of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. The hospitals work in partnership with Prevea Health across the region.

“Both HSHS and Community Memorial Hospital have a long tradition of providing high quality health care to those who seek healing. That dedication to caring for those in need is strengthened with CMH joining our health system as HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital,” said Mary Starmann-Harrison, President and CEO, HSHS. “St. Clare was a Franciscan saint who devoted her life to solitude, prayer and service. Her legacy reflects the commitment of our newest health care ministry to serve the residents in Oconto Falls and surrounding communities.”

The work of all hospitals within HSHS is guided by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, and rooted in the Catholic spirit and commitment of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis of Assisi devoted himself to caring for the poor and sick, inspiring the Franciscan movement. St. Clare of Assisi is considered by many to be a co-founder of the Franciscan movement.

“By joining Hospital Sisters Health System, we are creating the foundation upon which we will continue our mission of providing high quality health care close to home, well into the future,” said Dan DeGroot, Chief Operating Officer, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “We are all truly excited about what this means for our organization and more importantly, what this means for the patients and families we will continue to serve for years to come.”

In May 2011, CMH and HSHS entered into an affiliation agreement in an effort to enhance physician recruitment, implement an electronic health record system and improve the delivery of health care. Now, as an official member of the HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division family, St. Clare adopts the HSHS mission “to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry.” The high quality care that patients have been accustomed to for more than 93 years in the Oconto Falls community remains.

“This is truly an historic event as HSHS has not added a hospital to their health system since 1987,” said Therese Pandl, President & CEO, HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division. “We are delighted to have HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls join our family. We believe that through working closely together, we can improve the health care of our communities and we will be stronger serving together.”

HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division also works in partnership with Prevea Health. Prevea provides hospitals within the Division access to more than 200 physicians in more than 50 specialty areas. Prevea health centers can be found in communities all across Northeast Wisconsin, as far north as Marinette to as far south as Oostburg. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, in affiliation with Prevea Health, has six regional health centers in Gillett, Lena, Mountain, Suring, Oconto and Oconto Falls.

“Prevea has a mission to provide high-quality health care close to home,” said Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO, Prevea Health. “Our partnership with HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital means more people living in the northern regions will have access to that.”

Free Dental Care for children age 3-17 that are from low income families in Oconto County.

8897034_sDr. Debra Munes and Team

Free Dental Care for children age 3-17 that are from low income families in Oconto County.

One Day Only Monday, February 10, 2014

-In recognition of national children’s dental health month
-Parent or legal guardian MUST be present with child day of appointment
-Must be Oconto County resident
-For low income families

-Pre-registration deadline February 5, 2014

-Please call or stop in January 7, 2014 thru February 5, 2014 Tuesday thru Thursday between 8-12 and 1-4 to receive qualification requirements and to set up appointment.
-Appointment will be made once paperwork is complete.

Community Healthcare Foundation announced its Celebrating Ordinary Heroes selections.

Community Healthcare Foundation announced its Celebrating Ordinary Heroes selections. Five Ordinary Heroes from throughoutOconto County have been chosen and will be recognized at the 8thannual Community Healthcare Foundation Spring Fling Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting.
Ron Christensen of Suring was nominated for his commitment to promoting patriotism and making people aware of the veterans who have served and soldiers still serving our country. He orchestrates the Military Night for Veterans at the Suring-Lena basketball game. The event has become an annual night to recognize local soldiers and veterans and includes speakers and programs to educate the community about their service, traditions, and sacrifices. December’s event helped raise $2,445 for injured Marines.
A U.S. Marine veteran, Christensen has also orchestrated a Flag Day program at Woodland Village Nursing Home in Suring, where he serves as director. He is an active member of the American Legion, providing military funeral honors to those who have served. His son is currently serving in the military. He is a volunteer with the Suring High School basketball team. He makes sure the team visits the elderly and has taken them to visit a veterans home. His whole family is active in the community.
The Gillett Area Ambulance Service was nominated for their ongoing community service for almost 55 years. The non-profit ambulance service is run by volunteers and covers 220 square miles fromAnderson Lake in Mountain south to Krakow. Its 38 members are dedicated to serving the people of the area.
“We are here when the public needs help,” said Julie Yonker, squad director. First responder/EMTs are continually upgrading their training through refresher classes, seminars, and training sessions. The group maintains three fully equipped ambulances at their Gillett and Suring stations as well as a rescue sled and an all-season ATV. The service averages 400 to 450 calls per year and logs 26,280 on-call hours annually.
Pat Thomson of Oconto Falls was nominated for her volunteer efforts at MeadowLands Assisted Living. Her service began when her mother resided there and she would visit every day and visit with the residents she met in the hallways, dining room, or even reaching out to them in their apartments. It was not unusual to see her with flowers to brighten a resident’s day or as a gift from her and her mom for a birthday. Her mom has since passed on, but the residents of MeadowLands have not been forgotten. She comes every day that she can make it, which is usually five to six days a week. Her other priority is spending time with family at school events or having them over for a meal. She also works diligently for the United Methodist Church of Oconto Falls as a secretary.
She comes to the assisted living center to help serve meals at the supper hour. She creates conversation amongst the residents, remembers their birthdays, pays them compliments, and calls them by name. She makes and shares homemade treats, including her special hot fudge for the annual ice cream social. Her smiles and personality are so appreciated by the residents and staff. For the time she spends with them, they recognize her as an Ordinary Hero.
 Carla Van Camp of Townsend was nominated for her 32 years of volunteer service with the Townsend-Lakewood rescue squad. One notable aspect of her service is that she owns and operates Karla’s Kountry Kitchen, which is mostly a one person operation. When her rescue pager goes off, she flips the “open” sign to “closed,” and asks her customers to leave payment on the counter and the last person out to lock the door. That means that her volunteer service results in a loss of income for the day.
Running her café, Van Camp is the hub of the community. Many of her customers are well into their retirement years. If one of her regulars is not at the counter for breakfast, she calls or drives to check on them. If someone’s car breaks down, she has one to lend. If someone is going to visit a friend in a nursing home, she has soup to send. She is forever cooking or working for local organizations or helping individuals in need. She also funds a scholarship in honor of her deceased husband. She has been referred to as “a treasure living in Townsend.”
 Joyce Vizelka of Oconto Falls was nominated for her community service with Home Respite Care and Grace Lutheran Church. She has been active with Home Respite Care since it was started in 1993. She became a member of its board of directors in 1998, and has been its president for the past six years. Every year she takes the lead role in organizing the major fundraiser for the organization, “Taste of Oconto County.” She collects donations from businesses throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and organizes the auction and raffles. She personally contributes a lot of time and items for this fundraiser.
She has been a volunteer for many families in the Oconto Falls area who have needed assistance and relief while caring for a loved one. She has also given a lot of time and effort to activities through GraceLutheran Church. She has organized funeral dinners and has been active in a sewing group making quilts for people in need.
“We celebrate these everyday heroes who go out of their way to make a difference,” said Nancy Williquette, Community Healthcare Foundation Director. The Heroes will be honored at the foundation’s Spring Fling Wine, Beer and Cheese Tasting Friday, April 5th, 6:00 p.m. at Red Maple Country Club in Suring. The event features tastings, hors d’oeuvres, music, raffles, and the Celebrating Ordinary Heroes awards and floral auction.
Tickets are $20 at the door and on sale now at all CMH locations in Gillett, Lena, Mountain, Oconto, Oconto Falls, and Suring.
Event sponsors include BelGioioso Cheese, Captain’s Walk Winery, Dean Distributing, Flower Shoppe, Forgotten Fire Winery, Fox Ridge Game Farm, GG’s Cheese Mart, Hinterland Brewing, Leinenkugels, Marquart Auto, Mercier’s Fast Stop, MeadowLands Assisted Living, Lake Breeze Cheese, Wine & Gifts, Let Me Be Frank Productions, MK Photography, Meatski’s, Northwoods Distillery, Papa’s Kitchen, Parallel 44 Winery, Pine Needles Quilters, Saputo Cheese, Sartori Cheese, Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe, Titletown Brewery, Triangle Distributing, Triggerpoint Myotherapy, OEC Radio Shack, von Stiehl Winery, Wayne’s Restaurant, and Wine Premiere.