HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health will host “Meet the Doc,” featuring internal medicine physician, Dr. Alexa Gavaga, in Gillett on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Dr. Gavaga joined Prevea Health in September and is now seeing patients at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, 835 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls, and at the Prevea Shawano Health Center, 1300 E. Green Bay St. in Shawano.
As an internal medicine physician, Dr. Gavaga specializes in routine health care for adults, including preventive medicine, medication management and chronic disease management. The “Meet the Doc” event will allow community members a chance to meet Dr. Gavaga, and learn more about why an internal medicine physician is an important part of your health care team.
Meet the Doc
Tuesday, Nov. 12
6 p.m.
Gillett High School, 208 W. Main St., Gillett
Event will be held in the Commons
A light meal will be served. To register, call (920) 846-8187 or visit: www.prevea.com/event
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health helped hundreds of community members and colleagues get a jump-start on Halloween festivities, with the annual Treat-and-Greet event held Tuesday, Oct. 29.
A free, family-friendly event, Treat-and-Greet offers trick-or-treating, food and refreshments, and opportunities to tour the hospital campus and learn about the diversity of services provided. Attendees were able to “trick-or-treat” throughout the hospital campus, including the Medical Services Building where Prevea Health offers a variety of specialty care.
“Treat-and-Greet showcases the true meaning of community,” said Amber Just, Volunteer Services Facilitator at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, who also attended Tuesday’s event. “Residents and colleagues get the chance to come together to share smiles and yummy treats. Hosting this event gives the community the opportunity to see the large array of high-equality services that HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is so proud to provide.”
More than 400 community members of all ages attended Tuesday’s event, while providers and colleagues handed out treats. There were costumes of all kinds including witches, a policeman, kitties, the tooth fairy and more.
“HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is so appreciative of this community,” said Amanda Rice, Patient Financial Manager at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “Hosting Treat and Greet is a wonderful way to enhance the connection we have with our northern communities.”
This was the third year of Treat-and-Greet, hosted by HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health.
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health invite the
community to Treat-and-Greet on Tuesday, Oct. 29 on the campus of HSHS
St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.
A free, family-friendly event, Treat-and-Greet will feature
trick-or-treating, food and refreshments, and the opportunity to tour the
hospital campus and learn about the diversity of services provided. Attendees
can “trick-or-treat” throughout the hospital campus, including the Medical
Services Building where Prevea Health offers a variety of specialty care.
Treat-and-Greet
4 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 835 Main St., in Oconto Falls
The event will take place throughout the hospital campus, including the Medical Services Building.
Candy, goodies and educational material will be handed out to the
“trick-or-treaters”; and providers will be on hand to greet all attendees and
answer questions about the services they offer. Costumes are not required but
are encouraged for children and adults. Guests of all ages are welcome!
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health will host an “Ask the Doc” presentation about breast health on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Waubee Lodge in Lakewood.
The free presentation will be led by Dr. Richard McNutt, general surgeon at the HSHS St. Clare Regional Surgery Center, and Clayton Keene, APNP, FNP-BC, of Prevea Health. The two will discuss the importance of breast health and screenings, with a Q&A to follow.
Ask the Doc
Thursday, Oct. 17
6 p.m.
Waubee Lodge, 18398 Waubee Park Ln., Lakewood
A light meal will be served. To register, call (920) 965-4711.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth since 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2018, CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data showed that more than 3.6 million youth, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students, were past-month e-cigarette users.
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients to the user. Using e-cigarettes is sometimes called, “vaping.” Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine exposure in adolescence can harm brain development; impact learning, memory and attention; and increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs. The aerosol substance created by e-cigarettes can contain harmful substances, including nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, flavorings linked to lung disease, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead.
E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes, and others look like other items commonly used by youth such as pens and flash drives. They also come in kid-friendly flavors, which make them more appealing to youth.
In light of this information, and with recent reports of severe illnesses and death linked to vaping in the U.S., HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health encourage parents and caregivers to be familiar with e-cigarettes so they can play a role in protecting children from their harmful effects.
Three things parents and caregivers can do:
Talk to your child or teen about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them.
Set a good example by being tobacco-free.
Learn about the different shapes and types of e-cigarettes and the risks of e-cigarette use by visiting: www.CDC.gov/e-cigarettes
David Lally (right) accepts award from Jon Hoelter
David Lally, Director of Business Development & Advocacy for HSHS St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas and St. Clare hospitals, is a recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2019 Grassroots Champion award.
The Grassroots Champion award is given out each year to one individual in each state who is nominated by the state hospital association partners. The award was created to recognize hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect hospitals’ vital roles in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for hospitals, and who are tireless advocates for their hospitals and patients.
“Whether it’s traveling to Washington, D.C., the state capitol in Madison, or joining us for meetings with legislators in their communities, David is always jumping at the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the HSHS hospitals in Eastern Wisconsin, and Wisconsin health care as a whole,” said Jon Hoelter, Director of State and Federal Relations for the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), which nominated David for the AHA award. “The Wisconsin Hospital Association truly appreciates his passion and dedication to advocacy.”
Most recently, David attended a WHA meeting in Mequon with Congressman Glenn Grothman to discuss federal legislation aimed at tackling surprise medical billing. David and other HSHS leaders discussed the voluntary efforts HSHS hospitals in Eastern Wisconsin are making to meet patients’ desires for more price transparency, including the launch of an online price estimator tool which allows patients to obtain out-of-pocket estimates for planned procedures.
“Advocacy is truly a team effort,” said David. “While I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award, I am also deeply grateful for the team of dedicated health care leaders at HSHS who assist in advocacy efforts daily on behalf of St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas and St. Clare hospitals.”
HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center are located in Green Bay, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. They are part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), based in Springfield, Ill.
Prevea Health is pleased to announce it will begin offering internal medicine care in the communities of Shawano and Oconto Falls, beginning in September, with Dr. Alexa Gavaga.
As an internal medicine physician, Dr. Gavaga provides routine medical care for adults, including chronic disease management, medication management and preventive medicine. She will begin seeing patients at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, 835 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls, on Sept. 17; and at the Prevea Shawano Health Center, 1300 East Green Bay St. in Shawano, on Sept. 19.
“I enjoy working with adults of all ages,” says Dr. Gavaga. “I find it rewarding when my patients make progress toward their health care goals, resulting in them living their best possible life.”
Dr. Gavaga graduated medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed residency at RWJ Barnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center.
Appointments with Dr. Gavaga at the Prevea Shawano Health Center can be made by calling (715) 201-0870; and the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center by calling (920) 846-8187.
With summer in full swing and high temperatures in the forecast, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls encourages 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 – 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 heart rate.
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 4 p.m.
Better yet, stay indoors – Avoid the heat altogether by staying inside an air-conditioned, well-ventilated space.
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital invites the community to Yoga on the Beach, July 17 and August 21, at the West Side Beach in Oconto Falls.
Certified yoga instructors from LPI Fitness will lead a one-hour slow flow yoga class that is designed for all skill levels, including beginners. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or long towel. While classes are free, registration is required for each class as space is limited.
Yoga on the Beach
6 to 7 p.m.
July 17 and August 21
West Side Beach, N. Flatley Ave. in Oconto Falls (near the pavilion)
To register: Call (920) 834-2280 or email Betsy@lpifitness.com
Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr, family medicine physician at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, will also be present at each class to talk about the benefits of yoga and answer questions.
Prevea health centers in Oconto Falls and Oconto are now scheduling appointments for sports physical examinations for athletes wanting to participate in a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) sport.
Sports physicals are performed by Prevea Health providers and licensed athletic trainers. “We are examining everything from heart issues to musculoskeletal issues,” said Mike LaMere, Prevea Sports Medicine Outreach Manager. “We want to make sure athletes are healthy and ready to compete.”
Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center (853 S. Main St., on the campus of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls)
Thursday, July 25, 3 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31, 3 to 5 p.m.
Call (920) 846-8187
Prevea Oconto Health Center (620 Smith Ave. in Oconto)
