CommunityBenefit StoriesBrown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca Counties

X34840 (10/08) ©AHC

CommunityBenefit StoriesBrown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca Counties

DADicatedChad Collier, a parenting instructor at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, leads a class for a unique group of expectant parents: men. The class, exclusively for expectant and new fathers, helps them understand how their new role may affect their lives. The all-male environment enables first-time fathers to discuss concerns and ask questions without fear of embarrassment.

Taught by dads for dads in a relaxed setting, the class covers the emotional and social adjustments men experience in their transition to parenthood, as well as practical matters such as changing diapers, how to hold, feed, burp and bathe their babies, as well as bonding and comforting techniques, partner support and lifestyle changes.

Asthma School: Primary and Preventative Health ServicesAt Aurora BayCare Medical Center, a national certified asthma instructor facilitates a program called Asthma School, and it’s not just for kids. Parents and support persons of children with asthma are encouraged to attend, and classes are structured so that parents, caregivers and children can learn simultaneously. Participants learn about individual asthma triggers and how to manage their episodes.

Working to End Tobacco UseFor years, Pierce Sherrill, D.O., has been Aurora BayCare Medical Center’s physician-representative to the Brown County Tobacco-Free Coalition. He attends monthly meetings and supports initiatives such as TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use). He also addresses tobacco-use disparities among minorities and public-assistance populations (especially WIC families). He provides tobacco-prevention education in schools and universities, and provides expertise for advancing Wisconsin Smoke-Free Workplace legislation.

In 2006, Dr. Sherrill conducted an air-quality study of the Green Bay City Hall to see if smoke from the smoking lounge was leaking into other work areas. The final report resulted in City Hall going smoke-free. He collaborated with representatives from the American Cancer Society to lobby the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s editor, which resulted in a softening of the paper’s editorial position opposing a smoke-free workplace law, and wrote an op-ed piece that was published in the paper.

In the context of occupational medicine, Dr. Sherrill gives smoking cessation talks to workers and helps employers see how supporting their efforts to quit pays dividends in terms of lower cost, less absenteeism, and overall better health. A reformed smoker himself, Dr. Sherrill says, “I can talk the talk because I’ve been there, and I know how hard it is to quit.”

His current project is with the Brown County Tobacco-Free Coalition’s Youth Coordinator involving origami. The project will recruit middle and high school students to fold 1,200 paper cranes for public display to represent how many people die each day from tobacco-related illnesses.

Dr. Sherrill continues to write to legislators, attend legislative and gubernatorial listening sessions, and work with other agencies such as Wisconsin’s CTRI (Centers for Tobacco Research and Intervention). CTRI brings evidence-based data on smoking intervention to state physicians and sponsors a free Tobacco Quit Line to assist smokers who want to quit.

Preventing TraumaTom Bergmann, R.N., M.S.N., Lisa Koehler, R.N., and Alan Matzke, E.M.T., are part of the trauma team at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. Having witnessed the sometimes tragic aftermath of excessive drinking, they decided to share real emergency room examples with St. Norbert College students.

Their talk was part of their mission to educate the community about choices and actions that can prevent accidents, injuries and even death. They met with students to discuss how much alcohol is considered to be lethal, how it affects the body, what the legal limits are and the equivalent number of drinks it takes to be over the limit, which differs for women and men. They also discussed date-rape drugs and other substance abuse.

The students raised many questions, and the trauma team was more than happy to engage them in an open and frank dialog to promote awareness and mindfulness about personal behavior choices.

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CommunityBenefit StoriesBrown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca Counties

Support for Golden HouseAurora BayCare physicians presented solo performances in a “physician recital” held as a charity fundraiser in February, 2006 and 2007. Additional solo performances were provided by internist Jim Gapinski, M.D., who plays violin and mandolin, and surgeon Peter Gapinski, M.D. (Jim’s uncle), who plays piano.

The event, sponsored by Aurora BayCare Medical Center, raised more than $10,000 for Golden House, a nonprofit organization that works toward a violence-free community through personal, social and institutional change with services that include individual counseling, temporary shelter, restraining and harassment order-filing assistance, support groups and more.

This first-ever, 90-minute recital included performances by seven other area physicians and was held at the Weidner Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.

Community Health EducationA full calendar of educational programs, both on campus and out in the community, are conducted throughout the year by the experts at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. The health education series on campus covers a full complement of childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and family-focused classes, including the popular “Big Kids New Babies” for families and free infant/child CPR training. Out in the community, Asthma School classes were presented to parents during “Back To School Day” at Franklin Middle School, and for those suffering with arthritis, Aurora BayCare staff co-instructed, in Spanish, a self-help class on arthritis for bi-lingual teachers over a two-day period.

Health Care Workforce Development For the Youth Apprenticeship Program through the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Aurora BayCare Medical Center provides high school students the opportunity to work hands-on in a hospital/clinic setting to learn about health care careers. Some students work as Certified Nursing Assistants on a medical/surgical floor, while others rotate positions in rehab, diagnostics and medical records.

Each area has a designated mentor to work one-on-one with the high school students. Those who complete the program have the opportunity to earn college credits.

Grant to Promote Gun SafetyStudies show that children are more likely to be killed by a loaded gun in their home than by an intruder. Yet, despite the fact that gun locks prevent accidental discharging of a firearm, only two in five gun owners lock their guns.

In response to this sobering reality, Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County provided a $2,000 grant in 2006 to the Two Rivers Police Department, which in turn purchased roughly 500 gun locks. Officers distributed the gun locks to the public in two separate events at the hospital.

David Hartman, captain of the Two Rivers Police Department, remarked: “Gun locks are extremely important, because an unlocked gun is a problem in the making. Through Aurora we were able to get gun locks to give away to people in an effort to stop gun problems before they happen. It’s a very good program.”

Resolving Transportation Issues for Those Without MeansIn 2006, the addition of a second patient transport van logging 19,200 miles and driven by local volunteers made it possible for Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County and Aurora clinics to provide free transportation to patients who required health care services, but had no means of – nor other access to – transportation. A total of 972 arrivals and 1,1654 departures were completed in 2006, and increased to over 2,500 transports in 2007.

Funding for the van was made possible through proceeds from the sixth annual Golf Classic and donations through the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic Foundation funds.

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CommunityBenefit StoriesBrown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca Counties

Promoting Physical Activity for Youths in Low-Income NeighborhoodA $4,200 grant to the Southfield Townhouses Neighborhood Network Learning Center has provided playground equipment for kids in the 99-unit low-income housing complex.

The Learning Center, which is nearly two years old, gives residents Internet access and conducts classes on a variety of community education topics. The Center also provides tutoring and after-school help for kids. However, until the playground was erected in 2006, there had been no easy access, space or equipment to promote physical activity for all the kids at Southfield and the surrounding neighborhood.

Theresa Zuege-Halvorsen, director of the Center, remarked: “There was not a lot for kids to do. We want to work on their motor development and keep them moving, and the kids really didn’t have anyplace within walking distance where we could promote this. This is such a good addition to the area.”

Sports Physicals are Win/Win for Young Athletes and Their SchoolsAurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County’s sports medicine department offers pre-participation sports physicals for grade school and high school athletes at multiple sites each July and August. These comprehensive physicals exceed WIAA requirements by including a health screening conducted by a primary care physician, evaluation of musculoskeletal issues by an orthopedic surgeon; vision examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist; interactive stations facilitated by certified athletic trainers to evaluate flexibility and strength; and a video-based program using patented Dartfish technology to proactively diagnose athletes who might be at risk for ACL injuries.

Additionally, student athletes undergo functional assessments, after which they receive, via e-mail, results that show how they measure up against national averages.

The cost of the screening is $30/student athlete, but the monies collected are donated back to the athlete’s school.

A Testimonial to the Value of Public Health SurveysAmy Wergin, R.N., public health nurse manager for the Manitowoc County Health Department, attests to the value of public health surveys conducted through a grant provided by Aurora Health Care.

“The survey helps us to focus limited health resources in areas that have the greatest impact on our residents. Aurora is an important partner in our efforts to improve the health and well-being of our residents because we do not have the resources to conduct these health surveys on our own.

“Aurora is helping us to tackle local health needs that can truly make a difference in the quality of life for people of all ages in Manitowoc County.

“We’ve used the survey findings to focus on physical activity, nutrition, teen pregnancy prevention, substance abuse, injury prevention, tobacco use and access to dental care.”

To see the findings of the survey, go to: www.Aurora.org/CommHealth

Diabetes Alert DayOver and above the diabetes education and support groups provided by Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County, Diabetes Alert Day has become a popular community event. For the past 11 years on the 4th Tuesday in March, Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County has hosted the event, the goal of which is to create awareness about diabetes and diabetes care.

The free event attracts well over 100 people each year who visit educational displays and attend a presentation by an Aurora endocrinologist.

Workforce DevelopmentThe Annual Career Expo for high school sophomores in Manitowoc County was supported by four caregivers from Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County who served as panelists for three days. Their purpose: to encourage today’s youth to consider and pursue health careers.

To further promote health careers to young people, the Health Careers Summer Camp is a five-day program held in Sheboygan and Manitowoc Counties. The camp provides an opportunity for high school students to experience firsthand the challenges, opportunities and rewards of health professions. Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County invited campers to their facility to participate in activities involving respiratory therapy, athletic training and the medical helicopter.

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Since 2003, Aurora has partnered with local health departments to conduct community health needs assessments throughout eastern Wisconsin to gather data on behavioral and lifestyle habits and the prevalence of risk factors and disease conditions existing with the adult population. To learn more about how these assessments are completed and to see the reports, go to www.Aurora.org/CommHealth.