Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital

caringforyouSPRING 2014

www.granditasca.org

Find out more » pg. 4

Set up baby for a lifetime

of good health

Taking control of asthma Find out more » pg. 10

Cut your cancer riskFind out more » pg. 6

Foundation updateFind out more » pg. 3

WHAT’S NEW Grand Itasca Foundation announces new mission statement and guiding principles

HEALTHY LIVING Set up baby for a lifetime of good health

HEALTHY LIVING 4 easy ways to cut your cancer risk

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CONTENTS

COMMUNITY CALENDARCommunity workshops and support groups

HEALTHY LIVING Breathe easy: Taking control of asthma

www.granditasca.org2

Banana walnut oatmealThis heart-healthy recipe is high in fiber and low in cholesterol. A great way to start your day!

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients2/3 cups milk (nonfat, dry)1 pinch salt2 ¾ cups water2 cups oats (quick cooking)2 bananas (very ripe, mashed)2 tablespoons maple syrup2 tablespoons walnuts (chopped)Optional: Substitute 2 cups water or 2 cups skim milk for the reconstituted nonfat dry milk.

Directions1. In a small saucepan, combine

reconstituted nonfat dry milk, salt and additional water. Heat over medium heat until steaming hot, but not boiling.

2. Add oats and cook, stirring until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Remove the pan from heat and stir in mashed banana and maple syrup. Divide between four bowls, garnish with walnuts and serve.

Per serving: 340 calories, 6g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 60g carbohydrates, 6g dietary fiber, 25g sugar, 14g protein, 10 percent vitamin A, 10 percent vitamin C, 30 percent calcium, 15 percent iron. Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Recipe courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recipefinder.nal.usda.gov.

3SPRING 2014

WHAT’S NEW

Grand Itasca Foundation announces new mission statement and guiding principles

Chances are, if you’ve been a patient, friend or

loved one positively affected by the caring

staff and medical excellence at Grand Itasca

Clinic & Hospital, you may not know that state-of-

the-art equipment, resources and programs were

made possible by generous community donors.

“Philanthropy is vital to Grand Itasca’s ability to

provide the best care to every patient every day,” says

Foundation Director Kelly Kirwin. “With rising costs

and diminishing reimbursements, the community’s

support and belief in our mission has a direct impact

on the quality of care for patients and their families.”

Creating more believers is the reason the Foundation

and its board of directors released a new mission

statement and three guiding principles to serve as a

clear guide for the present and the future. The new

mission states: To build philanthropic partnerships to

support the mission of Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.

The new guiding principles state:

• Grand Itasca Foundation will help support the internal needs of Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.

• Grand Itasca Foundation will promote a healthy community by supporting wellness initiatives.

• Grand Itasca Foundation will raise community awareness about the impact and value of Grand

Itasca Clinic & Hospital.

“For us these are more than just words,” says Kirwin.

“They are powerful drivers that help our donors

understand what we do, what we’re focused on and

where we’re going.”

The new mission and guiding principles went in to

effect on January 1, 2014. Kirwin commends the board

for their support and effort on this initiative and

believes the result tells a stronger story — one that

embodies everyone.

Grand Itasca Foundation is a local non-profit

organization founded in 1986 with the sole purpose of

raising awareness and funds to better serve the health

care needs of the community. Thanks to donors who

believe in Grand Itasca’s lifesaving work, they’ve funded

digital mammography and cardiac rehab treadmill

equipment, heated infusion chairs for cancer patients

and wellness outreach programs for all ages.

“Personalized health care close to home — there’s

such a value to that,” says Kirwin. “Our new mission

and guiding principles will help us foster meaningful

relationships and support for this outstanding

community asset.”

If you’d like to support, enhance, expand and

improve the health and well-being of Grand Itasca

patients and their families through a cash gift, stock

or planned gift, visit www.granditasca.org or call

Kelly Kirwin at 218.999.1009.

www.granditasca.org4

HEALTHY LIVING caringforyou

9 smart things you can do for your baby

Set up baby for a lifetime of good health

How you treat your infant

now can affect his or her

health, safety and intel-

ligence throughout childhood and

beyond. Consider these recommen-

dations to:

1. Breastfeed. The Surgeon General

recommends that all babies be

breastfed exclusively for the

first six months. Breast milk

Dr. Keith Murphy joined Grand Itasca in September 2013 as a Pediatrician and Internist.

is the most complete form

of nourishment for babies, is

easier to digest than formula,

and may even help to increase

children’s IQs. Breastfeeding is

the best nutrition for baby, and

has been shown to be beneficial

for both mom and baby’s health.

“I emphasize that new moms

who want to breastfeed and

are having difficulty should

see a lactation nurse who can

help them work through any

problems,” says Keith Murphy,

MD, pediatrician and internist.

2. Go back to sleep. Since the

American Academy of Pediatrics

(AAP) began recommending

that all babies always sleep on

their backs to reduce the risk of

5SPRING 2014

HEALTHY LIVING

sudden infant death syndrome

(SIDS), the SIDS incidence has

dropped considerably.

3. Properly install the car seat.

Baby car safety is so important

that hospitals don’t release

newborns without car seats.

But research shows that many

people don’t install the seats

properly, which can lead to

death or serious injury during

an accident. See your local

police or fire station for free car

seat installation checks.

4. Fight germs. Infants don’t have

fully developed immune systems,

so they need to avoid people with

contagious illnesses. Demand

that anyone who touches your

baby washes his or her hands

first. “It’s especially important for

older siblings, who may pick up

germs outside the home,”

Dr. Murphy notes. This can help

stop the spread of disease.

5. Provide tummy time. Babies

need time on their stomachs to

strengthen muscles they’ll use to

roll over and crawl. Aim for three

to five minutes, a few times a

day. As your newborn gets older,

do it more often.

6. Vaccinate. Babies are vulnerable

to many diseases. Stay on

pace with the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention

recommended schedule. Don’t

forget the flu shot: All children

ages 6 months and older need

one every year.

7. Read together. Introduce books

as early as possible. Babies love

the closeness, attention, and

sound of a parent’s voice, even

if they don’t understand the

words. Choose durable books so

your baby can’t rip them. Read

for only a few minutes at a time,

but lengthen reading sessions

as your baby grows. Point to

pictures and use silly voices to

make reading fun.

8. Childproof your home. “When

baby is getting ready to crawl,

invite friends or family with

toddlers over to play,” Dr.

Murphy suggests. “Keep a close

eye on the toddlers! They’ll find

all the things they shouldn’t get

into more quickly than adults

will.” An alternative is to crawl

around to see the home through

a child’s eyes. Remove dangerous

items from reach; and consider

installing safety latches on

cabinets, soft bumpers on table

corners, safety gates at stairways,

and child-proof covers on

electrical outlets.

9. Turn off the TV. Kids who

watch TV are more likely to be

overweight and sedentary. The

AAP recommends that children

younger than 2 watch no televi-

sion. Instead, have them play or

read to them.

We’re here for you

Keep your baby healthy with

regular well-child visits. To find

a physician, visit our website, www.granditasca.org.

How you treat your infant now can affect his or her health, safety and intel ligence throughout childhood and beyond.

www.granditasca.org6

caringforyouHEALTHY LIVING

4 easy ways to cut your cancer risk

It seems every time you pick up a newspaper,

thumb through a magazine, or flick on the

television, you see another nerve-wracking report

about a newly discovered cancer-causing substance

or behavior.

While many things can cause cancer, some risk

factors are far more powerful than others. Bonnie

McGuire, DNP, specializes in hematology/oncology

at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital. She offers these

lifestyle changes you can make that are most likely to

reduce your risk of getting cancer — without reducing

your life to one big list of forbidden activities.

1. Quit smoking. As everyone knows by now, smoking

causes cancer. It’s responsible for nine out of 10 cases

of lung cancer in men and eight out of 10 in women.

“But not everyone knows that smoking is linked

to many other cancers including pancreatic and

stomach cancers as well as cancer of the esophagus

and bladder.” Some 30 percent of cancer deaths are

attributed directly to smoking.

Kicking the habit is vital to reducing your cancer risks

which is why McGuire offers a variety of treatment

plans to patients. “It depends a lot on the person

which method is best,” says McGuire. “We refer them,

or make them aware of, their options including the

QUIT plan, talking to their primary doctor about

medications, or other alternative therapies such as

hypnosis.”

2. Watch your time in the sun. That tan, supposedly

“healthy glow,” could cause skin cancer down the line.

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed

annually and the sun is to blame for most of them.

Avoid excessive time in the sun, wear a hat, and use

sunscreen. “And not SPF 4 or 8, use at least an SPF

30,” says McGuire. “Also don’t forget that you need to

reapply sunscreen every hour or two.”

McGuire discourages the use of tanning lamps or

beds as a substitute for sun tanning because these,

too, expose the body to dangerous ultraviolet rays.

“Tanning beds put you at a 40 percent higher risk Bonnie McGuire, DNP, works alongside Dr. Anastas Provatas treating

oncology and hematology patients.

7SPRING 2014

for melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, than

individuals who don’t use a tanning bed.” Instead, try

one of the many sunless tanning creams now available

at drugstores and cosmetics counters.

3. Eat more healthful fats and fewer unhealthful

ones. In contrast to previous recommendations to

consume no more than 30 percent of your calories

from fat, researchers now urge people to step up their

consumption of certain heart-healthy types of fats.

“We need fat, it is one of the building blocks of our

body’s cells,” says McGuire. “Healthy fats come from

foods such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil,”

Limit saturated fats such as those in full-fat dairy

products or red meat. Hydrogenated fats such as those

found in packaged cakes, cookies, crackers, and chips

should be avoided at all costs.

4. Drink only in moderation. Drinking a lot of alcohol

on a regular basis increases your risk of developing

liver cancer. Heavy drinking is especially risky where

cancer is concerned if you combine it with smoking

or chewing tobacco. “If you don’t drink alcohol,

don’t start,” says McGuire. “But if you do drink, I

recommend one drink per day for women and two

drinks per day for men as a safe amount.”

Grand Itasca received a grant from Allina Health and the George Family Foundation to screen, assess and improve the health of our community. We are working to partner with local employers and community groups to offer health screenings and wellness coaching to increase health awareness and identify risk factors for chronic disease.

As a wellness partner, Grand Itasca can provide:• Free biometric health screenings for all employees,

which includes: • Blood pressure • Glucose • Body Mass Index (height and weight calculation) • Lipid (cholesterol) panel• Free wellness coaching for participants to help

them understand their screening results and educate participants about health risks

• Access to an online health risk assessment to assess lifestyle choices and overall well-being.

Are you an employer or part of a community group interested in these free resources? If so, please contact Bri Solem, Wellness Coordinator, at 218.999.1018 or brianne.solem@granditasca.org.

Your wellness partner

Free wellness resources available to employers and community groups

HEALTHY LIVING

Please see your primary care provider for a referral to Grand Itasca's Oncology specialists, Bonnie McGuire, NP or Anastas Provatas, MD.

www.granditasca.org8

Support GroupsCANCER SUPPORT GROUPThis is a time to share stories and

concerns about diagnosis and treat-

ment for those who are dealing with

cancer. For more information, call

218.326.3815 or 218.697.2357.

1st Monday of the month, 3:30–5:30 pmColony Square, 1850 SE 2nd Ave., Grand Rapids

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPElderCircle’s Adult Day Service

hosts a support group for care-

givers of those with Alzheimer’s,

dementia, or other diseases. Call

218.326.9163 for more information

and to make arrangements for care

recipients during the meeting.

3rd Tuesday of the month, 1–2 pmManor House, 722 N. Pokegama Ave., Grand Rapids

CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUPMonthly speakers cover topics

related to cardiovascular condi-

tioning, diet and exercise, and

other areas of interest for persons

recovering from a heart attack,

bypass surgery, valve replacement

surgery, or cardiac ballooning. For

more information, call 218.999.1038.

3rd Monday of the month (September-May), 7 pmGrand Itasca, ARU 201

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF THE ITASCA AREAThe support group provides educa-

tion, networking, and support for

people diagnosed with Parkinson’s

disease, their spouse, and/or care-

givers. For more information, call

218.326.2766 or 218.328.5378.

2nd Wednesday of the month, 12–1:30 pm (lunch provided)Grand Rapids Area Library,140 NE 2nd St., Grand Rapids

PROSTATE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPLearn of treatment options and

lifestyle impacts of prostate cancer

from men who have been diagnosed

with the disease. Spouses and other

family members are welcome and

encouraged to attend. For more infor-

mation, call 218.999.9384.

2nd Tuesday of the month, 5:30 pm Grand Itasca, Grand Eatery (meal together) & ARU 202 (education and discussion following meal)

DIABETIC SUPPORT GROUPThis is an opportunity to meet

other members of our community

who have diabetes and share suc-

cesses and experiences regarding

diabetic care. For more information,

call 218.999.1934.

4th Thursday of the month, 6:30–7:30 pmGrand Itasca, Grand Oaks Conf Room

MENTAL ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUPNational Alliance on Mental Illness

(NAMI) offers family and friends

of people with mental illness an

opportunity to share concerns,

compare experiences, and learn

from each other. For more infor-

mation, call 218.326.8565.

3rd Tuesday of the month, 5–6:30 pmGrand Rapids Area Library, 140 NE 2nd St., Grand Rapids

MS SUPPORT GROUPThis group is open to those diag-

nosed with MS as well as family

members, caregivers, and friends

to offer support, awareness, and

education about the everyday

traumas, challenges, and hardships

for those afflicted with the chronic

disease. For more information,

please call 218.326.1371.

2nd Thursday of the month, 12:30 pmSt. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 315 SW 21st St., Grand Rapids

caringforyou

NEW JOINT CAMP Coming to Grand Itasca

in June 2014! Joint Camp is

designed for people suffering

with hip and knee pain

who are considering or are

scheduled for total joint

replacement. For questions or

to register, contact Brandi at

218.999.1174.

9SPRING 2014

Community EventsMARCH OF DIMES — MARCH FOR BABIES Join Grand Itasca’s team of walkers

and others from the community

for a day filled with passion for

improving the health of babies.

Join a team or start your own.

More information available at

www.marchofdimes.com.

April 12, 9:30 amCivic Center, Grand Rapids

CHILDREN’S FAIR The 16th Annual Children First!

Children’s Fair is for families and

caregivers to explore services and

businesses in the county all while

providing a fun environment for

children.

April 26, 9 am-1 pmCivic Center, Grand Rapids

MS WALKWalkers raise money and choose

a 1k, 2k, or 5k route. Participants

embrace the connection between

people living with Multiple Scle-

rosis and those who care for them.

More information available at

walkmnm.nationalmssociety.org.

May 4, 11 am-1 pmCivic Center, Grand Rapids

ClassesCHILDBIRTH PROCESS CLASSThe weekend class is designed to

help prepare parents for child-

birth, and includes a tour of the

labor, delivery, and nursery area of

the hospital. Cost is $45 for mom

and coach (fee includes all class

material and refreshments). Call

218.326.7344 to register.

April 5, June 7, August 2 9 am–4 pm, Grand Itasca, ARU 202

INFANT CARE/BREASTFEEDING CLASSThis class is designed to help

prepare you for some of the

changes that occur once your baby

enters the world. Breastfeeding

techniques and benefits will also

be covered. Class offered free of

charge. Call 218.326.7344 to register.

April 12, June 14, August 9 9 am–1 pm, Grand Itasca, ARU 202

To make an individual appointment with Grand Itasca’s Certified Lactation Consultant, Lisa Vekich, RN, IBCLC, please call 218.326.7344.

10 www.granditasca.org

caringforyou

Breathe easy: Taking control of asthma

Asthma is on the upswing in this country.

Currently, more than 25 million people have

asthma in the United States, according to the

National Institutes of Health. About 7 million of these

people are children. Among children, more boys tend

to have asthma than girls. When it comes to adults, the

condition affects men and women equally.

Is It asthma?“The symptoms of asthma include difficulty breathing,

tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing,” says

Ann Hauser, RRT, RPFT, supervisor of the Respiratory

Therapy Department at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.

“Severe attacks may cause sweating, increased pulse

rate and extreme anxiety. If breathing is so labored

that the body can’t get enough oxygen, the face and

lips may turn blue.”

During an asthma attack,

breathing is obstructed by

three physical changes that

occur in the lungs, usually

as a reaction to an allergen

(a substance that can cause

an allergic reaction). “One is broncho-constriction, or

tightening of the muscles

in the airway, causing

inflammation (swelling)

of the lining of the air

passages in the lungs,”

says Hauser. “In addition, the cells lining the passages

produce more mucus than usual. Together, these

changes make it difficult to breathe.”

Allergens from dust, molds, pollen, and animal

dander can trigger an asthma attack. So can air

pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes,

paint fumes, smog, and smoke from a wood fire.

Having a cold or a respiratory infection brings on

asthma attacks in some people. Exercise, changes in

weather, and certain foods can do the same. Some

people with asthma are sensitive to pain relievers,

including aspirin and ibuprofen, or to dusts or

chemicals they’re exposed to at work.

The best advice if you or a family member has asthma

is to stay away from what causes your attacks. Hauser,

also a certified asthma educator, suggests, “One way

to find out what’s causing asthma attacks is to keep a

journal. This is a record of the frequency and severity

of attacks, and of how often the attacks coincide with

exposure to a suspected allergen. If you are aware of

your triggers and know you are going to be exposed,

take your rescue inhaler 15-20 minutes prior to the

exposure to reduce symptoms. This is especially true

for exercise-induced asthma.”

hoW asthma Is treated

There are many drugs available to treat asthma. The

two most common types are anti-inflammatories

(used to reduce swelling in the lining of the air

Watch for these emergency symptoms• Extreme difficulty breathing

• Bluish cast to the face and lips

• Increased pulse rate

• Sweating

HEALTHY LIVING

SPRING 2014 11

HEALTHY LIVING

passages) and bronchodilators (used to relax the

muscles in the air passages). Although each of these

drugs can be used to both prevent and treat asthma

attacks, anti-inflammatories are most often used to

prevent attacks and bronchodilators to treat attacks

in progress.

A severe attack may require hospitalization. Once

admitted, patients may need to be connected

to a ventilator (a machine that does the work of

breathing) and given drugs designed to relax the

chest muscles.

The path to better breathing includes a combination

of lifestyle changes and compliance with a treatment

plan prescribed by a physician. “People who have

asthma should have a spirometry test (a breathing

test) done when first diagnosed, and periodically

afterward to ensure their medication regimen is

appropriate,” says Hauser.

to learn more

In addition to treating asthma and allergies, the

testing, treatment, and rehabilitation of other

respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD), is available at Grand

Itasca. Hauser and the rest of the department staff

provide respiratory education. To learn more, call the

Respiratory Therapy Department at 218.999.1694.

If someone you’re with has an asthma

attack, you can help in the following ways:

1. Get the person’s prescribed asthma

drugs and inhaling equipment.

2. Note the time that the person takes

the first dose of any medication.

3. Help the person get comfortable.

Usually, the most comfortable position

during an asthma attack is sitting up,

leaning slightly forward and resting

the elbows or arms on the upper legs.

4. Remain calm to reduce the level of

anxiety for the person with asthma.

5. Call the person’s physician.

6. If the person exhibits emergency

symptoms, take him or her to the

nearest hospital emergency room

or call 9-1-1.

What to do for an acute attack

Grand Itasca’s Respiratory Care Team (left to right): Kristina Bloom, RRT; Lucas Landgren, RRT; Ann Hauser, RRT; and Shea Finke, RRT.

12 www.granditasca.org

Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital

1601 Golf Course RoadGrand Rapids, MN 55744

Grand Itasca Clinic & HospitalAppointment Line: 218.326.7344Main Line: 218.326.3401

Email: info@granditasca.orgWeb: www.granditasca.org

Clinic Hours:Monday through Thursday 8 am-6 pmFriday 8 am-4:30 pm

Rapid Clinic Hours:Monday through Friday 2-8 pmSaturday and Sunday 12-6 pm

Emergency Room:Open 24 hours a day

Professional Building111 SE Third StreetGrand Rapids, MN 55744218.326.3401

Professional Building Hours:Monday through Thursday 7 am-6 pmFriday 8 am-5 pm

This publication does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Websites not belonging to this organization are provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia, ©2014 Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.