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Veron Browne, MDHepatology and Gastroenterology

Fond du Lac Regional Clinic(920) 926-8570

David Francione, APSWPsychotherapy

Behavioral HealthDoll & Associates(920) 907-8201

Sunil Kumar, MDHospitalist

St. Agnes Hospital(920) 929-2300

Ronald Lisiecki, MDInternal Medicine

Fond du Lac Regional ClinicBrownsville

(920) 583-1300

Michael Zeman, MDEmergency MedicineRipon Medical Center

(920) 748-3101

Friendly Faces...Kind Hearts

Welcoming Our New Providers

Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.

As I look at the many incredible stories in this issue of Living In Good Health, I am captivated by an overriding theme that reflects our mission as part of SSM Health - a healing presence.

We have known for years that many individuals and families come to us through word of mouth. They ask their friends who they trust for suggested health and wellness services, and then they make that all important first visit, and a new partnership begins.

That is so true for Christine Trinrud who started seeing Theodore Miller, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist, as a teenager looking

to establish a healthy future - after a family recommendation. That connection has been such a positive one that Christine has continued seeing Dr. Miller traveling from Neshkoro to Fond du Lac, and now from Neshkoro to Ripon as Dr. Miller offers gynecologic care in that location.

Then there’s Marvin Kaul. A 92-year-old Beaver Dam resident, Marvin was looking for continued care following a hospitalization for a leg infection. After looking at a few long-term care facility options, Marvin had a very easy decision to make, and one he made without hesitation - the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center in Waupun. Thanks to on-site therapy, he has regained his mobility and is enjoying his time at this brand new facility.

For generations, our staff and providers have taken the time to get to know our patients, residents and families. The better we know our patients as people, the better we can treat them as patients.

Tami SchattschneiderVice President of

Patient Services & Chief Nursing Officer St. Agnes Hospital

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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 2 • Living In Good Health is published three times each year by: Agnesian HealthCare, a member of SSM Health, 430 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935Holly Brenner - Regional Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Foundations, SSM Health - Wisconsin

COVER PHOTO: Marvin Kaul knew without a hesitation that the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center is where he wanted to be.

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It’s difficult to curb the enthusiasm that Melody (Melly) Mueller has for her job at St. Agnes Hospital.

Melly’s journey with Agnesian HealthCare began shortly after graduating from Fond du Lac High School. A personal recommendation led her to Agnesian HealthCare and Food Services.

She started in the summer 2014. “I loved my work in food service,” she says. “Everyone was so easy to work with and they truly enjoyed their jobs. I knew right away that this was a great place to work.”

Melly knew she was looking for more within health care. “I wanted to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). My manager and supervisor were so supportive and encouraging.”

Following her CNA training, Melly earned a nursing degree from Marian University. During this time, she transitioned from Food Service to Women & Infants where she has been since 2016.

Melly was able to receive tuition assistance from Agnesian HealthCare. “There is such a strong team environment, and everyone I worked with took the time to answer my questions and mentor me in so many ways.

“I have loved my job ever since the first day,” Melly adds. “Working with our new families is such a joy. It’s amazing to know you are part of helping to bring a baby into the world.”

Entry level and professional career openings are available at Agnesian HealthCare. Apply today at agnesiancareers.com.

A Passion to Serve

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For the past eight years, Candace and Paul Hindson have kept busy managing The Greenway House Bed & Breakfast in Green Lake, loving every moment. It was a good fit for Candace with her background in the hospitality industry, and Paul within the construction/contracting field.

But, Candace, 67, was experiencing increasing pain in her shoulder, which made her work more challenging.

Candace started her search for pain relief with Ewa Paszkiewicz, MD, family medicine.

An exam and subsequent X-ray showed that Candace’s cartilage in her shoulder was gone. A referral to Jeffrey Meincke, MD, orthopedic surgeon, helped to move Candace quickly to a full shoulder replacement.

“Candace’s history already included bilateral hip replacements for osteoarthritis of aging,” says Dr. Meincke. “Unfortunately, her shoulder X-ray revealed that she

had bone-on-bone osteoarthritis. Candace underwent a primary shoulder replacement in January 2018 and has made slow, steady progress over the past year. She now has minimal pain and restored function.”

Within two days of surgery, Candace was back home. “I could not be any happier with Dr. Meincke,” she says. “My nurses were warm and had a great sense of humor. Dr. Meincke thoroughly explained what to expect, and he was very attentive.”

From there, Candace returned to Ripon Medical Center for physical therapy with Bethany Nodolf, PT, DPT, CSCS, two to three times a week.

“Candace went through range of motion and strengthening exercises,” according to Nodolf. “We were working toward increasing her functional ability to allow her to return to taking care of her guests. She was very motivated and did excellent in therapy.”

Set yourself up for in-home rehabilitation success with medical equipment from the Agnesian Health Shoppe. Call (920) 926-5793.

Backto Serving Others

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“I could not be any happier with Dr. Meincke.”- Candace Hindson

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“I am glad I chose the Dale Michels Center for Heart Care.”- Casey Bohn

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Casey Bohn and his wife are raising three children in Fond du Lac. He’s led a pretty healthy life, eating right, not smoking, and watching his blood pressure and weight.

“Like a lot of men, I’m not a fan of going to the doctor unless I am sick,” Casey says. “But I do go annually for a health risk assessment and a physical.”

And, it’s fortunate he does. “During a routine physical, Dr. (Seth) Udlis told me I had a heart murmur that needed some investigating,” Casey recalls. “I was caught a bit off guard.”

At that point, Dr. Udlis, a family medicine physician, acted quickly.

“While Casey had a bicuspid aortic valve all his life, it wasn’t until there was enough hardening that we were able to detect the heart murmur,” according to Dr. Udlis. “An echocardiogram showed severe aortic stenosis.”

A referral to Tadeo Balderrama, MD, cardiologist, led to further evaluation.

“Casey’s case was concerning - a valve abnormality that he was likely born with just wore out,” says Dr. Balderrama. “Since this can run in families,

I suggested an ultrasound of his heart and that his family be screened for this condition. Given he was experiencing symptoms, I referred him to Dr. Eric Lilly for surgical valve replacement.”

While Casey and his wife were a bit worried, they knew Casey was in good hands.

“My experience with Dr. Balderrama was exceptional and I am glad I chose the Dale Michels Center for Heart Care team for this procedure,” Casey explains.

“Although we perform many valve replacements in a year, no surgery is routine,” according to R. Eric Lilly, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon. “I take into consideration that each patient is a father, husband, brother or sister, and they deserve the very best. And that’s what we offer.”

Following surgery, Casey started cardiac rehabilitation.

Having an annual exam can catch risks at an early stage when they are most treatable, according to Dr. Udlis. “Since Casey is in good health, he has healed well and we will continue to follow-up annually.”

The Dale Michels Center for Heart Care. Advanced local heart care close to home.

Annual Visits = Smart

Heart Care

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For Christine Trinrud, 41, of Neshkoro, a long-term partnership with Theodore Miller, MD, now serving gynecology patients at Ripon Medical Center, is one worth traveling for. After all, she first started seeing Dr. Miller in her teenage years, a trusted physician that has been with her through the welcoming of three healthy sons.

When Christine, then 20, was expecting her first son

(Nolan), Dr. Miller was there for her. As the Trinrud family grew, welcoming Kailer and Ethan, Dr. Miller was Christine’s choice for prenatal care and in the delivery room.

In between annual visits, Christine returned to Dr. Miller as she continued to experience abnormal bleeding, leading to an endometrial ablation. “It brought amazing relief,” she says.

Worth the Travel

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Despite the procedure, five years later, Christine was still struggling. Dr. Miller recommended a hysterectomy.

“I wasn’t really a big fan of that type of invasive procedure at that time and he was very patient with me,” Christine recalls. “When I came to him last year, I had started thinking more seriously about this option. My quality of life had been horrible.”

In early February 2019, Christine followed Dr. Miller to Ripon Medical Center as he transitioned his practice to

concentrate on gynecologic care. The procedure in Ripon again went extremely well, and Christine continues her partnership with Dr. Miller.

“It’s rewarding to develop relationships with my patients,” according to Dr. Miller. “While Christine and I talk about her issues and concerns, we also discuss her family and work. Getting to know her and her willingness to share these conversations with me is the personal touch that makes our visits more meaningful and enjoyable for both of us.”

Visit agnesian.com for more articles on health topics important for women under the In Good Health blog.

“Dr. Miller is the kind of doctor who truly understands his patients.”

- Christine Trinrud

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“I would highly recommend the Agnesian Cancer

Center to anyone.”- Mary Moeller

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Mary Moeller, 67, a Glenbeulah resident, has been attentive to her health, and aware of family history, especially kidney failure.

That’s a good thing for this wife and mother as she took advantage of preventive health visits, most recently transitioning her ongoing care to Punit Kumar, MD, internist.

In 2018, when her lab work came back with unfavorable results, she turned to Sameer Gupta, MD, nephrologist, who ordered a kidney biopsy. The results showed that Mary’s kidneys were failing, which Dr. Gupta has helped her to manage.

The biopsy also showed Mary had monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Mary was referred to Sameer Tolay, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist, an expert in cancer treatment and blood disorders.

MGRS is a group of conditions with a wide variety of symptoms that are related to multiple myeloma (bone cancer). Most people will be diagnosed by blood tests, which show an abnormally high level of a certain protein from the bone marrow (“gamma globulin”). Kidney

involvement (“renal significance”) is shown either by the finding of protein in the urine or abnormal kidney function tests (i.e. the kidneys are not cleaning the blood normally).

Early recognition of MGRS is critical because treatment can suppress the secretion of the monoclonal protein, often improving kidney function and can reverse kidney damage.

“Fortunately, Mary was referred promptly, and we were able to start her on chemotherapy resulting in a fascinating response to the treatment,” Dr. Tolay says. “At the end of four cycles of treatment, her kidney function has bounced back to normal. To make sure Mary continues to be in remission, she will undergo autologous bone marrow transplantation in the near future.”

“Dr. Tolay took over with confidence,” Mary says. “While my condition is very rare, he was up to the task. I was very scared and so was my family. But, Dr. Tolay was kind, compassionate and put our fears to rest. The cancer center team was simply the best. I would highly recommend the Agnesian Cancer Center to anyone in need of care.”

Rare Care

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Click Here

Instant information is part of our world; use it wisely!

Despite all our efforts to stay connected electronically, we are actually becoming more isolated and less likely to create healthy relationships.

“Our comfort levels in language and communication are being replaced by instant internet information - whether true or false,” says Matt Doll, PhD, psychologist. “We are losing our ability to think critically and communicate with compassion. Families are out to dinner and all their heads are down, and no one is talking.”

And there is more.

“That glowing screen may keep you up at night interrupting your body’s natural sleep cycle,” according to Allen Foster, MD, sleep medicine physician. “Using electronic devices before bed delays your body’s internal clock, making it more difficult to fall asleep, largely due to the artificial light emitted by these devices.”

Close your day with a family meal or walk with friends. Read a good book, take a calming bath. Participate in family prayer or meditation.

Thanks to a grant from Agnesian HealthCare, Mahala’s Hope Wellness Center is now offering its clients yoga and fitness classes five days per week. Some women exercise on their own during other times as well.

The newly-opened recovery residence in Eden provides women tools for addressing their addiction, gives them safe coping skills, and teaches them how to live in light of their new-found sobriety.

Women in recovery are provided a better chance of success as they address substance abuse and trauma. The facility teaches individual holistic health, how to care for one’s self, and how to live in healthy relationships with others.

Melissa Schmidt, a Russian Kettlebell Level II certified instructor (RKC II), has found tremendous reward working

with Mahala’s Hope clients, and has personally observed the benefits it has for female participants.

“I have seen some women completely transform in 90 days,” Schmidt says. “Physically and mentally, the women change in a positive way and are more open to experiences, communicate more openly and come to recognize their strengths.”

“We understand that true health and well-being take a well-rounded approach to help those in recovery get a fresh start at a new life,” says Holly Brenner, regional vice president - Marketing, Communications and Foundations for SSM Health - Wisconsin. “We are delighted to support Mahala’s Hope in its wellness center initiatives.”

For more information on Mahala’s Hope, call (920) 904-6445 or visit mahalashope.com.

Wellness for all

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As the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation prepares for its annual Charity Open 2019 to support direct hospice patient care, Steve Victor, Jr., of Fond du Lac, shares his special story.

Kay and I share a beautiful story; together we have five children, all of whom are now grown and raising children of their own.

Kay was diagnosed in 2011 with dementia with Lewy bodies. We didn’t know how we would deal with her disease and the unknown of what lay ahead. But we knew that we could do anything together.

A blessing was how our family came together to care for her and when the time was right, Hospice Hope was there as well. The hospice team was amazing as they offered daily care and comfort measures, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible.

As Kay’s final days drew near, the family gathered together to say their final good-byes.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. She is loved and missed, and we are forever blessed to have had her.

Thank you Agnesian HealthCare Hospice Hope.

Kay’s Story

Take a virtual tour of the Hospice Home of Hope at agnesian.com/HHHtour.

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PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY BY CALLING (920) 926-4959.One for $50 / Four for $150 / Nine for $300

Drawing: Wednesday, May 8 • NoonGrand Prize: $100,000 • Second Prize: $10,000

Third Prize: $4,000 • 22 payouts of $500

How can you turn $50 into $100,000?

T H E 2 0 1 9 S A M A R I T A N

CASH RAFFLE

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Love LightsMonday, December 9, 2019

St. Agnes Hospital Lobby

Charity OpenMonday, August 19, 2019

South Hills Golf & Country Club

Caring For You Holiday Luncheon

Saturday, December 7, 2019Whispering Springs Golf Club

One of the greatest gifts we have is the ability to give to others.

Call (920) 926-4959 for more details or visit agnesian.com/giving.

SAVE THE DATE

Seafood Cooking Demo Fond du Lac Regional Clinic West Demo Kitchen • May • $20

Five a Day: Fruits & Veggies Cooking Demo June • $20

Breakfast On the Go Cooking Demo July • $20

Sushi Cooking Demo August • $20

Vegan Cooking Demo September • $20

NUTRITIONAL

Register for a class at agnesian.com/classes-events-groups

or call (920) 926-4960.

Take a Class and Join the Healthy Living Movement

Stretch & Balance for Older Adults RMC Wellness Center • May, June, July, August, September • $40

Power Yoga RMC Wellness Center • May, June, July, August, September • $40

Pyramid Workout RMC Wellness Center • May • $40

PHYSICAL

Gentle Yoga Waupun Memorial Hospital • May & September • $40

Meditation…Calming the Mind St. Agnes Hospital Health Resource Center • May • $40

Print Making Art Therapy Experience Agnesian Health Plaza A • May • $40

Recycled Paper Making Art Therapy Experience Agnesian Health Plaza A • June • $40

Abstract Acrylic Paint Pouring Agnesian Health Plaza A • July • $40

EMOTIONAL & SPIRITUAL

Stop the Bleed/Lifesaving Skills Training Agnesian HealthCare Plaza Level Conference Center

June, August • Free

OTHER

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Financial Peace University Ripon Medical Center Green Lake Room • September • $120

FINANCIAL

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Integrative

HealthOffering a wide variety of healthy living options.

Take a class through our Health Resource Center by visiting agnesian.com/classes-events-groups,

or schedule a consultation at our Integrative Health office by calling (920) 926-8500.

Check with your insurance provider regarding coverage.

Meditation • Acupuncture • Chiropractic Care

Art Therapy • Massage • Aromatherapy • And More

For Marvin Kaul, 92, a Beaver Dam resident, finding a place to live following a hospital stay was an easy decision to make.

A retired prison system employee, Marvin found himself in the intensive care unit with an infected right leg. “I was experiencing a lot of pain and difficulty walking,” Marvin recalls. “Returning home was not an option, and we explored several residential facilities.”

But, when that final decision-time came, Marvin was firm and confident that the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center was the perfect choice.

Therapy helped, and Marvin continued to enjoy his time at the Christian Home. “It is so convenient to have these services right here,” Marvin explains. “When my legs started bothering me again, they recommended that I start therapy again. I went back a half dozen times, and am doing well.”

For Jan Harmsen, Marvin’s daughter, having her dad living at the Christian Home gives her peace of mind. “I cannot put into words how blessed the Waupun community is to have the Christian Home,” Jan says. “It is Christian-based, and the team shows how much they care for residents.”

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Recovery Close to Home

Jan McGuire, 79, of Janesville, has been living with a disability for years and does just about everything - eat, sleep, relax and more - from “her chair.” Jan’s recliner was too low, causing difficulties when she needed to get in or out of it. A friend recommended that she get a Twilight Chair from the Agnesian Health Shoppe. Jan made the drive to try it for herself. As soon as she sat down, she knew she had to get it.

Within weeks, Jan noticed a difference in her comfort level. She is now able to use her walker to get in and out of the chair.

“When I have visitors now, they see I have more energy and I’m much more comfortable in my own home,” Jan says.

Twilight Chair? Check it Out!

Twilight Chairs and other health aids are offered at the agnesianhealthshoppe.com or by calling (920) 926-5277.

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Living life to the fullest at the Christian Home &

Rehabilitation Center in Waupun.

Marvin Kaul

430 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDAGNESIAN

HEALTHCARE

Statistics show that many people experiencing a heart attack don’t call for help. They drive themselves to the emergency room. Not calling for immediate help delays the medical attention your heart needs to restore normal heart function.

We’re here to help. Direct communication from the scene offers hands-on expertise while en route.

CALL 911

agnesian.com

AGNESIAN HEALTH SHOPPE307 Camelot DriveFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 926-5277

AGNESIAN PHARMACIES & PRESCRIPTION CENTERS 145 N. Main StreetFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 921-4660

CHRISTIAN HOME & REHABILITATION CENTER452 Fox Lake Road Waupun, WI 53963 (920) 324-9051

CONSULTANTS LABORATORY430 East Division StreetFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 929-9300

FOND DU LAC REGIONAL CLINIC420 East Division StreetFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 923-7400

RIPON MEDICAL CENTER845 Parkside StreetRipon, WI 54971(920) 748-3101

ST. AGNES HOSPITAL430 East Division StreetFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 929-2300

ST. FRANCIS HOME33 Everett StreetFond du Lac, WI 54935(920) 923-7980

VILLA LORETTO/VILLA ROSAN8114 County WW Mt. Calvary, WI 53057 (920) 753-3211

WAUPUN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL620 West Brown StreetWaupun, WI 53963(920) 324-5581

To read or share this publication digitally, visit agnesian.com/LIGH.

Do you prefer to get this newsletter electronically? Subscribe at agnesian.com/subscribe.

Kevin Baker, EMT, Advanced Benjamin Ciske, Critical Care Paramedic