News

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Brenda Hinrickson from the Burgess Home Health and Hospice Department for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Michelle Hanner, along with her brother Jeff McCunn, sister Donna Archer, and mother, Carolyn McCunn, want to recognize Hinrickson for her exceptional care by nominating and donating in honor of their beloved father and husband, Herschel “Newt” McCunn. They said she went above and beyond to care for Newt and his family. This nomination was made on Newt’s birthday, December 11, and a happy birthday in Heaven poem was read.

“Brenda was so kind and professional and not only took care of Newt but also took care of our whole family,” said Hanner. “She was available no matter what time of day or night.”

“Newt’s last days were full of dignity and respect thanks to Brenda,” added Hanner.

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call Bobbi Johnson at 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

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Photo: (back L to R) Brenda Hinrickson, Bobbi Johnson, Sherri Johnston-McDowell. (front L to R) Michelle Hanner and mother Carolyn McCunn.

 

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Brenda Hinrickson and Jenny Kenney from the Burgess Home Health and Hospice Department for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Sandy Harris, along with her brother Dennis Lee and sister, Vicky Lee, want to recognize and thank these two exceptional caregivers by nominating and donating in honor of her beloved mother, LaVirta “Vertie” Lee. These caregivers went above and beyond to care for Vertie and her family.

“With family members living in Seattle, Phoenix, and Soldier, they took extra time to communicate with all of us in a very compassionate way,” said Harris. “We appreciated their professionalism and the kindness they extended to our family.”

“We are so pleased that our mother’s last days were treated with dignity and loving care,” added Harris.

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Burgess Health Center Home Health and Hospice recognized hospice volunteer and veteran Gwen Clemon and hospice volunteer Sharon Holverson at the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa Volunteer Recognition event on November 6, 2020.

Unfortunately, this year’s event was held virtually due to COVID. However, this did not stop Jenny Kenney, Home Health/Hospice Social Worker at Burgess Health Center, from celebrating them.  Kenney presented the ladies with a small gift while enjoying lunch. Both Gwen and Sharon have been volunteers since 2017.

Burgess Health Center Home Health and Hospice is grateful for all the volunteers who spend time with our organization and are glad to choose these two to be recognized.

Photo: Gwen Clemon and Sharon Holverson

 

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Ashley Anderson, Home Health Aide at Burgess Home Health & Hospice, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Ashley was nominated by Geri Johnson and her sister, Deanna Burgess.

“We want to thank Ashley for her exceptional role and the loving care she gave our mother Luella Raymond,” said Johnson. “Ashley always said hi to mom and explained why she was there and what she was going to do.”

“Ashley was loving and caring and will make a great Angel.” added Johnson.

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Geri Johnson, Ashley Anderson, and Sherri Johnston-McDowell. Not pictured: Deanna Burgess.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Cindy Parks, Rehabilitation Technician in the Burgess Rehabilitation Services Department, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

The business and registration office at Burgess Health Center wanted to recognize and thank Parks for her dedication to Burgess and our patients. Cindy was vital in the process of coordinating COVID-19 precautions. Without hesitation, she stepped up and successfully took over the screening desk in the front lobby of Burgess Health Center. Cindy had little time for training but quickly embraced her new duties.

“Every day, Cindy welcomes patients and staff with an inviting smile, calms patient’s nerves, and explains with true empathy why we are enforcing new rules at our facilities,” said her fellow coworkers. “She goes above and beyond her duties, which sometimes ends in her making a quick trip to the cafeteria for a cup of water of coffee for a patient.”

“Thank you, Cindy, for your teamwork, compassion, empathy, and willingness to do whatever is needed,” added her coworkers.  “Our staff and patients continue to be safe because of your hard work and dedication. You are a true Guardian Angel.”

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Bart McDowell, Foundation Director, Cindy Parks, and Carl Behne, Chief Executive Officer at Burgess Health Center.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nomination of Fran Tramp, president of Burgess Health Center, for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Sharon Taylor, Director of Risk Management/ Accreditation Services at Burgess Health Center, and husband, Gary, wanted to recognize and thank Tramp for his 27 years of service at Burgess, first as Chief Financial Officer, then Chief Operating Officer, and in his current role as president.

“His commitment to our patients, community, and staff has been evident to us as well as many others,” said Taylor.

Taylor has worked at Burgess for 46 years under every CEO except the first and has seen leadership through the ups and downs.

“I appreciate working with Fran over the past 27 years,” she said.  “I value not only his leadership but also his friendship.”

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

Photo: (left to right) Fran Tramp, president of Burgess Health Center, Sharon and Gary Taylor.

Burgess Health Center is proud to announce the nominations of four members of the Incident Command team for the Burgess Foundation Guardian Angel Award.

Grady Warner, Director of IT at Burgess Health Center, wanted to recognize and thank these members for their efforts throughout the COVID-19 crisis. They each have put forth countless dedicated hours and have shown exceptional leadership in these uncertain times.  As the driving force through this crisis, this team collaborated with state and local entities, guided safe patient care, provided input for nursing home protocols, and so much more.

To read each nomination in its entirety, please click “read more” below.

Guardian Angels:

Erin Brekke  … read more
Teresa Butler … read more
Dr. Tracy Kahl … read more
Sharon Taylor … read more

Burgess Foundation’s Guardian Angel program provides patients, family members, and friends a chance to show their gratitude to a physician, nurse, or another caregiver who has played an exceptional role in their lives. The Guardian Angel, rather Angels in this unique case, received an acknowledgment letter announcing that a donation has been made in their honor and given a custom-crafted lapel pin to wear proudly.

Did a caregiver at Burgess make a memorable difference for you or your family? If so, you can honor that special person in a highly visible way through the Burgess Foundations Guardian Angel program. It is more than a pin. When you take advantage of our Guardian Angel program, you also help ensure the future of outstanding health care in the region.

Visit www.BurgessHC.org/about/foundation/guardian-angel/ or call 712-423-9374 to make your nomination(s).

 

Photo: (left to right) Fran Tramp, president of Burgess Health Center, Dr. Tracy Kahl, Sharon Taylor, Erin Brekke Teresa Butler, and Grady Warner.

Diabetes is a disease that will not go away, but it can be managed by taking proper and necessary steps. Burgess Diabetes Center offers the latest in technology to help patients manage their blood sugars.

A Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) consists of a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. The sensor uses a thin flexible filament inserted under the skin and measures glucose every minute. The blood sugar data from the sensor is downloaded to a computer and a print out shows a full 24 hours of blood sugars. The sensor can be worn for up to 14 days.

John Maule, a five-year diabetes patient, has had previous struggles with keeping track of his blood sugar. After wearing the professional CGMS, it motivated him to get a personal version and download the phone app.

“I’m afraid of needles, so pricking your fingers all the time was a big step for me,” said Maule. “Then on top of it, you have to keep track of the strips.” It got to be too much of a hassle for Maule that eventually he became inconsistent with testing his blood sugar altogether.

When a diabetes patient is inconsistent or just stops checking their blood sugar, they are taking a major risk.

Michele Kirkendall, Burgess Health Center diabetes educator, and dietician said not checking your blood sugar can lead to problems with a diabetes patient’s vision, heart, kidneys, and circulation in hands and feet.

“You can also feel extremely tired and just not feel like doing anything,” said Kirkendall.

Since beginning the sensor in May, Maule has noticed an improvement in his daily life.

“I think the biggest thing is I know what to eat when to eat and how I react to what I eat.” Before he was just guessing and paying the consequence later.

The sensor relays important information to the reader, such as graphs and charts.

All of these conveniences have changed the way Maule feels about checking his blood sugar.

“I can’t believe that anyone with diabetes doesn’t struggle with pricking their finger,” he said. “I would recommend the sensor to anyone with diabetes.”

Personal Continuous Glucose Monitors are becoming a very useful tool to help individuals monitor their blood sugars. If you or someone you know could benefit from this technology, contact our diabetes educators at Burgess Diabetes Center.

www.burgesshc.org or call 712-423-9268.

Burgess Health Center is pleased to announce its Emergency Department has been named a 2017 Guardian of Excellence Award^® winner by Press Ganey. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that have consistently achieved the 95^th percentile or above of performance in Patient Experience. The Emergency Department at Burgess has received this award for five consecutive years.

The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally-recognized symbol of achievement in health care. Presented annually, the award honors clients who consistently sustained performance in the top 5% of all Press Ganey clients for each yearly reporting period.

“This achievement demonstrates the commitment our employees make to our patients,” notes Fran Tramp, President and CEO, Burgess Health Center. “Providing a positive patient experience is top-priority along with providing quality care. Our exceptional staff members genuinely care about the health and well-being of our patients and their families – and it shows.”

“We are proud to partner with Burgess Health Center,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. “This award is a testament to the organization’s leadership in delivering patient-centered care. By achieving and sustaining this level of excellence, Burgess continues to demonstrate their commitment to reducing patient suffering and advancing the overall quality of health care.”

Find out more about Burgess Emergency Services.