Iowa Hospital Association Awards Scholarship

DES MOINES – The Iowa Hospital Association’s (IHA’s) Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) has awarded $182,000 in scholarships to college students from all parts of Iowa. Among those receiving a $3,500 scholarship is Robin McLey an employee at Burgess Health Center who is enrolled in the occupational therapy doctorate program at University of South Dakota.

Since its inception 14 years ago, the IHERF scholarship fund has provided support to about 34 students each year. This year, that number was increased to 52. Similarly, in 2016, the scholarship amount was increased from $3,000 to $3,500. Each recipient is also eligible for an additional $3,500 award. Seven of the students are repeat recipients from 2017.

IHA established the IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarship Program in 2004 to help address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals and encourage young Iowans to establish or continue their careers with Iowa hospitals. The first scholarships were awarded in 2005, and more than 450 students have now benefited from the program. To date, the scholarship program has provided more than $1.4 million in direct support to students since its inception.

Iowa hospitals also benefit from the scholarship program. In exchange for financial support, scholarship-receiving students agree to work one year in an Iowa hospital for each year they receive an award. Today, 250 past scholarship recipients are working in hospitals across the state.

IHA staff, the IHERF Board, hospital leaders and IHA Auxilian/Volunteer Board members from throughout the state evaluated scholarship applications from 165 students, who were judged on grade-point average, a written personal statement, letters of reference and extracurricular, community, and health care-related activities.

“We are very proud to support these high-achieving students who will help Iowa hospitals continue their tradition of high-quality health care throughout the state,” said IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris.

The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government, and consumer audiences.  All of Iowa’s 118 community hospitals are IHA members.

 

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Photo: Burgess Health Center staff members Teresa Butler, VP of clinical services; Robin McLey, occupational therapist and scholarship recipient; Josh Lander, director of rehabilitation services.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Burgess Mental Health has received a grant to provide an international mental health training program. Adults are invited to participate in the training, free of charge.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. Topics covered include:

  • Common mental health challenges for youth, and typical adolescent development.
  • The potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
  • A 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources, and knowledge to assess the situation, to select and implement appropriate interventions, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care.
  • The professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid program is interactive and runs 8 hours. Training is scheduled for Saturday, June 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room of the Onawa Public Library, 707 Iowa Avenue. Staff from Burgess Mental Health will provide the training.

For those who would like to participate in the training, please register by Friday, June 1. Space is limited to the first 20 people who register. To register or ask questions, please call 712-423-9160.

Visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org to learn more about this program.

New Telemedicine Technology at Burgess

Burgess Auxiliary made a generous donation toward the purchase of telemedicine technology for Burgess Health Center. The first specialist who will use the technology is Dr. Jennifer Gibert, an endocrinologist from Omaha. Endocrinologists treat things like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, disorders of menopause, PMS, and pituitary disorders. Many people in the area will benefit from endocrinology appointments close to home.

If you don’t know what telemedicine is, keep reading.

Telemedicine is a fast growing field of medicine. Telemedicine improves access to medical specialists. In the past patients may have had to travel a long way to see a specialist. Now they have the option of being treated by those same doctors, close to home.

The introduction of video conferencing has made a big difference, allowing doctors and patients to see one another. Burgess will use technology that allows patients to talk with Dr. Gibert using a secure live video feed. During the appointment, the doctor can get a medical history from the patient, talk to the patient about current symptoms, do an evaluation, and then recommend the best course of treatment. There will also be a nurse or medical professional in the room with the patient to help by taking vitals and getting the technology set up.

Ongoing conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders are ideal candidates for telemedicine. The Burgess lab will carry out tests and report the results back to the doctor, allowing her to monitor the patient’s condition and recommend any necessary changes to their treatment plan.

While telemedicine can’t completely replace traditional forms of medicine, it is a valuable addition which can vastly improve quality of life for both patients and healthcare providers.

Telemedicine is changing the way healthcare works. Patients can now access high-quality, timely, specialist care wherever they are in the world. While telemedicine isn’t a complete replacement for traditional face-to-face visits, it’s an extremely valuable way to supplement existing care.

If you would like an appointment with Dr. Gibert, please ask your primary care provider for a referral to Burgess Specialty Clinics.

New Doctor Joins Burgess Family Clinic

Burgess Family Clinic is pleased to announce that Lynn Charrlin, MD has joined the practice and will begin seeing patients in November.

“I am very excited to welcome Dr. Charrlin,” said Caleb Poore, director of Burgess clinics. “She provides a great blend of experience and knowledge with a strong passion for providing community-based care.”

Dr. Charrlin grew up in Millard, Neb. She received her medical degree and completed her residency at UNMC in Omaha, and then was commissioned as a major in the United States Airforce. She spent 14 years working at family clinics in small towns in Missouri. Most recently she worked for the US Department of Veterans Affairs at a satellite clinic in Sioux City. She has missed practicing in a rural community and is looking forward to returning to that in Mapleton.

As a family practice physician, she enjoys all aspects of healthcare, but Dr. Charrlin also has special interest and expertise in dermatological procedures, joint injections and helping patients with weight management. “My individualistic approach to healthcare revolves around compassion and understanding. I enjoy getting to know patients on a personal level, as all aspects of life have an immense impact on health,” says Dr. Charrlin.

In her spare time, Dr. Charrlin enjoys taking care of her pets, animal rescue, gardening, photography and spending time with her family.

For more information on the clinic or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lynn Charrlin, please call 712-882-2234.

Neck Surgeon at Burgess

Lee Merritt, MD, a fellowship trained orthopaedic spinal surgeon, provides services in Onawa. She has clinic appointments and performs surgeries on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dr. Merritt has spent 20 years in private practice, doing orthopaedic trauma and complex spine surgery.

Along with the skillful surgical staff at Burgess, Dr. Merritt will perform a wide variety of minimally invasive, same-day procedures. Those procedures will include but are not limited to: joint scopes; rotator cuff surgery; trigger finger and carpal tunnel release; neck surgery; sciatic nerve decompression; and fracture repair and stabilization. She is also available to consult with patients for treatment of conditions such as bursitis, gout, plantar fasciitis, joint disorders, osteoarthritis, and neck and back pain.

After many years as a spine surgeon in Arizona, Dr. Merritt moved back to Logan, Iowa, to the house in which she grew up. She then began work as a private contract surgeon, in underserved areas of Iowa. Dr. Merritt thoroughly enjoys the practice of medicine, and in her spare time, living the rural Iowa lifestyle. She believes that health requires purpose and happiness.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Merritt, please call Burgess Health Center’s Central Scheduling at 712-423-9363.