Scholarship funds are raised through Auxiliary fundraising events including the Birthday Ball, Book Sales, Victorian Tea, Fantasy of Trees, Garage Sale and Holiday Happiness, along with sales from the Glady D. Miller Gift Shop. Since the Auxiliary awarded its first nursing scholarship in 1962, more than $540,000 has been awarded.

The Winona Health Auxiliary is pleased to help these students as they begin their education in healthcare or as they work toward completing their healthcare program.

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 Winona Health Auxiliary Carol Hill Scholarship recipients:

Angela Bambenek, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Nicole Beyer, Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.

Cassie Boddy, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

Allison Gernes, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

Erin Hanson, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Heather Kauphusman, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Carrie King, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

Chancey Klein, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Rebecca Lamberty, University of Phoenix Online, Phoenix, Ariz.

Shantal Maharaj, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Lisa McCabe, Winona State University, Rochester, Minn.

Kelsi Mueller, Rochester Community & Technical College, Rochester, Minn.

Katrina Quinn, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Monica Siegfried, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wis.

Sarah Spiten, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Linda Sturm, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical, Winona, Minn.

Anna Suhr, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

The scholarship committee members are: Kris Cichon, Winona Health director of Inpatient Services; Madonna Daley, MN SE Tech Nursing Department; Nancy Enochs, Winona Health Auxiliary president; Denise Erickson, Winona Health RN Lake Winona Manor; Sheryl Miller, Winona Health Auxiliary president-elect; Maureen Gerson, Winona State University Nursing Department; and Marie Fidler, Winona Health Foundation/Volunteer Services.

Anyone wishing more information about the Winona Health Auxiliary or becoming a volunteer can contact Winona Health’s Volunteer Services office at 507.474.3328.

Andrea Branson, CNP
Internal Medicine

Andrea Branson, CNP, joined the Winona Health staff and will see adults in the Internal Medicine Department.

Branson said she was drawn to Winona Health for several reasons. “I live in La Crosse, and I’ve heard good things about Winona Health,” said Branson. “I like the size of Winona Health rather than being part of a large system. I also appreciate Winona Health’s focus on quality, patient satisfaction and continuous improvement.”

Branson earned her Master of Science in Nursing-Adult Nurse Practitioner from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Prior to joining Winona Health, Branson cared for patients at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, Wis. She has a special interest in oncology and has administered chemotherapy treatment. In addition, she is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Association.

Branson and her husband live in La Crosse and have two young children.

Branson will work closely with Internal Medicine physicians and other healthcare providers in the Internal Medicine Department as part of a patient care team with Richard Ferris, MD.

To schedule an appointment to see Branson, please call the Winona Health Internal Medicine Department at 507.507.7622.

Learn more about healthcare providers  at Winona Health

Dean McClenathan with Tanya Meyer, 2013 recipient of the Phyllis A. McClenathan Nursing Scholarship.

The Winona Health Foundation selected Tanya Meyer to receive the Phyllis A. McClenathan Nursing Scholarship.

Meyer attends Winona State University and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with plans to become a registered nurse and, eventually, a nurse practitioner. She currently is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Winona Health Adith Miller Manor.

Dean McClenathan established the scholarship after his wife, Phyllis, a long-time nurse in Winona Health’s Family Birth Center, passed away after a long fight with cancer. In establishing this scholarship, Dean wanted to honor his wife by encouraging and helping others in their efforts to become devoted, effective and compassionate caregivers.

The McClenathan family directed memorials to the scholarship fund and hopes that others will contribute so that the fund will grow and continue in perpetuity. Gifts to the Phyllis McClenathan Nursing Scholarship may be made to the Winona Health Foundation, 855 Mankato Avenue, Winona, Minnesota, 55987. Questions may be directed to 507.457.4342.

Winona Health Healthy Kids Club invites kids ages 6 to 11 and their families to register for Step into Summer with area scouts, Saturday, June 1 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. This free family event features a geo cache walk with some extra fun along the way. This Healthy Kids Club event is presented in conjunction with area Scouts.

The geo cache walk begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. at the bike path near Lake Winona Manor on the Winona Health campus. Families will have an opportunity to search for geo cache markers and participate in activities along their route.

Those who complete the geo cache walk are invited to enjoy additional activities including a water balloon toss, rain gutter regatta, bike rodeo, ambulance and fire truck tours, fishing with MinnAqua and more.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, but please leave your skateboards, rollerblades and pets at home. Bikes are welcome for the bike rodeo only; remember your helmet.

The event is free but RSVP is required by Wednesday, May 29. Call 507.457.4161 or RSVP online here.

Winona Health salutes the 336 nurses who provide comfort, care and clinical excellence during clinic visits, surgery and hospital stays, and through home care, assisted living, memory care, long-term care and hospice.

Individuals who would like to express appreciation to a Winona Health nurse are invited to send a message online  here.

LeAnne Morey, PA-C

Winona Health invites community members to a free Community Health Talk: Children’s Mental Health, Tuesday, May 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The program will be at Winona Health, 855 Mankato Avenue, in the B.A. Miller Auditorium on the hospital’s 3rd floor.

LeAnne Morey, PA-C, with Winona Health’s Behavioral Health and Psychiatric & Counseling Services will discuss various aspects of children’s mental health. Attendees will get an overview of children’s mental health concerns including prevalence, diagnosis and treatments including behavioral modifications and medications. Topics covered include depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Morey has a special interest in children and adolescent psychiatry and is also experienced in adult psychiatry assessment and medication follow up. Before joining Winona Health, she saw patients in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis and Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spencer, Iowa.

The program is free but RSVP is required by Thursday, May 23. Light refreshments provided. RSVP by phone: 507.457.4161 or online: here.

Author, speaker and 20-year cancer survivor Christine Clifford will be the keynote speaker at Winona Health’s Laugh ’til it Heals, Thursday, May 16 at Signature’s Event Center.

Purchase tickets.

Winona Health invites community members to Laugh ’til it Heals: An evening of hope, laughter and positive thinking featuring national keynote speaker and cancer survivor Christine Clifford. The event is Thursday, May 16 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Signatures Event Center, 22852 County Road 17 in Winona.

Christine Clifford, a 20-year cancer survivor, CEO/President of The Cancer Club® and author of eight books including Not Now…I’m Having a No Hair Day! and Laugh ’til It Heals quickly learned that not only does the world laugh with you when you laugh, laughter takes away the pain.

“Everyone who attends this program will leave with new insight and perspective about dealing with cancer,” said Betsy Midthun, Winona Health vice president of Community Engagement. “We’re also pleased to have three of our physicians joining us to share information about cancer care here in Winona.”

In addition to Clifford’s keynote address, the event includes comments from Winona Health physicians, Scott Birdsall, MD, Women’s Health Center; William Krueger, DO, radiologist; and Matthew Broghammer, DO, general surgeon. Healthcare providers and staff also will be on hand to provide information and answer questions during the opening social hour including appetizers and cash bar and during the event intermission. A healthy dinner salad also will be served. Appetizers and dinner will include foods that help prevent cancer.

Tickets are $20 per person which includes all except cash bar. RSVP by Thursday, May 9, by phone: 507.457.4161 or online here.

The program is for those who may suffer from thumb pain due to excessive texting or a job in which there is repetitive motion involving the thumb.

The program will be presented by Winona Health Occupational Therapist Barb Parent, OTR/L. Parent has a special interest in rehabilitation therapy for Cerebral Vascular Injuries (brain injuries) and dementia, as well as hand therapy, lymphedema and orthopedics.

There is no charge for this Community Health Talk, but RSVP is required by Thursday, May 16. Space is limited and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP by calling 507.457.4161 or RSVP online here.

Open Streets events typically involve the temporary closing of selected streets to motor vehicle traffic, making them available to all non-motorized transportation and people of all abilities.

Schedule:

10 a.m. – opening words and ceremonial opening of the streets to human-powered traffic

10:30 a.m. – Bike Rodeo with Officer Kevin Kearney

10:30 a.m. – Activities

• Get Healthy with Winona Health, Healthy Kids Club

• Dance fitness with Z Studio

• Bounce Castle with Back to Health Chiropractic

• The Bird Feeder Game with Project Go

• GaGa Pit Ball with the Y

• Picnic Games with Winona Parks and Recreation

The event is free and no reservations are required. If it’s raining, the event will be cancelled.

If you have questions, call: Live Well Winona, 507.474.9825

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About Healthy Kids Club:

Healthy Kids Club is a collaborative effort between Winona Health and other area organizations designed to improve the health and well-being of children ages 6 to 11. To learn more about this Healthy Kids Club, visit winonahealth.org/HKC or call 507.457.4161.

The next free program about Healthcare Directives will be Monday, May 20, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Winona Health Parkview Conference Room on the hospital first floor, 855 Mankato Avenue in Winona.

The primary purpose of a Healthcare Directive is to allow individuals to retain control over their care, even after losing the ability to speak on their own behalf. All individuals age 18 and older are encouraged to complete a Healthcare Directive. Trained and certified Winona Health Auxiliary volunteers will facilitate this program with participants using authorized forms. The session will cover both Minnesota and Wisconsin Healthcare Directives.

A follow-up session will be held at the same time in the same location, Monday, June 3. This is an opportunity for individuals who have attended the informational to get assistance in completing their personal directive or to have a Healthcare Directives facilitator review a completed directive.

These sessions are free and open to the public. No advanced registration is required.

Auxiliary volunteers are also available to give group presentations in the community about making their wishes known through a Health Care Directive. If you have questions about the program, please call 507.474.3328.