Community Report 2022
Caregivers at Winona Health have been serving our community through generations. As we provide the care you need today, we also keep an eye to the future so we’re here and ready for all of your tomorrows.
Our local, volunteer board of directors is made up of community members who bring different perspectives and a variety of experience and expertise to our organization. And, because they are community members, they have a personal interest in local healthcare.
Local healthcare affects every aspect of our community. And it affects our family, friends and neighbors personally. What we want for our families is what you want for yours. We know there is beauty and power in being small. As an independent, community-owned healthcare system, we have the power to decide how to best use our precious resources to benefit THIS community.
Looking to the future, through intentional and extensive thought, research, data gathering, input from caregivers and various stakeholders, we’ve updated our mission, extended our vision and further defined our values to guide our work. Our Manifesto is a new way of sharing our ongoing story, which, thanks to forward-thinking community members, began more than a century ago.
We are Winona.
Here’s our story, and keep an eye out for some familiar faces and places along the way!
The making of our We Are Winona video (a glimpse behind the scenes)
Mission
To inspire, recognize, and empower the caregiver in all of us.
Vision
To create the most inclusive, compassionate, and self-generating community health movement in the nation.
Values
We will achieve our Mission and Vision through three interlocking commitments:
Everything Matters
The pursuit of excellence is our greatest teacher. Our many voices and ideas generate innovation and drive improvement in every touchpoint of every day to create more trusted and meaningful experiences.
Everyone Matters
We honor the unique and profound experiences that shape each of us on our path through life and serve all with empathy, dignity, and expertise.
Every Moment Matters
Sometimes, there are no second chances. We are driven to be more fully present in every moment, big or small, across entire lifetimes and generations.
2022 in Review
Highlights • Milestones • Stories • Honors
Thank you to our Board of Directors
These individuals, who are both community members and leaders, play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction, ensuring high quality care and safety, providing financial oversight and setting policy. They embrace the responsibility of guiding our organization in caring for all as a strong, independent, not-for-profit community-owned healthcare system.
Dr. Edin retired after 53 years of caring for our community
Andrew edin, md
Andrew Edin, MD, one of our long-time Internal Medicine physicians retired in 2022 after more than half a century of caring for the Winona community.
Dr. Edin said, “I’ve never woken up and not wanted to go to work. It’s an exciting and exhilarating thing to be able to take care of people.”
A board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Edin earned his medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and completed his residency at Hennepin County General Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had been with Winona Health since 1969.
Dr. Edin’s retirement open house was Saturday, June 25 here at Winona Health. He will forever be part of Winona Health’s story.
We celebrate another year of welcoming the newest members to our community!
Caregivers in Women’s Health and our Family Birth Center have a genuine passion for their work, and it shines through in everything they do. A grateful mom shares her experience:
“I have been coming to Winona health since 2012, and I have had both of my babies in the Family Birth Center at Winona Health. My experience was phenomenal. The rooms were comfortable and had a number of different things I could use while laboring and pushing such as the jetted tub, the birthing ball and birthing bar… I felt encouraged and supported by the staff the entire time, and I was surprised by the staff’s attention to detail. I felt as if my nurses and midwife knew exactly what I needed before I did.”
Read the rest of Amanda’s story…
or take a tour of our Family Birth Center!
Simulation Lab: Fostering a community of caregivers
Working with Winona State University, we have transformed a space at Winona Health into a healthcare Simulation Lab.
In the Simulation Lab, high-fidelity manikins allow us to simulate realistic patient scenarios. These almost life-like manikins allow students and caregivers an opportunity to build and test their critical thinking skills, practice medical assessments and treatments, and develop confidence.
When you see these manikins, you might not believe they aren’t really human!
Making care convenient for students and parents
In collaboration with Winona Area Public Schools, our caregivers in Pediatrics developed school-based clinics, offering students another way to access needed healthcare.
This model removes barriers and provides easy access for students and leverages virtual technology to allow parents or guardians to join visits remotely without having to leave work.
In addition to providing routine care, our are providers are an essential first resource for students who express the need for behavioral health support. This initiative addresses the priority areas of mental health and well-being, health equity, and healthy behaviors.
New, full-time Audiology services
In June 2022, Audiologist Kaitlyn Ostrowski joined Winona Health, and we are opened of our new, full-time Audiology Department on the first floor of the clinic.
The space had to be extensively reconstructed to accommodate a roomy audiology booth, easily accessible to all patients. Audiology services include comprehensive evaluation and treatment for hearing loss and hearing preservation.
Learn more about Audiology Services, what to expect during a hearing exam and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Navigating a year of roundabouts!
In April 2022, The Minnesota Department of Transportation began a major project to replace traffic lights at three intersections on Mankato Avenue with roundabouts and an additional roundabout at the intersection of Mankato Avenue and Sarnia.
The goal of the project was increased safety and to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Winona Health remained accessible throughout the project with routes changing frequently.
As everyone says at the end of a road construction project: boy are we glad that’s done!
Winona Health: One of just three in the nation!
Winona Health was named one of three finalists for the American Hospital Association’s 2021 Rural Hospital Leadership Award!
The award recognizes rural hospital leaders who guide their hospital and community through change and innovation. The hospitals selected display outstanding leadership, responsiveness to their community’s health needs and a collaborative process that has led to measurable outcomes.
Outstanding care leads to “A Salute to Excellence!”
We were recognized by UCare* for improving the health of UCare members enrolled in Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) plans.
“We’re focused on providing the best care for each and every patient,” said Merry Enright, clinical quality coordinator at Winona Health. “This includes everything from pre-visit planning and recommending regular health screenings, asking questions and listening attentively to each person’s needs and concerns, to providing both evidence-based and personalized care to help each person improve their health and well-being.”
UCare’s annual “A Salute to Excellence!” recognizes clinics and care systems with top results in:
- Preventive care
- Disease management
- Behavioral health
- Maternity care
- Care transitions
- Medication management
*UCare is an independent, non-profit health plan providing health coverage and services across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
5-star rating!
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) assigns a rating of 1 to 5 stars to hospitals nationwide. In 2022,we received the highest possible score — a 5-star rating!
(Of the 4,586 hospitals compared, only 431, or 13.8%, earned 5 stars.)
Stroke program earns Minnesota Department of Health Operational Excellence Award
“There is an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into implementing changes in stroke protocols and treatment,” said Chris Watras, DO, stroke program director and Emergency Department physician. “This is an example of how our focus on continuous improvement drives high-quality care throughout Winona Health.”
New Providers
During 2022, we welcomed these new healthcare providers. They chose Winona Health — and our community.
Click on their photo or name to learn more.
Lisa Burkhalter, CNP
Occupational Health
Jerald Cundiff, MD
Ophthalmology
Colin Kennedy, MD
General Surgery
Elizabeth Martinka,
MSW, LGSW
Behavioral Health
Kaitlyn Ostrowski, AuD
Audiology
Melissa Richards, MD
Family Birth Center
Hannah Schreiner, PA-C
Urgent Care
Anna Smaron, PA-C
Urgent Care
Jessica Thesing, CRNA
Anesthesiology
Kynan Trail, MD
General Surgery
Christina Uribe-Nitti, CNP
Occupational Health
Chad Weaver, MD
Dermatology
Robyn Whitehead, CNP
Urgent Care
Hugh miller, ben and adith miller’s son and rtp president and ceo, presented the community service tribute award to goltz.
Dan Goltz receives 2022 Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute
For more than three decades, the Winona Health Foundation, together with the Hugh and Vera Miller family and RTP Company, has presented the Community Service Tribute to recognize a community member for their exceptional generosity of time, talent, spirit or charitable gifts.
Brian Calteaux, the community member who nominated Dan, is a volunteer with Wilson Fire and Rescue. Brian expressed gratitude for Dan’s medical training, expertise and willingness to jump in and try new things, including obstacle courses in full gear along with people less than half his age. He said, “Whenever responding to a call, I show up and look for Dan’s Jeep. It’s often there. One of the things we learn when responding to emergencies is to be cool and calm and have a warm heart. Dan has that for sure. He is an inspiration to all of us.”
ThinkPink Color Fun Run: A community caring for one another
We are overjoyed to share that participation in our ThinkPink Color Fun Run doubled during its second year! We are grateful!
We extend our heartfelt appreciation:
- For all who worked behind-the-scenes on this event, including our amazing Miss Winona, Mikaela Mohr, who initiated this event in 2021, and the planning team and volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly.
- To our women’s imaging/mammography caregivers who shared information about the importance of regular breast screening, answered questions and participated in the event with their families.
- To our sponsors. Businesses in a community like ours field so many requests, and we can’t emphasize enough how much we value their support. Thank you to our gold sponsors: Farmers Insurance – Dave Jensen Agency, 101.1 The River, Dahl Toyota, Express Employment, and Watlow; our silver sponsor: WNB Financial, and our bronze sponsors: Bremer Bank, Coca-Cola of Winona, Dunn Blacktop Company, Forever Bouncin’ Inflatables, Merchants Bank and Steak Shop Catering.
- To our participants for signing up, showing up, supporting and sharing their enthusiasm for this local event to raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund, which benefits people right here in our community.
Winona Health Foundation Trees of Light
Your thoughtfulness shines through!
Our 2022 Trees of Light campaign raised $51,685! These funds will help our simulation lab, hospice program, patient care fund and other services that help members of our community. You have many choices, and we are grateful to all who chose to share their gifts to keep healthcare strong – and local. In the broadest and deepest sense, you are our fellow caregivers.
Katrice Sisson
Community & Donor Relations Manager
Winona Health
Support
If you wish to support Winona Health and our commitment to community-focused healthcare, please visit: winonahealth.org/foundation or direct your gift to the Winona Health Foundation, PO Box 5600, 855 Mankato Avenue, Winona, MN 55987.
Learn more about the Winona Health Foundation, how it impacts our community, and how your contribution can create a meaningful difference.
Caring. Serving. Giving.
Since 1894, generation after generation has volunteered, giving of their time and talent to support their fellow community members and keep local healthcare strong. Last year, our volunteers shared more than 12,500 volunteer hours with Winona Health and raised more than $31,000, which they contributed to the Winona Health Foundation to help support healthcare projects that benefit our patients and residents.
We are grateful for our volunteers: Caring. Serving. Giving.
Our Volunteers have been a part of our story since we were founded in 1894. We see them as our fellow caregivers because we all have a role in caring for others in some way.
If you’re wondering why we have so many caring and giving volunteers, here’s what Nancy had to say:
“There are many ways to volunteer here! I think you will find something that appeals to you. It’s the most fulfilling thing to do, and it’s flexible – you give what you can and feel like you receive more than you give. It’s beautiful when volunteers give of their time for the good of Winona Health and therefore our community.”
Find out about opportunities to volunteer with us.
Even more ways our Volunteers make a difference
In addition to all the ways our volunteers assist in service areas at Winona Health, they also plan and host fundraising events throughout the year.
In a typical year, they host events that go beyond raising money for projects and equipment. These events also serve as a fun way for community members to gather and find great buys for themselves or for giving.>
They plan all these in a typical year!
- Basket Bonanza
- Holiday Happiness
- Fantasy of Trees
- Nutman Chocolate and Candy Sale
- Huge $6 Jewelry & Accessories Sale
- Collective Goods/Books R Fun
Where does the money go? Our caregivers can apply for patient/resident healthcare project funding (up to $5,000) from the volunteers. The Volunteers review all the requests and prioritize how to award funds. Here are a few of the past projects funded by our volunteers:
- Wheelchair scale in Dialysis
- Audiometer for Occupational Health
- Ipads & Otter Boxes for Imaging Services
- Humification Accessory for Bipap Machines or Respiratory Therapy
- Pediatric IV Covers for Inpatient and FBC
- EZ Lift for dialysis
- Exercise bike for Rehab Services
- Salon chairs for Lake Winona Manor Avenue Salon
Learn more about how our Winona Health Volunteers care, serve and give.
Volunteers salute our troops and entertain our community
In addition to all the ways our volunteers assist in service areas at Winona Health, they also plan and host fundraising events throughout the year.
Our Volunteers’ 2022 Salute to the Troops variety show fundraiser was a salute to our public servants and troops from Desert Storm to Afghanistan. The show featured entertaining songs, dances, skits — and a lot of local talent!
Performances were at Wesley United Methodist Church in Winona. Audience members were sure to spot some of their family, friends and neighbors throughout the production!
Thank you to Director Jim Vrchota and the entire cast and crew of the Winona Health Volunteers Salute to the Troops!
We hope you enjoyed this overview of 2022
As we look back at another year through the lens of the great challenges being faced throughout the world, we are reminded of the beauty and power of being small. And the deep sense of responsibility that comes from local ownership.
We know in our hearts that the best possible care happens as it always has — when we are there for each other in the moments that matter.
We Are Winona
Thank you!
Comments? Questions? Memories to share?
Please send them our way! info@winonahealth.org.
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