Latest Northeast Wisconsin healthcare news & headlines – March 13, 2023 Issue

Nancy Barthel

Contributor

March 10, 2023

Registration is open for June 10 Bellin Run, new 5K 
GREEN BAY – Bellin Run organizers have added some variety to its 10K event, with the addition of a new 5K (3.1-mile) option.
The June 10 event, which begins at 8 a.m., will mark the 47th year for the Bellin Run in Green Bay, which features opportunities for both runners and walkers.

“We have heard loud and clear more of our friends and family members want to be a part of the Bellin Run, but that for some, including younger children, the full 6.2-mile distance may not be doable to run or walk,” Randy Van Straten, executive race director, said.

At the same time, Van Straten said organizers know there are “some speedy runners” out there who want to test themselves on a shorter course.

“This new distance gives them a way to do that while still being a part of our event,” he said.

According to race organizers, the Bellin Run, which started in 1977, is considered one of the largest 10K events in the country.
The 2022 event – the first in-person run in two years – recorded more than 6,800 participants.

Free, weekly training run/walk events will start March 29 at Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in Ashwaubenon.

Those interested in school or corporate training programs should email BellinRun@bellin.org for more information.

Early registration for the Bellin Run’s 10K and 5K events (in-person or virtual options) is $30, while the half-mile Friday, June 9, children’s run is $15.

Registration can be done at bellinrun.com.

Five area facilities on ‘World’s Best’ list for United States
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – Five healthcare facilities in Northeast Wisconsin have been named to the list of World’s Best Hospitals 2023 for the United States by Newsweek magazine and Statista Inc., a statistics portal that specializes in market and consumer data.

Recognized area facilities include: Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay, Aurora Medical Center-Sheboygan County, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton.

Hospitals were ranked based on four data sources including:
Hospital recommendations from medical experts included an international online survey sent to more than 80,000 doctors, hospital managers and healthcare professionals.Patient experience – survey of patient satisfaction with hospitalization.Patient-reported outcome measures – surveys measuring patient satisfaction with hospitals.Hospital quality metrics – patient safety, hygiene measures, waiting times and quality of treatment.
 A full list can be found on newsweek.com.

Local optician’s mission trips span more than three decades
OCONTO FALLS – Susan Laskowski, a dispensing optician with BayCare Clinic Eye Specialists in Oconto Falls, recently returned from an optical mission trip to Rancho Arriba in the Dominican Republic where she provided eye exams and prescription glasses for people of all ages.

Between Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Laskowski has gone on 32 mission trips. 

“We set up a clinic in a middle and high school building,” she said. “We saw 1,158 people for eye exams and then we fitted them with used eyeglasses. For most recipients, this likely will be the only eye exam or glasses they have access to in this community.”

Laskowski said her first mission trip was in 1989 to Etzatlan, a town of about 17,000 in west-central Mexico, which inspired her to begin her travels.

She now makes the annual trip with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH).

Her airfare was supported by a local Lions Club.
 
DCMC Auxiliary accepting scholarship applications
DOOR COUNTY – The Door County Medical Center (DCMC) Auxiliary is accepting applications for 2023 healthcare scholarships through April 4.

Eligible recipients are 2023 Door County and Algoma high school graduates planning to pursue healthcare careers, prior graduates who are enrolled in healthcare-related programs and DCMC employees continuing their healthcare education.
Applications can be accessed through the medical center’s website.

The DCMC Auxiliary awarded $44,000 in scholarships in 2022.

For more information on the scholarship program, contact Robin Hamm-Jackson, DCMC volunteer coordinator, at (920) 746-3609 or email robin.hamm-jackson@dcmedical.org.

LTC psychology instructor receives national honor
CLEVELAND – Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) psychology instructor Julie Konik has been awarded the 2023 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges.

In addition to teaching psychology, Konik coordinates LTC’s therapy dog program, serves as co-chair for the diversity and inclusion committee and is a member of the Lakeshore Leadership Development Institute cohort.

Konik has been at LTC since 2018 and recently helped create the college’s new Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree programs.

She is the fifth LTC faculty member to earn Parnell recognition in the last six years.

Recipients are honored for their willingness to support students inside and outside of the community college classroom to achieve academic success. 
 
SSM Health Ripon is helping alleviate kids’ surgery fears
RIPON – The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital surgical services team, along with the hospital auxiliary, are collaborating to offer a small, but intimate, way to help alleviate common fears of children facing surgical procedures.

Thanks to the auxiliary, all pediatric surgery patients at Ripon Community Hospital now receive a custom-made pediatric surgical cap they can take home at discharge.

“It doesn’t take away all the stress, but it helps,” Sidney Aalsma, surgical services manager, said. “It also helps the parents because it gets them involved with helping them (their child) pick the hat.”