Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital

caringforyouSUMMER 2012

www.granditasca.org

Prepare for Back-to-School Time Now » pg. 6

Grill, Baby, Grill

Heart-Healthy Summer Barbecue Fare

Website RevampFind out more » pg. 11

Upcoming Conference Find out more » pg. 7

Summer Barbecue FareFind out more » pg. 4

WHAT TO EXPECT New Electronic Record Provides One Source of Patient Info

GRILL, BABY, GRILL Heart-Healthy Summer Barbecue Fare

Prepare for Back-to-School Time Now

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CONTENTS

FOUNDATION NEWS Upcoming Conference Offers End-of-Life Education

COMMUNITY CALENDARCommunity Workshops and Support groups

LEVEL III TRAUMA RECERTIFICATION

WEBSITE REVAMP: USER-FRIENDLY UPDATE

www.granditasca.org2

Caribbean Watermelon SalsaTry this mouth-watering salsa with lime tortilla chips, cinnamon tortilla chips or pita chips.

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Number of servings: 8

Ingredients 2 cups watermelon, chopped and seeded 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple 1 cup chopped onion ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ cup orange juice 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning

DirectionsIn large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, at least one hour to blend flavors. Stir before serving. Recipe courtesy of www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov.

Nutrition FactsCaribbean Watermelon Salsa

Serving Size 1⁄8 recipe

Amount Per ServingCalories 35 Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value (DV)*

Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Trans Fat 0g 0%Cholesterol 0mg 0%Sodium 105mg 4%Total Carbohydrate 8g 3% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Sugars 6g Protein 1g

Vitamin A 6%Vitamin C 25%Calcium 2%Iron 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Secure Access to Health Records Will Soon Be a Click Away!

MyChart is a feature of EPIC and allows

patients to securely access a portion

of their medical record anywhere they

have Internet access, including from

smartphones and tablet computers.

MyChart is the easy way to:

• Schedule a variety of appointments

• Receive lab results online

• Renew prescriptions

• Get clinic visit summaries and

discharge instructions

• View and pay bills online and more!

Look for MyChart late-August 2012!

3SUMMER 2012

WHAT’S NEW

What to Expect

New Electronic Record Provides One Source of Patient Info

Coordinating medical

care at Grand Itasca

Clinic & Hospital will

be as easy as a click of a mouse

with the introduction of a new

electronic medical records system.

It will provide a single source of

documentation on patients’ allergies,

medications, test results and other

pertinent health information.

Grand Itasca will begin using

EPIC – the nation’s industry

leader in electronic health record

management systems – in late-

August, facilitating access to patient

medical records in both the clinic

and hospital as well as home care,

rehab and more. Since Grand Itasca

has purchased Allina’s version of

EPIC, known as Excellian, health

care providers throughout the

Allina Health System and their

affiliates, will use and update the

same medical record if you’re

referred for advanced care.

“It will be a huge improvement

from the current workflow,” says

Jean MacDonell, who serves as

director of Grand Itasca’s health

information and Excellian project

lead. “Care providers will have faster

access to test results and any visit

information from a clinic or hospital

visit. Patients will notice quicker

access to their test results – they can

log-in securely from any Internet

connection to see key pieces of

their medical record.”

Privacy always Paramount

As always, the privacy of medical

information will be strictly upheld

with the EPIC system, and only

medical providers and personnel

involved in a patient’s care will

access their medical record. “We

strictly monitor who is accessing

your chart and perform regular

audits to ensure that private

patient information is accessed

only for medical reasons. One

of our top priorities is to ensure

patients’ private information is

treated with the utmost respect,”

MacDonell continued.

“The benefits of using EPIC are

tremendous. Not only is the

information more organized and

streamlined, but it also creates

additional safeguards for patients

and our staff. It is an invaluable

tool that we are excited to offer our

community.”

To learn more, visit our website at

www.granditasca.org.

www.granditasca.org4

HEALTHY LIVING caringforyou

Grill, Baby, Grill

Heart-Healthy Summer Barbecue Fare

This is the moment you’ve

been waiting for: Time

to temporarily retire the

stove, fire up the grill and herald

in another season of flavorful,

smoky morsels. But the official

start of barbecue season doesn’t

have to mean the end of healthy

eating, since many varieties of

meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit not

only taste great, but make perfect

companions to the backyard grill.

“Grilling can be healthier than

regular cooking because you can

grill anything – it’s a fresh, fun and

creative way to cook,” says Valerie

Plackner, RD, a clinical dietitian

at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.

“And if you’re having a family

barbecue, you can give everyone

a job. Kids can shuck the corn

and everyone can get involved in

the cooking.”

Just be mindful that not all grilled

food is created equal. Here are

some tips to keep your summer

grilling heart-healthy, along with

recipes to help get you started:

• Make a better main meal. Throw

chicken breasts (consumed

without the skin), fish, “loin” or

“round” cuts of red meat (look

for “choice” or “select,” on the

label, too), or pork on the grill

to minimize the fat. Craving

a burger? Try turkey, buffalo,

or veggie versions. If you’re

marinating the meat, fat-free or

reduced fat salad dressing and

lemon are good options; watch

the salty stuff like barbecue, soy,

or teriyaki sauces. “The best way

to stay away from added salt is

5SUMMER 2012

to make your own marinade,”

Plackner suggests. “I like garlic

and herbs, but the sky’s the limit

depending on what your family

and you like.”

• Top it off right. Choose low-fat

or nonfat cheeses for your burger,

and whole-grain rolls for your

hamburger buns.

• Sideline unhealthy sides and

desserts. As good as those

homemade potato and macaroni

salads are, they’re usually loaded

with mayonnaise; opt instead for

leafy green salads. Fruit salads

make a good stand-in for pies.

You can also grill fruit, such as

pineapple, peaches, and nectarines

to bring out their natural

sweetness. “Sweet potatoes are

excellent on the grill,” Plackner

says, “and pineapple gets all

carmelized, which makes it even

sweeter. It’s a great dessert option.”

• Be beverage savvy. Stick to

water or tea, rather than the

calorie- and sugar-laden sodas.

“Also remember that alcoholic

beverages have lots of calories,”

Plackner adds. “If you’re

concerned about calories, it’s not

only smart to watch what you’re

drinking, but limit your pre-

barbecue snacking as well.”

INGREDIENTS:1 tablespoon olive or canola oil1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 2–3 cloves)2 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoon oregano, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)1 12-ounce tuna steaks, cut into 4 portions (3 ounces each)

FOR SALAD:¹⁄₂ can (15¹⁄₂ ounces) low-sodium chickpeas (or garbanzo beans), drained

and rinsed¹⁄₂ bag (10 ounces) leaf spinach, rinsed and dried1 tablespoon lemon juice1 medium tomato, rinsed and cut into wedges¹⁄₈ teaspoon salt¹⁄₈ teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:Preheat grill pan or oven broiler (with the rack three inches from heat source) on high temperature. Combine oil, garlic, lemon juice and oregano, and brush over tuna steaks. Marinate for five to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine all salad ingredients. (Salad can be made up to two hours in advance and refrigerated.) Grill or broil tuna on high heat for three to four minutes on each side until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork (to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F). Serve one tuna steak over 1 cup of mixed salad. Makes four servings.

Grilled Tuna with Chickpea and Spinach Salad

Per serving (one tuna steak, one cup of salad): 282 calories, 10 g total fat (2 g saturated), 42 mg

cholesterol, 418 mg sodium, 5 g total fiber, 31 g protein, 15 g carbohydrates, 874 mg potassium.

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

www.granditasca.org6

caringforyou

Prepare for Back-to-School Time Now

HEALTHY LIVING

advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that

are widely available during the summer months

to promote healthy eating for the rest of the year,”

suggests Dr. Harker. That way, when the lunch bell

rings they’ll remember to eat their vegetables and

side-step the french fries.

Encourage safety. “You should model the

behaviors you want your children to follow.”

Talk to your kids about how to ride the bus safely, why

they should always wear a helmet if they ride a bike

to school and how to approach you or a teacher if they

are being bullied. Keeping the conversation flowing all

summer long will help your children feel prepared in

any situation.

Add ‘relax’ to your to-do list. “Take time out

to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and be

with the ones you love most – your family!” says

Dr. Harker. School can be stressful for many kids and

teens. Give them a break from all the homework, tests

and activities, but encourage learning in a fun way or

working part-time to develop new skills.

It probably feels like your kids just put away their

school books, but preparing for the upcoming

school year now can be a wise move. Not only

will you avoid the rush by not waiting until the last

minute, but your kids can have an easier transition

from the lazy days of summer to the hustle and

bustle of fall.

Here are some ways to get a head start on back-to-school

preparations.

Plan ahead for physicals. Make an

appointment now for your child’s annual

checkup to ensure you’ll get an appointment before

school starts. “A yearly physical gives parents an

opportunity to discuss any concerns they have about

their child, monitor growth and development, update

immunizations and follow up with more chronic

conditions such as asthma,” says Shannon Harker, MD,

at Grand Itasca. “To make the most of these appointments

bring a list of questions or concerns and any school/

daycare forms that need to be filled out.”

Keep up with healthy habits. A change in

routine can be hard on many kids. That’s why

it’s best to keep healthy habits in place all through the

summer. But if you encourage consistent bedtimes

through the summer, you’ll avoid tired mornings

once school starts. And the summer can be a great

time to teach your kids about nutritious foods. “Take

“Take time out to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and be with the ones you love most – your family!”

- Dr. Harker

7SUMMER 2012

GRAND ITASCA FOUNDATION

Death, Dying, and Grief

Upcoming Conference Offers End-of-Life Education

One of the nation’s foremost

educators on hospice care

and end-of-life issues will

be in Grand Rapids for a two-day

presentation on Tools for Working

with End of Life Care. Barbara

Karnes, award-winning hospice

nurse and author of “Gone from My Sight: The Dying Experience,” will

speak September 26 and 27, at the

Reif Center in Grand Rapids. “To

have a speaker of her caliber coming

to our area is really quite exciting,”

says Barb Arbour, Director of Itasca

Hospice Foundation. “Karnes’ book

“Gone from My Sight” is the hospice

blue book that’s probably used by

every hospice program in the U.S.”

With knowledge gleaned from her

experiences as a hospice patient

care manager, clinical director,

staff nurse, and volunteer, Karnes

will offer conference attendees a

better understanding of dying,

death, and grief. Topics will include

the fear of death, the process of

death, the signs of approaching

death from disease, deathbed

protocol, and identification of

grief feelings and their source.

Sponsored by Grand Itasca

Foundation and Itasca Hospice

Foundation, the conference is

open to the public. Participants

may either attend on Wednesday,

September 26 or Thursday,

September 27. In addition, the

event meets the Minnesota Board

of Nursing continuing education

requirements for six hours. A

non-refundable fee of $30 is

required to attend. Call 218.999.1454

to register. Tuition must be

paid in full with a credit card

at the time of registration. For

more information on Barbara

Karnes, visit her website at www.gonefrommysight.com.

Website not belonging to this organization is provided for information only. No endorsement is implied.

Scan to register for conference!

www.granditasca.org8

To register or for more information on monthly events, please call 218.326.7344 or visit the News & Events page at www.granditasca.org.

Partners are encouraged to attend all birth classes with soon-to-be mothers.

WorkshopsBIRTH PROCESS CLASSESThis weekend class is designed to

help prepare parents for childbirth,

and includes a tour of the labor,

delivery, and nursery area of

the hospital.

Cost: $45 for mom and coach. Fee includes all class materials and refreshments.Dates: August 4 and October 6 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

INFANT CARE/ BREASTFEEDING CLASSThis class is designed to help

prepare you for some of the

changes that occur once your baby

enters the world. Breastfeeding

techniques and benefits are also

covered, and the breastfeeding

portion of class is highly recom-

mended prior to childbirth.

Cost: FREEDates: August 11 and October 13 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Support GroupsPROSTATE SUPPORT GROUPJoin other men who have been

recently diagnosed or have had

prostate cancer. Family members

are also welcome.

Second Tuesday of the month, 5:30 p.m.Meeting Room ABC

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MS SUPPORT GROUPThis group is open to those

diagnosed with MS as well as

family members, caregivers, and

friends to offer support, awareness,

and education about the everyday

traumas, challenges, and hardships

for those afflicted with the chronic

disease of MS.

Second Thursday of the month, 12:30 p.m. St. Joseph’s Church

DIABETIC SUPPORT GROUPThis is an opportunity to meet other

members of our community who

have diabetes and share successes

and experiences regarding diabetic

care.

Third Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m.Meeting Room A

Two upcoming events offer a great opportunity to get moving,

support a good cause, and have fun with family and friends in

your community.

The Northern Minnesota Mud Run on August 11. The

first-ever Northern Minnesota Mud Run covers a 5K course

starting at the Grand Rapids Sports Complex. Fourteen

obstacles, including a 20-yard-long, three-foot mud pit, and

a mud hill will ensure participants are challenged and plenty

muddy by the race’s end. Individuals age 18 and older may

participate, or make up a team of four, which may include

children age 12 to 17 with parent permission. To learn more

or get a registration form, call 218.326.2500, visit www.

northernmnmudrun.com or find the event on Facebook by

typing in Northern Minnesota Mud Run.

Itasca County MS Walk on September 30. “In Itasca and the

Iron Range there’s a pretty big concentration of people with

multiple sclerosis (MS),” says Betty Brenckhahn, Itasca County

MS Walk Coordinator, who was diagnosed with MS in 1996. “I

thought it would help with awareness and education to bring

an MS event back to the area after six years without one.”

Honoring Don Soring, a longtime resident of Grand Rapids who

died in February after battling MS most of his adult life, the

walk raises money for the MS Society, supporting research and

families in need of special equipment. To learn more, pledge

support, or register for the 1-mile, 2-mile, or almost 4-mile walks,

visit http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/itascamswalk.

Websites not belonging to this organization are provided for information only.

No endorsement is implied.

Ready. Set. Mark Your Calendar!

9SUMMER 2012

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP FOR ITASCA AREA

Second Wednesday of every month Grand Itasca Meeting Rooms A & B 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

ELDERCIRCLE’S ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPElderCircle’s Adult Day Service hosts a support

group for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s

disease or a related dementia. The group is

designed to provide education and support

during a challenging time.

Third Tuesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m.

Manor House, 722 N. Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids

For more information, call ElderCircle at

218.999.9233 or 218.326.9163.

10 www.granditasca.org

caringforyouWHAT’S NEW

Level ||| Trauma Recertification

In July of 2012, Grand Itasca received its

recertification as a Level III Trauma Hospital.

Trauma is the third-leading cause of death

in Minnesota. On average, trauma claims

the lives of 2,400 Minnesotans annually. In

states where trauma systems are in place,

survival rates for trauma victims have in-

creased by 15 percent to 20 percent.

Participation in the statewide trauma

system remains voluntary however, with

Grand Rapids being a rural setting, Grand

Itasca felt it was vitally important to area

residents and visitors to be part of the

statewide system. Grand Itasca received its

first Level III trauma designation in 2009.

To earn recertification, Grand Itasca

had a thorough review to ensure that

proper procedures are in place from

the time EMS responds at the site of the

incident to when patients are brought to

Grand Itasca. The recertification process

involved department representatives

from the Emergency Department, Lab,

Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, and Sur-

gery at Grand Itasca along with local EMS

providers, Meds-1, and LifeLinks III.

“We are so pleased with the hard work

and continued dedication since our initial

certification,” states Pauline Landgren,

Trauma Coordinator. “This successful

Who’s New at Grand ItascaThere are many new faces joining

Grand Itasca. Please join us in

welcoming these talented and

committed individuals that will help

to expand patient access and care

now and into our future.

In June, Josey Varberg, CRNA

(Certified Registered Nurse

Anesthetist), joined the surgical and

anesthesia staff. Josey is a graduate

of the Franciscan Skemp School of

Nursing Anesthesia. Grand Rapids

native, Jennifer Oja, PA-C (Certified

– Physician Assistant), began seeing

patients in the clinic. Jennifer

completed her masters in Physician

Assistant studies at the University

of Iowa. Cheryl Vogel, RNMA, is the

new Vice President of Patient Care

Services. With more than 20 years of

nurse leadership experience, Cheryl

is a great addition to Grand Itasca’s

Senior Leadership Team.

Simon Lick, MD; Jody Morlan,

CRNA; Anastas Provatas, MD; and

Karysse Trandem, MD, will be

joining Grand Itasca in the next

couple of weeks. Simon Lick, MD,

is also a Grand Rapids’ native and

is completing his residency in

Internal Medicine at the University

of Minnesota. Jody Morlan, CRNA, is

a graduate of the University of North

Dakota and will be joining Grand

Itasca from the Central Wisconsin

Anethesiology S.C. Grand Itasca’s

oncology services will be expanding

with the arrival of Anastas Provatas,

MD. Dr. Provatas completed his

residency in Oncology at Yale

University Medical School as well as

a fellowship in Hematology. Karysse

Trandem, MD, OB/GYN, will be

joining Grand Itasca at

the beginning of September.

Dr. Trandem is currently finishing

up her residency in Obstetrics and

Gynecology at the University of

Minnesota.

Website Revamp: User-Friendly Update

A complete redesign of

Grand Itasca Clinic &

Hospital’s website will

offer patients and community

members great access to

information on upcoming events

and support groups along with

easy-to-access information about

staff physicians.

The new site – which went live

mid-July – will help match Grand

Itasca’s online presence with our

updated facility and amenities,

presenting a more consistent

image overall, says Sarah Bignall,

marketing and communications

manager.

“As most people have seen over

the past couple of years with cell

phones and tablet computers, we

can get information at a moment’s

notice, on the go or at home,”

Bignall says. “Our old website was

very stagnant, and today’s patient

wants something a little more

interactive. Our new site is easier

to navigate, with more information

and content on services and

upcoming events.”

look what’s new

Website changes and additions

will be far-sweeping,

including:

• A searchable physician finder

to help identify and locate

the appropriate doctor for a

particular condition.

• An expanded news and events

page, including community

events, upcoming classes and

support groups.

SUMMER 2012 11

• An expanded Grand Itasca

Foundation page, with the

ability to make monetary

donations online.

• An enhanced Job Center page

for those looking for job or

career information.

• A more prominent online

bill-pay link, easing the invoice

process for patients.

“It’s been a big undertaking, but

we’re really excited to get the

information out there,” Bignall

says. “The new design really

reflects our organization better.”

Check out Grand Itasca’s new

website at www.granditasca.org.

WHAT’S NEW

Scan to check out our new website!

“We are so pleased with the hard work and continued dedication since our initial certification.”

- Pauline Landgren

recertification is a result of the con-

tinued collaboration between our

local EMS services and our staff at

Grand Itasca to provide the highest

quality of care to our community.”

12 www.granditasca.org

Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital

1601 Golf Course RoadGrand Rapids, MN 55744

GI028_Specialty_sun_safety-out.indd 1 7/15/11 12:25 PM

Grand Itasca Clinic & HospitalAppointment Line: 218.326.7344Main Line: 218.326.3401

Email: info@granditasca.orgWeb: www.granditasca.org

Clinic Hours:Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m.-noon

Emergency Room:Open 24 hours a day

Professional Building111 SE Third StreetGrand Rapids, MN 55744218.326.3401

Professional Building Hours:Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

This publication does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia, Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital. ©2012