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Health care partnership explained
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
More than 30 representatives of health care providers met at Keokuk Area Hospital Wednesday morning to find out more about a new Keokuk Area Healthcare Partnership.
The purpose of the new health care partnership is to inform, energize, advocate and promote the many areas of health care excellence in the Tri-State Area.
The new group is an outgrowth of the Keokuk Area Vision Plan that was unveiled last summer. A six-member team has coordinated the formation of the partnership: Al Zastrow and Amy Conlee of Keokuk Area Hospital; Mike Steinkruger and Debbie Marion of River Hills Village; Lora Taylor of Keokuk Area Medical Equipment; and Kathy Holsinger, who works for Dr. James Holsinger.
Zastrow pointed out the Keokuk Area Vision Plan calls for educating the community as to the value and importance of a local hospital and affiliated medical services. About $110 million is spent annually on health care in Lee County, according to Zastrow.
The vision plan also proposes lobbying for equitable reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for KAH and six other Iowa hospitals, increasing Keokuk's regional draw for health care and increasing the endowment for health care in Keokuk. At present, 20 percent of KAH's business comes from Missouri and 15 percent from Illinois. The hospitals in Burlington and Quincy, Ill., have endowments in the $50 million to $100 million range.
“We want to use your collaboration and coordination to achieve shared goals,” said Steinkruger. “We want to learn from each other and share ideas and best practices.”
Taylor said Keokuk is viewed as a Tri-State Area hub for health care services.
“Providers and consumers are advocates of our health services,” she added.
Next, the members of the audience were asked to introduce themselves and share a health care strength.
Richard Thomason, chief operating officer of KAH, said “our real strength is being one of the best primary care hospitals in Iowa.”
Susan Grant, assistant administrator of Lexington Square, recalled how that facility, which nearly closed in 2004, now has a 95 percent occupancy rate.
“Our forte is skilled nursing and therapy services,” said Rebecca Bliss, administrator of Montebello Healthcare Center in Hamilton, Ill.
David Payne of Montrose Health Center in Montrose said that facility has started adult daycare services to provide temporary relief for caregivers.
“We provide the Tri-State Area with high quality mental health services you won't find any where else,” said Mike Maher of Counseling Associates Inc. of Keokuk.
Dr. James Holsinger cited a fully automated, computerized records system in his office.
KAH lab director Dr. Tom Dittmer said no machine in the state-of-the-art facility is no more than five years old.
“We take a huge responsibility for health care of the eyes, too,” said Dr. Matt Ruhl of American Eyecare.
Dr. Mark Strope, who has a family medical practice in Hamilton, Ill. with the Tri-State Medical Group, said he is very active in that community.
Dr. Richard Sowlles, a Hamilton podiatrist, said a new wound clinic has opened at KAH and the healing rates compare favorably to the rest of the nation.
“One of our specialties is acupuncture,” said Dr. Jennifer Lawler, a Keokuk chiropractor.
Dr. John Vance of Keokuk cited his family's decades of chiropractic service and said his practice has a connection with aging Americans as a result.
“We are able to provide health care not only to people with insurance, but also to those who walk through the door (without insurance),” said Dr. Willi Martens of the Tri-State Medical Group in Keokuk.
Keokuk dentist Dr. Ed McGreevey said his wife and employees are the strength of his dental practice.
Another Keokuk dentist, Dr. Gerald Schleier, said dentists are one of Keokuk's strengths.
“The dental school at the University of Iowa is one of the best in the nation and provides continuing education,” Schleier added.
A third Keokuk dentist, Dr. John Wilde, said the quality of dental care in Keokuk has always been excellent.
“Diversity is our strength,” said Craig Wills, director of pharmacy services at Keokuk Area Medical Equipment. “We have a state-of-the-art facility and provide consulting services for longterm care.”
“I'm particularly proud of the staff in the pharmacy and gift area,” said Wes Brown of Keasling's Pharmacy & Gifts in Keokuk.
He also noted the community's support helped the pharmacy survive a fire a few years ago.
Debbie Donahue of Keokuk Area Medical Equipment said she is proud of the business' staff.
Lee County Health Department Administrator Julie Schilling said the health department developed the first hospice program in Southeast Iowa and has a very proactive community health program.
Pilot supervisor Larry Pluhar and base supervisor Eric Bean of AirEvac said that organization provides helicopter EMS service in rural areas such as Lee County.
Others present included Nathan Schulte of Dr. William Schulte's practice; Amanda Kaiser of Planned Parenthood; Mayor David Gudgel; Jessica Gruener of Tri-State Medical Group; Rodger Whitaker, a KAH Foundation member; Ron Scott, Keokuk Health Systems vice president; Dr. Dennis Wolter of Keokuk Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center; Dr. Ted Harris of the Women's Health Center; counselor Pat Ewing; orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kirk Green; and Dr. Nicholas Daskalos.
It will cost $50 a year to belong to the partnership, which will meet quarterly and as needed. The first partnership meeting will be held in March.
“A lot of things will come out of this,” Zastrow said. “We have a great health care system in this community.”
The partnership's corps group was established after a Chamber-sponsored Recognition, Appreciation and Participation breakfast last year, according to Steinkruger.
“Health care is as important to economic development as anything else,” he added.
The purpose of the new health care partnership is to inform, energize, advocate and promote the many areas of health care excellence in the Tri-State Area.
The new group is an outgrowth of the Keokuk Area Vision Plan that was unveiled last summer. A six-member team has coordinated the formation of the partnership: Al Zastrow and Amy Conlee of Keokuk Area Hospital; Mike Steinkruger and Debbie Marion of River Hills Village; Lora Taylor of Keokuk Area Medical Equipment; and Kathy Holsinger, who works for Dr. James Holsinger.
Zastrow pointed out the Keokuk Area Vision Plan calls for educating the community as to the value and importance of a local hospital and affiliated medical services. About $110 million is spent annually on health care in Lee County, according to Zastrow.
The vision plan also proposes lobbying for equitable reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for KAH and six other Iowa hospitals, increasing Keokuk's regional draw for health care and increasing the endowment for health care in Keokuk. At present, 20 percent of KAH's business comes from Missouri and 15 percent from Illinois. The hospitals in Burlington and Quincy, Ill., have endowments in the $50 million to $100 million range.
“We want to use your collaboration and coordination to achieve shared goals,” said Steinkruger. “We want to learn from each other and share ideas and best practices.”
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“Providers and consumers are advocates of our health services,” she added.
Next, the members of the audience were asked to introduce themselves and share a health care strength.
Richard Thomason, chief operating officer of KAH, said “our real strength is being one of the best primary care hospitals in Iowa.”
Susan Grant, assistant administrator of Lexington Square, recalled how that facility, which nearly closed in 2004, now has a 95 percent occupancy rate.
“Our forte is skilled nursing and therapy services,” said Rebecca Bliss, administrator of Montebello Healthcare Center in Hamilton, Ill.
David Payne of Montrose Health Center in Montrose said that facility has started adult daycare services to provide temporary relief for caregivers.
“We provide the Tri-State Area with high quality mental health services you won't find any where else,” said Mike Maher of Counseling Associates Inc. of Keokuk.
Dr. James Holsinger cited a fully automated, computerized records system in his office.
KAH lab director Dr. Tom Dittmer said no machine in the state-of-the-art facility is no more than five years old.
“We take a huge responsibility for health care of the eyes, too,” said Dr. Matt Ruhl of American Eyecare.
Dr. Mark Strope, who has a family medical practice in Hamilton, Ill. with the Tri-State Medical Group, said he is very active in that community.
Dr. Richard Sowlles, a Hamilton podiatrist, said a new wound clinic has opened at KAH and the healing rates compare favorably to the rest of the nation.
“One of our specialties is acupuncture,” said Dr. Jennifer Lawler, a Keokuk chiropractor.
Dr. John Vance of Keokuk cited his family's decades of chiropractic service and said his practice has a connection with aging Americans as a result.
“We are able to provide health care not only to people with insurance, but also to those who walk through the door (without insurance),” said Dr. Willi Martens of the Tri-State Medical Group in Keokuk.
Keokuk dentist Dr. Ed McGreevey said his wife and employees are the strength of his dental practice.
Another Keokuk dentist, Dr. Gerald Schleier, said dentists are one of Keokuk's strengths.
“The dental school at the University of Iowa is one of the best in the nation and provides continuing education,” Schleier added.
A third Keokuk dentist, Dr. John Wilde, said the quality of dental care in Keokuk has always been excellent.
“Diversity is our strength,” said Craig Wills, director of pharmacy services at Keokuk Area Medical Equipment. “We have a state-of-the-art facility and provide consulting services for longterm care.”
“I'm particularly proud of the staff in the pharmacy and gift area,” said Wes Brown of Keasling's Pharmacy & Gifts in Keokuk.
He also noted the community's support helped the pharmacy survive a fire a few years ago.
Debbie Donahue of Keokuk Area Medical Equipment said she is proud of the business' staff.
Lee County Health Department Administrator Julie Schilling said the health department developed the first hospice program in Southeast Iowa and has a very proactive community health program.
Pilot supervisor Larry Pluhar and base supervisor Eric Bean of AirEvac said that organization provides helicopter EMS service in rural areas such as Lee County.
Others present included Nathan Schulte of Dr. William Schulte's practice; Amanda Kaiser of Planned Parenthood; Mayor David Gudgel; Jessica Gruener of Tri-State Medical Group; Rodger Whitaker, a KAH Foundation member; Ron Scott, Keokuk Health Systems vice president; Dr. Dennis Wolter of Keokuk Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center; Dr. Ted Harris of the Women's Health Center; counselor Pat Ewing; orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kirk Green; and Dr. Nicholas Daskalos.
It will cost $50 a year to belong to the partnership, which will meet quarterly and as needed. The first partnership meeting will be held in March.
“A lot of things will come out of this,” Zastrow said. “We have a great health care system in this community.”
The partnership's corps group was established after a Chamber-sponsored Recognition, Appreciation and Participation breakfast last year, according to Steinkruger.
“Health care is as important to economic development as anything else,” he added.
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Reader Comments
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Nikke wrote on Mar 27, 2009 9:57 PM:
Come on Keokuk where is your heart. "