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Questions?What is Gout?
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
Arthritis is the term we use to describe inflammation in a joint. We have over 300 joints in our bodies. Gout is one type of arthritis that can cause acute attacks of severe disabling joint pain.
When I think of gout I am reminded of the famous painting of an overweight, rich man sitting in a chair with a bottle of alcohol on the table next to him. His swollen foot is elevated on a stool, and several creatures that look like devils are biting and poking pitch forks into his great toe while he is grimacing with pain. I have to believe the artist had experienced a gout attack himself to portray such an image.
CHN Kicks off Read. Run. Reach. Program
Community Health Network Wellness is once again sponsoring the “Read. Run. Reach” campaign in area elementary schools. This health and wellness program encourages students to read, exercise, complete random acts of kindness and new this year, try 12 new healthy foods over the twelve week period. Studies show that children who practice healthy behaviors are more likely to be healthy adults. “Read. Run. Reach.” has proven to be a great way to engage families in conversation about healthy living and give kids the opportunity to practice healthy choices.
Donation made to Local Oncology Patients
Kari Clark, with Thirty-One Bags, recently made a generous donation to local oncology patients. Clark, a Berlin native, received help from her fellow Thirty-One associates. The group donated twelve Thirty-One bags containing a cozy blanket and a care package for use while receiving chemotherapy treatments at CHN-Berlin Memorial Hospital. Accepting the donation from Clark (far right) are Kathy Beier, Clark’s mother and CHN Director of Quality, Bob Zache, CHN Security Manager and Allison Yonke, Volunteer Services Coordinator.Don’t Pass on the Opportunity to Learn about Kidney Stones
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
Imagine lying in bed enjoying a night’s rest and suddenly being woken by a terrific pain on one side of the back that radiates to the abdomen and groin. There is a stone that formed in the kidney and it has shifted and started a journey down the small tube from the kidney to the bladder. The pain is coming in waves and makes you sick to your stomach to the point of vomiting. No matter what position you are in or even if you lay perfectly still the pain won’t stop. You feel like you have to urinate often and the urine is tinged with blood. Your urinary tract is trying to force this hunk of minerals that feels like a ball of barbed wire down to the bladder. If you are lucky the stone completes its journey to the bladder and there is relief. You may see the stone after it passes and will marvel at how something the size of a rice kernel can cause so much pain. If you are not so lucky you may end up at the emergency room for help.
Free Orthopedics Seminar Offered
If hip or knee pain is interfering with your quality of life, Community Health Network invites you to learn about options to get you back to the life you love—pain free! CHN orthopedic surgeon Brian Zirgibel, MD will be presenting a free seminar on Wednesday, March 18th at the Heritage Room (located in Pickard Commons) at Ripon College. Doors open at 5:30, when a light meal will be served. The presentation will begin at 6:00pm. After the presentation, Dr. Zirgibel will be available for questions. Reserve your spot today by calling 920-361-5574. CHN Orthopedics. Here for you. Here for your questions. Face to face.
Photo Caption: CHN orthopedic surgeon Brian Zirgibel, MD will provide a free orthopedics seminar at Ripon College.
End of Life Care
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
I recently read a book titled “Mortality” that was written by a surgeon and addresses the problems and challenges we face with end of life care. It dealt with some examples of patients he had cared for and his personal experience with the care of his father.
A Thank You from The Berlin Area Health Foundation
The Berlin Area Health Foundation (a member of ThedaCare Family of Foundations) would like to thank and acknowledge the following sponsors who supported our Speakeasy-Casino Night Fundraiser and made it a success: Badger Mining Corporation, Farmers & Merchants Bank, First National Bank, Magnum Power Products, and Legacy Private Trust.
Thank you to the many businesses and members of the community who made donations of gifts, certificates, baskets, and monetary contributions. We appreciate all of you who attended and made our fundraiser a great night!
All net proceeds were directed to the Michael D. Chier Fund for Medical Special Needs, also known as the Adult Fund in our Foundation.
Save the Date for the 14th Annual CHN Helping Hands for Cancer 5K
Mark your calendars for the 14th annual CHN Helping Hands for Cancer 5K Run/Walk. The big day is Saturday May 16th, when Community Health Network will once again open its Berlin Memorial Hospital campus for people of all ages to have fun while raising money for a great cause!
The 5K run/walk will start at 10:00am. The 3.1 mile course will start and finish at the front entrance of Berlin Memorial Hospital. The pledges and all monies from the run/walk will benefit the CHN Foundation to be used exclusively for local people and families affected by cancer. Make the commitment and register online today – it is only 11 weeks away! Visit www.chn5k.org for more information and to sign up.
The event is sponsored by Community Health Network and is guaranteed to be a day of family fun, filled with activities that will motivate everyone to have a healthy summer. For further information on the run/walk, call 920-361-5481.
Dietary Cholesterol Revisited
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
Just recently it has been reported in the news that the people who make recommendations about what we eat may be changing their mind about the dangers of cholesterol in the diet. The government agency known as the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is considering removing the recommendation to limit cholesterol in the diet. They are not saying that cholesterol in the blood stream is not a risk factor for vascular disease, they are saying that the consumption of cholesterol in the diet may not affect the blood levels as much as was once thought.
What can you do to avoid a fall?
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
People’s lives can change in an instant due to a fall. As we age our risk of a fall increases. This is due to a number of factors including weaker muscles, arthritic joints, taking multiple medications, and loss of balance as we age. In Wisconsin, other factors like ice on walkways markedly increase risk. There are things we can do to reduce risk.
Community Health Network Expands Orthopedic Services
Brian Zirgibel, MD Offers Ortho Care in Berlin, Ripon
Community Health Network is pleased to announce the addition of Orthopedic Surgeon Brian Zirgibel, MD to the CHN medical staff. Dr. Zirgibel will be teaming up with CHN Orthopedic Surgeon David Jones, MD, to provide clinical excellence and optimal surgical outcomes. Dr. Zirgibel currently sees patients at the newly expanded CHN Orthopedics and Sports Medicine building in Berlin and will begin seeing patients on Fridays in Ripon at CHN Medical Center-Ripon, located at 1080 West Fond du lac Street.
CHN Medical Center – Internal Medicine
New Provider a Great Addition
Lisa Hoger, APNP, has recently joined Community Health Network, joining Steven Blaha, MD and William Monaco, MD at CHN Medical Center – Internal Medicine. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Adult Nurse Practitioner Program, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Join CHN and the Strong Women-Healthy Hearts Program!
The team at Tufts University in Boston, MA who brought strength-training programs to midlife and older women throughout the U.S. has also developed an exercise and nutrition program designed to help women improve their heart health. The Strong Women-Healthy Hearts Program is a fun, hands-on way to make positive changes to help you eat better, move more, and improve general health and well-being.
Women ages 40 and over meet for one hour, twice per week for 12 weeks. Classes focus on nutrition and exercise and include topics such as menu planning and portion control. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 24, 2015 to May 14, 2015 at the Green Lake Town Square.
If you – or someone you know – would benefit from this program, contact us today! For further information on the Strong Women – Healthy Hearts Program in your community, please contact Pam Alf, CHN Wellness Coordinator at 920-361-6355 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Measles outbreak can still happen
By: P. Michael Shattuck, M.D. – Community Health Network Family Physician
Measles is a viral illness that has all but been eradicated in the US thanks to an effective immunization program. Measles has become a news topic recently because of a recent outbreak linked to Disneyland in California. As of January 30th, there had been 102 cases reported this year in the US from this outbreak with no deaths. In Wisconsin there had been no cases. Measles remains a concern because it is still prevalent in other countries and is responsible for many deaths in other parts of the world.
