July 11, 2023

Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic - N Shore Drive Pediatrics earned statewide recognition from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for vaccination efforts of young patients. 

Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic - N Shore Drive Pediatrics joins Aspirus Kronenwetter Clinic and Aspirus Pediatrics - Wausau as recipients of the 2023 Wisconsin Immunization Program’s annual “BigShot” award. The award honors organizations who had outstanding immunization rates for 2022, according to data pulled from the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services “BigShot” award is an annual recognition that celebrates Vaccines for Children Program providers who are leading the way in protecting children’s health by ensuring their pediatric patients are up to date on their vaccinations. In 2022, over 90% of pediatric patients cared for at the three Aspirus Clinics were up to date with their routine recommended immunizations for the Hepatitis A vaccines before the age of two.

“One of the best ways to help protect our children is to vaccinate them from diseases that are dangerous but preventable,” said Amy Slette, MD, Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic - N Shore Drive Pediatrics. “Vaccines help the immune system fight infections more efficiently by sparking the immune response to specific diseases.” 

Congratulations to the entire Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic - N Shore Drive team!

Pictured above (from left): Jen Tienhaara, RN; Paul Fischbuch, MD; Sandy Alsteen, CMA; Hailey Aschinger, MA; Amy Slette, MD; and Mindy Fisher, CMA. (Not pictured: Megan Miles, RN; Julia Pickens, MD; and Eunice Corujo-Incha, MD.)

Aspirus donated land in Rhinelander to Habitat for Humanity of the Northwoods. A groundbreaking was celebrated on Monday, July 10, to honor the gift.

The lot is located at 906 Keenan Street and is close to our Kabel Ave facility. The basement slab is already poured and a group of people from Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Hudson, Wis., purchased the building materials and constructed the walls before departing for the Hodag City. They began framing the two bedroom, 1-1/2 bath house with attached garage on Monday and it's expected to be completed next summer. Up to 20 volunteers are expected to support building the home. 

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

Aspirus North Division President Teri Theiler and Kathi Senoraske, Director-Clinics, attended the groundbreaking.

This is the 25th house the local chapter is building. The organization has two houses currently in construction for the first time in its program history.

North Division Leaders will be hosting a series of Town Halls across the region in July to provide updates on a number of important topics. Employees are encouraged to attend at least one session.

The first two Town Halls were held in Rhinelander on Monday, July 10. Here are the other North Division dates, times and locations.

Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital - Spruce Conference Room

Wednesday, July 12

12 - 12:45 p.m. 

Aspirus Eagle River Hospital - Cafeteria

Friday, July 14

9 - 9:45 a.m. 

Howard Young Medical Center - Conference Room 2 & 3 (two sessions)

Wednesday, July 26

• 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
• 12 - 12:45 p.m. 

Leaders – Please work with your team to send employees to the Town Halls.

Is there anyone who spreads more holiday cheer than Ron Jesse? He works in the HYMC and ARN Dietary Departments and loves to dress up during holidays. The latest was an outstanding and patriotic July 4th outfit.

Ron has also dressed up as the Easter Bunny, a heart for Valentine's Day, and a leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day, among others. He goes above and beyond to share his incredible energy and joy with our patients and employees.

Great work, Ron! We're excited to see what you come up with next.

The Million Penny Parade and events will be taking place on Aspirus property in Woodruff on Saturday, July 15, and you're welcome to attend!

The Million Penny Parade staging area will be in the HYMC cafeteria/maintenance parking lot and they will travel towards One Penny Place once the parade begins. Aspirus MedEvac Air 1 will perform a flyover, weather permitted.

The classic car show will be held in the last three rows of the north parking lot at HYMC, so please don't park there on Friday as we'll be setting up. All other festivities will take place behind One Penny Place, across from the HYMC north parking lot.

Bring your family and thanks a million!

Carrie Shimkus, LPC, Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health, was featured in an Aspirus article about PTSD. The article was printed in the Lakeland Times, Northwoods River News and the Pioneer Express.

June was recognized as PTSD Month and June 27 was National PTSD Awareness Day. It’s an opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living with PTSD and to promote empathy, support, and education about the condition, as well as to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. 

“When someone has experienced or witnessed a stressful or life-threatening event, the fear associated with it may be hard to shake. If it intensifies and starts to interfere with everyday life, it could be PTSD,” Carrie said. “Tell someone – your doctor or a close friend – if you’re having thoughts, feelings or behaviors that are unusual for you. You’re not alone and talking about it is the first step in taking charge and stopping the fear from ruling your life.”

Behavior therapy is usually effective in treating this disorder. A therapist can use a variety of treatments, including relaxation therapy and desensitization, where the person is exposed to something that reminds him or her of the event and then learns to cope with it.

If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of PTSD begin to interfere with your everyday life, it may be time to talk to a health care professional. Find an Aspirus provider at aspirus.org/find-a-provider.

Click here to read the article in the Aspirus Media Center.

You are formally invited to attend the Oneida County Health Department's Community Conversations at Nicolet College in Rhinelander.

This is the next step in the health department's community health needs assessment and planning process. The meetings are open to anyone and everyone, so please feel free to bring people with you.

Scan the QR code to register today.

Do you have an announcement you'd like to include in the North Division Newsletter?

Please send it to Aspirus North Division Regional Communications & Community Engagement Lead Matt Thompson at Matthew.Thompson@aspirus.org. Please provide any items for this newsletter by end-of-day Friday for use the following week.