Skiff joins Iowa
hospitals in flying
Donate Life flags
Skiff Medical Center is one of more than 60 Iowa hospitals that have committed to fly the Donate Life flag in the month of April as part of Donate Life America’s organ and tissue donor awareness initiative. Dubbed “Flags Across America,” the campaign aims to honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of donors and recipients whose lives have been affected by organ, eye and tissue donation.
Suzanne Conrad, Chief Executive Officer for Iowa Donor Network, says she is excited that more than half of Iowa’s hospitals have joined this national effort.
“Iowa hospitals are critical to the successful recovery and transplantation of organs and tissue,” Conrad said. “Iowa again led the nation in the number of people consenting to organ, tissue and eye donation by marking ‘yes’ on a driver’s license or identification card.”
Steve Long, Skiff CEO, says he is proud that the Newton hospital is participating in the campaign because it emphasizes the impact of organ and tissue donation.
“In the US, someone is added to the organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes,” he said. “But unfortunately, almost 20 Americans die every day while waiting because the organ they needed wasn’t available in time. By raising awareness, we have the potential to raise the number of people who opt to be an organ and tissue donor. And in the long run, that means lives saved.”
More than one million Iowas have made the choice to donate life by registering on the Iowa Donor Registry. For more information on donation, please visit www.iowadonornetwork.org.
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Skiff, Lauterbach, NPD
to cosponsor car seat
safety check
No cargo is so precious as the children and grandchildren we transport in our vehicles on a daily basis. Most of us work to keep up with the latest guidelines in car safety seats … yet four out of five seats are installed incorrectly.
That is why Skiff Medical Center is partnering with the Newton Police Department and Lauterbach Buick-GMC to host a free community car seat safety check from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
During this event, certified child passenger safety technicians will be on-site at Lauterbach Buick-GMC, 1910 First Ave. E., Newton, to inspect car seats that are already installed, as well as to assist with the installation process. The techs will be available to answer questions and provide information on the proper restraint system best suited to protect your child.
“The car seat installation experience is an interactive one,” said Leisa Zylstra, events and community coordinator for Skiff. “This one-on-one education typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the car seat and the vehicle. The technicians will take all the time necessary to ensure that parents and caregivers feel confident in re-securing the car seat in the vehicle and re-buckling their child into the car seat on their own.”
Families with children of all ages, including expectant parents, are encouraged to attend. To learn more, contact Zylstra at (641) 787-3179 or lzylstra@skiffmed.com.
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Women’s Foundation
for Health spring event open for new members
Are you a woman who wants to help make a difference in the lives of others, but your family and work obligations have your calendar full to bursting?
The Women’s Foundation for Health at Skiff Medical Center might be just right for you. The group’s next upcoming event will give you the opportunity to find out.
“Our community needs women who are strong leaders and philanthropists,” said Bruce Hoffmeier, director of the Skiff Foundation. “This organization gives them the opportunity to do just that, without being a heavy burden on their time.”
The Women’s Foundation for Health was started in 2007 and since that time has donated more than $40,000 to Skiff. Those funds have made possible the purchase of life-saving equipment and supplies.
The sole requirement to become a member is an annual financial contribution of $250. To recognize and reward members for their generosity, the group then hosts four quarterly events designed to provide education, entertainment and networking with area women.
The next such event will be hosted at AmericInn Lodge and Suites from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The guest speaker will be physical therapist and renowned local marathoner Robyn Friedman, who will speak on the topic of running and exercise.
You needn’t be a member to attend the event. If interested, please RSVP to Hoffmeier by Monday, April 11, at (641) 791-4887 or bhoffmeier@skiffmed.com.