Four-time Cancer Survivor Reflects on Resilience
“The thing I always tell people is cancer is a silent disease,” said Carmel Benson of Windom, MN. A four-time survivor of four different cancers, Benson knows a thing or two about resilience, being proactive, and living life to the fullest. Annual Checkups Reveal Serious Diagnoses In 2004, Carmel Benson visited Dr. Jeffrey Taber, Windom […]
First Robotic-Assisted Surgery A Great Experience
Hannah Goff of Comfrey, MN had been looking for a local OB/GYN for a procedure she was interested in having done and found Windom Area Health to be highly recommended. She ended up being the very first patient at the hospital to have a robotic-assisted surgery by Dr. James Hinshaw. Finding the Right Care Hannah, […]
A Winding Road to Healing
Mary Krumweide of Bingham Lake, MN had a bunion on her foot for years. She finally took the step to have it surgically removed in June 2022. What she thought would be a straightforward recovery became much more complex when her incision split open. Routine Surgery, Unexpected Recovery “I had the bunion for years. I […]
Couple Conquers Weight Loss Challenge
For one couple, the 2023 Weight Loss Challenge was a great way for them to continue their health journey as a team. Tammy Meyer, winner of this year’s challenge, explained, “We did the entire challenge together; going to the Wellness Center, exercising together – everything.” Starting the Journey After a visit to the doctor earlier in […]
Close Call Leads to Lifestyle Transformation
Over Memorial Day weekend in 2022, Dan Ortmann woke up in the middle of the night to chest pains. “It’ll go away,” he said. Dan and his wife Linda carried on with their morning and prepared to leave the house for Saturday graduation parties. When Dan realized the pains were not going away, they made […]
Post-Rehab Program Accelerates Strength and Recovery
Finishing up Physical Therapy at Windom Area Health, Lisa Farag of Windom, MN, was then given the option to continue improving with 8 free weeks of post-rehab appointments through the Bridge the Gap program at the Wellness Center. “It was challenging, but it really helped so much.” The First Surgery In March of 2021, Lisa […]
Integrative Health Provides Solutions to Post-COVID Symptoms
After contracting COVID-19 in November of 2020, Carmen Elston of Windom, MN beat the virus, but found herself struggling with post-COVID syndrome, or ‘long haulers.’ She did what she could to recover, but nothing was giving her a permanent solution. Then, Carmen reached out and set up an appointment for Integrative Health with Liz Coleman […]
New Mindset Leads to Healthy Habits
For one local woman, the 2022 Weight Loss Challenge helped set up healthy habits for her life and future goals. Kristi Hedman, the 2022 Community Winner of the challenge, shared, “I’ve lost the same 10 pounds over and over, but they creep back on. With the Weight Loss Challenge, I did things in a more […]
Heart & Vascular Screens Serve as Wake-up Call
Joel Higley of Windom, MN and owner of Higley Ford does his best to take care of himself through exercise, healthy eating, and regular physicals with his doctor. When Heart and Vascular Screens were offered at Windom Area Health Outreach, he and his wife, Jodi, got signed up. His results were a surprise, leading to […]
Complications Lead to Many Blessings
Many people have experienced misfortunate situations resulting in something unexpectedly good later on, referred to often as “a blessing in disguise.” For Bryan Lund, from Fulda, MN, his series of misfortunes led to the greatest blessing one can ever achieve, saving his life. Not Breathing Easy As a chronic asthmatic, it was common for Bryan to […]
Diary of a New Dad
April 26th was a regular Monday, but for one staff member at Windom Area Health it was the day he became a dad. Joel and Jaci Riordan of Windom, MN welcomed their first child, Jaire Thomas, that Monday morning at The Birth Place at Windom Area Health. “It was kind of a hectic twenty-four hours […]
Local Woman Triumphs Over COVID-19
After experiencing symptoms, Joan Johnson of Windom, MN, visited the Windom Area Health Emergency Department and received a diagnosis of COVID-19 and pneumonia. “I just thought, ‘Wow.’ I was just so glad to be in the hospital and getting the help I needed.” The First Signs When she started experiencing some trouble breathing, Joan (known […]
Overcoming Years of Pain
With a meniscus injury Memorial Day Weekend back in 2018 and living with worsening arthritis pain, Marlys Christensen of Windom, MN had two options—continue to live in pain, giving up walking and golfing or get a knee replacement. Marlys was ready for relief and longing to get back to her active life. Finding Help Close […]
A Change of Lifestyle
Q +A with Ali Dahna Ali Dahna was the runner-up winner of our Weight Loss Challenge in 2019, now known as the Healthy Living Challenge. We sat down with Ali to learn more about how the challenge helped her transform her lifestyle. She shares her tips and tricks to staying on track with a healthy […]
New Rehabilitation Program Improves One Family’s Lifestyle
Two years ago, Ashley Johnson, mother of four, noticed her two younger boys having to touch everything in their sight, along with having trouble sleeping at night. Something was not right and Ashley knew her two boys needed to seek care. The family sought care through a child psychiatrist in Worthington, Nicole Christenson, MD. The […]
Total Contact Cast (TCC) Creates Life Changing Results
Chronic wounds are a silent epidemic in the United States, leaving nearly 6.7 million people suffering from painful non-healing sores. Non-healing wounds drastically affect people by diminishing their overall quality of life and potentially decreasing life expectancy if left untreated. An aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and […]
Achieving Goals and Reaching a New Weight
The 2019 Community Weight Loss Challenge was a huge success mentally and physically for one Windom man this year. Al Baloun was our winner, losing a total of 60 pounds! This was a 12-week challenge, beginning on January 14 and ending on April 8. Participants had full use of our Wellness Center, received confidential weigh-ins […]
Windom Area Health Activates Decon Team to Save POET Shift Supervisor
It was another cold day in March at POET Biorefining in Bingham Lake, where Jason Price works as a Shift Supervisor. He was working on the Waste CIP (Cleaning-in-Place) for a corn oil system, when an air regulator piece for an air pump ruptured. The normal temperature for the air regulator is about 200 degrees, […]
A Phenomenal Experience
Phenomenal Family of Five We all know moms that make it look easy, but seeing Crystal Fast juggle her new baby girl, two busy boys, a full time teaching job, coaching varsity volleyball and supporting a family farm, brings adoration and respect for motherhood to a whole new level. With a busy life, it means […]
An All-Around Great Experience
As Holly Rohlik sits comfortably in a clinic exam room holding her new baby, Cooper, you would never guess she was talking about her 26 hours of labor that ended in a caesarian section. “We had the best experience; it was laid back and relaxed. Between our doctor (Dr. Stephanie Buhler) and the nurses we […]
Nature and Exercise Aid Recovery for Windom Woman
Positive. Proud. Healthy. Those three words describe Denise LaValle in a nutshell, but don’t do justice to the amount of self-determination and hard work Denise has went through to get where she’s at today. 3 years ago, Denise moved to Windom after living in her car in St. Paul, while regularly using drugs. Denise recalls, […]
Efficient ER Credited for Life Saving Surgery
A normal day It was a normal September afternoon for Barb LaCanne, who was going about her day and heading to a birthday party for her granddaughter. At about 6:00 p.m., Barb started to experience abdominal pain. Eating birthday cake was out of the question so she and her husband, Joe, started home. On the […]
First Total Hip Replacement
No longer hindered by a block of wood used to assist him into his International 5250 tractor, eighty-year-old Donald Elg of Comfrey is now pain-free and enjoying the farming life again. On June 20, 2017, Donald Elg made history by becoming Windom Area Hospital’s first total joint hip replacement recipient. When asked today, Donald states […]
First Total Knee Replacement
There is no denying that Erwin Freemire is passionate about being active and enjoying the outdoors. From Heron Lake, Erwin is a retired farmer, previously raising beef, pork and grain. Erwin looks forward to each day and living an active life. Whether swimming in the pool, biking or walking, Erwin is an advocate for exercising […]
Tale of Two Moms – Emily
When Emily Prokosch tells the birth stories of her three girls, they couldn’t be more different from one another. “When I had my first baby (Madison, now 9) I went in with a mindset that a million women have babies naturally and I can too, but after the hard labor and contractions I had a […]
Tale of Two Moms – Amy
In the words of Amy Sokolofsky, having her first baby was “an amazing experience.” Jayce, who was born in September 2013, is a blessing to her and father Jeff Leopold. Amy and Jeff both took advantage of the free prenatal education classes offered at the Windom Area Hospital. “The classes were very helpful, especially for […]