Mayo Clinic Health System

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
 715-838-3012 
 barberlindquist.susan@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System has redesigned its website, mayoclinichealthsystem.org. The new site will be available beginning Thursday, Jan. 26.

The site redesign project is an extension of the health system’s recent rebranding and more clearly identifies for patients and visitors the special relationship the health system has with Mayo Clinic.

“You were introduced to the new Mayo Clinic Health System brand in May 2011. In January 2012, we are excited to offer the new public face of the system — our redesigned website,” said Mark Koch, chief administrative officer, Mayo Clinic Health System. “The site helps demonstrate our deep and abiding commitment to collaboration and to providing the best care to every patient every day.”

The new website will provide an improved user experience and easier access to health information. From the home page, website visitors will be able to find information about all of the system’s health care providers. This will make it easier for users to choose a hometown provider when they seek primary or specialty care.

The site also will better showcase Mayo Clinic Health System as a single entity with more than 900 health care providers, 100 specialties and services, and 70 locations throughout Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Each health system city will continue to have its own site pages to showcase local initiatives and services. In northwest Wisconsin, Mayo Clinic Health System locations are Barron, Bloomer, Cameron, Chetek, Chippewa Falls, Colfax, Eau Claire, Elmwood, Glenwood City, Menomonie, Mondovi, Osseo, Prairie Farm and Rice Lake.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

Renee Bonjour, Group Health Cooperative, 715-852-2034
Susan Barber Lindquist, Mayo Clinic Health System, 715-838-3012

Eau Claire, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System and Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire are embarking on a pilot project to improve patient health and reduce the overall cost of care. The three-year pilot will test a new model of care called Patient-Centered Medical Home.

John Dickey, chief administrative officer, Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire

Patient-Centered Medical Home is designed to improve access to care, increase preventive services and enhance coordination of services. It is anticipated that the combination of these efforts will keep patients healthier and, ultimately, reduce total cost of care. Preventive services will be emphasized to keep patients healthy and to treat illnesses earlier when they can be treated more effectively and at a lower cost. This approach is projected to offer cost savings to patients with multiple health concerns because of fewer Emergency Department visits and fewer hospital admissions.

These efforts are closely aligned with Mayo Clinic’s emphasis on creating high-value health care and Group Health Cooperative’s purpose of optimizing the health care of its members.

“There is plenty of data showing that improving care coordination and quality leads to overall lower costs for health care,” said Peter Farrow, CEO and general manager of Group Health Cooperative. “As a community-sponsored plan, we are looking forward to teaming up with Mayo Clinic Health System to evolve the delivery of health care throughout the Chippewa Valley.” 

Patient-Centered Medical Home is a team-based model led by a primary care physician or other health care provider who delivers consistent and coordinated care throughout the patient’s lifetime. This model provides the foundation for a long-term partnership between the patient and the physician-led multidisciplinary team that results in more effective, efficient, personalized and improved coordination of care.

The project will begin in the first quarter of 2012 and will focus on Group Health Cooperative members who seek care in the Mayo Clinic Health System departments of Family Medicine, Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine and Internal Medicine in Barron, Bloomer, Eau Claire, Menomonie and Osseo.

Registered nurses from Mayo Clinic Health System and Group Health Cooperative will work together to evaluate and identify opportunities for improvement in the quality and coordination of patient care.

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Nurse practitioner Angie Oldenberg takes a blood pressure reading at the 2011 Healthy Heart Fair. The 2012 event is Feb. 4.

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012 
barberlindquist.susan@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –– Mayo Clinic Health System will hold its 13th annual Healthy Heart Fair at Oakwood Mall with free screenings for adults, prizes, informational booths staffed by health care experts and activities for kids.

The free fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, near the mall play area and Mayo Clinic Health System kiosk.
• Check your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
• Test your circulation, and find out if you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
• Peek inside a Gold Cross ambulance.
• See the equipment used in open-heart surgery.
• Enter a drawing for a free Heart Scan, a painless test that can determine heart attack risk ($195 value).
• Test your health knowledge, and have a chance to win one of 10 $25 mall gift certificates.

Health talks:
• 10 a.m. “Know Your Numbers: Understand your blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI numbers to help control your risk of heart disease” by Vishnu Patlolla, M.D., cardiologist
• 11 a.m. “Keep the Beat: Learn about atrial fibrillation, a common but debilitating heart rhythm problem, and new treatments that can help” by Robert Wiechmann, M.D, and Thomas Carmody, M.D., both cardiovascular surgeons, and Amanda Brash, registered nurse clinician

For children:
• Exercise with costumed characters at noon and 2 p.m.
• Learn how the heart works and how to keep yours healthy.
• Find hands-on help to earn Scout badges.

For more information about the annual Healthy Heart Fair, call 715-838-3012.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

John Snyder, M.D.

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012 
barberlindquist.susan@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — John Snyder, M.D., an Urgent Care physician and medical director of the electronic medical record at Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, recently was named by Mayo Clinic as a MacMillan Scholar.

The scholarship is aimed at developing physician leaders within Mayo Clinic Health System. The program includes tuition reimbursement and release time for leadership and management education that will benefit the scholarship recipients, their sites and the health system. Dr. Snyder plans to use the scholarship to improve office workflow and provider interaction with the electronic medical record system.

Dr. Snyder is board certified in family practice. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he completed his residency. He was nominated for the scholarship by Randall Linton, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012
barberlindquist.susan@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System is offering “Innovations in Heart Surgery,” a free dinner and discussion, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Lake Wissota Golf Club, 16108 97th Ave. S., Chippewa Falls.

The event will begin with free blood pressure screening from 5 to 5:45 p.m. A heart-healthy dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. There will be time for questions.

Cardiovascular surgeons Robert Wiechmann, M.D., and Thomas Carmody, M.D., plan to discuss innovations in the heart surgery program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, including minimally invasive procedures for:
• Bypass
• Atrial fibrillation
• Valve repair or replacement
• Aortic aneurysm stenting

The cardiovascular surgery program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire is the longest-running program of its kind in northwest Wisconsin. Teamwork with cardiologists, family doctors, rehabilitation centers and all care experts before and after surgery have contributed to the lowest infection rate in the nation for three consecutive years (Source: Society of Thoracic Surgeons).

 The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by Friday, Jan. 13. Call 715-464-2300.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist
715-838-3012 
barberlindquist.susan@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –– Mayo Clinic Health System is excited to announce that more than 1,000 babies have been born at the new Family Birthing Center in Eau Claire, which opened Dec. 20, 2010.

In the calendar year 2011, as of noon Dec. 30, 1,024 babies were born — 520 girls and 504 boys. Among them, 11 sets of twins and one set of triplets were delivered.

The following are the top boys and girls names for 2011. Note: Specific spellings may vary.

Top boy names
1. Brayden, Jackson, Noah, Owen, 9                                    
2. Jacob and Kayden, 8                                 
3. Landon and Mason, 7
4. Alexander, Carter, Dylan and William, 6
5. Jack, Liam, Luke and Nolan, 5  

Top girl names
1. Olivia, 10                                    
2. Adalyn, Emma, 8                                  
3. Isabella, 7 
4. Addison, Avery and Sophia, 6
5. Aubrey, Ava, Kaitlyn, Kylee, 5
            
In the Family Birthing Center, new moms enjoy whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers as well as increased newborn security. Large rooms offer views of Half Moon Lake. Patients control their own environment, including the room’s temperature, lights and window shades. Sleeping accommodations, including sofa sleepers and some full-sized beds, make it possible for families to be comfortable and close to the caregiving experience.

Two operating rooms are dedicated to patients needing C-sections or emergency procedures. A hallway also connects the Women’s Health Center in the clinic directly to the Family Birthing Center. In the event of an emergency, women can be transported immediately to the hospital, saving valuable time.
A large, state-of-the-art Level II Special Care Nursery affords greater privacy while continuing high-quality care of infants with medical needs.

For more information about the Family Birthing Center, visit www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org. Search for “With Open Arms.” Or call the Women’s Health Center at 715-838-6100.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.