Archives

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Rock River Community Clinic.

Rock River Community Clinic has officially been recommended for designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC-LAL) by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

“We are proud and honored to reach this crucial step in our process of becoming federally qualified. This designation will change access to healthcare in our region and expand the services we are able to provide for families in need,” states Olivia Nichols, CEO/Executive Director of Rock River Community Clinic.

Becoming a FQHC will allow RRCC to ensure long-term sustainability of their services and provide more affordable care options for families throughout the region. The benefits of the status include, but are not limited to, sustainable reimbursement for services for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, access to a federal 340B Drug Discount Program, and access to tuition reimbursement through National Healthcare Service Corps programs to recruit and retain providers.

“The benefits to our communities with RRCC becoming federally qualified cannot be overstated,” states Dr. Donald Williams, Medical Director of Rock River Community Clinic. “The FQHC status will equip our staff with the increased tools & resources to help care for our patients and help eliminate barriers that prevent too many community members from accessing needed medical and dental care.”

Rock River Community Clinic was formed through the merging of the Community Dental Clinic (Fort Atkinson), Watertown Area Cares Clinic and Rock River Free Clinic (Jefferson) in 2019. With support from the Rock River Health Care Network (HealthWorks), RRCC began the process to become a FQHC-LAL in January of 2020. HealthWorks is a coalition of local healthcare organizations working collectively to increase health equity in Jefferson and Dodge Counties by specifically focusing on low-income individuals’ access to primary care. HealthWorks partners include Fort Healthcare, Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, Watertown Regional Medical Center, Rainbow Hospice Care, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Human Services, Rock River Community Clinic, and the City of Watertown Health Department.

“The first area of focus for HealthWorks has been aimed at supporting patient care at the Rock River Community Clinic and providing needed resources and support towards their effort of attaining FQHC-LAL status,” states Kristin Wallace, HealthWorks Network Director. “We look forward to continuing to support these tremendous efforts towards achieving health equity in our communities.”

To be eligible for FQHC-LAL designation, RRCC was required to meet 19 core program standards, as well as 98 operational site visit elements. Those requirements include, but are not limited to, offering services to all persons regardless of ability to pay; establishing a sliding fee discount program; establishing a community-based governing board of directors including patient board members; serving in a medically underserved area; providing quality comprehensive primary care services for patients of all age groups—including medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services; providing enabling or supportive services that support access to healthcare including patient and community health education, transportation, and translation; and having an ongoing quality assurance program.

“Our entire team and full network of partners have worked tirelessly to reach this point,” Nichols adds. “There are countless people to thank who have made this step possible. As we complete our minor revisions, I am confident that we will achieve FQHC-LAL status by year-end, allowing us to start 2023 with new support and resources that further our effort of getting more families access to quality health services.”

For more information about Rock River Community Clinic, please contact 262.472.6839.

---

Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) provides comprehensive and cost-effective health care services to
ensure all community members have access to the care they need. Serving families in Jefferson, Dodge,
and parts of Walworth County, RRCC includes three medical clinics located in Whitewater, Watertown,
and Jefferson, and one dental clinic located in Fort Atkinson. Referrals for behavioral health care services
will be available in Whitewater and Watertown locations soon.
At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted, regardless of ability to pay, with
discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). RRCC also
provides care coordination services to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare (e.g.,
transportation), and helps to coordinate referrals. Bilingual staff (Spanish & English) are available to
support patients and their families. By increasing access to health care services, offering care at
affordable costs, and assisting with healthcare navigation, RRCC works to create a healthier, more
equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

#

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.

            Have you thought about joining the 4-H program, but felt you didn’t know enough about it?  Walworth County 4-H is offering you an opportunity to get your questions answered and see if 4-H is a good fit for your family!

            Explore 4-H Night is set for October 3rd, from 6-8 p.m. at the Walworth County Fairgrounds Activity Center, Elkhorn.  This fun, open house style event will offer parents and children the opportunity to sample 4-H through a variety of hands-on activities related to 4-H projects such as arts and crafts, foods, horticulture, wildlife, model railroading, and more!  You’ll meet some new animal friends.  You can test your aim and learn all about 4-H shooting sports opportunities, and you’ll get to meet a variety of youth and adults who are already a part of the 4-H program.  You’ll also make several souvenirs to take home and receive a packet of information designed to make your sign-up process smooth and simple.

            Participation is absolutely free!  Pre-registration is not required, but, the first 15 families who do pre-register by October 3 at 9 a.m. will receive a special participation prize at the door.  For more information, or to register, call the Walworth County Extension Office at 262-741-4951 or email deborah.harris@wisc.edu. The event location is in the SE corner of the fairgrounds.    A Spanish language interpreter will be present throughout the event.

            4-H is a Positive Youth Development program of UW-Madison Division of Extension.  Participation is open to all youth in grades 5K through 13.  4-H clubs meet monthly to talk business, do activities, plan community service efforts, and enjoy member talks and demonstrations.  4-H members work with their project leaders and families to pursue and complete their individual projects.  There are about 75 project from which to choose.  Learn more about Walworth County 4-H at https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/.  The new 4-H program year is starting now, so this is the perfect time to join in the fun!   Enrollment is open! 

            An EEO Affirmative Action employer, UW-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title VI, Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.  If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in Explore 4-H Night or the program overall, call 262-741-4951.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.

In early September, the CDC approved the first updated COVID-19 booster, which contains variations for both the original COVID-19 virus as well as the Omicron variants. The Pfizer version of this vaccine is available to ages 12 and older and Moderna is available for ages 18 and older. Boosters are only available for those who have completed their primary series
vaccine and had their last booster at least two months ago.

“The updated booster is formulated to better protect against the most recent variants of the COVID-19 virus,” says Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom. “This represents the first shift into a potentially seasonal COVID-19 booster, similar to what we see with the flu vaccine.”

Updated COVID-19 boosters are widely available at local pharmacies. Visit www.vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment near you. Residents are also encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider about receiving their updated COVID-19 booster at the same time as their annual flu shot.

Additionally, Walworth County Public Health will host two walk-in booster clinics in September:

— September 26, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W. Main St, Whitewater

— September 28, 2022, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lake Geneva Middle School, 600 N. Bloomfield Road, Lake Geneva. Enter at outside door O near the cafeteria.

Please note that there may be a limited supply of vaccines at these clinics. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to preregister, you can do so at https://vaccinate.wi.gov. Pre-registering is strongly encouraged. Attendees should bring their vaccination cards to be updated. Individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them. Questions may be directed to Walworth County Public Health at (262) 741-3200. Additional information can also be found at www.co.walworth.wi.us/896/Vaccine-Information.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Fort Community Credit Union.

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) partnered with Shred-It to host a series of free shred events in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Whitewater, and Watertown. The final shred event will take place at the FCCU Whitewater Branch at 203 E Milwaukee St in Whitewater on Saturday, October 8 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Community members are encouraged to bring their confidential documents to be safely and securely destroyed. FCCU representatives will be onsite to direct car traffic and assist with the transfer of documents to the shred truck.

“We host our shred events to encourage community members to take preventative steps towards minimizing their risk of identity theft and protecting their hard-earned money,” said Danielle Frawley, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer. “The simple act of disposing confidential documents safely will make a huge difference in the financial wellbeing of those in our community.”

Next year’s shred event dates will be posted to fortcommunity.com at the beginning of 2023.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Irvin L Young Memorial Library.

Do you and your young kids love to sing, dance, and play musical instruments? Do you wish you had new parenting strategies to handle stress, meltdowns, and challenging behaviors?

Sign up for “Sing, Dance, Thrive!” and enjoy musical fun, caregiver-child bonding, expressive dancing, and easy-to-use stress management and parenting strategies for children ages infant to five. Participants will use imaginative music, stories, and movement activities to explore common childhood and parenting challenges and engage in proactive, whole-brain methods to prevent meltdowns, meet children in the midst of big feelings, and move from reactivity to connection and receptivity. Participants take home a binder with weekly parenting resources, musical strategy song sheets, and adult and children’s book lists. We can’t wait for you to join us on this musical journey towards connection, joy, and family bonding. 

The class will be taught by Noelle (Werner) Larson. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music”, strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making. Whether she is serving young children or senior citizens, individuals in hospice care or children and adults with special needs, Noelle feels honored to help each client work toward their goals and find meaningful connections through music.

A Kick-off event to learn more about the class will be held on Saturday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m. The six-week class session will be held Fridays, October 7 through November 11 at 3:20-4:00 p.m. at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater.

There is no cost to attend, but please register in advance at whitewaterlibrary.org or at https://forms.gle/u6zx9hMn5RPvA6LG6

Email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530 with any questions or for more information.

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Gary & Judy Harms (Miles’s in-laws,) Gary & Pam Hookstead (Miles’s parents,) and Kelsey Hookstead (Miles’s wife and WHS Class of 2010.)

Miles Hookstead was inducted into the University of Dubuque Hall of Fame on September 10, 2022. Miles was raised in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2009. He was named Outstanding Male Athlete at WHS as a 2-sport athlete (Football and Basketball) with numerous All-Conference and All-State accolades. He continued that success at the University of Dubuque where he excelled in both sports (a rarity in college athletics), and graduated from there in 2013. Miles currently serves as the Offensive Coordinator for the University of Dubuque Football Team under Head Coach Stan Zweifel (former Assistant Head Football Coach at UW-Whitewater).

Hookstead, who lives in Dubuque, graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2013 with a degree in health, wellness, and recreation. He was a two-sport athlete, participating in football and basketball throughout his college career. On the field, he earned All-Conference and All-Region as well as two-time All-American honors. Hookstead was also a member of the 2011 Conference Championship Team. Additionally, in men’s basketball, he was a starter on the 2013 IIAC Tournament Championship Team.

Immediately after graduation, Hookstead became a coach at his Alma mater. He helped coach the Spartans to a 2015 Football Conference Championship.

Hookstead continues to coach at UD. He and his wife, Kelsey, were married in 2017. They have two sons, Wesley (2) and Kameron (8 months).

By the Numbers:

• 2x All-Conference (First Team – 2012/Second Team – 2011)
• D3football.com All-Region (2011)
• 2x BSN All-American (2011, 2012)
• 8th All-Time in Career Receiving Touchdowns (18)
• 2011 Iowa Conference Champion – Football
• 2013 Iowa Conference Tournament Champion – Men’s Basketball
• 3x Academic All-Conference (Football: 2010, 2011, 2012)
• 3x Academic All-Conference (Men’s Basketball: 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13)
• 2x CoSIDA Academic All-District (2011, 2012)
• 2x CoSIDA Academic All-American (2011, 2012)
• Captain of 2013 IIAC Tournament Champion team

It’s time once again for #flashbackfriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week is the last photo from the Robert Ortmann collection. Robert Ortmann was a student at UWW (Wisconsin State University-Whitewater) from 1967 to 1971. In the summer of 1970, Robert took extensive photos of the demolition of Old Main after the fire in February of 1970. This photo clearly shows the annex between the oldest part of the building and the East Wing that probably saved the wing from burning. Today, the wing is known as Hyer Hall.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(6071P, Whitewater Historical Society)