Health

A Ministry Health Care leader has been given additional duties.

Monica Hilt has been named president of Ministry Howard Young Health Care in Woodruff. Hilt already is president of Ministry Sacred Heart-St. Mary's hospitals in Tomahawk and Rhinelander. Hilt replaces Shiela Clough who resigned in August.

Hilt says she's worked for 23 years at the two hospitals she currently oversees, but the Howard Young facility is familiar to her, having worked with Sheila Clough. She says Ministry has been working toward having officers in regional positions...

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

  Public health officials are urging women over the age of 50 to get an annual mammogram.  Vilas County Public Health Nurse Pam Pederson says the breast x-ray can help catch early signs of cancer.

“Breast cancer if detected early is very treatable.  If they do these yearly exams, chances are we’re gonna catch it in a early stage, and be able to treat it and save lives.” 

With winter on its way, the Public Service Commission is telling residents who may be behind on utility payments to get connected.  

Starting November 1st, there is a moratorium on utility shutoffs – that means companies can’t cut off service until mid-April, even if customers don’t pay their bills.  But PSC spokesperson Carrie Templeton says for that rule to apply, you must start off the season as a customer in good standing.

A film screening next week is putting the spotlight on hunger issues in the Northwoods.  St. Augustine’s Church in Rhinelander is showing A Place at the Table.  Father Dean Einerson says many families deal with uncertainty about getting enough to eat, and A Place at the Table looks at the reasons behind the problem.

“That’s a movie that tries to get at why so many Americans face food insecurity.  Last year there were 50 million Americans who didn’t know where the food for their family was gonna come each week.”

News Director Ken Krall talks with John Winkelman of the Lakeland Food Pantry in Woodruff about the continuing need to keep people fed.

John Winkelman from the Lakeland Food Pantry in Woodruff. More information on the Pantry is on their website.

Veterans’ health services are not being affected by the government shutdown.  Iron Mountain VA Health Center spokesman Brad Nelson says other aspects of Veterans Affairs may be impacted, but clinics and health services are funded well in advance.

“We already have advance appropriations for 2014, so we’re remaining fully open in that regard.  So we are not impacted by this current lapse in appropriations.”

A new report says 89 deaths in Wisconsin were the result of domestic violence in the past two years. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. WXPR News Director Ken Krall spoke with Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault's Shellie Holmes about the report from the statewide advocacy group End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. She says the report is numbers, but the people involved are real as are the impacts.

It’s launch day for Wisconsin’s health exchange.  Individuals will be able to compare and shop for health insurance plans online.  One of the many questions raised by changes to the health care system…is what will happen to private insurance agents…now that people have easy access to purchase insurance directly.  WXPR’s Natalie Jablonski sat down called up private insurance agent Brian Diel, and found out he’s not too worried.

The Wisconsin Counties Association voted this week in disapproval of the state’s rejection of extra federal funding for Medicaid.  Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Senior Legislative Associate for Wisconsin Counties Association, says the vote reaffirmed a position the group has held since 2011.

“As counties, when we all have the same position, when we all talk from one voice, it really provides support for our issues.”

A Rhinelander volunteer is in Colorado with the American Red Cross.  Carol Miller is stationed at Disaster Relief Headquarters near Denver, south of where the floods have done the most damage.  

She says there are 600 volunteers on the scene with hundreds more set to arrive.  The job of Red Cross nurses is to take care of those who get sick or injured while volunteering for FEMA or other partner organizations.