Month: August 2019

Davis County Hospital & ClinicsNews2019August
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SLS Raising Awareness During Suicide Prevention Month

Davis County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program Raising Awareness During National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Bloomfield, IA –  September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Davis County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program is working to raise awareness.  According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an average of 129 deaths by suicide occur per day and there are an estimated 1,400,000 suicide attempts per year. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

To raise awareness during national suicide prevention and awareness month, the Davis County Hospital Senior Life Solutions program is hosting a balloon release on Thursday, September 12th at 12:30 pm outside the Senior Life Solutions building located at 505 N Madison (just South of Davis County Hospital). The balloon release will kick off with Mayor Dan Wiegand giving a Proclamation to proclaim September 2019 as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in Bloomfield, Iowa. All community members are invited to attend the ceremony and participate in the balloon release. Community members will be provided a balloon to include a personal message in recognition of suicide prevention awareness.

To get the community involved further, DCH Senior Life Solution’s is partnering with Neebz Graphix to sell a Suicide Prevention Awareness t-shirt that is available for purchase. To place an order, please call Neebz Graphix no later than September 3rd, 2019, or visit: . T-shirts range in price from $15-$22 depending on size and t-shirt brand. All money raised will go towards the local Davis County Dollars for Scholars program.

Davis County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression often related to aging.  The Senior Life Solutions program staff is trained in the use of standardized, evidence-based tools for screening patients at risk of suicide. In addition, the staff assists the patient to create a plan to prevent future suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts.

Following an individual assessment, patients meet up to three times per week in a supportive, encouraging group setting. The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed social workers, a registered nurse, and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the emotional well-being of the seniors in our community.

Kayla Miller, DCH Senior Life Solutions Program Director said, “Raising awareness for suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility – we have to look out for each other, whether parents, siblings, coworkers, or friends. Recognize the signs and encourage loved ones to seek the necessary care.”

Patients may benefit from the Senior Life Solutions program if they recently experienced a traumatic event, are grieving the loss of a loved one, have experienced changes in sleep, appetite, or mood, or have lost interest in previously enjoyed activities. Referrals to the program can be made by anyone, including a patient’s physician, family member, self-referral, or another healthcare professional.

For more information, call the Davis County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program at 641-664-3851.

DCH Volunteer Receives Governor’s Volunteer Award

Bloomfield, IA – Sylvia Schlarbaum of Bloomfield received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held August 21, 2019 in Ottumwa at the Bridge View Center.

Sylvia Schlarbaum was honored with an individual Governor’s Volunteer award, nominated by Davis County Hospital (DCH) in honor of her long-standing dedication to volunteering with the Davis County Hospital Foundation Board, the Davis County Hospital Auxiliary, as well as the Davis County Hospital Board of Trustees.

“Davis County Hospital is honored to nominate Sylvia as a recipient of the Iowa Volunteer Award,” commented Devyn Pitlick, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator at DCH. “Throughout her career at Davis County Hospital (DCH) and throughout her personal life in Davis County, Sylvia has displayed the compassion and care for those she works with, as well as those she has come in contact with throughout her lifetime whether they be family members, peers or those she had served in her medical profession. Sylvia has lived an unselfish and courageous life throughout her years in Davis County and continues to showcase her willingness to help.”

Pitlick said, “Since retiring from DCH in 2010, Sylvia has jumped right into volunteering her time and efforts to continue to support healthcare in our community. Sylvia provides support through her active work on the DCH Foundation Board, the DCH Auxiliary, and the DCH Board of Trustees. Sylvia is genuine in her support and work for the hospital and the community. She has continued to display compassion and warmth in her roles on all three organization boards. Whether as a child, student, parent, family member, employee at DCH, or as a volunteer on the DCH Foundation, Auxiliary, and Hospital Boards, Sylvia has demonstrated an excellence of service over the years.”

“Sylvia is not only a leader but the kind of leader that gets involved hands on,” said Tierre Chickering, DCH Auxiliary Coordinator. “Leading by a lifestyle of willingness to work to achieve the goal.  She is always there with her understanding and unassuming way. She has a special knack of being involved without having to be the center of attention-a quality that cannot be underestimated. Sylvia is committed to helping Davis County thrive.”

“Neighbor helping neighbor is as Iowan as a pork tenderloin at the county fair — we’ve seen it time and time again,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “Volunteerism is who we are as Iowans. I’m honored to recognize those who continue to give back and help their fellow Iowans.”

More than 540 awards are being presented this year during ceremonies held at several locations around the state. It is estimated that more than 27,000 hours of service, with an economic impact of more than $693,000, were contributed by this year’s honorees during the past twelve months.

“Volunteering of your time and talents has a positive impact on our communities and the people being helped,” said Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. “The dedication of volunteers often encourages others to get involved, which is why Iowa continues to be a top state in volunteerism.”

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 36th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.