Helping Youth Cope with Post Holiday Blues

The end of the year can be a very busy time for many families. This time of year provides time for families to spend together, breaks from school and anticipated fun festivity and holiday traditions. 

An abrupt transition from holiday time off to the daily school routine can be challenging to navigate in children, teens and adults. Children and teens are more likely to express their feelings during this transition with behaviors rather than words. Regional Medical Center (RMC) Parents as Teachers (PAT) provides some tactics on how to help the youth cope with “post-holiday blues”:

Talk about going back to school. Provide a space where they can verbalize their feelings while returning to school. One way to do this is to simply ask questions on how they are feeling about returning to school. Normalize their feelings of worry or nervousness and acknowledge their feelings are common.

Get back into a routine. Although it may not be very fun, children thrive with routines and schedules. It can be helpful to keep your child’s bedtime and wake-up time the same throughout a break.

Make physical health a priority. Although breaks are great, making a point to get up and move with intention throughout the day can help keep their bodies in sync when heading back to school.

Create quality family time. Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean the family time needs to end. Build in quality time each week to do something together. If you are looking for more parental support, reach out to RMC Parents as Teachers (563-927-7685) or visit regmedctr.org/pat to learn more.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) is hosting their third annual “Comedy for a Cause” fundraising event on Saturday, February 3rd. Stand-up comedian, Heath Harmison, will be the source of entertainment with his fun, high energy, relatable comedy that provides something for everyone.

This is a community fundraising event that will be held at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Pavilion with doors opening at 6pm. Not only is this an opportunity for a fun night out, but all proceeds raised through ticket sales and a 50/50 cash raffle will go right back to your local not-for-profit hospital. 

Each year, RMC focuses their fundraising efforts on one big need. During fiscal year 2024, the focus is offsetting the cost of their brand new CT scanner. As a not-for-profit organization RMC relies heavily on the support of our community. 

“It’s fun to host community events like this! It not only brings our community together for a fun-filled night but it gives us an opportunity to connect with the individuals who continue to support our mission; improving the health of our communities through professional and personalized care,” shared Valerie Lindsay, Marketing and Fund Development Manager. Tickets are only sold in advance – no tickets will be sold at the door. They can be purchased online at regmedctr.org/comedy. On behalf of Regional Medical Center, thank you for allowing us to grow and expand to provide you with the care you deserve.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester continues to be in-network with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (BC/BS) health plans.

Recently, RMC was made aware that Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (BC/BS) mistakenly sent letters to some of their covered members indicating that RMC is no longer in-network with their health plan.

This is not accurate. Please be assured that RMC and Regional Family Health continue to be in-network and do not have any plans of terminating our agreement with BC/BS. If claims are denied for out-of-network, RMC will work directly with Wellmark BC/BS to resolve the claim denial.

Wellmark BC/BS is aware of this error and are actively working to identify the members who have received these letters. They plan to send notices out to these members acknowledging their error and their plans to correct the issue.

If you have any questions, you may contact RMC’s Business Services Department at 563-927-7533 or call Wellmark BC/BS with the phone number listed on your insurance card.

It was a special start of the new year for Strawberry Point residents, Dan and Jamie Venteicher. At 12:28am on January 1, 2024, they welcomed a baby boy at Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester.

James Daniel weighed 10 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 22¾ inches. OB and Family Health physician, Dr. Clinton Cummings, along with the RMC OB team, delivered this special new year baby. 

To help celebrate, RMC gifted the family with a case of diapers and an embroidered blanket that reads “First Baby 2024”. 

We want to thank Dan and Jamie for putting their trust in us to care for their growing family. It is our greatest joy to be part of these special moments.

Pictured: Dan & Jamie Venteicher with baby boy, James Daniel

“I would like to say thank you to the Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and their donors for granting me this scholarship! It has given me the opportunity to continue to learn & focus on school by lightening the financial stress. It has made the path of becoming a radiologic technologist easier. Thank you!”

The Edgewood-Colesburg volleyball team has left the Regional Medical Center (RMC) Radiology department speechless with a recent $15,000 donation. 

Throughout the year, the Ed-Co volleyball team passionately raised funds by hosting their annual “pink night” volleyball game and also dedicated a day at the Edgewood Rodeo Days with a “tough enough to wear pink night”. The donation presented will go towards the RMC Radiology Department’s “pink support bag” fund. 

This fund allows the Radiology Department to purchase bags and pack them full of support items, gift cards and words of encouragement for patients who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. 

“Since 2016, the Edgewood-Colesburg volleyball team has arranged fundraisers totaling $82,000 for local breast cancer patients,” shared Megan Demmer, RMC Radiology Manager. “On behalf of Regional Medical Center, thank you. Thank you to all who support these fundraising efforts and to the amazing Ed-Co Volleyball team. Your donation will allow us to continue to provide support, comfort and inspiration to local women fighting breast cancer.”

Pictured (Left to Right): Coach Dana Kopren, Lauren Kirby, Savannah Drips, Aly Meyer, Jody Kerns (RMC Radiology), Ally White, Claire Hemann, Hailey Davis

Manchester residents Jake Voss and Carly Croy were given the sweetest Christmas gift as they welcomed a precious baby boy at Regional Medical Center.

Croy John was born on December 24, 2023 weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. Regional Medical Center’s midwife, Michelle Radloff along with the OB team “played Santa” as they helped to deliver this Christmas blessing. 

To celebrate the special birth, the family was given a Christmas outfit along with a donated handmade quilt. We are so thankful for the many volunteers who donate handmade items to the OB Department. It gives us so much joy providing these special gifts to the families we serve. 

On behalf of Regional Medical Center, we want to thank Jake and Carly for choosing us to be part of their Christmas miracle.

Pictured: Jake Voss & Carly Croy with baby boy, Croy John
Pictured: Croy John with donated quilt

It’s the season of sniffles. As the spreading of illnesses increases, Regional Family Health (RFH) in Manchester is seeing a high volume of patients in the Urgent Care. 

As the number of Urgent Care visits rise, the wait times begin to grow. Here at Regional Family Health, we value your time and are dedicated to meeting the needs of all patients seeking our care. Primary care is the main service offered within our family practice clinics. We encourage patients to continue to call the clinic first for an opportunity to be seen by their primary care provider or another provider within their team. We strive to provide same-day appointments to care for you.

If you have a specific minor injury, illness or condition that needs immediate treatment and don’t have time to wait for an appointment, our Urgent Care team is here for you. 

Appointments to see a provider can be scheduled at any of our family practice locations: Dyersville, Edgewood, Hopkinton, Manchester, Strawberry Point and Winthrop. Find contact information at regmedctr.org/rfh. We thank you for trusting Regional Family Health with your healthcare needs.

Help control the spread of germs by covering your coughs or sneezes, washing your hands frequently and staying home when you are sick.

“Thank you to the RMC Auxiliary and their donors for providing me with this scholarship. It has lessened my financial stress and helped me get closer to my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.”

“The RMC Auxiliary Scholarship has provided me with financial help while pursuing my passion of becoming a Physical Therapist.”

“It was too bad I had to have my operation, but I had so many wonderful people to help me. From the receptionist to the aides to my physical therapist, they were all amazing. I never complained about coming to therapy, I enjoyed it here. They pushed me and kept challenging me to do better. The people at RMC are amazing and do an outstanding job.”

Gift-giving is hard, especially when you’re deciding what to get children in your life. It can be particularly hard to choose a safe toy for babies, toddlers, preschoolers or school-aged kids. The Regional Medical Center (RMC) Parents as Teachers have developed a child safety gift guide for young children that are safe and fun!

Consider your child’s age when purchasing. Check out the instructions and/or warning labels to make sure it’s the right fit. 

  • Under 6 Months: Toys that encourage movement, cognitive skills and focused attention
  • 6-12 Months: Sensory items and movement/activity toys
  • 12-18 Months: Educational things that help teach shapes, colors and talking
  • 18-36 Months: Sports sets (advanced motor skills)
  • 36+ Months: Activity books of their own interest (animals, sports, family members)

Before settling on the perfect gift, check to make there are no choking hazards. Anything with small parts and pieces is a potential danger for younger children. Separating toys based on age can help with curious siblings and toys intended for older children. Don’t forget safety equipment to help keep them safe while they’re having fun on a new bike, skateboard, scooter or other riding equipment. After the toys have been opened and played with, it’s time to store everything safely. Make sure there are no holes or hinges that could catch little fingers. Toys should be fun and safe, but also match the child’s developmental stage of play. We hope this quick child safety gift guide helps as you stand in the toy aisle this holiday season. If you are looking for more parental support, reach out to RMC Parents as Teachers (563-927-7685) or visit regmedctr.org/pat to learn more.