The Parish Nurse Program was restarted in the parish in June 2006. Leann Kaufenberg is our Parish Nurse. Her role as Parish Nurse is varied and includes visits to parishioners in their homes, at nursing homes, and hospitals as well as telephone contacts. She provides information in response to personal health concerns and assists people in connecting with community resources or parish volunteers to provide supportive care to family members. She works closely with the priests and deacons to provide pastoral outreach to hospitalized parishioners and family members who are grieving the death of a loved one.  She facilitates the connection between parishioners in need of some assistance and parishioners willing to provide a meal or a ride to the doctor or church. Leann serves on the board for the Catholic Parish Nurse Association.

Some of the health and wellness programs that the Parish Nurse has been involved with this past year include:

• Monthly blood pressure screening serving over 140  parishioners and staff.
• Coordination of the Healthcare Directive Workshop last fall.
• Liaison for the cancer support group.
• Established a Wellness Committee who organized the Women’s Heart Health Event in February and the Men’s Health Event in June.
• Presented a special hand-washing program for the Ark of Angels Preschool.
• Provided health information useful to parishioners in the Steeple View and on the parish bulletin board.
• As the parish nurse, Leann is committed to helping St. Michael’s be a place of health, healing, and faithfulness to God’s call to serve others.

 Monthly Blood Pressure Screening is held the second weekend of the month after all of the Masses in the Parish Office Board Room. Blood pressure checks are also available by appointment with the Leann Kaufenberg, Parish Nurse. Call 379-1266 to make an appointment.

Heartsaver AED Class: Are you prepared for a heart emergency? Each year, cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest claim the lives of 325,000 Americans before they reach a hospital.  If bystander CPR is not provided, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival fall 7 percent to 10 percent for every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse. Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival.

These facts were taken from the American Heart Association website. As St. Michael’s Wellness Committee continues to promote emergency preparedness for our parishioners, we want to empower individuals with skills needed to save a life. We have three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on our church and school campus. This lifesaving device is of no value if we do not have individuals who know how to use it. We are planning several Heartsaver AED classes for staff, committee members, and parishioners at large. We should have at least two members trained in CPR/AED techniques from the following groups: Ushers, Men’s Club, CCW, Scouts, Parish/School staff and others.

Heartsaver AED Class, Tuesday, April 29, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. in the Social Hall,Cost: $5.00
Class size limited to 12 RSVP to Leann Kaufenberg by April 25.

Minnesota Catholic Health Care Directive
The following link will take you to the Minnesota Catholic Conference website where you will find a Health Care Directive and guide available to download that reflect Catholic teaching.  www.mncc.org

American Red Cross
 The following links give helpful information to have available in case of certain emergencies.  Copies are also available in the pamphlet racks in the Atrium.
Heat-Related Illness
When the Power is Out