Meet Lou Ann, Chief Happiness Specialist
Meet Lou Ann, Chief Happiness Specialist. She is the newest Miller-Dwan Foundation staff member and therapy-dog-in-training, and she is bringing joy and smiles to the Essentia Health – Duluth campus. Lou Ann came into our lives on March 2, 2019. Here’s what we know about her and where she came from: We saw her adorable face on Petfinder.com and just
Snorkel Mask on Steroids –The Micromedical VisualEyes 505
Eye movement is a key to assessing dizziness and balance. Now, with funding from the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Essentia Health physical rehabilitation departments throughout our region are using the specialized technology to look more closely at patients’ eyes. That technology is called Micromedical VisualEyes 505 or vestibular goggles. The goggles, which look like a combination snorkel mask and nighttime goggles, completely
Superior’s Up and Coming Mental Health Programming
If you live in Bayfield, Ashland, Douglas, Burnett, Sawyer, Washburn, Polk, Barron or Rusk County in northwestern Wisconsin AND you have a serious mental illness, you have a less than 40 percent chance of getting help. If you have a substance abuse problem, the chances are even less. While stunning, these stats are not all that different from many other
Iron River to Iron River: Two Grants 150 Miles Apart
Iron River, Michigan is known for its vast forest land, scenic lakes and winter sports. It is not, however, known for its mammograms. Until now. Three-dimensional mammograms have been approved for use since 2011, but in 2018, despite studies that have found that 3-D mammograms find more cancers than traditional 2-D mammograms, the clinic in Iron River had yet to
Four Ways to Feel Better About Yourself (without exercise)
This is officially the winter that will never end. Shoveling and more shoveling, a sideways slide down the hilly avenue, and yet again, another day of boots, hats, mittens and scarves. It can get a little old. But the Miller-Dwan Foundation staff have a few strategies that might help. Try something new. I attended my first Thai Yoga session the
Just 20 Minutes Can Change Your Brainwaves and Your Outlook
Patients suffering from anxiety, insomnia and depression are now being treated with new, cutting-edge technology at the Miller-Dwan Behavioral Health department. Rather than receiving medicine in pill form, they are being prescribed 20-minute sessions of electromedical technology. The Miller-Dwan Foundation recently funded the purchase of Alpha-Stim devices that generate unique, patented waveforms clinically proven to relieve anxiety, insomnia and depression
Giving the Gift of Comfort
With help from her nurses, a patient signs her daughter’s birthday card, knowing this is the last time she will do so. A wife embraces her husband, sharing a final dance before she is helped back to bed. Jayme Persch, RN, has witnessed many final moments like these at Solvay Hospice House. “They are things I’ll never forget,” she says.
How to Choose a Charity to Support
More than 700,000 Americans gave an estimated $264.58 billion in charitable donations last year, an increase of 3.8 percent from the previous year. End-of-year giving accounts for about 30 percent of all US donations, with 10 percent of all US donations occurring between December 29 and 31. “The year-end holidays and self-reflection inspire many people to do something to help
The Miller-Dwan Foundation Distributes $41,700 in Grants during its Final Grant Cycle
Grants were awarded to the following organizations: From the Miller-Dawn Foundation Innovations Fund $25,000 to the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) to provide therapeutic services and prevention education to victims of sexual assault and trafficking. $4500 to the Essentia Health Rehabilitation Continuing Education Committee for complex foot, ankle and gait rehabilitation training to help East Region
Recent Changes to the Miller-Dwan Foundation Grant Process
Recently, the Miller-Dwan Foundation Board of Directors undertook a process designed to review, assess and adjust our grantmaking strategies and policies. The process, completed and approved in November 2016, is rolling out with the new year. CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS While little has changed as a result of our review, key changes are as follows: Grant Deadline Changes Grant cycles and deadline
