Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Clinic to Offer Pulmonary Care

Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Clinic to Offer Pulmonary Care

It was like any other late-winter day on Dave Pfeilsticker's farm outside Wabasha. He finished up a chore in the barn and was headed back toward his house, but he had to stop to catch his breath. That wasn't normal.

Because Pfeilsticker knew something wasn't right, he went to Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Hospital to get checked out. The diagnosis: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That started him on a regimen of three inhalers and a routine of exercise three days a week-which continues in the Wellness Center at the hospital to this day to maintain his health.

"They're just great. I can't believe how good they are," he says about the staff at the Wellness Center, who he's been working with since 2015. "The technicians are great, and the patients, you get to talk to them. Everybody wants to talk to each other, and it's almost a social hour. It's something we all need anyway."

Pfeilsticker walks on the treadmill, uses an elliptical, rides an upright bike and lifts weights. Doing these exercises has helped him feel better overall and has given him the strength to do things he hasn't been able to.

"I enjoy coming here," Pfeilsticker, 82, says. "I just know it does me good. I see too many people who should be down here, but they don't come."

Pfeilsticker's disease set off a long relationship with his healthcare team, which included establishing care with Mackenzie Dejno, PA-C, a pulmonologist based in La Crosse. The two regularly visit about the health of Pfeilsticker's respiratory system and undergo testing, but to do so, he'd have to make the one-hour drive to Dejno's office.

No more.

New pulmonary care service comes to Wabasha

Beginning Feb. 24-just in time for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Month in March-Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Clinic will host Dejno one day a month for in-person pulmonology appointments-a service that's never been offered in town until now.

"It'll be so convenient," Pfeilsticker said of the local option.

Carla Theusch, manager of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in Wabasha, says there are several hundred people in the system database who could take advantage of pulmonology services on site, so she's confident Dejno's days won't go unfilled. Should the demand be there, more days could be added.

Many patients haven't established care with a pulmonologist, Theusch said. The goal is that people do that now that Dejno is available locally.

Supporting patients and providers

The addition also excites the primary care providers in Wabasha and Alma, as pulmonary diseases are difficult to manage with the different medicines, supplemental oxygen and other accommodations that need to be considered, as well as an exercise regimen to treat the effects.

"It's great for the patients and great for the primary care providers," Theusch said.

And for patients like Dave, he'll be able to make all his pulmonology appointments in one location-with rehab in the Wellness Center, medications from the pharmacy and a check-in with Dejno in the clinic.

"This new service line enhances access to specialized pulmonary care close to home, reducing travel burdens and improving continuity of care. It also supports early diagnosis and management of lung diseases, which can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life," Theusch adds.

If you'd like to establish pulmonology care at Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Clinic, talk to your primary care provider or call (651) 565-5600.