Welcome to Housecalls
Health Info Podcasts

Housecalls is an online audio podcast focused on your health. Join Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster each week as they discuss important health and community topics with physicians and other health care professionals.

You can view recent podcasts below or view our Housecalls archive page.

This Week's Housecalls: Claims Assistance Program November 16, 2009 Listen to the Claims Assistance Program » This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dierdre DiMemmo, with the Avera McKennan Claims Assistance Program, to talk about how this incredible program can help you make sense of your medical bills.  If you are suffering from a chronic illness, have experienced a catastrophic health event or are simply overwhelmed by medical bills, this program is here to help.  Log on and listen to find out how the Claims Assistance Program can help take away the confusion and worry of dealing with medical bills so you can concentrate on healing.

Other Recent Housecalls Episodes

BSGI - Breast Specific Gamma Imaging
October 30, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dr. Josie Alpers, Avera Radiation Oncology, to talk about the newest diagnostic technology for breast cancer, Breast Specific Gamma Imaging or BSGI.  Log on and find out how this new technology is helping physicians design more targeted treatment plans while giving peace-of-mind to breast cancer patients and those at high-risk for the disease.  

NICU Transport Team
October 29, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Sarah DuBois , Neonatal Nurse Practioner, to talk about the link between Careview and Careflight and the intense specialty of neonatal transport.  

CARF
October 16, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dr. Thomas Ripperda, Avera Rehabilitation Associates and Medical Director of Avera McKennan's Rehab Unit, to talk about Avera McKennan's recent three-year accreditation awarded by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) for their Comprehensive, Brain Injury and Stroke Specialty Programs for adults and children/adolescents. Learn why CARF accreditation is so important and what it means for patients.

Urogynecology
September 4, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dr. Matthew Barker with Avera Urogynecology Specialists. Dr. Barker is the first and only fellowship-trained Urogynecologist in the region. He is the first pelvic reconstructive surgeon to practice in the region and has extensive training in vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical management of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. If you've experienced common pelvic issues like urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or pelvic pain, you owe it to yourself to log on and listen.

Healthcare for College Students
August 26, 2009

Listen to the College Health Program»
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If you're the parent of a young child, odds are you know which vaccines your child needs at certain ages. But what about your baby who is headed off to college? This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster talk with CNP Kristen Corkle about vaccine requirements for college and overall health tips that will help your child stay healthy once they're on their own.

Blended Families
August 5, 2009

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Back when the Brady Bunch was a popular television sitcom, blended families like the Brady's were uncommon, especially in the midwest. Nearly 30 years later, blended families seem to be the rule rather than the exception. In today's Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN, visit with Mary Guth, a therapist with Avera Behavioral Outpatient Services, about the unique challenges blended families face and what strategies may help in overcoming these challenges.

Eating Disorders
July 15, 2009

Listen to the Eating Disorders Program »
Download the Eating Disorders Program (MP3 file) »
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Eating disorders can take on many forms and affect both males and females of all ages. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with special guest Sara Bennetts, a therapist with Avera Behavioral Outpatients Services, about the most common types of eating disorders, how to identify the signs of an eating disorder and what treatment options are available. If you, or a loved one, are suffering from an eating disorder, you won't want to miss this show.

Stroke Screenings
May 27, 2009

Listen to the Stroke Screenings Program »
Download the Stroke Screenings Program (MP3 file) »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with special guest Pam Hansen, Mobile Imaging Coordinator for Avera McKennan. Pam and her team conduct weekly stroke and vascular screenings at local Hy-Vee stores and she discusses the importance of getting screened and who is at most risk for having a stroke. Tune in and find out if you or a loved one should be calling for an appointment.

Long-term Care with Avera Prince of Peace
May 13, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with guest Justin Hinker, Director of Avera Prince of Peace, to talk about important considerations when choosing a long-term care facility for yourself or for members of your family. Also joining the program is Russ Sorenson, a local Sioux Falls resident who late last year embarked on this journey with his siblings and aging parents after his parents courageously took the first step by asking for help. Tune in and hear this family's touching story.

The Aging Process
May 6, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome special guest Dr. Michael Tobin, Internal Medicine with Avera McGreevy Clinic Main, to talk about the aging process and why staying healthy in mind, body and spirit could be the key to happiness in our golden years.

Huntington's Disease
April 22, 2009

Listen to the Huntington's Disease Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Dr. Harlan Payne, a neurologist with Neurology Associates, to talk about Huntington's Disease.  Tune in and learn about the early origins of this neurodegenerative disease, how it's inherited throughout generations and why it's ultimately so devastating to both patients and their loved ones.

National Healthcare Decisions Day
April 15, 2009

Listen to the National Healthcare Decisions Day Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Matt Michels, General Counsel for Avera Health and Deb Fischer-Clemens, Vice President of Public Policy at Avera Health to talk about National Healthcare Decisions Day and the importance of making your end-of-life decisions now so you and your loved ones aren't faced with it during an emotional crisis.

Cervical Cancer
April 1, 2009

Listen to the Cervical Cancer Program »
Download the Cervical Cancer Program (MP3 file) »
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Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women.  However, in the United States, cervical cancer is much less common due to routine screenings.  This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome special guest Dr. Luis Rojas, a gynecologic oncologist with Avera Women's Center for Gynecologic Cancer to talk about the causes, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Colon Cancer Awareness Month
March 25, 2009

Listen to the Colon Cancer Awareness Program »
Download the Colon Cancer Awareness Program (MP3 file) »
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Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in this country and also one of the most preventable and treatable with appropriate screenings. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome special guest Dr. Larry Schafer with Avera Gastroenterology Clinic to talk about the colon cancer screening process and why if you've waited to seek help until you have symptoms, you may have waited too long.

Find Your Hormone Balance featuring Dr. Eldred B. Taylor
March 13, 2009

Listen to the Hormone Balance Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome special guest Dr. Eldred B. Taylor, Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Expert in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement and Medical Director of The Taylor Medical Group. Tune in and learn how having a hormone imbalance can cause, among other things, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, headaches, moodiness, hot flashes and night sweats. Dr. Taylor explains why hormones become imbalanced, what symptoms may arise and what treatment options are available. Log on now to learn more about this topic and how Avera Midlife Care for Women can help!

Planet Heart
March 04, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Lindsey Meyers, Director of Marketing for the Avera Heart Hospital, to talk about the success of Planet Heart and how you can sign up for this important screening.

Adjustable Lapband Surgery
February 11, 2009

Listen to the Adjustable Lapband Surgery Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Dr. Bradley Thaemert with the Surgical Institute of Sioux Falls, to talk about the advantages of gastric bypass surgery, including the less-invasive adjustable lapband surgery.Avera Behavioral Health Friday Forums

Avera McKennan Friday Forums
February 4, 2009

Listen to the Friday Forums Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Michael Jerke, an Expression Therapist with Avera Behavioral Health and Dr. Beverly Gunderson, a Child Psychologist with Avera University Psychiatry Associates to talk about the Friday Forum Program. Tune in and find out how this innovative program is helping teachers, school counselors and other education professionals learn how to recognize and help children with behavioral disorders.

Avera McKennan Laboratory First Hospital Lab in U.S. To Gain ISO 15189 SM Accreditation
January 14, 2009

Listen to the ISO Accreditation Program »
Download the ISO Accreditation Program (MP3 file) »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Avera McKennan Laboratory Director Leo Serrano to talk about the prestigious ISO 15189 SM Accreditation awarded to Avera McKennan's Laboratory. Tune in and find out how Avera McKennan's Laboratory earned this important recognition and what it means for you as a patient.

Lung Cancer
January 14, 2009

Listen to the Lung Cancer Program »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN welcome Dr. Mark Huber, an oncologist with the Avera Cancer Institute, to talk about what it means to have a lung cancer diagnosis, what treatments are available and what you can do to prevent a lung cancer diagnosis.

The Benefits of Vitamin D
January 7, 2009

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This week on Housecalls, host Deb Soholt, RN welcomes Joanne Shearer, Registered Dietitian with the Avera Heart Hospital, to talk about the benefits of Vitamin D and why most of us are not getting enough of this valuable vitamin.