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 the current and recent podcasts below or view our Housecalls archives page for older episodes.

This Week's Housecalls: Avera Living Well Center Offers One-Stop Shopping May 7, 2008 Listen to the Avera Living Well Center program » Download the Avera Living Well Center program (MP3 file) » (To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As") The new Avera Living Well Center is the premier home medical equipment shopping center in the five-state region and was designed with the customer in mind. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with the highly-trained staff of the new Avera Living Well Center to find out what makes this incredible new store so unique.

Other Recent Housecalls Episodes

April 30, 2008

Avera Children's Feeding & Swallowing Clinic program »
Download the Avera Children's Feeding & Swallowing Clinic program (MP3 file) »
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The Avera Children’s Feeding and Swallowing Clinic provides parents with a complete team assessment of their child’s eating and swallowing skills and makes appropriate recommendations toward making feeding an easier, safer, and more natural experience for the parents and their child. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN, visit with Speech Pathologist Renae McMahon about the important role the Feeding Clinic plays in the development of children experiencing feeding and swallowing issues.

April 23, 2008
CHANTIX - The Stop-Smoking Miracle Drug? program »
Download the CHANTIX - The Stop-Smoking Miracle Drug? program (MP3 file) »
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Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult habits there is to break. Just ask a smoker who is trying to quit! CHANTIX, a new drug designed to block nicotine receptors in the brain, may be the answer for some. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with Respiratory Care Practitioner Deb Murray with the Avera Heart Hospital about the pros and cons of CHANTIX and what other options are available for those hoping to kick the habit.

April 16, 2008
National Healthcare Decisions Day program »
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There may come a time when you or a member of your family is seriously injured or becomes gravely ill. In the midst of your stress and grief, you may be asked to make difficult decisions about medical care, such as whether or not life-support systems should be used or withdrawn. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster with special guest Jean Reed, Sr. Vice President of Governance & Strategy for Avera Health, as they take a closer look at healthcare decisions surrounding end-of-life care.

April 9, 2008
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery »
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Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery involves the use of a smaller incision than the one used in traditional knee replacement. Because there is less damage to the tissue around the knee, patients who undergo this procedure may expect a shorter hospital stay, a shorter recovery, and a better looking scar. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt and special guest Dr. Timothy Zoellner, a surgeon with the Orthopedic Institute, as they discuss the advantages of minimally invasive knee replacement surgery.

April 2, 2008
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery »
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Hip replacement surgery used to be a destructive operation, often with complications. A minimally invasive hip replacement is the newest version of the surgery requiring a smaller incision, less anesthesia time, a shorter hospitalization and a quicker recovery. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt and special guest Dr. Bob Suga, a surgeon with the Orthopedic Institute, as they discuss the advantages of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery.

March 26, 2008
Robotic Assisted Surgery »
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Robotic assisted surgery is ergonomically beneficial for surgeons and offers patients the benefit of minimally invasive surgery that includes less blood loss and pain and a faster return to productive lives. This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster welcome Dr. Luis Rojas, a Gynecologic Oncologist with the Avera Cancer Institute, to discuss the advantages of gynecologic surgery using the latest robotic technology.

March 19, 2008
Avera McKennan Teams with Sioux Falls Fire & Rescue to Prevent Burns in Children »
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This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Doniese Wilcox and Betty Barto-Smith, Certified Family Life Educators at Avera McKennan and Russ Downs, Fire Inspector with Sioux Falls Fire & Rescue to talk about their efforts to educate children and parents about burn prevention and fire safety. Learn how their popular puppet show has been teaching kids about fire safety and how to Stop, Drop and Roll for the past 21 years!

March 12, 2008
Drive Smart Program Helps People Get Back Behind the Wheel »
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If you've suffered a debilitating illness such as a stroke, are recovering from an accident, or have reached an age where reduced mobility has made it difficult to drive, the Avera Drive Smart Program may be the key to regaining your independence. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster as they welcome Angie Schroeder, an Occupational Therapist with Avera Pain Management and Rehabilitation, to talk about a unique program that is helping people get back behind the wheel of a car safely and confidently.

March 5, 2008
Patients learn to cope, live again with the Avera Behavioral Pain Management Program »
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Imagine being in constant pain, hour after hour, day after day, year after year. Chronic pain can rob a person of their confidence and joy and can reduce quality of life to such a degree that depression and isolation take over. Join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster and learn how Physiatrist Dr. Myung Cho and her Avera Behavioral Pain Management team are teaching those with chronic pain how to cope with their pain and live happier, fuller, more productive lives.

February 27, 2008
Who Ya Gonna Call? »
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Join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster as they welcome Avera Medical Call Center Director Monte Bertsch to Housecalls. Log on and listen to learn how the call center and Ask-A-Nurse program can help you with everything from choosing a physician to registering for a class to helping you determine if symptoms you're experiencing warrant an over-the-counter pain reliever, a visit to your physician or a call to 911!

February 20, 2008
Patients Finding Success with Optifast Program »
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If you struggle with your weight, and previous diet plans have failed, you might want to consider the medically-supervised Optifast Program. Join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster and find out how the Optifast Program is proving successful for patients both locally and through a new outreach support group. Guests include Dr. Robert Wenger, Avera Center for Medical Nutrition, Susan Weaver, CNP with the Avera Research Institute and Julie Fieldsend, Project Leader in Health Management Research.

February 13, 2008
Wee Care Program »
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If you're a parent, you've probably found yourself in a juggling act with a sick child and work commitments. If your child is too sick to attend school or daycare, your only option might be to stay home and, for some parents, that means the loss of income or even the loss of a job. This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster, welcome Evie Orcutt, RN and Wee Care Program Manager to talk about the success of the Wee Care Program and why it's such a good alternative for both parents and children.

February 6, 2008
Alzheimer's Study »
Download the Alzheimer's Study program (MP3 file) »
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An estimated 4 million people in the United States are currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease. That number is expected to double in a decade and by 2050 it could quadruple to 16 million. This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dr. William Fuller and Dr. Matt Malone to discuss a new, ground-breaking clinic drug study at the Avera Research Institute that could change the course of this devastating disease.

January 30, 2008
Radial Tunnel Syndrome: A Difficult Diagnosis »
Download the Radial Tunnel Syndrome program (MP3 file) »
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Tennis elbow anyone? You've probably heard of tennis elbow, a commonly diagnosed condition caused by repetitive twisting of the wrist or elbow. But another condition, called Radial Tunnel Syndrome, can mimic the symptoms of tennis elbow and is often times misdiagnosed. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster as they welcome special guest Dr. Blake Curd, an orthopedic surgeon with the Orthopedic Institute, to talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment options for Radial Tunnel Syndrome.

January 23, 2008
Get Fit in '08 with the FitSmart Program »
Download the FitSmart program (MP3 file) »
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Looking to get fit in 2008? Tune in to this week's episode of Housecalls as host Jim Woster and guest-host Kenyon Gleason welcome Jessie Reiffenberger, a Registered Dietician, Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer with the Avera McKennan Fitness Center. Jessie explains how the new FitSmart program isn't just about shedding inches off your waistline; it's about adding years to your lifeline!

January 16, 2008:
January is National Blood Donor Month program »
Download the National Blood Donor Month program »
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Housecalls host Jim Woster and guest-host Kenyon Gleason visit with Avera McKennan's Director of Laboratory Services, Leo Serrano.

Each year since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has honored regular blood donors and encouraged others to become donors. Tune in this week and learn about the unique partnership that makes up the Sioux Falls Community Blood Bank and how your blood and platelet donation can keep the area's blood supply from reaching critical levels.

January 9, 2008: Robotic Prostatectomy - Special Two-part Series:
Part 1 » and Part 2 »
This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster along with special guest, Dr. Darlys Hofer, examine the topic of Robotic Prostatectomy. Sharing his personal story in the first of this special two-part series, Jim Woster talks about his initial diagnosis, the treatment options he considered and ultimately, his choice to undergo a Robotic Prostatectomy. In part two, you'll hear about the surgery, where Jim is now in the recovery process and his prognosis for the future. Don't miss this special two-part series on Robotic Prostatectomy, featuring our very-own Jim Woster.

Watch the Avera Medical Minute video featuring Dr. Darlys Hofer and Jim Woster.

January 2, 2008: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome »
On today's Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster visit with Dr. Jane Gaetze of the Avera Women's Specialty Clinic about a wide-spread women's health issue called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is a syndrome resulting from abnormal levels of certain hormones, causing symptoms such as obesity, excess body and facial hair growth and difficulty getting pregnant. Tune in and find out why this common condition often goes undiagnosed and find out what treatments are currently being offered.

December 26, 2007: Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder »
If you suffer from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, getting through the holidays can be a real struggle. Join hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster as they visit with Dr. David Bean, a Psychiatrist with Avera University Psychiatry Associates, and learn how people dealing with SAD are finding relief through the use of a special light therapy.

December 19, 2007: Advent and Avera's Mission of Faith »
Sister Mary Thomas, Senior Vice President of Mission, sits down with Housecalls hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster to discuss Avera's Mission of Faith during the season of Advent. Advent is a season of keeping vigil and people often find themselves keeping vigil with loved ones who are ill and are waiting for fulfillment. It is difficult to keep vigil alone and to sustain hope and Avera McKennan's mission is to communicate to people that they are not alone. It is a message of hope and support that provides a deepening awareness that our lives have seasons.

December 12, 2007: Avera McKennan Emergency Department »
Today on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster discuss the unique features of the new Avera McKennan Emergency Department with Medical Director Dr. Don Kosiak and Critical Care Director Francie Miller. Tune in and find out how utilizing ED staff and physician design and incorporating LEAN principles to maximize efficiency and eliminate waste, points this state-of-the-art facility toward the ultimate goal of fast, effective emergency care.

December 5, 2007: Dougherty Hospice House »
On this week's Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster welcome Dougherty Hospice House Manager Cathy Kellogg and Hospice Services Manager Linda Schmid to talk about the important role hospice plays in the lives of terminally ill patients and their families, and how the new Dougherty Hospice House offers hospital-quality care in a setting that offers the warmth and security of home.

November 28, 2007: Kinetic Golf Performance »
On this week’s Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster take a swing at the new Kinetic Golf Performance Program being offered by the Avera Sports Institute. Deb and Jim visit with PGA Teaching Professional Todd Kolb and Avera Exercise Physiologist Dick Bartling to find out how this innovative new program is helping golfers enhance their game by reducing the risk of injury and improving overall technique. Whether you’re relatively new to the game or have been hitting the links for years, this program is for you!

November 21, 2007: Healthy Holiday Eating »
This episode of Housecalls features Healthy Holiday Eating with special guest Nikki Ver Steeg. A Registered Dietician and Licensed Nutritionist, Nikki is a community and clinical dietician at the Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota and is the SD Dietetic Association East River Media Representative. She is the author of Cooking for Life Cookbook, Volume 2 and co-author of the Healthy Kitchen Cookbook. Nikki talks turkey….and cranberries and potatoes and pie…with hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster on how to make your holiday dinners more healthful without sacrificing those delicious dishes.

November 14, 2007: NICU Family Support »
Housecalls features the NICU Family Support Program partnership between the March of Dimes and Avera McKennan Hospital. Hosts Deb Soholt and Jim Woster visit with Susan Clifford, Manager of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, Jackie VanderWoude, March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist at Avera McKennan and the Daly family; Doug, Darlyne and Ryder Daly. The Daly’s and their now four-year old son Ryder, spent four months in Avera McKennan’s NICU when Ryder was born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing just 1lb, 3 oz. Today’s guests discuss how this new partnership between the March of Dimes and Avera McKennan will benefit families dealing with the many stresses associated with having a premature infant.