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: 2008 Avera McKennan Pediatric Symposium: Vaccinations December 24, 2008 Listen to the Pediatric Symposium Program » Download the Pediatric Symposium Program (MP3 file) » (To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As") This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome 2008 Avera McKennan Pediatric Symposium speaker Dr. Greg Poland to talk about the advances in vaccination research and to dispel the myths surrounding vaccinating your child.

Other Recent Housecalls Episodes

Holiday Giving: Walsh Family Village
December 17, 2008

Listen to the Walsh Family Village Program »
Download the Walsh Family Village Program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome special guests Sr. Mary Thomas, Sr. Vice President of Mission Services for Avera McKennan, and Helen Henkin, Major Gifts Officer for the Avera McKennan Foundation, to explain why the Walsh Family Village is such a great fit for Avera McKennan's mission and why financial support of the facility is so important to its continued success.

March of Dimes Prematurity Scorecard
December 3, 2008

Listen to the March of Dimes Prematurity Scorecard Program »
Download the March of Dimes Prematurity Scorecard Program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome special guests Dr. Les Heddleston, a perinatologist with Avera Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Vicky Leland, Regional Director of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, to talk about the prematurity scorecard recently released by March of Dimes. Find out why most of the country received a failing grade when it comes to preventing prematurity.

Medical Professionals Recovery Program
November 5, 2008

Listen to the Medical Professionals Recovery Program »
Download the Medical Professionals Recovery Program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Addiction recovery isa difficult process no matter who you are. However, if you are a medical professional with an addiction problem, you may face some unique challenges. The Medical Professionals Recovery Program at TLC Tallgrass is designed specifically to deal with those challenges. This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Craig Kindrat with Avera Behavioral Health Outpatient Therapy to talk about the this new program and how it's helping medical professionals navigate the recovery process.

Breast Navigator Program
October 29, 2008

Listen to the Breast Navigator program »
Download the Breast Navigator program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

A breast cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience and it can be difficult knowing which way to turn. The Breast Navigator Program at the Avera Cancer Institute is designed to assist patients throughout the entire process. This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster wecome Breast Navigator Carole Chell to talk about the importance of this program and how it's helping breast cancer patients navigate their way to recovery.

Avera Research Institute 10 Year Anniversary
October 8, 2008

Listen to the Avera Research Institute Anniversary program »
Download the Avera Research Institute Anniversary program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The Avera Research Institute celebrates 10 years in research this October and hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster sat down with Executive Director Dave Kuper and Director of Clinical Research Ryan Hansen to talk about the accomplishments and changes over the past 10 years and where they see the future of research headed in the next 10 years.

Ride for Diabetes
October 1, 2008

Listen to the Ride for Diabetes program »
Download the Ride for Diabetes program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

National prognosticators predict that one-third of our current eight-year-old children will develop diabetes by the time they reach age 40. That's according to Dr. Larry Halverson, a Senior Faculty Physician with Cox Family Medicine Residency in Springfield, MO. Dr. Halverson is logging approximately 60 miles per day in what will be a 3400 mile cross-country bicycle ride designed to draw attention to the diabetes epidemic. This week, Dr. Halverson made a stop in Sioux Falls to sit down with Housecalls hosts, Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN to talk about why he's making the trip and what he hopes to accomplish.

Avera McKennan FertilityCare Services
September 24, 2008

Listen to the FertilityCare Services program »
Download the FertilityCare Services program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Many couples struggle to conceive, which can be stressful and frustrating. If you're one of those couples, you need to listen to this show. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster & Deb Soholt, RN welcome Dr. Jane Gaetze, an OB/GYN with Avera Women's. Dr. Gaetze oversees Avera McKennan FertilityCareServices and works with couples experiencing fertility issues. Tune in and find out how this unique clinic could help you too.

September 17, 2008
Listen to the Prostate Cancer Screening program »
Download the Prostate Cancer Screening program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men. And the best defense is early detection. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN and special guest Dr. Darlys Hofer, a Urologist with Urology Specialists Chartered, to learn more about the prostate cancer screening process, who should be tested and why. Also learn how you can register for a free prostate cancer screening being offered at the Avera Cancer Institute on September 27, 2008.

September 10, 2008
Listen to the New Women's Center program »
Download the New Women's Center program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The new Women's Center at Avera McKennan believes in pampering and nothing says "relax" like a day at the spa. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with Assistant Vice President for Avera Women's & Children's, Lori Popkes, to learn more about the services being offered at the new Avera McKennan Women's Center.

September 03, 2008
Listen to the Laborist program »
Download the Laborist program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Wouldn't it bring you peace-of-mind to know an obstetrician was on-duty 24/7 in case you or your baby needed help? This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster visit with Dr. Kimberlee McKay about the benefits to both patients and staff since the addition of the new Laborist program at Avera McKennan.

August 27, 2008
Listen to the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant program »
Download the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The physicians at Avera Vascular & Transplant Surgery specialize in kidney and pancreas transplantation and people across the region are finding new hope and new life at the Avera Transplant Institute. This week on Housecalls, join hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster as they visit with Dr. Robert Santella and Dr. Michael Aaronson about the successes of the program and the ongoing need for organ donors.

August 20, 2008
Listen to the Compounding Pharmacy program »
Download the Compounding Pharmacy program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

A growing number of people have unique health needs that off-the-shelf prescription medicines cannot meet. For them, customized, compounded medications mixed safely by trained, licensed compounding pharmacists are the only way to better health. This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster visit with Pharmacist Karen Hoffman and Pharmacy Tech Leah Theisen with the Avera Doctor's Plaza 2 Pharmacy, to find out how compounding medications benefit patients in a variety of ways.

August 13, 2008
Listen to the Immunizations program »
Download the Immunizations program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Immunizations have come under fire over the past few years and some parents are choosing not to immunize their children. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN visit with Dr. Kara Bruning, a pediatrician with McGreevy Clinic Avera Main to find out why some parents are opting out of vaccinating their children, the impact that could have on the children and the public at large, and how health professionals are handling the situation.

August 6, 2008
Listen to the World Breastfeeding Week program»
Download the World Breastfeeding Week program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action coordinates World Breastfeeding Week, an annual global event to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Avera McKennan takes part in this annual event and this year is gathering Avera McKennan moms, who have or are breastfeeding, for a group photo to help promote the cause. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN are joined by Lactation Consultants Kathy English and Lynn Josten to talk about why we need this global annual event and why breastfeeding is a smart health choice for moms, babies, and the environment.

July 23, 2008
Listen to the Midlife Care for Women program »
Download the Midlife Care for Women program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The health challenges that can come with perimenopause and menopause can vary greatly both in symptoms and severity. But one thing is for certain, Avera Midlife Care for Women can help. This week on Housecalls, Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster visit with Gail Headrick, CNP and Connie Manderscheid, Pharmacy Clinician, to talk about the many options available to women who may be experiencing health changes brought on by perimenopause and menopause.

July 16, 2008
Listen to the Obesity in Pregnancy program »
Download the Obesity in Pregnancy program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

The old adage "I'm eating for two!" when pregnant can have serious consequences when what should be a healthy weight gain during pregnancy turns into an obesity issue. This week on Housecalls, Dr. Kimberlee McKay, an OB/GYN with McGreevy Clinic Avera talks with hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster about the negative affects obesity can have on both mother and baby and shares important weight guidelines to follow when pregnant.

July 9, 2008
Listen to the Pediatric Critical Care Intensivists program »
Download the Pediatric Critical Care Intensivists program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Pediatric Critical Care physicians, called Intensivists, can be counted on to completely care for a child during times of emergency. This week on Housecalls, hosts Deb Soholt, RN and Jim Woster welcome Dr. Frank Gioia and Dr. Eugene Finch to talk about how they coordinate and manage the care of extremely ill children in Avera McKennan's state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

July 2, 2008
Listen to the Headache Clinic program »
Download the Headache Clinic program (MP3 file) »
(To download the MP3 file, right-click on the link and select "Save Target As")

Dull aches. Blinding pain. Headaches come in all shapes and sizes and result from a variety of triggers. This week on Housecalls, hosts Jim Woster and Deb Soholt, RN are joined by Dr. Carol Miles, a neurologist with the Avera Neuroscience Institute, to talk about recognizing the symptoms of, and applying treatments for, migraine headaches. If you or someone you know suffers with headaches, you’ll want to tune in and listen.