Dizzy's History
 
Desi Payne has been involved with drama and clowning for the past 20 years, and began clowning professionally in 1995 as “Dizzy the Clown”. She has given hundreds of performances, which include church functions, parties, company picnics, grand openings, nursing homes, library and school programs, Boy and Girl Scouts, Applebee’s Kids Night, and Clowning at Ottumwa Regional Health Center once a week. She clowns under hospital guidelines to provide safe and fun therapy to patients, visitors, family members and hospital personnel.

 Dizzy The Clown with
Dave Howard from ORMICS

What Dizzy Does
 
Dizzy Does Clowning/Humor Therapy which includes: Singing, laughing, magic tricks, stories, bubbles, juggling, being friendly, or simply listening and holding a patient’s hand.

Why Dizzy Does It
 
Clown/Humor Therapy Can:

Create a positive environment
Relieve tension
Reduce physical and emotional stress
Affect major physical organs positively by:
Increasing heart rate initially
Reducing muscle tension
Increasing circulation
Activating nervous system
Increasing oral oxygen exchange
Break up the routine of the day for both patients and staff
Enhance the relationship between health professionals and their patients (i.e., encouraging child to take medication)
Encourage coping attitudes
Help pass time for patients and family members
 

What People are Saying about Dizzy
Dizzy the Clown with Kenneth on his 95th Birthday!

 Dizzy the Clown with
Kenneth McIntosh at Sylvan Woods
for his 95th Birthday!


"Dizzy is a wonderful asset to Ottumwa Regional—she helps the children forget about the fears of surgery. She keeps them entertained with her jokes and tricks. She is a positive addition to our department whenever she visits. The older patients enjoy her just as much.”
--Lynn Mulcahy, R.N., One Day Surgery

“Dizzy is delightful, energetic and a funny addition to our department. The children, as well as the adults, are mesmerized by her jokes, tricks and softhearted attitude. She is enjoyed by staff as well as patients.”
--Colleen Adam, R.N., One Day Surgery.
 
Color Dizzy
 
 
Instructions:
1. Click on the image to the left
2. Print the page that comes up
3. Color
4. Enjoy!
 
 
 

Award-winning Center Heals Wounds and Changes Lives

(Ottumwa, IA) - Eight million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. With an aging population, increase in diabetes, and obesity epidemic, more people are incurring hard-to-heal wounds and are at risk for amputations. A chronic or hard-to-heal wound is one that does not respond to normal medical care within 30 days. The variety and complexity of chronic wounds requires specialized care

Ottumwa Regional Health Center partners with Diversified Clinical Services, Inc. (DCS) to provide specialized treatments through the Wound Healing Center. Tom Siemers, CEO of Ottumwa Regional said, “We’re glad to have the resources at the hospital to provide great care for those who need this important service.”
Indicating the community need, the Wound Healing Center has obtained average healing rates of 91% percent in 30 days for the twelve consecutive months.
Patients who have been immobilized by chronic wounds for months, and sometimes years, are grateful to find help, “I can’t say enough about the staff,” said patient, Joyce Longaker, “Now that I’m healed, I am enjoying shows at the Bridgeview Center and shopping with my sister.”
A critical component of Longaker’s healing process was hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).   HBOT accelerates the process of healing by enabling patients to breathe 100 percent oxygen in pressurized chambers. It is recognized as an important adjunct therapy in the treatment of hard-to- heal wounds and amputation prevention.
Because of the Wound Care Center’s high patient satisfaction, exceptional healing rates and outstanding clinical outcomes, DCS presented the Center of Distinction Award today to Program Director, Hollie Tometich and her team.  
“I’m honored, “ said Tometich. “It’s a privilege to be part of a great collaborative effort between the hospital and DCS.  Together, we are able to heal patients in the Ottumwa community and help them get back to living their lives.”