RHEC Receives Telly Awards

The Regional Health Education Center (RHEC) of Mercy Medical Center North Iowa and North Iowa Area Community College has received top honors in the 2000 Telly Awards for its video production of "Dr. Really Little." The Telly Awards (similar to the Emmy Awards, but for non-broadcast video) honor local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs plus video and film productions. The awards were presented in the categories of Low Budget (Silver – highest award given) and Health and Medicine (Bronze). The video competed among over 11,000 entries.

The video was produced in 1999 as part of the Pediatric Asthma Care Management Program, a partnership between the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health and the Care Management Institute of Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, which was initially funded by a grant from the Wellmark Foundation. The video is included in a package of materials children receive when they enroll in the asthma program.

David Little, M.D., portrays Dr. Really Little in the 16 minute video. He "goes right inside your lungs" represented by a dozen spray painted egg crate mattress pads. He encounters antigen "baddies" and gets covered with mucous (1/2 gallon of hair gel). Since he's so tiny, the inhaler he holds is really a decorated fire extinguisher.

"Dr. Really Little" was produced by Carol Bergland, RN RHEC, and written and directed by John Manning, AV specialist RHEC. Molly Manning was the graphic designer. Tim Slaven of NIACC built the set with Lisa Manning at NIACC's Black Box Theater. Additional parts were performed by Scott Rodberg, Rehabilitation staff at Mercy, Tim Slaven, Lisa, Molly and Hillary Manning, Eric Barnes, Kristen Hanson, Sara Holt, Courtney Isaak, Dana Miller, and Grant Nelson.

The purpose of the pediatric asthma initiative is to improve the care of pediatric patients and reduce their utilization of hospital and emergency services The program consists of monthly home visits by nurse case managers who work to educate parents and the children about asthma and to help them recognize early symptoms to allow for intervention before a crisis develops. This education includes the use of electronic child-friendly peak flow meters that make it possible for families to intervene at the earliest signs of breathing difficulties.