At 75, Dale Rogers likes to stay active. After retiring from John Deere in 2017, he has enjoyed having more time for hunting, fishing and being outdoors. About seven months ago, life changed when Dale was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and vasculitis.
After a 10-day hospital stay, Dale’s nephrologist developed a treatment plan that included frequent blood draws, injections and Rituxan infusions. Because Dale and his wife live in Janesville, his nephrologist suggested receiving those treatments closer to home at Waverly Health Center (WHC). 
Today, Dale visits WHC outpatient medical services at least once a week. Depending on his treatment, a visit may include lab work, injections or an infusion that can take three to four hours. For Dale, having that care just minutes from home has made a difficult diagnosis a little easier.
“We can leave our house and walk in their door in less than 15 minutes,” Dale said. “It has made our lives much easier.”
Before becoming a patient, Dale said he had no idea how many outpatient services were available at WHC. But it’s the people providing his care who have made the biggest impression. “The staff are very welcoming, friendly and efficient,” Dale said. “They make my visits much easier. They’re great.”
Although there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, Dale says his condition is manageable with treatment. He is grateful to be getting back to some of the activities he enjoyed before his diagnosis and credits his nephrologist and the outpatient medical services team for helping him get there. “Even on my bad days, I can leave there with a smile,” Dale said.
For Outpatient Medical Services Manager Levi Bridges, that experience is exactly what he wants patients to feel. “We have a very experienced, tenured team, and I think that makes a difference for our patients. When you see someone regularly for treatments that may last several hours, you really get to know them. Our goal is to provide excellent care while making each visit as comfortable and easy as possible.”
Outpatient Medical Services provides much more than many people might realize. In addition to infusion therapy, the department can provide injections, blood draws, medication administration, blood product transfusions and other outpatient treatments ordered by a provider. “People are often surprised by how many services we can provide right here in Waverly,” Bridges said. “Being able to receive ongoing treatment close to home can save patients and families a lot of travel and time. Dale’s story is a great example of why having these services locally matters.”
