Our Staff - Guttenberg Hospital

Catie Dean, RT, Recognized as GMHC Rose Award Honoree

Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics (GMHC) is proud to recognize Respiratory Therapist, Catie Dean, as the recipient of the 1st Annual Rose Award. The Rose Award honors non-nursing healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional compassion, service, and dedication in support of patient care.

Catie was celebrated during a recognition ceremony for all the nominees at GMHC on Wednesday, November 5 where colleagues, leadership, nominators and family gathered to honor them.

Her nomination noted her willingness to consistently step in and help wherever needed.

“Catie is an exceptional asset to our GMHC team. Her primary role is in Respiratory Therapy, where she juggles many tasks and excels. When she is on Patient Care Unit or in the ER doing RT work, you will often find her helping nursing staff with patients—whether that means assisting someone to the bathroom, providing comfort, or simply being present. She always jumps in without hesitation and treats every patient with kindness and respect.” — said her nominator.

Catie was selected from a total of seven team members who were nominated for this year’s Rose Award, including Darcy Wiebrand, LICSW (Behavioral Health); Lynn Bockenstedt, Social Worker; McKenna Hackett, Patient Support Specialist; Beth Mescher, Speech Therapist; Sydney Brandel, Physical Therapy Assistant, Athletic Trainer; and Terri Koopmann, Registered Technologist in Radiology, Imaging Coordinator. Each nominee was recognized during the ceremony for their compassion, teamwork, and meaningful impact on patient care.

About the Rose, DAISY, and Sunshine Awards

The Rose Award works alongside GMHC’s DAISY Award, which celebrates extraordinary nurses, and the Sunshine Award, which honors non-clinical staff members who support patient care behind the scenes. Together, these three programs ensure recognition for the full care team — nurses, clinical support professionals, and staff who contribute to the patient experience every day.

“Each of these awards highlights the heart of patient care,” said Tim Ahlers, CEO. “From direct caregivers to those who support care behind the scenes—every person at GMHC plays a role in ensuring patients receive compassionate, high-quality care close to home.”

Nomination Information

Nominations for the DAISY, Rose, and Sunshine Awards are accepted year-round and may be submitted by patients, families, community members, or GMHC staff. Each award is presented annually, with specific nomination deadlines. DAISY Award nominations are due March 15 and recognize extraordinary nurses who provide exceptional care and compassion. Sunshine Award nominations are due May 15 and honor non-clinical staff who support patient care behind the scenes. Rose Award nominations are due October 15 and recognize non-nursing healthcare professionals who provide compassionate, hands-on care. Nominations can be submitted online here and paper nomination forms are available at GMHC hospital and clinic entrances and waiting areas.

Has someone made a meaningful difference in your experience and you’d like to show your appreciation? We invite you to share your story in your own words. The most meaningful nominations describe what happened, how it made a difference, and why it mattered. A full story will honor their impact in a meaningful and heartfelt way.

Hospital Hero Tracy Kregel with Shelly Russell, IHA board chair, and Tim Ahlers, GMHC CEO.

Tracy Kregel, Community Care Coordinator at the Family Resource Center has received one of the Iowa Hospital Association’s Hospital Heroes awards for demonstrating exceptional commitment to care and service. Tracy was one of 11 employees of Iowa hospitals to receive the 2025 recognition.

The Iowa Hospital Association’s Hospital Heroes Awards celebrate employees who have acted courageously in a crisis or have selflessly served their hospitals and communities throughout their careers. The awards were presented at the association’s annual meeting Oct. 7-8 in Des Moines.

Tracy Kregel was nominated for the prestigious Iowa Hospital Hero Award for her extraordinary leadership and compassion at the Family Resource Center. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves support, dignity, and hope, Tracy has transformed services for families across Clayton County and beyond since joining the center in 2019.

What sets Tracy apart is her ability to dream boldly and act decisively. In 2022, she led the successful application for a $2.7 million state grant to build a new Community Resource Center—home of the Family Resource Center, turning a pandemic-era idea into a modern facility that doubled space and expanded capacity.

Tracy’s leadership goes far beyond grant writing. She built systems to track client needs, streamlined processes, and fostered partnerships with agencies and volunteers. Most importantly, she ensures that no client leaves with “just a phone number.” Every person is supported from beginning to end, with successes shared and celebrated. Colleagues and volunteers alike describe Tracy as a visionary, a problem-solver and an asset to her community. Through her dedication, collaboration and heart, Tracy has changed countless lives, and in doing so, she has embodied the very spirit of an Iowa Hospital Hero.

“Tracy’s leadership is rooted in compassion and vision,” reflected Tim Ahlers, CEO of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics. “She sees what’s possible for our community and has the determination to make it happen.”

The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences.

Cornerstone Family Practice Welcomes Two New Family Medicine Physicians

Cornerstone Family Practice is pleased to announce the addition of two new physicians to its care team, Dr. Hetal Patel and Dr. Nicole Johnston, expanding access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare for families in Guttenberg and the surrounding communities.

Hetal Patel, MD, brings many years of experience in family medicine and a deep commitment to caring for patients of all ages. She is widely recognized for her proactive, prevention-focused approach—aiming not just to treat illness, but to anticipate and prevent it through education, early intervention, and whole-person wellness strategies. “I believe in helping my patients take charge of their health,” said Dr. Patel. “Being proactive—catching small issues before they become big ones—can make all the difference in living a healthy, fulfilling life.” Dr. Patel is now accepting new patients at Cornerstone Family Practice.

Nicole Johnston, MD, who grew up in the rural community of Oelwein, developed an early passion for science and helping others. Inspired by the compassionate care her grandfather received during hospice, she pursued medicine as a way to give back to her community. During medical school, she completed two rotations at GMHC with the now-retired Dr. Hoffmann, where she fell in love with the people, the community, and the mission of Cornerstone Family Practice. “Family medicine allows me to walk alongside my patients through every stage of life,” said Dr. Johnston. “It’s such an honor to be invited into their lives, to listen, and to help them reach their goals in health and wellness.”

Both Dr. Patel and Dr. Johnston are accepting new patients at Cornerstone Family Practice. To schedule an appointment, please call 563-252-2141.

Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics (GMHC) is expanding its employee recognition program. At GMHC extraordinary moments of care happen every day. A nurse offering comfort in the late hours, a physical therapist celebrating small victories with a patient, or a dietary staff member serving a favorite meal to brighten someone’s day. These stories matter—and now there’s a way to honor them. GMHC is inviting patients, families, and colleagues to share their stories by nominating staff for one of three recognitions:

The ROSE Award celebrates healthcare professionals outside of nursing—physical therapists, CNAs, lab and imaging professionals, surgical technologists, social workers, respiratory therapists and more—whose care and expertise set them apart. Due by October 15, ROSE Award nominations honor healthcare team members outside of nursing for extraordinary and compassionate care.

Non-nurse medical positions that qualify for a ROSE nomination include:

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
Medical Assistants (MAs / CMAs)
Surgical Technologists
Social Workers
Radiology / Imaging Technologists (X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography)
Medical Laboratory Technologists
Phlebotomists
Physical Therapists (PTs)
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs)
Occupational Therapists (OTs)
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs)
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
Pharmacy Technicians
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) / Paramedics

The Sunshine Award recognizes non-medical staff—such as environmental services, dietary, maintenance, registration, or billing—whose dedication behind the scenes ensures our patients and staff have a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. Due by May 15, the following staff can be nominated for the Sunshine Award:

Environmental Services (housekeeping, custodial staff)
Maintenance / Facilities staff
Dietary staff
Registration / Admissions staff
Scheduling coordinators
Medical records / Health Information Management staff
Billing & Coding staff
Patient financial services staff
Greeters
Information Technology staff
Human Resources staff
Marketing & Communications staff
Purchasing / Supply Chain / Materials Management staff

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors nursing excellence, recognizing nurses who provide extraordinary, compassionate care and consistently go above and beyond. This is an opportunity for patients, families, and colleagues to acknowledge the meaningful difference nurses make every day. Whether through exceptional bedside care, outstanding kindness, or unwavering dedication, every nomination helps recognize the incredible work of our nurses. Nominations for the DAISY award is due annually by March 15.

How to Nominate for the ROSE, Sunshine or DAISY Award

Forms are available to pick up at GMHC front desk, or nominate online for all three awards at www.guttenberghospital.org/patients-visitors/daisy-nomination.

All nominations are carefully reviewed, and selected recipients will be honored in a special ceremony at GMHC, where they will receive recognition for their extraordinary work.

“Every staff member at GMHC has the potential to make a lasting impact. Nominations help shine a light on those everyday heroes whose actions reflect our mission of compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Timothy Ahlers, CEO.

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our Surgery Department, Dr. Christopher Martin, who joined us in March. Dr. Martin brings skill, experience, and a strong commitment to patient care. We’re proud to have him as part of our team, providing high-quality surgical services close to home.

Dr. Martin is excited to share why he chose Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics as his new professional home in the message below.

I am honored to have recently joined the surgical team at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinic and to now call this wonderful community home. Choosing where to practice medicine is one of the most important decisions a surgeon can make, and I am excited to share why I selected GMHC as the next chapter in my professional journey.

First and foremost, I was impressed when I learned that in recent years, GMHC was recognized nationally as one of the top 20 critical access hospitals in patient satisfaction. The hospital’s reputation and commitment to providing high-quality patient care played an important part in my decision to come here. The dedication to patient safety, positive outcomes, and responsible stewardship closely aligns with my personal mission as a physician. The hospital’s emphasis on utilizing advanced technology, especially cutting-edge robotics, offers me the tools to perform the most precise, safe and effective surgeries for our patients.

Equally important to me is the workplace culture. I cannot do what I do as a surgeon without a team. From my very first visit, I was struck by the positive attitude and energy amongst the staff—collaborative, supportive, and truly dedicated to making a difference. This sense of camaraderie extends beyond the hospital walls into the greater community, which has been warm and welcoming.

The beautiful community, with its access to the outdoors, also drew me in. Whether fishing, golfing, visiting a local winery or simply enjoying the scenery, there’s something special about living and working in a place where natural beauty surrounds you.

The administrative support that we have here ensures that we can focus on patient care, thus, creating an environment where we can truly thrive.

I am grateful to be part of this hospital and community, and I look forward to serving you with skill, compassion, and dedication in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Christopher Martin, MD, DABS

Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics Recognized Two Consecutive Years for Performance Leadership by The Chartis Center for Rural Health

As part of National Rural Health Day, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics has been recognized with two 2024 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75^th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes and/or Patient Perspective.

“At Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics, we’re honored to consistently receive awards recognizing the exceptional care our patients experience. This is a testament to the outstanding professionalism and dedication of our team,” said Tim Ahlers, FACHE, CEO. “We couldn’t be prouder to serve our communities with excellence.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“The Performance Leadership Awards capture the commitment, diligence, and innovation with which America’s rural hospitals approach the delivery of care within their communities,” said Troy Brown, Network Consultant, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “It’s a tremendous honor to be able to recognize the efforts of this year’s award winners and celebrate their achievement.”

Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics (GMHC) has been a committed member of the Guttenberg community since its founding more than 60 years ago. A Critical Access Hospital, licensed to deliver acute, skilled, observation and hospice inpatient care, the 25-bed hospital offers a wide range of services to help the community live healthier. GMHC provides primary medical care for patients of all ages through Cornerstone Family Practice with clinics in Guttenberg, Edgewood and Garnavillo. GMHC operates the community ambulance service and supports area trauma care via a state-certified Level IV Community Trauma Center. The Family Resource Center is an extension of GMHC and offers a variety of services to increase access to health and human services for families in the surrounding areas.

For more details about the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, contact Billy Balfour at wbalfour@chartis.com.

Merlin’s Story

“The nurses and therapists have been so good to me and the food is the BEST here!” said Merlin Moser, Skilled Care patient at GMHC.

Merlin is a retired farmer from Colesburg. He and his wife, Judy, have been coming to GMHC for their health care as long as they can remember. After 28 years of wintering in Arizona, a few years ago they decided to buy a home in Guttenberg. “It’s a blessing that our home is now so close to the hospital, not only for Merlin, but for me! I’ve had plenty of health issues myself,” said Judy.

In the spring of 2023, around Easter, Merlin noticed a painful toe on his left foot. At his Annual Wellness Visit, his primary care provider at the time, Dr. Hoffmann, referred Merlin to physical therapist Kimberly Franzen so she could take a closer look. “She got on the phone right away and called my cardiologist, Dr. Ram (Ramabadran),” reflects Merlin. “Kim got me in to see him right away!” Merlin was diagnosed with a serious circulation problem in his left foot from peripheral vascular disease.

A podiatrist determined that Merlin would lose all of his toes, and eventually his foot. The best option was to amputate his leg just below his knee. Following the amputation, in July, Merlin returned to GMHC for Skilled Care for three weeks. “Even on a walker, Merlin got around pretty good,” said Judy, “so we just kept coming back to the gym each day and completed the entire Physical Therapy program!” Merlin got his prosthesis the day before Christmas, and continued with physical therapy, working also with a prosthetist. Although he is going to be 86 years old, Merlin was able to get around well with his new leg.

Merlin’s next admission to GMHC Skilled Care was this past June. He was diagnosed with Endocarditis, a bacterial infection affecting the heart, which requires IV antibiotics several times each day for 8 weeks. Judy walks up daily to spend time with Merlin and play games to pass the time.

“Everyone takes such good care of me here,” said Merlin.

All of my friends say “Judy, you don’t know how lucky you are to have a hospital right here!”

Merlin and Judy couldn’t agree more!

As part of National Rural Health Day, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics today announced it has been recognized with a 2023 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes and/or Patient Perspective.

“We continue to receive awards for the care our patients experience here at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics. This speaks volumes to the quality of professional staff on our team. We couldn’t be more proud to be here for the communities we serve,” said Tim Ahlers, FACHE, CEO.

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“Wherever we go in rural America, we witness first-hand the commitment, determination, and compassion with which rural hospitals serve their communities. Rural healthcare truly is mission-driven,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This National Rural Health Day, let us recognize the efforts of this year’s Performance Leadership Award winners and all those driven to deliver high quality care throughout rural communities.”

Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics is proud to announce that two of its physicians, Dr. Andrew Smith and Dr. Jeffrey Hoffmann, were honored by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians last Friday, October 28, 2022, at the IAFP Awards Banquet in Des Moines.

DR. ANDREW SMITH, MD

Dr. Andrew Smith, MD, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP)

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to a family physician(s) who has been a member of the Academy in good standing for at least 10 years, who is a resident of Iowa, who has been involved in significant community service and civic activities, and is a role model for other family physicians, residents and /or medical students.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is unique in that all awardees are nominated by another member of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians.

“After Dr. Smith finished his Family Practice Residency in Waterloo, he settled in Guttenberg. He provided full-spectrum family practice care, seeing patients of all ages, providing obstetrics care, caring for inpatients, and covering the Emergency Room. Throughout his 39 years in Guttenberg, he was highly respected not only for his excellent medical care, but for his compassion, dedication to service and humility. He not only was GMHC’s Chief of Medical Staff for numerous terms, but was on many hospital committees, served as Clayton County’s Deputy Medical Examiner and a preceptor for medical students for the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine,” commented a colleague of Dr. Smith’s.

“Dr. Smith is also very active in the community. He is an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and director of the hand bell choir, has been on a number of philanthropic foundations and has donated many hours to the Guttenberg German- Fest committee. He truly is admired by many and certainly deserves the IAFP Lifetime Achievement Award.”

DR. JEFFREY HOFFMANN, DO

Dr. Jeffrey Hoffmann, DO, was awarded the Family Physician of the Year by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP).

The Family Physician of the Year is a special award because the nominations must come from patients. The prestigious award is presented to one outstanding physician in the state who best exemplifies the tradition of the family doctor and who epitomizes the finest standards of family health care. As the Iowa Family Physician of the Year, Dr. Hoffmann will become Iowa’s nominee to the American Academy of Family Physicians for the 2023 National Family Physician of the Year.

As family physicians, Dr. Hoffmann and his colleagues are trained in many areas of medicine including pediatrics, geriatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and community medicine. This gives them capability to treat more than 85 percent of all illnesses found in children and adults.

“Bedside manner, wit and ability to empathize are Dr. Hoffmann’s qualities that put his patients at ease. His ability to communicate and his approachable demeanor are qualities that set him apart. Many physicians can be considered experts in their field, however Dr. Hoffmann couples expertise with the ability to communicate complicated diagnoses on a level his patients can understand,” shared one patient.

Another patient shared this heartfelt comment, “Dr. Hoffmann has not just been a physician to us, but a true blessing in every way. He has saved my family in more ways than one, given us a shoulder to cry on, words of faith and wisdom to hold on to when we felt like we had nothing to grasp, and most importantly, shown us actual love. He loves his community and the gifts and career he was blessed with. He loves his patients and staff. I believe if there is any physician out there who deserves this award, it is him. His career as a doctor is not just something he does for a living, but something he does with pure and unending love to help others. This award is for a Family Physician of the Year, and Dr. Hoffmann is everything this entails, starting with the word Family. He makes his patients more than a case or people to heal, he makes them his family.”

The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians has 1800 members and is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, which is one of the largest medical specialty societies in the United States with a membership of more than 127,000 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students.

Today, Dr. Michele Dikkers accepted her Hospital Hero Award at the Iowa Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting in Des Moines. She was one of twelve hospital leaders, throughout the state of Iowa, presented with the award.

“We are so fortunate to have a high quality, compassionate medical staff at GMHC and Dr. Dikkers has provided an amazing level of support to all of us through the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Lisa Manson, Director of Ambulatory Services, “She is a role model for what patient-centered care looks like in a rural hospital and clinic.”

Dr. Michele Dikkers, DO, has practiced medicine at Cornerstone Family Practice for over 20 years, where she recently became the Physician Leader. She immerses herself in her workplace, her community and her profession. As an advocate for the well-being of her patients and the population in general, when she sees a need, she takes personal responsibility and becomes involved. Serving as Chair of the Clayton County Board of Health, Dr. Dikkers provides perspective and insight on decision-making. She is an incredibly caring, resourceful and integral part of GMHC.

“My practice partner, Dr. Michele Dikkers, has been at the forefront in leading our community’s and county’s responses to the COVID pandemic. As Chairman of the County Board of Health, she not only advised but educated many in the county about best practices… She also wrote a weekly column in our local paper to discuss COVID guidelines and encourage community members to be safe and respectful to others,” confirmed Dr. Andrew Smith.

Brooke Kenzinger, MHA, CEO, MercyOne Elkader Medical Center, served with Dr. Dikkers on a team that met weekly at the height of the pandemic to share best practices and plan for the future. “In addition to helping the county fight COVID-19, she also helped many of her own patients battle the illness in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a hero to those patients. Even though I do not interact with her at my facility, I would trust her with my own family…She has the passion for providing excellent care to those she serves,” added Kenzinger.

Dr. Dikkers commented, “I am over-whelmed. It is an honor to be recognized, and this is an award I would like to share with all those whom I work with.

During the pandemic, we found ourselves in a situation where there were many unknowns and many times, the only option was to do what was in front of us.

We were able to form a collaboration with the health care providers and pharmacies of Clayton county that was truly amazing. Everyone jumped on board for the good of our patients and the community. The staffs at the clinics and hospitals were incredible. We cross-trained between departments in preparation and many worked extra hours when case numbers were high. Concern for the patients and their families was always a priority. There were days that weren’t easy. But, the positive, ‘get it done’ attitude of those I worked with, kept me motivated to do what I could. There were weekly meetings, usually 2 or 3, that allowed us to learn and share information with each other. The learning curve during the COVID pandemic was overwhelming at times, but we learned a great deal.”

Tim Ahlers said of Dr. Dikkers, “She showed initiative and courage while leading us through the pandemic, working tirelessly with our incident command and the board of health to make sure we were ready and able to take care of our community and each other through the long, hard journey. I believe she is one of the true champions that helped our community make it through this crisis.”

“I would like to thank those that nominated me and The Iowa Hospital Association for the recognition. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Cornerstone Family Practice and the Clayton County Board of Health,” said Dr. Dikkers

Category: Our Staff