After nearly 30 years as a veterinarian in Belgium, Didier Vanderbiest made the bold decision to pursue a childhood dream: bringing the renowned Belgian Blue cattle breed to the United States. Known for producing exceptionally lean yet tender beef, the breed inspired Didier to share its unique qualities with American farmers and consumers. In April 2020, that dream took root when a family farm in Garber welcomed his project. Didier produced embryos in Belgium and partnered with local farmer Brian Schumann, who implanted them in June 2021— resulting in the first purebred Belgian Blue calves born on Iowa soil in March 2022.
For months, Didier split his life between Belgium and Iowa, traveling back and forth to support the growing herd. In 2022, he took another step in planting roots by investing in the Garnavillo Mini Mart. The store soon became a family-centered venture—Brian’s brother, Brad Schumann, manages the adjoining auto service business, and Didier’s wife now sells her traditional Belgian waffles alongside pizzas, wraps, and other simple meals. The family immigrated to the United States on a five-year visa, continuing to build both their business and their life in the community of Garnavillo.
In May 2025, Didier visited Dr. Chris Johnson at Cornerstone Family Practice with a concern he suspected might be serious. During the exam, Dr. Johnson identified a hernia, which was confirmed through an ultrasound at GMHC. As an international resident insured through CIGNA Global, Didier was unsure how hernia surgery costs would be handled. Clinic receptionist Kathy Schmelzer connected him with Lana Troester, Financial Counselor, who worked directly with CIGNA to confirm that his care at GMHC would be covered. Although he would still be responsible for the deductible, he would be able to have surgery locally without delaying care or leaving his businesses for an extended period.
Didier considered returning to Belgium for surgery, where the public health system would have made the procedure less expensive. However, wait times there can range from three to six months, and returning overseas would require stepping away from both the cattle operation and the mini mart. After weighing his options, he chose to have surgery at GMHC. He was scheduled with Dr. Mansfield on June 24, just a few weeks after his diagnosis—much sooner than would have been possible overseas. When Didier stopped in to pre-pay his deductible, he received an unexpected 10% prompt-pay discount, saving several hundred dollars—a very pleasant surprise that eased the financial burden.
His recovery went smoothly, he was back on his feet quickly, and follow-up care was coordinated with ease. “It is very important to have a short time between when you understand you have a problem and the response,” Didier shared. “At GMHC, everything was fast, convenient, and well-coordinated. I was confident in my care and very happy with my decision to have surgery locally.”
Today, Didier is back to doing what brought him to northeast Iowa in the first place—continuing the development of purebred Belgian Blue cattle and investing in small-town community life. The Garnavillo Mini Mart has become a gathering spot where neighbors stop in for lunch and enjoy his wife’s homemade Belgian waffles, while the cattle project continues to grow steadily. For Didier, being able to stay close to both ventures during his treatment made a difference not only in convenience, but in peace of mind. “Our life is here now,” he said. “Having my care at GMHC allowed me to continue building our future, without having to step away from it.”
