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.
Medicare Open Enrollment season begins October 15 and ends December 7. The Family Resource Center is scheduling appointments now for seniors to meet with SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) counselors who offer free advice in choosing the best fitting prescription plan and to answer questions. Because drug plans are everchanging, having a guide to help you navigate these changes, from year to year, can be very helpful.
Jim Solomon, Deb Hogan, and Kim Davis — our dedicated volunteer SHIIP counselors — will be meeting with clients in their private offices at the Family Resource Center’s new location: 510 South 1st St., Guttenberg. SHIIP counselors offers free, confidential, and unbiased Medicare counseling to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare coverage.
Even if you met with a SHIIP counselor when you first turned 65, your plan and options can change each year — so it’s a good idea to meet with a counselor annually to review your coverage.
“We are very grateful for the dedication of our SHIIP counselors and appreciate the time they donate to assist our clients,” said Kari Harbaugh, Family Resource Center Coordinator.
There is no charge for consultation with Jim, Deb or Kim. If they don’t have the answer, SHIIP counselors have a direct connection to the state the state SHIIP office to get it for you. All three offer flexible scheduling and welcome clients from surrounding communities as well.
SHIIP counselors will assist you with these three important things during Medicare Open Enrollmnent:
Review your plan notice. Read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year—especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Review your plan’s information to make sure the prescriptions you use are still covered and your medical providers and pharmacy are still in network.
What matters most to you? Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Does your current plan best meet your needs?
Shop for the plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. Compare plans even if you’ve been satisfied with your current plan. The coverage and costs for plans can change from year to year.
To set up an appointment during the Open Enrollment period from Oct. 15-Dec. 7, call the Family Resource Center at 563-252-3215. SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP counselors review all plans offered and do not promote any particular plan or company. Please bring your Medicare card and your present list of prescription drugs to your appointment.
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:
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:
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
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.
Winning Foursome of the 2025 GMHC Open pictured left to right: Mug Streicher, Brad Streicher, Austin Meyer and Ethan Streicher with a score of 59.
The first annual GMHC Open Golf Outing was a resounding success, with 25 teams hitting the greens in support of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics’ GMHC Cares! initiative. The community came together to raise more than $13,000 to help sustain and enhance care at GMHC.
Held at Guttenberg Golf Club, the event combined friendly competition, community spirit, and charitable giving. In addition to the golf outing, the event featured a silent auction with 34 generously donated items from local businesses, hospital departments, and individuals.
Golfers enjoyed hole prizes, a hole-in-one contest to win a new car from Brown’s Sales and Leasing (though no one claimed it this year), memorable hospital-themed games, fun hole events, a mouthwatering BBQ ribs dinner, live music, and plenty of great fun on and off the course.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s ongoing support,” said Tim Ahlers, CEO of GMHC. “Every dollar raised through the GMHC Open helps us support and sustain patient care, facilities, and technology right here at GMHC.”
GMHC Cares! ensures that the hospital can continue to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community by investing in quality care, essential equipment, and a healing environment.
GMHC would like to extend special thanks to the following donors for their silent auction contributions: Guttenberg Rotary, Nightingale Pharmacy, River Town Dentistry, Driftwood Diner, River Traders, thINK Apparel, Kim’s Little Bake Shop, Blooming Branches, Divine Current Wellness, Lamar Advertising, GMHC Auxiliary Gift Shop, Essers Clothing, MercyOne Genesis, Zach Johnson Foundation, The Stadium, The Guttenberg Brewing Company, as well as several generous staff members and individuals who also donated items to support the cause.
A heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors who made this event possible through their generosity and partnership: Fidelity Bank & Trust, Assured Partners, Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans, Peoples State Bank, True North, Foundation of Cornerstone Communities, JD Hawkins & Associates, Guttenberg Fitness, Brown’s Sales and Leasing, Autotek Service Center, Seamless Gutters by K Payne Construction, Kaleb and Nikki Payne, Eagle View Motel, Hawkeye Electric, and Conlon Construction.
Save the Date! The second annual GMHC Open will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Guttenberg Golf Club.
For more information on sponsorships, donations, or to register for next year’s event, please email GMHCOpen@guttenberghospital.org.
GMHC receives Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehab Certification from the American Heart Association
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics has earned the Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification offered by the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health. The certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, personnel education, patient/caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and performance improvement.
“Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices,” said Pam Duncan, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup. “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Each year, approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the Association’s 2024 statistical update. This certification can support facilities’ efforts to help patients best recover from stroke.
“Patients recovering from stroke need high-quality care after leaving the hospital that follows evidence-based guidelines, giving them the best chance to improve their health,” said Keri Smith, Chief Nursing Officer. ” At GMHC, we want to be trailblazers and continue to use innovative methods to give our patients who have experienced stroke the best care. The American Heart Association has armed us with additional tools and recognized our success. It is an honor to have our processes and efforts recognized in this way.”The American Heart Association certification recognizes commitment to following the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines.
It was a simple question that launched a vision: “Hey, if we had a million dollars, what would we do?”
COVID was sweeping across the nation in the spring of 2020. While people were staying home, Kari Harbaugh, Family Resource Center (FRC) Coordinator, and Tracy Kregel, FRC Community Care Coordinator, had time on their hands to dream and brainstorm ideas to answer the question they posed to each other. Kari created a list of dream programs if more space would allow and Tracy grabbed a notepad and began sketching out a floor plan to accommodate each of them. “We ended up with a vision for a four-story building full of services that would be perfect for the communities we serve,” reflected Tracy.
As people adjusted to the new norm of COVID, and clients cautiously returned to the FRC, Kari and Tracy put their vision aside and got back to their regular work of assisting clients with their needs.
The Family Resource Center, a department of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics, has been located at 514 S. River Park Drive in Guttenberg since 2017. Offering a variety of services to meet the needs of individuals and families, its goal is to increase access to health and human services. Focusing on Health and Wellness, Safety, Food Insecurity, Transportation, Housing and Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the center provides space for agencies and groups to collaborate their resources to meet the needs of the communities served.
With a focus on social determinants of health, Tracy began her work at the Family Resource Center in 2019 when she was hired to build a data tracking system. With a degree in math and science, complimented by her upbringing by her parents, Wayne and Nancy Yelden; and Nancy who had a career in helping others at the Clayton County VNA, a position at the FRC was a perfect fit.
As the Community Care Coordinator for the FRC, Tracy is involved in all aspects of the center from assisting clients with applications, answering questions about services, or packing a box of food from the Food Pantry. When the FRC expanded to a full-service Food Pantry, Tracy added grant writing and research to her duties.
“Although we had incredible support from the community, we recognized the need for supplemental Food Pantry funds, especially during COVID when there was additional need to keep our Food Pantry stocked, so I began researching grant opportunities that would support the work that we do,” said Tracy. In fact, Tracy became very successful at grant writing and securing funds, including a new van for the Family Resource Center.
In the summer of 2022, while perusing grant opportunities, Tracy’s gaze landed on a State of Iowa Grant, offered by the Governor. The grant was for a whopping $3 million to support infrastructure for a non-profit. Tracy’s wheels began to spin and she quickly resurrected the vision they had tucked away back in 2020.
“I knew this was a once in a lifetime grant opportunity!” recalled Tracy.
Knowing they owned land next to the Guttenberg Municipal Building, a perfect location for the vision they had created over 2 years prior, Tracy reached out to the Guttenberg Economic and Industrial Development Committee (GEIDC), sharing the details of the grant with the board. They agreed to be the official non-profit and let Tracy apply for the grant under their name and non-profit entity.
“We submitted the grant in July, requesting the full three million. We didn’t have much confidence our small community would get it,” shared Tracy. “It was like playing the lottery, that is a good comparison, we’ll toss our name in the hat and see what happens, knowing our chances were slim.”
September 14, 2022 was a day that Tracy will never forget, “I vividly remember opening the email with the subject: Nonprofit Innovation Fund Awards and taking a deep breath before opening the link to the grant awards website.”
“Kari! We got the grant! We were awarded $2.7 million!” shouted Tracy. “I was ecstatic!!! Kari was ecstatic!!! We called GEIDC and GMHC to tell them we got the grant,” reflected Tracy.
Everyone was super excited and the motivation for the project really kicked in. The rest of 2022 and 2023 was spent sharing the vision and working with GEIDC who would officially own the building, with the FRC being a tenant. Planning and talking to the architect, making adjustments, dotting all of the i’s and crossing the t’s, fundraising, meeting with Conlon Construction, and following the grant guidelines was top priority.
“We are incredibly grateful that GEIDC was willing to take a chance, allowing us to apply for this grant under their entity. It was a massive proposal and when we were awarded the grant, they were all on board to follow through, leading the way, tackling any barriers that came up and there were a few along the way. Jackie Lee and Austin Coon, from GEIDC have done a lot of the leg work for this project and just having the support from the entire GEIDC board made us confident that we could get it done! They were great to work with,” said Tracy.
The Family Resource Center moved into the first floor of the GEIDC’s three story Community Resource Center this April, doubling its former space. FRC clients will enter into a welcoming lobby where they can wait comfortably for services. The new space showcases a large food pantry, a room for clothing and household goods for self-shopping, completely private offices for SHIIP, Medicare, Northeast Iowa Community Action and visiting agencies such as Iowa Workforce, Family Service Specialists and others. These offices are comfortable, offering confidentiality and added assurance that our clients’ info is private.
Now, five years later, Kari and Tracy look at their calendar, amazed at the reality that they have been in their new home they visioned for the Family Resource Center for well over a month.
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., 75th 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.
Audie’s Story
Most people who know Audie see him as a quiet person, but behind this demeanor he’s very competitive—especially with himself.
Back in 2019, Audie set an impressive goal for himself: to walk a minimum of 13,000 steps each day, which adds up to just over 5 ¾ miles. This daily challenge was one he committed to wholeheartedly, as he pushed himself to maintain his routine rain or shine. His dedication to his goal was so strong that he didn’t miss a single day until November 27, 2023, when he underwent open-heart surgery—a temporary pause in his journey to better health.
In 2023, during a check-up with Dr. Hoffmann—just one week before the doctor retired—concerning issues came to light. Audie scheduled a follow-up appointment with Cardiologist Dr. Ramabadran (Dr. Ram.) to further investigate his condition, which revealed severe stenosis and a needed aortic valve replacement.
Even though open-heart surgery was the best option for his condition, Dr. Ram believed that Audie’s commitment to daily exercise may have played a significant role in masking the severity of his heart condition. His consistent daily walking routine likely kept his body strong and resilient, making it difficult for him to feel the full impact of the severe stenosis. Audie’s dedication to staying active might have minimized symptoms, underscoring the powerful impact of regular exercise on overall health—even when underlying issues are present.
After his surgery last November, Audie requested to complete his rehab at GMHC. Dr. Ram, who also serves as a cardiology specialist at GMHC, agreed to Audie’s request, making it possible for him to complete his rehab and receive follow-up care right here at home with familiar faces.
“They started me slowly and were incredibly careful, while always encouraging me in my recovery,” reflected Audie. “It was such a blessing to be able to stay local for my rehab. I can’t say enough about the incredible team that we have here. They’re caring, compassionate, encouraging, and they work together so well. Whoever I work with always has a smile on their face and is always helpful.”
As part of his rehab, Audie completed 36 sessions, 2 to 3 sessions per week, spread out over 15 weeks. Upon completion of the program, Audie was granted free access to the GMHC Rehab Gym. Audie took full advantage of this perk and began his next walking streak to maintain his health, continue to improve his cardiovascular fitness, and lose a little bit of weight to enjoy and extend his life.
“Through 11/24/24, I have now met my new revised goal of walking a minimum of 11,300 steps (5 miles) each day for 282 consecutive days. Not only do I enjoy being at GMHC to work out and see the staff who took such great care of me, but I also enjoy opportunities to encourage other rehab patients on their journey back to health.”
Audie’s determination and resilience are truly inspiring as he makes every step count towards his personal goals.
“We choose GMHC for our healthcare needs because they truly put us at the center of everything they do, and I believe that vote of confidence drives them to provide the best care possible,” shared Becky Shaffer.
Originally from Cedar Rapids, Becky and Mike Shaffer have been coming up to Guttenberg since they purchased their Esmann Island get-away in 2005. They spent many long weekends enjoying all of the amenities Guttenberg has to offer.
In 2009, when she slipped on water in her bathroom and hit her head on the wall, Becky had her first experience at GMHC in the Emergency Department. “I was incredibly impressed with the care I received,” recalled Becky. She has also brought friends throughout the years who had experienced mis-haps and as an observer, she was struck by how professional and efficient the hospital was with their care as well.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mike and Becky took advantage of their part-time residence on the island and used it as their full-time home. The couple enjoyed their new lifestyle so much, they decided to make Guttenberg their permanent residence. “The confidence in the care we’d received at GMHC was one of the big reasons we chose to live full-time in Guttenberg,” said Becky, “especially since we’re not getting any younger!”
On the first day of fall in 2022, Becky tripped on her flip-flops and tumbled down the steps of her screened-in-porch, and was unable to move. “Thankfully, our neighbor’s son happened to stop next door and heard me calling out for help. The ambulance arrived and the team was simply awesome. They told me exactly what they were going to do, they were incredibly gentle and paid close attention to every word I said,” Becky reflected.
When she arrived at the Emergency Department, imaging revealed Becky had shattered her humerus and tore her rotator cuff. “I was in so much pain, but everyone, the EMT, the ER staff and the imaging technician was incredibly cautious and concerned about my comfort. I was so thankful for the professional care I could get right here in Guttenberg!”
After surgery in Cedar Rapids that included a plate and screws to repair her injuries, Becky came back to GMHC for Physical Therapy. “I can’t say enough about the rehab team! They were tough, they pushed me, and they gave me the use of my arm back. And the receptionist, Trish! What a way to begin my rehab appointment… walking in and being greeted by her.”
Mike and Becky have transitioned most of their healthcare to GMHC. “I love GMHC! I think the biggest difference for me is the way that I am treated here. I feel like a person, not a name on a chart, and I’ve felt this way consistently with the care that I have received here. I feel authentically cared for when I’m here. I’m listened to and not rushed, and yes, it is pretty convenient to park right outside the door, walk right in and rarely wait!”
In fact, Becky appreciated her experiences at GMHC so much, she wanted to be a part of the team as a Volunteer Greeter. Becky’s cheerful, upbeat attitude helps lessen anxiety in the patient waiting area, but she is also very aware that some people would rather be alone. “I have been blessed with conversation skills. I can talk to just about anyone,” she laughed. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the hospital for all of the excellent, professional care Mike and I have received here since relocating to Guttenberg. Volunteering gives me a reason to stay active in the community and help others,” Becky commented.
The mission of the Foundation of Cornerstone Communities is to keep the communities served by GMHC healthy and strong to ensure the future of healthcare in Guttenberg. Embracing the mission, Mike and Becky joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in the fall of 2023. “We have experienced first-hand the value of GMHC for our healthcare, as well as all that GMHC does for our community. We want to be a part of helping others appreciate our excellent, local healthcare, and assist in keeping it strong.” shared Becky. “Yes, it is convenient, but more than that, we appreciate the quality care right here in Guttenberg!”
