Month: January 2026

At their January 2026 meeting, the WinnMed Board of Trustees approved the transition of Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M., from Mayo Clinic Health System to WinnMed employment, effective in February 2026. Dr. Marquardt will continue in his role as Chief Medical Officer, supporting all physician groups at WinnMed while also providing podiatric clinical and surgical care alongside his administrative responsibilities.

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marquardt reports directly to the Board of Trustees, alongside Steve Slessor, Chief Administrative Officer.

“The physician-administrative leadership dyad model has served the organization well over the last 20 years and has helped us get to where we are today. This transition supports WinnMed’s regional hub strategy for future growth as we continue to recruit providers and expand services across the region,” said Clark Goltz, chair of the WinnMed Board of Trustees. “Dr. Marquardt’s ongoing leadership and clinical expertise are invaluable as we look to the future.”

A graduate of Luther College, Dr. Marquardt received his podiatric medical degree from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, a program within the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. He was in private practice for nine years in the Milwaukee area, working closely with and training residents at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, and joined Mayo Clinic Health System in 2006. In addition to his medical and surgical practice, he has served Decorah Clinic Physicians as Vice President for Practice and Professional Development for approximately 10 years and as Specialty Medical Director since 2015. He was appointed Chief Medical Officer in 2020.

Dr. Marquardt expressed appreciation for both the personal and professional relationships built through Mayo Clinic Health System. “I value the collaboration and support I’ve experienced over the years,” said Dr. Marquardt. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with MCHS and our teams locally to advance patient care and strengthen services for the communities we serve.”

WinnMed is proud to announce a major investment in the future of surgical care with the acquisition of a da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgical System, state-of-the-art technology that will bring advanced, minimally invasive procedures to patients in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and surrounding communities. This newest model of the da Vinci system is just the second in Iowa, following University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

The da Vinci system is widely regarded as the gold standard in robotic-assisted surgery. It allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, flexibility, and control through small incisions, resulting in less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times for patients.

“This is a significant step forward for WinnMed and the communities we serve,” said Steve Slessor, chief administrative officer, WinnMed. “The da Vinci robot represents a transformative investment in surgical care, and we are excited to bring this level of innovation to the northeast Iowa region.”

The system is housed in one of WinnMed’s newly constructed operating rooms, specifically designed to accommodate robotic technology through the Transforming Tomorrow renovation and expansion project.

Surgeons from all the Decorah medical practices will use the robot to perform certain surgeries at WinnMed.  In 2025, general surgeons Erik Brink, D.O., with WinnMed, Caroline Schwickerath, D.O., with Mayo Clinic Health System, and Chris Winters, M.D., with Emplify Health by Gundersen will begin robotic surgery, with additional surgeons utilizing the technology in 2026.

Dr. Brink shares, “Robotic-assisted surgery allows us to perform procedures with greater accuracy and less trauma to the body. For patients, this means quicker recovery times and fewer complications. I’m thrilled to bring this level of care to our community and to be part of WinnMed’s commitment to innovation.”  Dr. Brink was introduced to da Vinci technology in 2009 during his medical education and residency and then, following his service in the United States Navy, reengaged with the system. He has been providing robotic surgery since 2023 and was instrumental in bringing the technology to WinnMed in Decorah when he joined the medical practice in spring of 2025.

Dr. Winters, M.D., says, “I am more than excited to offer modern robotic-assisted procedures to my patients in northeast Iowa. Robotic-assisted surgery allows for complex procedures to be performed precisely through small incisions allowing patients an opportunity for a better outcome, faster recovery, and less discomfort.”

The da Vinci 5 system supports a wide range of procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder removal, colorectal procedures, and treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may also be used in urologic and gynecologic surgeries, depending on patient needs and future service expansion.

In partnership with Luther College, WinnMed is enhancing mental health support for students by introducing Licensed Mental Health Counselor Katie Greving to the Luther Clinic team. Greving will provide Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) services full-time on campus, offering students convenient access to care within their familiar environment.

IBH is a short-term treatment (12 or fewer therapy visits) that combines medical and behavioral services to address overall health and well-being and is aimed at helping the patient build coping skills, reduce symptoms of distress, or reach specific behavioral goals.

Greving brings more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Nebraska. She is an active member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association, serves on the State of Iowa’s Dyslexia Board, and leads Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, a nonprofit advocating for students with learning disabilities.

“I have spent most of my career working in college mental health and am thrilled to be at Luther,” said Greving. “Life can be stressful, and my goal is to be a safe and supportive resource for students as they navigate their college experiences.” Her professional interests include the impact of social media on mental health, supporting college athletes, and assisting individuals with learning disabilities.

The Luther Clinic, located in Larsen Hall on the Luther College campus, provides year-round student health services, including routine, preventive, acute and ongoing health care services, as well as sports medicine services for Norse athletes.