As the WinnMed Pharmacy continues to grow, WinnMed is pleased to welcome Erin Anderson, Pharm.D., to the team. She joins Mark Branum, Pharm.D., BCGP, and Brianna Lynch, Pharm.D., BCACP, in providing full-time pharmacy consultation and care to patients.
Originally from Postville, Iowa, Erin earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa. Following college, Erin and her husband moved to San Antonio, Texas before working their way back up to northeast Iowa with their young family.
She says, “I am excited to be a part of WinnMed, where the patient is first, and strive to provide personalized care for each patient in an efficient manner. I enjoy seeing some familiar faces as well as meeting new people in the community”
WinnMed Pharmacy offers retail pharmacy services: prescription filling and education, over-the-counter medications, medication adherence packaging, medication synchronization, compounding, drug disposal, vaccines and new meds-to-beds service for WinnMed inpatients, and other services. They offer an in-store pick-up and drive-through option, mail service and delivery services in Decorah and Ossian.
Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. The pharmacy is closed Sundays and major holidays. Learn more about the WinnMed Pharmacy or call 563-387-3000.
You may have received a recent letter from Change Healthcare. Change Healthcare is one of our vendors. They experienced a security breach and are notifying individuals whose information has been compromised. Change Healthcare has provided information about this security breach on their HIPAA Website Substitute Notice. Or you may contact their dedicated call center at 1-866-262-5342.
To meet the growing need for emergency care in the region, WinnMed is pleased to welcome Rachel Masek, PA-C back to the community to provide patient care full time in WinnMed’s Emergency department.
Rachel was born and raised in Decorah and has most recently provided emergency care at Mayo Clinic Health System – La Crosse. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Coe College in Cedar Rapids and her Master of Health Sciences Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program in Rochester, Minnesota.
At WinnMed, Rachel joins the team of six Mayo Clinic Health System emergency medicine physicians who provide emergency care in the 24/7 department. Last year, WinnMed Emergency department saw nearly 9800 patients. The WinnMed Emergency department has a total of 10 rooms including a pediatric room and is a level IV trauma certified hospital.
Steve Slessor, chief administrative officer, says, “Utilization of our emergency services has grown considerably over the past few years. By adding Rachel to the team, we are bringing in her great experience and understanding of the community while also addressing our patients’ expectations of quality and efficiently provided services. We are excited to have her at WinnMed.”
Rachel says, “Emergency medicine is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of unforeseen illness or injury. We have the privilege of taking care of patients and their families during the most vulnerable moments of their lives and providing exceptional and compassionate care.” She continues, “My family and I enjoy the small town feel and close-knit community that Decorah has to offer. I look forward to providing outstanding care to the community that has shaped me into the person I am today.”
Influenza season is approaching and it is an important and effective prevention strategy to get a flu shot.
When should I get a flu shot and how long does it last?
Influenza season generally begins in November and ends in March. However, there’s no set timeframe; the flu can start to spread earlier in the fall and last through May. The flu shot protects against the influenza virus for about six months. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends adults get the annual flu shot in September or October. You can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after the flu season starts.
What types of vaccine are available this year?
The injection is the trivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against three different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus, and is for ages 6 months and older. High Dose is preferred for ages 65+, and also protects against three different flu viruses. Flu mist is not available.
Who should get a flu shot?
The CDC recommends all people 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine. It is especially important for pregnant women to get vaccinated because of their increased risk for influenza-related complications. Pregnant women can get vaccinated during any trimester, including the first. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu.
How will flu shots be given this year?
At WinnMed, influenza vaccines will be available through an appointment, though walk-ins will be accepted as the vaccine schedule allows. (If you have a scheduled appointment for another reason, you may also get a flu shot at that time.) Flu vaccine charges will be submitted to your insurance. Influenza vaccine is available in WinnMed’s Decorah, Ossian and Mabel Clinics, and the WinnMed Pharmacy. Make an appointment by calling:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10% of all US patients report having an allergic reaction to a penicillin class antibiotic in their past.*
Michael D’Netto, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System allergist at WinnMed in Decorah, says that just 10% of these patients with a reported penicillin allergy have a true allergy. “Thousands of patients at WinnMed alone have a documented allergy to penicillin because of how they reacted to the medication at one point in their past. We know that 10 years after a patient’s reaction to penicillin roughly 80% of patients outgrow their penicillin allergy. Additionally, some reactions are likely misattributed to penicillin, as we know infections themselves are a common cause of hives. As such, many penicillin ‘allergic’ patients could be ‘cleared’ of this allergy, which would allow them to be prescribed penicillin, amoxicillin, and other antibiotics in this class to fight bacterial infections.”
This matters because bacteria can develop a resistance to antibiotics, so having more antibiotic choices as a patient increases the chance of recovery from a bacterial infection. Additionally, some antibiotics are more expensive, so having a penicillin class antibiotic as an option can help patients financially.
Dr. D’Netto offers penicillin allergy testing at WinnMed in Decorah. For an appointment, call 563-382-2911.
WinnMed is pleased to welcome Brittanee Samuelson, M.D., home to northeast Iowa as she joins the Mayo Clinic Health System medical practice to provide specialized hospital medicine.
Dr. Samuelson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
In Decorah, Dr. Samuelson will serve as WinnMed’s first full-time hospitalist. Hospitalists are doctors who specialize in treating hospitalized patients. Their focus is to diagnose and treat patients in an inpatient setting, coordinate care with specialists and attend emergencies that may arise.
Dr. Samuelson will be the only full-time hospitalist at WinnMed and joins her family medicine colleagues who currently provide hospitalist services on a rotation, along with their clinical practices.
Dr. Samuelson says, “When patients are admitted to the hospital and under my care, they can expect a comprehensive and compassionate approach to their inpatient experience. From the moment they are admitted to the hospital, they’ll encounter a welcoming and supportive atmosphere where their concerns are listened to with empathy and understanding.” She adds, “Throughout their stay, I will ensure clear and transparent communication, discussing their diagnosis, treatment plans, and any necessary procedures in detail to empower them in their healthcare decisions. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (specialists, social work, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacists, primary care physicians, etc.) is a cornerstone of my practice, guaranteeing seamless coordination of care and the best possible outcomes.”
She says “Growing up on a farm instilled in me a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the value of family and community. As a dedicated hospital medicine physician at WinnMed, I will bring those values, along with a unique blend of compassion and expertise to my practice, patients and their families.”
Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M, chief medical officer of WinnMed says, “WinnMed continues to grow in the services we provide to patients. We are thrilled to add Dr. Samuelson to our committed team of physicians to help expand our hospital services to patients across the region.”
On June 27, the WinnMed Board of Trustees responded to a notice provided by Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) that the current Management Services Agreement (MSA) with WinnMed will not be renewed when it expires on July 1, 2025. Additionally, MCHS had voiced intentions to the WinnMed Board of Trustees to engage in negotiations with WinnMed leaders to develop a modified, long-term Professional Services Agreement, which would take effect in July 2025 for the MCHS physicians who practice at WinnMed.
At the June 27 meeting, the WinnMed Board of Trustees voted to appoint Steve Slessor, the chief administrative officer under the MSA, as the new WinnMed chief administrative officer. Slessor accepted their offer and began his WinnMed employment July 3, 2024.
Slessor and Dr. Tom Marquardt, chief medical officer of WinnMed, provide insight and information to patients and the broader region regarding the transition.
What is a Management Services Agreement (MSA) and Professional Services Agreement (PSA)? The MSA is a legal agreement that provides WinnMed management/business services through Mayo Clinic Health System. The PSA is a legal agreement that provides Mayo Clinic Health System physicians to WinnMed. These agreements have been in place with various amendments since 2005 and are reviewed every three to five years. Mayo Clinic Health System physicians have had a presence in Decorah since 1992.
What does the transition mean for WinnMed? Business strategies are always changing, including in healthcare. The transition opens alternate paths for WinnMed to reach our goals and there are positive opportunities in our future: a. Current Mayo Clinic Health System physicians can continue to practice here as they do now b. WinnMed will have full discretion on which specialties we recruit to join our WinnMed practice c. WinnMed will have more local control over how we deliver service d. WinnMed can broaden its partnerships as opportunities arise e. Mayo Clinic will continue to be an important partner for us
Why are these agreements changing? The Mayo Clinic Health System strategy is focused on fully owned facilities and medical practices. In fact, the MSA and PSA contracts were the only agreements of these types remaining in the entire Mayo Clinic Enterprise. WinnMed is owned by the citizens of Winneshiek County and governed by an elected board. The change in agreements allows both organizations to pursue their strategies independently. Mayo Clinic Health System has openly expressed their appreciation for the high quality of care and positive patient experience we provide at WinnMed. They have shared their desire for us to be successful and will support us in ways that also align with their strategy.
Is this decision the result of WinnMed’s performance in any area? No, WinnMed is consistently a high performer in quality, patient satisfaction and employee engagement measures. MCHS leadership and the WinnMed Board of Trustees have expressed their deep appreciation and respect for the work done here, and the changes in agreements are in no way a reflection of the care we provide.
What will happen with the local physicians? WinnMed leadership will engage in negotiations with Mayo Clinic Health System regarding the details of a modified PSA. Through the modified PSA or WinnMed employment, there will be attractive options for physicians to remain in Decorah. Future physicians who join our organization will be hired as WinnMed employees, or under other negotiated agreements, as presented at the time.
What will happen to outreach physicians who see patients at WinnMed? Contracts for outreach services (cardiology, urology, endocrinology, pain management, etc.) are separate contracts from the PSA. Those contracts are not impacted by this change.
Will my insurance be impacted? WinnMed independently contracts with insurance companies. None of WinnMed’s insurance network contracts are changing, so patients can continue to get care the same way they were previously. Billing for physician services will continue to be done by WinnMed, as it is currently.
Will the employees be affected by this change? All staff are employed by WinnMed and will retain their status, compensation and benefits. In their daily work, some staff may experience changes in their roles, depending on how their work is integrated with Mayo Clinic Health System.
Will Mayo Clinic Dialysis and the Mayo Clinic Store stay in Decorah? Those services are fully-owned by Mayo Clinic and simply lease space from WinnMed. They will remain as is and we are grateful to have both on our campus.
Will the Transforming Tomorrow expansion project continue to move forward? WinnMed is in a strong financial position, and we will continue as planned with Transforming Tomorrow. Our confidence in this is enhanced by Iowa’s recent passing of the Medicaid Direct Payment Program, which infuses new funds into our bottom line.
What negatives may come from this? We expect the biggest challenge will be recruitment of future physicians. WinnMed will add local recruitment resources and work with national recruitment companies to find top candidates to bring to our community. We know, though, that the Mayo Clinic name was certainly a draw, and this will no longer be a selling point for our open positions.
What positives may come from this? With local control, we can increase our responsiveness to our communities and local needs. We will be able to bring in new care models, be able to discern the specialties we offer and tap into resources and new partnerships that may help us reach our strategic goals in new ways.
Will the WinnMed name and new brand change? No, our recently updated name and brand will remain in place.
Slessor says, “Even as an administrator, I am fully aware that what the community cares about is not contracts related to how the hospital is managed, but rather the relationship with their clinician and the quality of care they receive. We fully expect that through a variety of options, none of that will need to change. We have a wonderful team of 600 plus employees and physicians that are here ready to provide high quality care and services as you have come to expect. While our path may be altered by this change, we still have many paths to success open to us and are confident we have the team and culture to continue to move this organization forward. My decision to join WinnMed as a direct employee through this change was an easy one due to this team, this community, and our future opportunities.
Dr. Marquardt comments, “As a Mayo physician in this community for nearly 20 years, I can speak for myself and my colleagues that this is home. As a practice, it is our intent to continue to provide the same level of care and services our community is used to.
Left to right: (Front row) Zak Kriener,
Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M (Back row) Kylee Uhlenhake, RN, Elizabeth Pfile, RN,
Bethany Stevens, ARNP, Morgan Hansmeier, RN
One thing can lead to another, which seemed to be the case for Zakary Kriener of Ossian. In January of 2022, he took a nasty fall from a ladder that shattered his right heel bone. During recovery from surgery and throughout the months of healing, Zak could not put weight his right foot. Though he recovered from the break, his gait remained a bit altered in favor of his left side.
Zak also has Type 1 diabetes and has diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) in his feet. “It was the perfect storm,” says Zak. “The consequences of the break were significant. Because of the neuropathy in my feet, I didn’t know a sore was developing on the bottom of my left heel. By the time I felt it, I had a wound in my left foot that wouldn’t heal.”
Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M., Mayo Clinic Health System podiatrist at WinnMed says, “Diabetic foot ulcers are chronic, non-healing wounds that can easily become infected. Even a small cut or blister can develop into a foot ulcer because the skin of a person with diabetes has reduced ability to heal itself.”
Zak’s initial outpatient treatment for the foot ulcer seemed to be heading in the right direction, but after two months of being homebound and non-weight bearing, a second wound in Zak’s right heel developed and both became infected. His wounds were severe, and he was hospitalized to treat them, which included surgical debridement and antibiotics for the infection.
“Diabetic foot ulcers can result in lower limb amputation in people with diabetes,” says Dr. Marquardt. “Foot care is of the utmost importance, and the availability of advanced wound care can improve the lives and outcomes for people in Zak’s situation.”
As timing would have it, WinnMed was on the brink of opening the first advanced wound center in the region – a full-service specialty that would provide all the latest treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, to patients. Zak was the Wound Center’s first patient.
“I was discharged from the hospital on a Sunday and the next day, I was the first-ever patient in the Wound Center,” says Zak. “Bethany Stevens worked with me, sometimes at daily appointments, to treat my wounds. She used all kinds of treatments and they slowly started to heal.”
Bethany Stevens, ARNP, has specialized in wound care since 2015. She says, “The skin is an organ that tells us when something is off balance in our body. In Zak’s case, it was responding to unstable blood sugar levels and excess pressure. So, in order to promote faster healing and prevent additional wounds from developing, Zak would have to get his diabetes under control.”
Working with a team of medical specialists determined to support him, Zak, who is in his mid-30s and 6 feet, 8 inches tall, lost 60 pounds and dropped his A1C by four points. He accomplished this through making healthier food choices and using a new insulin pump to help stabilize his blood sugar levels. Zak says, “Had I taken diabetes care more seriously earlier in my life, some of this might have been prevented. It was a total wake-up call.”
Zak ringing the bell for his final treatment at the Wound Center with a part of his care team. Left to right: Morgan Hansmeier, RN, Bethany Stevens, ARNP, Kylee Uhlenhake, RN
Zak continued to heal, but the journey was long. The following spring he attended his first stock car race independently to resume his career in-person as a sportswriter and photographer. “I had tried to cover all my teams and races remotely over the past year; there is nothing better than experiencing sporting events and the races in person,” says Zak.
Zak knows he has to keep his diabetes in control for him to maintain a good quality of life. “My fiancé, Libby Manning, was with me throughout the hospitalizations, treatments, appointments and dressing changes. My friends helped me when I was homebound by keeping me company, playing video games with me and helping with household needs. My family stepped in whenever I needed something and to keep my spirits up. My entire primary, specialty, hospital and wound care team kept me on track as I healed. I am motivated to stay healthy, not only for myself, but for everyone who supported me.”
At about three months old, Grayson Sibley began developing severe skin rashes. His parents, Tasha and Alan, talked to Grayson’s primary care physician, who diagnosed him with eczema. He noted children with severe eczema are more likely to have food allergies and referred Grayson to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for testing, the results of which revealed Grayson was allergic to both peanuts and milk.
Tasha and Alan were now faced with a complete lifestyle change—navigating raising a child with food allergies, including diligently reading food labels and learning how to use an emergency EpiPen.
“It was a terrifying feeling as a mom, knowing your baby could suffer severe allergic reactions at any time to such common foods,” says Tasha.
The Sibley family continued Grayson’s care with the allergy team at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic, a 70-mile drive, until 2023, when Dr. Michael D’Netto, a Mayo-Clinic trained allergist, joined the Mayo Clinic Health System practice at WinnMed.
“When I learned Dr. D’Netto would be in Decorah, I immediately planned to transfer Gray’s care to WinnMed. We had a great experience in Rochester, and Dr. D’Netto was trained by the very physicians who were part of Gray’s care team.”
For his next appointment, Grayson was seen at WinnMed. Tasha says, “Dr. D’Netto ordered the same tests Gray was getting in Rochester; it was nice to feel this type of continuity in his care. We were immediately put at ease.”
His three-year old skin and blood tests revealed his allergy to milk was still positive, but peanuts were now negative. Dr. D’Netto says, “It is possible for children to outgrow food allergies. This occurs in over 50 percent of patients with a milk allergy. Therefore, while Grayson still shows evidence of allergic antibodies to milk at this time, he may still outgrow this allergy. Regarding peanut allergy, roughly 20 percent of patients allergic to peanut will outgrow the peanut allergy. Grayson’s negative peanut testing suggested he may be in the fortunate 20 percent of peanut allergic patients. However, consuming peanut itself is the best way to determine a patient’s food allergy status.
Tasha made a follow-up food challenge appointment for Grayson, where he was introduced to progressively larger amounts peanut butter in a clinic setting, carefully monitored by Dr. D’Netto and his nurses. “I wasn’t sure how the morning would go,” says Tasha, “because he was three and he may or may not have cooperated. But, they had toys for him and made the morning fun, so Gray had a great time.”
The results of the food test were exactly what the Sibley family hoped for: Grayson had outgrown his peanut allergy. Tasha says, “The next morning – a Saturday – Gray had his very first PB & J sandwich. It felt like such a milestone for him and our family. It is now his most favorite food!”
Grayson will continue his care with Dr. D’Netto in Decorah, and the family hopes his allergy to milk will follow the same path. Tasha says, “We look forward to the possibility that Grayson might someday be allergy-free, and we are thankful to be able to receive his care locally.
Are you one of the 10%?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10% of all US patients report having an allergic reaction to a penicillin class antibiotic in their past. * Michael D’Netto, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System allergist at WinnMed in Decorah, says that just 10% of these patients with a reported penicillin allergy are a true allergy. “Thousands of patients at WinnMed alone have a documented allergy to penicillin because of how they reacted to the medication at one point in their past. We know that 10 years after a patient’s reaction to penicillin roughly 80% of patients outgrow their penicillin allergy. Additionally, some reactions are likely misattributed to penicillin, as we know infections themselves are a common cause of hives. As such, many penicillin ‘allergic’ patients could be ‘cleared’ of this allergy, which would allow them to be prescribed penicillin, amoxicillin, and other antibiotics in this class to fight bacterial infections.”
This matters because bacteria can develop a resistance to antibiotics, so having more antibiotic choices as a patient increases the chance of recovery from a bacterial infection. Additionally, some antibiotics are more expensive, so having a penicillin class antibiotic as an option can help patients financially.
Dr. D’Netto offers penicillin allergy testing at WinnMed in Decorah. For an appointment, call 563-382-2911.
