Category: Community

On Wednesday May 21, the Winneshiek Energy District joined over a dozen local companies at the Decorah High School’s STEM Connect Day! At our booth, WED engaged with over 120 high school students to teach them about non-profit energy districts, as well as inform them about clean, efficient, and affordable energy opportunities within our community. 

While visiting our booth, students had the opportunity to identify the most efficient lightbulb from the options presented on our interactive lightbulb switch board! Students could also use our infrared camera and home-heating display house to learn how the camera works when identifying home energy efficiency opportunities. Additionally, we gathered high school student volunteers for our Bill Saver’s program launching this summer. We are so excited to be able to offer this Silver Cord Volunteer Hour opportunity to our local high school students!

Small business owners and farmers are invited to “Solar For Small Businesses” a coffee hour conversation hosted by the Winneshiek Energy District on Tuesday, June 17 at 8am at Impact Coffee’s upstairs mezzanine. Coffee’s on us! Register here.

NOW is a great time to consider solar. The REAP grant offers 25% grants for small business and farm renewable energy projects. Hear about program qualifications from Clean Energy Districts of Iowa REAP Program Manager Steve Hopkins, and get your questions answered by local experts.

By the time you finish your coffee you will:

• Know if your business qualifies for the REAP program’s 25% grant program
• Get your solar questions answered
• Connect with local experts who can help you get the job done.

Join us! Registration is appreciated.

WinnMed is proud to announce the launch of rheumatology specialty care, expanding access to expert treatment for joint, muscle, and autoimmune conditions in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. This new service line is led by Matthew Samec, M.D., a board-certified rheumatologist providing full-time care at WinnMed in Decorah beginning July 2025.

Rheumatology focuses on diagnosing and treating complex, often chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, osteoporosis, and other disorders that affect the joints, muscles, and immune system.

A native of New Hampton, Dr. Samec brings both personal and professional ties to the region. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa and his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Since 2023, Dr. Samec has been providing rheumatology care, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology.

“Rheumatologic diseases are complex, chronic, and often difficult to diagnose,” says Dr. Samec. “Given the shortage of rheumatologists — especially in northeast Iowa — I’m committed to serving not only local residents but also patients from across the region. I’ll be working closely with primary care providers to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

At WinnMed, rheumatology services include personalized treatment plans, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate care for patients at every stage of their journey. Whether someone is newly diagnosed or has been managing symptoms for years, they now have access to expert care in a familiar, local setting.

“We’re thrilled to offer rheumatology care right here in Decorah,” says Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M., chief medical officer at WinnMed. “Many people live with chronic joint pain or autoimmune conditions without realizing that effective treatments are available. Our goal is to help patients feel better, move better, and live better — without the burden of long-distance travel.”

Dr. Samec adds, “My family and I are excited to return to northeast Iowa. My wife and I both graduated from New Hampton High School, and our families still live in the area. We’re looking forward to raising our children in a community that has so much to offer and means so much to us.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Samec at WinnMed, call 563-382-2911 or request an appointment through MyChart.

WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — The Winneshiek Energy District is excited to announce a new program offering free comprehensive home energy audits to income-qualifying households in Decorah and Winneshiek County. This initiative is designed to help residents reduce their energy bills, improve home comfort, and identify practical steps toward energy efficiency and home upgrade opportunities.

Thanks to recent grant funding, homeowners and renters can receive a detailed home energy audit at no cost. The assessment includes a thorough inspection of the home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and appliances, and includes a blower door test to assess air leakage. Participants receive a personalized report outlining recommended improvements, potential savings, and opportunities to make their homes healthier, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient.

“An energy audit can identify cost savings that aren’t always apparent,” said Paul Cutting, energy auditor for Winneshiek Energy District. “Reducing air infiltration and increasing insulation levels can lower energy costs by upwards of 25%, resulting in real savings.”

To be eligible for a free energy audit, households must have incomes less than 150% of area median income, or about $112,000 for household of two. Full details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, are available at https://energydistrict.org/services/comprehensive-energy-assessment/

Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI), a nonprofit consortium of Energy Districts based in 14 counties in Iowa, is offering free energy coaching to assist farms and small businesses in applying for USDA grant funding for renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects. The Winneshiek Energy District is a member of CEDI.

 USDA’s Rural Energy in America Program (REAP) is accepting grant applications that, if approved, would fund 25% of the cost of renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects. 

Eligible projects for REAP renewable energy system grants include:  biomass, geothermal, small and large scale wind generation, and small and large scale solar generation. Eligible projects for REAP energy efficiency improvements include:  high efficiency heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems, insulation, lighting, cooling or refrigeration units, doors and windows, and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.  Ineligible projects include:  any residential use, tractors or implements, new construction, or upgrades to buildings which do not currently consume energy.

CEDI provides priority assistance to customers and communities that are traditionally underserved by the REAP program, including areas defined by USDA as disadvantaged communities and distressed communities. CEDI also offers priority assistance to applicants with small grants ($20,000 or less) or grants for underutilized technologies.

CEDI employs two Energy Coaches for the REAP program to serve the 13 counties with Energy Districts. Steve Hopkins provides assistance in the following counties: Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Dubuque, Howard, and Winneshiek. He may be reached at: steve.hopkins@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 641-831-3552.

Mark Patton provides assistance in the following counties: Delaware, Jackson, Johnson, Linn, Muscatine, Tama, and Polk.  He may be reached at mark.patton@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 563-299-1839.

For more information or to apply for CEDI REAP coaching, please fill out the inquiry form at: www.cleanenergydistricts.org/reap. This is an Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.

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WinnMed has awarded Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) RN, Scott Nordschow, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, recognizing the knowledgeable and compassionate care he provides to his patients.

Scott was nominated by the family of a patient for his ability to provide personalized and empathetic care. The family praised Scott for his patience, understanding, and clear communication, ensuring the patient felt comfortable and informed throughout his stay. Scott’s skillful use of techniques to provide pain-free care was particularly noted, showcasing his expertise and gentle approach. The family says, “Overall, the compassion, empathy and care that Scott provided was exceptional. He deserves recognition for his outstanding nursing care!” Scott has served as a registered nurse at WinnMed since 2022.

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful care nurses provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way.

Anyone may thank a deserving nurse. To nominate an extraordinary WinnMed nurse, fill out the online form at https://winnmed.org/daisy-award

WinnMed is pleased to welcome Erik Brink, D.O., FACOS, FACS to the medical practice. Dr. Brink is a board-certified general surgeon who will provide full-time surgical and clinical care in Decorah beginning June 2025. He joins Caroline Schwickerath, D.O., FACOS, CWSP who has practiced in Decorah since 2016.

Dr. Brink received his undergraduate degree from Warner Pacific College in Portland, OR and his osteopathic medicine degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, MO.  He competed his general surgery internship and residency through Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in York, PA. As a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve and member of the Medical Corps, Dr. Brink provided surgical care and leadership in multiple locations throughout the world for over 16 years before recently settling in Mason City, Iowa. He and his wife, Kari, have three young adult sons and they have moved to Decorah to settle into their new phase of life.

Dr. Brink says, “My journey in caring for people is really more of a calling than a profession. It began in elementary school with a classmate having a seizure and the panic which ensued by teachers and classmates. Somehow, as an eight-year-old boy, I knew to protect his head and hold him until help arrived. That has been the summation of my career in medicine.”  He adds, “I have spent sixteen years as a Navy surgeon, performing surgery on aircraft carriers, overseas in Japan and Italy, and in Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq. My military experience honed my skills in the art of lifesaving surgery and trauma, as well as laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. Through my experiences, I have learned flexibility and dexterity, routinely thinking ‘outside the box.’”

General surgeons perform consultation and surgery for a broad range of medical conditions and body systems. When possible, surgeons use minimally invasive surgery (sometimes called laparoscopic surgery). For patients, minimally invasive surgery means less trauma to the body, less blood loss, smaller surgical scars and less need for pain medication. Patients leave the hospital sooner after minimally invasive surgery and return to normal activities sooner than with conventional open surgery.

Dr. Brink says, “My wife and I are looking forward to putting down ‘roots’ in Decorah.  We were so impressed with the hospital, community, culture and the welcome we have been shown. I plan to bring my experiences and skills to give back to the northeastern Iowa community. I am honored that I have been chosen for this position and I will humbly join you in your journey to better health.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Erik Brink at WinnMed, call 563-382-2911 or request an appointment through MyChart.