Keokuk County Health Center (KCHC) is a tax-exempt, 14 bed Critical Access Hospital (CAH). We have been providing quality healthcare since our founding in 1954. Accredited by the state of Iowa as a level IV Trauma Care Center and a CAH, KCHC is located at 23019 Highway 14 in Sigourney, Iowa. It is our mission to provide quality and compassionate care. We believe the best way to achieve this goal is to keep our patientโs needs in mind and to keep our well staff trained.
The Keokuk County Medical Center is located on the KCHC campus. It provides health care services to all ages Monday through Friday.
KCHC is operated by an elected 7 member board of trustees, who are elected for 6-year terms and meet monthly. The trustees are responsible for everything covering health center operations, including but not limited to the care of the building and grounds, control and supervision of all staff physicians; nurses an other employees.
In 2006, KCHC broke ground on a beautiful, new facility which has grown to include many new services. Patients and employees alike appreciate the diversity of services and providers available, the simple, easy to navigate floor plan as well as the convenient parking.
KCHC is committed to providing quality and compassionate care. In our rural setting, the employee to patient interaction is relationship driven due much in part to the size and closeness of our community. We promote a culture where everyone is important and works together to improve the lives of those we serve.
Keokuk County has approximately 10,000 + residents. Our communities are driven by traditional core values such as helping your neighbor, treating others as you want to be treated, and lifting up the community in times of need.
Our Medical Center Providers
Cheryl Quinn, DO, graduated with her B.S. in Biology from the University of Nebraska, Omaha in 1998. She attended medical school at Des Moines University, graduating with her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004. She completed her linked internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology, then decided to widen her scope of practice and changed to Family Medicine for her residency. Both post-doctorate training programs were completed at Mercy General Health Partners, programs of Michigan State University. Dr. Quinn is board certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMT). She has practiced in southeast Iowa since moving to Ottumwa in 2008. She provides care to patients in both inpatient (hospital, skilled care) and outpatient clinic settings. She looks forward to adding nursing home and emergency room care, as well. Dr. Quinn accepts patients of all ages for all types of health conditions, as well as wellness check-ups and Department of Transportation (DOT) and Commercial Driverโs License (CDL) medical exams.
Dr. Quinn has a German Shepherd and Vizsla. She enjoys making silver jewelry, tie dye and flower gardening. She also enjoys reading sci fi and suspense.
Jeffrey Waddell, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C began his career in healthcare in 1994 as an EMT. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas in 2003. After working as an ICU nurse in the Kansas City area, he moved up to hospital administration as a House Supervisor. He returned to PSU in 2008 and began studies to become a family nurse practitioner. In 2011, he earned his Master of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner with a secondary emphasis in nursing education. He practiced in southeast Kansas and the Kansas City area in urgent care, family practice, and bariatric medical and surgical management. He relocated to southeast Iowa in 2012 and worked at the Eddyville Clinic for three years before going to Jefferson County Health Center in 2015. He completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice at Pittsburg State in December, 2017. He published an award-winning article about the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the peer-reviewed journal The Nurse Practitioner in 2017. Jeff will be seeing all age ranges of patients, from birth to geriatrics, and is especially passionate about diabetes and obesity management.
Tyler Kempf, FNP-C, ARNP, is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Tyler cares for all ages. Tyler graduated from Clarkson College with a Masterโs of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner in 2017 and has over 14 years of healthcare experience. Tyler lives in Swisher with his wife, Ashley. He is a member of the Oldsmobile Club of America and enjoys exercising, being outside, working on cars and motorcycles and restoring vintage gas pumps.
Jason Polonsky, PA-C, graduated from the University of Miami in 2002 and completed his trauma fellowship at Emanuel Lewis Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Over the past seventeen years he has provided Emergency Medicine at various locations including the Great River Medical Center and Mercy in Iowa City. Jason is a Civilian Medical Officer for DOD/DOS co-located at Embassies, consulates and Forward Operating bases since 2011.
Emily Helling, PA-C, sees patients from birth to geriatrics and is passionate about Pediatrics, Womenโs Health, and Orthopedics. Emily grew up in Fairfield. She completed her undergraduate education at Iowa State University where she majored in Biology, graduating with highest honors. She completed her post-graduate education at the University of Iowaโs Carver College of Medicine PA Program in 2016. She began her medical career at Jefferson County Health Center where she practiced in Family Medicine. There she gained valuable experience over a broad spectrum of practice areas over the course of the two years she practiced there. Her life outside of work revolves around raising her son, Owen, spending time with her husband, Lucas, and family, and enjoying friends. She enjoys being outdoors, walking with her family, cooking, and traveling.
Our ER Providers
James Trent, MD, is an Emergency Medicine specialist in Sigourney, Iowa. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Utah. He received his medical degree from St. Matthewโs University School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, in 2005, then completed a three-year Family Practice residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Trent has over 15 years of diverse experience, especially in Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Trent married wife Lisa in 1995 and the couple has eight children. He enjoys working in rural and small town environments.
Jessica Webb, DO, was born and raised here in Iowa. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated medical school from Des Moines University. She completed residency at Iowa Lutheran Family Medicine Residency in Des Moines. She is board-certified in Family Medicine and has experience in emergency room and inpatient care, outpatient medicine and newborn nursery. Her professional interests include pediatrics, womenโs health and dermatology. She is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Board of Family Medicine, and the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys being active with her husband and three sons, ages 7, 4 and 2. Her husband, Eric, was also born and raised in Sigourney. Their boys enjoy exploring their grandparentsโ farm every chance they get! If she gets a spare moment, she enjoys triathlon training, baking, and photography.
Rob Baker, PA-C, joined the KCHC Emergency Room staff in August of 2016. He was employed by the University of Iowa Hospital to staff the Rural Health Clinic from 1998 to 2016. During his employment with the U of I, he was also in the Army Reserve where he was mobilized for โOperation Iraqi Freedom Oneโ for 18 months, but spent 12 months in Iraq. His responsibilities and experiences as the Chief Medical Officer assigned to the 389th Combat Engineer Battalion included many traumatic and health care related incidents during the occupation of Iraq. During a naval enlistment from 1983-87, he experienced first hand how rescue operations saved lives, as a search and rescue wet-swimmer attached to the helicopter unit HS-8 assigned to the USS Constellation out of San Diego, CA. He went on to pursue his education in Las Vegas, Nevada, graduating from UNLV in 1993 with a BS in Biological Sciences. Rob then moved his family to Los Angeles, California and graduated from the University of Southern California PA school of medicine in 1996.
Rob and his wife, Cricket, moved to Sigourney with their daughter Tiffany and son Nick. They were attracted by the safe community and quality of education. Rob enjoys trout fishing, football, gardening and spending time with his grandson Sammy.
Our Behavioral Health Services Providers
Stefanie Yearian, MSN, ARNP-BC, provides behavioral health services for the Keokuk County Health Center. Her approach is grounded by a holistic nursing theory that health is a dynamic interaction of the mind, body and soul. She genuinely respects her clients and feels it is a privilege to accompany them on their path to peace and well-being.
Her undergraduate studies include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an emphasis in Genetics from the University of Northern Iowa in 1996 and nursing education from both Indian Hills and Kirkwood community colleges in 1998. Her graduate studies were completed at the University of Iowa for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in 2004. She is board certificated in Child and Adolescent, Family and Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health nursing.
Stefanieโs 20+ years of work experiences are very diverse and include working as a r**e advocate, nurse, and advance practice psychiatric emergency nurse. She has worked with adolescents, adults and veterans. She has also spent time in nursing homes.
Stefanie was raised on a farm outside of Williamsburg, Iowa. She married her high school sweetheart after college and moved to California. They returned to Iowa to start a family. Stefanie understands that balancing home and work can be a challenge but is important. She stays active, reading a good book, trying a new recipe, visiting new restaurants and traveling which all contribute to good times and memories.
Amy Molyneux, LISW, is a licensed independent social worker with over 13 years of experience working with children and families in the school and clinical settings. Amy received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Human Relations from the University of Iowa and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. She will provide a range of counseling services including: small group, individual counseling, consultation, and behavior intervention services.
Amy provides an individualized, strengths-based, collaborative, treatment approach. Treatment modalities and interests include: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Approach, as well as Behavioral Management Strategies, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Amy has been married to her husband, Jared for 18 years. They have 3 sons who are involved in several activities in and out of school. Amy enjoys spending time with her family and being physically active. Her hobbies include attending her boys activities, running, swimming, biking, and kayaking. Amy has worked with KCHC for support to hold Sigourneyโs Super Sprint Triathlon over the past 10 years.
Our Specialists
Cardiology | Spas Kotev, MD, joined Iowa Heart Center's Ottumwa team in the summer of 2014. His interventional and cardiology fellowship was with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. His internal medicine residency was at the John Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kotev went to medical school in Bulgaria at the Medical University Sofia. He is board certified in cardiology, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography and board eligible in interventional cardiology. His specialties include PCIs, peripheral interventions, and structural heart disease.
Cardiology | Ed Melcher, ARNP, a member of the Iowa Heart Center Cardiology Team, has taken over the role of providing cardiology services at KCHC. These services were previously offered by Dr. Benson and Dr. Muellerliele, employees of the University of Iowa Health Care. UIHC discontinued their cardiology outreach services in Sigourney in the fall of 2018, creating a void in Keokuk County.
Ed Melcher, ARNP grew up in southern Iowa and graduated from Ottumwa High School. He completed his nursing education at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City and his Advanced Practice Nursing at University of Iowa in Iowa City. Since his Nurse Practitioner completion, he has been a provider of Cardiology Care at UIHC, Mercy Hospital and Iowa Heart Center. He lives in Iowa City with his wife and two children.
Dermatology | Susie Deo, ARNP, is a certified family nurse practitioner trained to provide care to the entire family. She grew up in rural Sigourney, graduated from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree and Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Graceland University. She received her clinic experience at the Keokuk County Health Center and completed a comprehensive dermatology fellowship under Charles Love, M.D. from Iowa Dermatology in West Des Moines, IA. She currently practices at Radiant Complexions Dermatology in Altoona, IA.
Treatments offered include Botox, Chemical Peels, Eczeman, Hair Loss, Hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), Irregular Pigmentation, Microdermabrasion, Microneedling, Rashes, Psoriases, Rosacea, Skin Cancer Checks. Spider Veins, Warts and Moles.
Dietitian | Cathy Drost, RD, LD, has been the consulting dietitian to KCHC since 2009. She earned her degree from Iowa State University in 1996 and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her experience includes providing diabetes education for almost 20 years, WIC clinics (Women, Infants, Children), and working with older adults. Cathy lives in Oskaloosa with her family. In her free time she enjoys staying active and cooking.
Gynecology | Jeffrey Bittner, MD, GYN, is a Board Certified specialist in womenโs obstetrics and gynecology and has practiced in Ottumwa since 1992. He performs a wide variety of services including contraceptive management, teen and adult gynecology, menopausal transition, pelvic exams, PAP smears, uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence as well as infertility problems and pelvic pain. Complete pregnancy care, including high risk problems are also his specialty.
Podiatry | Bruce Fridinger, DPM, graduated with honors from Dr. William M. Scholl College Of Podiatric Medicine in 1991. Dr. Fridinger has more than 25 years of diverse experiences, especially in podiatry.
Orthopedics | Nathan Nicholson, MD, attended the University of Iowa, earning his Bachelor of Science in Integrative Physiology. He continued his education at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine completing his medical degree with a Research Distinction. This spring he completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Nicholson is experienced in all aspects of orthopedic surgery including joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, rehabilitation and sports medicine.
Rheumatology | Tonia Nerini, ARNP, received her rheumatology training from Dr. Robert Jackson, DO/FACOI, a board-certified rheumatologist licensed in seven states, including Iowa and Missouri. She completed her coursework for rheumatology through the American College of Rheumatology.
Tonia Attended Moberly Area Community College, Chamberlain University, and in 2018 received her Masterโs in Nursing Degree from Maryville University where she graduated second in her class. She has worked in several locations in both Iowa and Missouri. Her other areas of experience include five years of hospice case management & administration, acute and long term care, private facility consultant and also worked as a regulatory facility advisory nurse. She currently resides in Bevier, Missouri. She has two daughters, a dog and enjoys traveling.
