Our Family caring for your Family!

Tara Fink

Tara Fink is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides behavioral health care at both the Waukon and Postville Clinics.  She has a passion for mental health care and the great need in these underserved communities in northeast Iowa. Tara also strives to reduce the stigma and indifference associated with behavioral health.

Tara also has a passion for Holistic & Integrative Mental Health Care, Improvement in psychological resilience, improved culture of acceptance, and barrier reductions.

Tara worked in Waterloo at Black Hawk Grundy Mental Health Center in an Integrated Health Home for six years, while finishing her masters degree.

Schools and Degrees

• NICC - RN 
• Allen College of Nursing -  Masters Degree
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Katy Maker

Katy Maker is both a Nurse Midwife and a Nurse Practitioner, allowing her to care for maternity patients throughout their pregnancy, including delivery, and following, throughout their lifetime.  She has over 30 years of experience as a nurse midwife and has assisted in nearly 2000 deliveries.  She is also proficient in water births.

Katy is from the Decorah area and has shared her talents at many facilities, but has always preferred the rural practice where families have access to quality care and do not have to travel to have their babies.  She has worked with her colleagues here at VMH for many years and is confident with and trusts all of them.  She cares for patients at both the Waukon and Postville Clinics. 

Schools and Degrees

• Luther College - BA, Nursing
• University of Minnesota School of Nursing Master’s Program - Nurse Midwife
• Graceland University - Nurse Practitioner
   

Dr. Dave Schwartz

Dr. Dave Schwartz is the medical physician provider in the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.  He has been serving this community since 1995  when he began his employment with Mayo Waukon Clinic and Veterans Memorial Hospital.  He sees patients in the clinic as well as the hospital, and especially enjoys Maternity Services.  Dr. Schwartz was awarded the Iowa Hospital Association Hospital Hero Award in October, 2017, for his dedication to rural health care and obstetrics.

Schools and Degrees

• Northeast Missouri State University - B.S. Science
• University of Iowa School of Medicine - M.D.
• Mayo Family Practice Residency - La Crosse , WI
   

Dr. Kristina Thompson

Podiatrist Dr. Kristina Thompson, originally of Monona, is available every Monday and Wednesday in Waukon consulting and treating patients and even providing minor surgical procedures.  She is also a wound care specialist and diabetes educator. She chose to specialize in foot health because she developed an interest in the treatment of diabetes and wanted to help prevent diabetes related complications.  From there, she zoned in on clinical podiatry with an emphasis in wound care of the lower extremity.

Dr. Thomson is available to care for patients of all ages.   She works collaboratively with Dr. Greg Valkosky of Gundersen Health who also visits Waukon seeing patients in the Gundersen Waukon Clinic and performing podiatry surgical procedures at VMH.

Schools and Degrees

• University of Northern Iowa-Biology and Chemistry
• Des Moines University-Podiatric Medicine
• SSM DePaul Health  Residency-St. Louis, MO