Our Family caring for your Family!

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
   

Sue McMillan

Sue McMillan, ARNP, is one of the two new providers in the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.  She began her career as a nurse at Veterans Memorial Hospital and soon became aware of the shortage and need for health care providers in rural areas.  She was fortunate to work for a general surgeon who encouraged her to become a Nurse Practitioner.  Sue then completed her Masters of Science degree from the University of Iowa and became a registered nurse practitioner.  She provided clinical care at Prairie Medical Ltd. in Prairie du Chien for 10 years, then transferred to the Gundersen Health Calmar Clinic for five years and most recently completed another six years at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie due Chien.

Schools and Degrees

• Mt. Mercy University - B.S. Nursing
• University of Iowa School of Medicine - Masters of Nursing, N.P.
• Mayo School of Health Related Science, Post Master’s Certification

Halie Ruff

Halie Ruff, ARNP, is from the rural Monona area.  She began her nursing career at Unity Point Health in Bettendorf where she worked as an ICU and Home Health RN.  She later transferred to the University of Iowa where she worked as an RN in the trauma unit. Her next position was with Gundersen Health where she worked as an RN in the ER and later as a nurse practitioner.

She enjoys the variety from pediatrics to geriatrics and is happy to care for those in the communities  she lives in and around. Halie enjoys educating her patients on preventative medicine and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Schools and Degrees

• Allen College - B.S. Nursing
• Chamberlain College of Nursing, Chicago, IL - Masters Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner 

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