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
   

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

Alex Berns

Alex Berns, ARNP, is from the Postville area.  He began his nursing career at Veterans Meorial Hospital, first as a C.N.A., then an RN.  He left the facility to branch out and gain experience in Hospice, Emergency Care, the ICU in Rochester and general inpatient care, while furthering his education.  He has now returned to VMH as a clinic a Nurse Practitioner and clinic provider.

Alex cares for youth and adults of all ages.  He always knew he wanted to return home to care for those in this area and to raise his children in this great community.  He is excited to care for those in all walks of life and getting to care for a verity of individuals in the area.

Schools and Degrees

• NICC - RN
• Clarke University - Doctorate Family Nurse Practitioner