Dr. John Swords Accepting New Patients
Dr. John Swords joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital team in November, seeing patients at the Waukon Clinic. He is available to see patients of all ages at the Waukon Clinic and even though his practice is quickly growing, he is accepting new patients.
“With the addition of two new family practice nurse practitioners, Hannah Kelly, NP and Mason Kerian, NP, as well as Dr. Swords, we have a great selection of providers for our patients to choose from with much quicker access to them as well,” states Laura Baxter, Chief Clinical Officer. “If our patients truly want to see a medical doctor, it is so nice to have a physician option again for new patients. Dr. Schwartz has a very full practice, so having another full-time physician available in our clinic has been a real plus.”
Dr. Swords is a graduate of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a family practice physician with the Palmetto Primary Care Physicians clinics in South Carolina before moving to Waukon for this position. Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Swords devoted his career to the United States Army.
“I have always liked the Midwest. I went to medical school in Kansas City and spent time in Joplin, MO, as well and really enjoyed it. I just love the wide-open spaces,” explains Dr. Swords. “I am especially drawn to that feeling of warmth and the easy-going atmosphere of the people in the Midwest. You can just feel that all around you. I am also excited to live in a small town again. Waukon and Allamakee County are not only beautiful, but the small-town feel is everywhere. Everyone knows one another and truly cared for one another. That was obvious to me and my family when we came through on our tour.”
Dr. Swords enjoys caring for patients of all ages, but has a few areas of special interest.
“I have a particular love for taking care of my older adults. I believe that annual physical exams or annual wellness visits are essential in catching disease processes early in order to initiate treatment for improved outcomes,” he explains. “I will also be working closely with my colleagues at VMH to start a new program for medically assisted treatment. Substance use disorder (SUD) is not something that only returning Soldiers with PTSD contend with regularly. SUD is rampant in our civilian society and I hope to use everything I’ve learned about this illness to help my patients fully recover and live a self-directed life.”
Patients are invited to call the Waukon Clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Swords at 563-568-5530.
