Providers

Dana R. Brecount, DO

Dr. Brecount is a Family Practice physician that treats patients of all ages. She offers women’s health, pediatrics and osteopathic manipulative. She grew up in Houghton area and is happy to be caring for the community.

Mindy P. Danielson, ARNP

Mindy sees patients of all ages for wellness and acute visits. She is a Certified DOT Examiner. Mindy’s interest lies in obesity management and teen anxiety and depression.

Augusta Hamaker, PA-C

Augusta Hamaker, PA-C, will see patients of all ages as a Family Medicine PA. She graduated in December 2023 with a master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

Prior to attending PA school, Augusta attended Iowa State University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. While at Iowa State she participated in research studying alternative treatments for Parkinson’s disease with the highly intelligent neuroscientist, Elizabeth Stegemöller, Ph.D.

Augusta was raised in Bloomfield on a family farm and continues to reside there. She looks forward to getting back to her roots and taking care of patients in the surrounding rural areas. 

Dianne Knapp, ARNP

Dianne received her Masters in Nursing from Clarkson College in Omaha NE.  She has been a family nurse practitioner for the past 24 years.  She and her husband farm in Davis County and love the rural environment as their home.  She provides care for all ages.  She is certified as a DOT Examiner.  While family practice provides care for a wide variety of health care, she has a special interest in diabetic care.

Seaira M. Thornsberry, ARNP

Seaira received her RN from Iowa Lakes University then went on to get her Masters through Walden University. She worked as an RN at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics  and Ottumwa Regional Health Center. Seaira completed her practicum at Van Buren County Hospital and Clinic with Mindy Danielson, NP so she is no stranger to VBCH. She started with Van Buren County Medical Clinics in November 2021. Seaira sees patients of all ages. She is currently at the Keosauqua Clinic.

Norman Wall, D.O.

Dr. Norman Wall has over 20 years of providing care for the elderly and vulnerable populations in a multitude of settings; providing high-quality care by applying clinical and administrative knowledge. Dr. Wall is a diligent and patient-focused leader with substantial experience in Hospital Medicine, SNF, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memory Care, Geropsychiatry as well as Hospice and Palliative Care.  Dr. Wall is fellowship trained in Nephrology and Geriatric Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Addiction Medicine, and Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Wall practices in the Keosauqua and Farmington Clinics. He primarily serves patients 55+ and will specialize in assisting those with multiple complex medical conditions.

Dr. Wall is originally from the Des Moines area, but has previously practiced in both California and Louisiana before deciding to land back in Southeast Iowa. Dr. Wall has a passion for continued learning and professional development to enhance his skills and ability to care for an aging population with varying chronic conditions.

Kyla I. Yates, ARNP

Kyla joined the VBCH team December 2020 as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she worked at the local nursing home as a Nurse Manager completing the MDS for Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Reimbursement for almost 9 years, so she has worked with Van Buren County Residents and families for over 10 years. She started as  CNA in 2001, obtained her Associate's Degree in 2008 and worked at Blessing Hospital on the Med/Surg units until moving back to Clark County. Kyla was also a traveling nurse for some bigger hospitals in Galesburg and Peoria, Illinois. This allowed her to see so many different diagnosis and cultures along with making friends with some amazing people that she still keep in touch with. When offered the job at Keosauqua Health Care Center (formerly Good Samaritan Society) in 2012, she decided that it would be nice to sleep in her own bed every night. 

When Kyla is not at work, she enjoys outside activities with her husband, Rowdy and son, Preston. They live in rural Clark County, Missouri where they have cows and horses. She would ride her horses every day if time and weather allowed. Also, the Yates' are big St. Louis Cardinals fans! Kyla also loves Harry Potter and Grey's Anatomy! 

She is able to see patients from birth far into retirement and is certified to complete DOT physicals. "I have not found my exact niche' as far as a Nurse Practitioner, so right now I love seeing anyone and everyone". 

William B. Felegi, DO

Dr. Felegi started at Van Buren County Hospital in March of 2018 as an Emergency Room provider, Emergency Room medical director and Ambulance Medical Director. Prior to coming to VBCH, Dr. Felegi was an attending Emergency Room physician and a former Chair & Vice Chair of Emergency Medicine in New Jersey. He has been practicing Emergency Medicine for 25 years and is board-certified. He has an extensive list of professional positions held as well as numerous publications and presentations. Please see attached CV.

Dr. Felegi continues to serve as an examiner at the American board of Emergency Medicine Oral certification examination in Chicago indicating his vast experience and knowledge Emergency Medicine. During his tenure at VBCH, has served as a physician champion for quality and process improvement. Most recently, has been appointed to the administrative team providing valuable physician input into operational and strategic decision-making.

David H. Lane, DMS, PA-C

David Lane, PA-C, joined the VBCH staff in January 2020 as a Emergency Medicine PA. He has a Doctorate of Medical Science (DMS) and is certified in Emergency Medicine (CAQ-EM), completing his Emergency Medicine residency at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He currently serves as the Lead Advanced Care Practitioner.

He first discovered VBCH while filling in for the department during residency, absolutely falling in love with the excellent Emergency Department team and the approach that VBCH takes with it's patients, with their health and wellbeing top priority. He is passionate about medical education and has given national lectures through conferences and Emergency Medicine: Review and Perspectives, published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, and author of residency educational material through Foundations of Emergency Medicine. 

David originally began his healthcare career as an registered nurse in Heart and Lung Transplant ICU and certified as a critical care nurse. He furthered his education in nurse anesthesia and then obtained his Master in Health Science PA studies at South College in Knoxville, TN. 

He joined the US Navy in January of 2015, stationed in Family Medicine at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. He deployed as the medical officer for 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion to Uganda, Senegal, and Mauritania during theater security cooperation missions. He also has served on the UNSN Comfort hospital ship during Hurricane Maria relief to Puerto Rico. 

When not working, David enjoys spending time with wife and daughter in their home in North Liberty, IA. He especially enjoys rock climbing (though Iowa geography has limited this hobby), snow skiing, and is starting to take up fencing. 

Wesley Lyons, PA-C

Wesley Lyons is a PA-C that will be working in the ER and providing coverage in the hospital as well. Wes was born and raised in the small town of Vinton, IA. He attended his undergraduate at Drake University in Des Moines. He then went on to George Washington University in Washington, DC to pursue a Master's in Public Health. After completing his MPH, Wes returned to Iowa to attend the PA program at University of Iowa, where he graduated in 2019. He returned to his hometown to practice in the ER and hospital after graduation. He also practices in the ER at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Wes enjoys practice in critical access hospitals because it provides the ability to give care to people who would have difficulty accessing healthcare without their small hospital. Wes lives in the Iowa City area with his husband Adam, their dog Sadie, and their cat Sal. Wes is looking forward to providing care to and getting to know the patients at VBCH as he joins the hospital staff.

Jessica Oranika, NP

Jessica received her BSN from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. She began her career as a Trauma ICU RN. Jessica received her MSN with a focus in primary care at Lincoln Memorial University then had additional training in Acute and Critical care at Northern Kentucky University. She has been practicing critical care in different capacities since 2017 both in the ICU/ER setting and in the prehospital setting as a first responder and flight nurse. Jessica's hobbies include reading, weight training and traveling. She has a special interest in pulmonary, sleep medicine and advanced procedures.

Kristina L. Payne, ARNP

Kristina received her Masters of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from Troy University.  She comes to Van Buren County Hospital & Clinics from Fort Benning, GA, with her Veteran husband and four dogs.  Kristina and her husband spend most of their free time enjoying the great outdoors.  Kristina is looking forward to providing exceptional care and education to the residents of Van Buren County and surrounding communities.

Carrie Smithart, PA

Carrie Smithart has over 20 years of healthcare experience.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with her degree in Physician Assistant Studies.  Carrie is excited to come back home to Van Buren County Hospital where she started her PA career in 2003 in Family Practice as well as in the Emergency Department.  For the last 10 + years, she has been working at Ottumwa Regional Medical Center as an Emergency Department provider. Carrie recently decided to join the hospitalist team here at Van Buren County Hospital.  She is excited to learn a new aspect of healthcare, managing those that need inpatient care.  She is looking forward to this new adventure and being able to give back to her home community.  Carrie loves to spend time at home with her family, sitting outdoors, and reading.

SJ Merritt

SJ is an Iowa City native that specializes in critical access medicine. Before becoming a nurse practitioner, SJ completed an undergraduate degree in Spanish from Clarke University in Dubuque and hopes to use the knowledge to win on Jeopardy. In addition to work at critical access hospitals in the state of Iowa, she volunteers at free medical clinics providing care to the uninsured and underinsured. SJ enjoys rugby and playing viola in the community orchestra. She lives in Iowa City with her husband, their two boys, and a grey cat named Charlie.

Matt Bednarchik, DNP, CRNA, ARNP, NSPM-C

My name is Dr. Matt Bednarchik, I began my career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in 2012 after graduating from  southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and obtaining board certification as a CRNA. I started my practice administering anesthesia at St. John's Hospital, a large Level 1 Trauma/Women and Children's Center in Springfield, Illinois. In 2014, I transitioned to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois. I 2015, I founded the Center for Pain Management at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital with a colleague Physician Anesthesiologist. The Center for Pain Management is a full-service pain clinic offering medicine management for chronic pain, spinal injections, join injections, migraine management (including Botox injections for migraines), lidocaine infusions for fibromyalgia, trigger point injections and nerve blocks to treat chronic pain conditions.

I completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2021 at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Additionally, I finished an Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida and obtained additional board certification in Nonsurgical Pain Management (NSPM-C) in 2021, becoming double board certified as a CRNA. The NSPM-C subspecialty board certification is a voluntary program for CRNAs who have demonstrated distinctive knowledge and a specific skill set in the subspecialty practice of chronic pain management outside of the operating room.

In 2018, I joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and continue there as a part-time professor and clinical coordinator, mentoring future CRNAs in Anesthesia and Acute/Chronic Pain Management.

Jennifer K. Berge, MD

Dr. Jennifer Berge is an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat) Specialist who sees patients at our Keosauqua Clinic on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

Dr. Berge performs special procedures at Van Buren County Hospital, including endoscopic sinus, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Derek Breder, MD

Since 1950, Steindler Orthopedic Clinic has remained the experienced leader in providing exceptional orthopedic care to patients suffering from bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions.

Dr. Breder is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treatment and joint replacement for the hip, knee, and shoulder. He performs arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery, in addition to treating hand injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. He joined Steindler Orthopedic Clinic in 2020.

He received his undergraduate degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Iowa. Dr. Breder continued his education in Iowa and attended the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for his medical degree. He then went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Kansas Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Kansas City, Kansas.

When he’s not seeing patients, Dr. Breder enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, boating, snowboarding, and woodworking.

Steindler Orthopedic Clinic see patients in our Community Center (building to the north of the hospital) every Monday. Please call (319) 338-3606 or toll free (800) 373 6417 to make an appointment.

Brian Darling

Dr. Brian Darling, or Dr. Brian as patients call him, is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist who loves his job of providing fun and stress-free dental care to children and people with special needs. Born and raised in Iowa, Dr. Brian grew up in Toledo, IA and graduated valedictorian from South Tama County High School. Next, he went to Luther College and played Division III football. He attended the University of Iowa College of Dentistry to earn his dental degree. Because of his love in working with children, he went on to complete a two-year pediatric dental residency in Rhode Island, during which time he was named as Chief Resident. In becoming Board-Certified, the highest level of certification in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Brian was recognized with the Richard C. Pugh Award for having one of the highest exam scores in the country. With a dedication to caring for vulnerable and underserved populations, he began his career in public health and created the pediatric dental program at a federally qualified health center in southern Missouri. He also treated children at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, one of the best children’s hospitals in the country, where he had the privilege of caring for children with special needs and complex medical conditions. After four years of practicing in Missouri, Dr. Brian decided it was time for his family to put their roots down back in Iowa, so he and his wife decided Ottumwa would be the perfect place to do that. Dr. Brian enjoys spending time with his amazing wife Alyssa, son Roy, and extended family. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, boating, and hunting.

Libby Dassow, PA-C

Libby joined VBCH as a rheumatology provider in October 2023. She has been a rheumatology PA since 2020 and has clinics in Fairfield, Washington, and Sigourney. Prior to becoming a PA, Libby was an occupational therapist.

Libby is originally from Cedar Falls, Iowa but has strong roots in the Jefferson County area. She moved to Fairfield in 2022 from the Quad Cities.

Libby enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, gardening, tending to her chickens, and being outdoors.

Mitchell Gibbons, MD

Dr. Gibbons is a native Missourian who completed medical training at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and is currently in the final stages of a Dermatology residency at the University of Iowa.  He takes interest in a myriad of skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and autoimmune connective tissue disease.  Beyond the clinic, he enthusiastically supports Chiefs football and enjoys weightlifting and reading. Dedicated to family, he enjoys spending time with his wife, a devoted pediatrician.

Deborah AK. Holte, DPM

Deborah Holte, DPM has been practicing family-focused podiatry since 1993 in Northeast Missouri. Dr. Holte sees patients in the Keosauqua Clinic on the first Friday and fourth Wednesday each month. As a podiatrist, Dr. Holte may treat bunions, calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs or foot deformities.

Robert W. Jackson, DO

Dr. Robert Jackson, D.O., a Rheumatologist from Kirksville, MO is holding Rheumatology Clinics at VBCH.

Dr. Jackson is seeing patients in the Keosauqua Clinic and will treat for the following conditions: osteoarthritis, plantar fascitis, rotor cuff syndrome, arthritis and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, and fibromyalgia.

Mohammad Jarbou

Mohammad Jarbou, MD earned his medical degree from Damascus University Medical School in Syria. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Missouri in Columbia and his fellowship in pulmonary-critical care at Washington University in St. Louis.

He is board certified in pulmonary, internal, critical care and sleep medicine as well as clinical informatics.

He offers treatments for many respiratory diseases and illnesses including: COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, lung lesions and more.

Tim J. Miller, MD

Dr. Tim Miller, M.D. is an anesthesiologist specializing in chronic pain management and pain procedures.

Dr. Miller sees patients for Pain Management at the Keosauqua Clinic on the second and fourth Friday of each month. He can perform spinal/epidural steroid injections, facet blocks, bursa injections, discogram and occipital nerve blocks — just to name a few! Medicine management for chronic pain is an area of expertise for Dr. Miller.

Gregory K. Moore, AU, AID

Dr. Gregory K. Moore, AU, AUD is a licensed audiologist, has a BA in Speech Pathology and Psychology and a master's degree in Audiology from the University of Iowa. He has practiced as an audiologist since 1976 and has years of experience testing and fitting hearing aids.

Dr. Moore provides services in the prevention, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing and balance disorders for people of all ages. Dr. Moore holds a clinic in Keosauqua on the first Friday of each month.

Robert E. Remis, MD

Dr. Remis, MD is a Urology Specialist from Columbia, MO. He is seeing patients on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, at the Keosauqua Clinic.

 Dr. Remis will be performing a number of surgeries at VBCH including: Cystoscopies, Vasectomies, Prostate, Urethral and Bladder.

Please call 319-293-8731to schedule your appointment.

Ryan J. Roe, DO

Dr. Ryan Roe, DO was born and raised in Keosauqua and has 20 years of general and trauma surgery experience. He comes to us from Mercy in Des Moines and has access to a multitude of services.

Dr. Roe specializes in symptoms such as abdominal pain, heartburn, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, difficulty swallowing, gallbladder disease, hernias, appendicitis, bowl obstruction, rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits and certain cancers.

At VBCH he offers upper endoscopy, colonoscopy with polyp removal, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair, laparoscopy, hemorrhoidectomy, and lumps/bumps biopsies. He also offers minimally invasive robotics at Mercy if needed.

Dr. Roe provides clinic consultations at the Keosauqua Clinic, every Thursday.

Blake Vest, MD

Blake Vest grew up in southern Illinois near St. Louis and is one of six siblings. He attended Saint Louis University for college and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for medical school. He is currently in his final year of dermatology residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Next year, he will complete a fellowship in dermatopathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In his free time, he enjoys walking his dog, Milo.