MCHI now fully staffed with medical providers

Just over four months after stepping into his new role as CEO at Memorial Community Health in Aurora, Justin Wolf said this week he is pleased with the progress made on the staffing front, noting the addition of four new members to MCHI’s team of medical professionals.
“We are excited to have added four new family medicine providers to our medical staff over the span of the last three months,” Wolf said. “Each of them brings additional strengths and experience to our team.”
In his first local interview published in August, Wolf shared in a News-Register report that staffing would be his top priority, citing recent resignations of three primary care providers.
“It’s the recruitment of people,” he said of his primary focus at the time. “That’s it. That’s the strategy.”
Three months later, Wolf reported that a new family doctor, a physician’s assistant and two family nurse practitioners are seeing patients daily, bringing MCHI back to full staff.
“Being fully staffed, we are pleased to offer expanded appointment availability, which we know is welcome news to our community,” he said. “We understand how important it is to be confident in the availability and level of service provided, and are proud to offer care close to home.”
The new medical staff providers join Dr. Mark Jobman, Dr. Jeff Muilenburg, Dr. Scott Johnson. Dr. Mike Sullivan and Whitney Polen, a family nurse practitioner. Sullivan will be retiring at the end of the year, though Wolf said the medical staff is considered complete and fully-staffed with the addition of the four new providers.
“As we look at the variety of care we provide to our community, we are excited to have a well-rounded team to treat illness and provide preventative care across the board,” he said.

New medical staff members
The group of new medical staff members includes Dr. Lisa Mofle, Physician’s Assistant Logan (Ohlson) Mertlik, as well as Family Nurse Practitioners Lindsey Makovicka and Traci Penner.
Mofle joined MCHI in mid-October and began seeing patients on Nov. 1.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to help me with whatever I have needed,” she said. “The people of the community are very warm and friendly. They have made me feel welcomed since I arrived.”
Mofle holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermilion, and completed her doctor of medicine degree at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.  She brings a range of experience in total family care, including preventative care and treatment for acute and chronic illness. Mofle is also experienced and has a special interest in women’s health and pediatrics, and is available for prenatal and postnatal care, lactation support, birth control and menopause management, and many other health and wellness needs.
“Your community has a wonderful facility to provide healthcare services to community members,” she added. “It isn’t often you see a facility of this quality in small communities. I am glad I will have the opportunity to be part of the healthcare team here at Memorial Community Health.” 
Makovicka joined the family medicine staff in September, having lived in Aurora the past 10 years.
“Initially I was really impressed with the small-town feel of the clinic,” Makovicka said. “The facilities are excellent and the nurses are wonderful. Everyone is willing to help out. I feel like the community has really welcomed me to the clinic/hospital.”
Makovicka, a native of nearby Henderson, received a bachelor of arts degree in psychobiology from Hastings College, and received both her bachelor of science in nursing and doctorate of nursing practice, family nurse practitioner degrees through the Creighton University School of Nursing.  She brings a range of experience in family care, including treatment for acute and chronic illness and wellness and preventative care. She is also experienced in infectious disease management and care within the hospital and intensive care unit settings.
“It has been really fun to see people I know and meet new people,” she added. “I am excited to provide care here in Aurora.”
Mertlik’s first day on the job here was Sept. 19. A native of Aurora, she is familiar with the community and said she is adjusting quickly to her new role.
“The entire staff was very welcoming and helpful with navigating the computer system, clinic and hospital,” she said. “There is a great sense of community within the hospital, very similar to that of the town.”
Mertlik received her bachelor of biological sciences degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and master of science in physician assistant studies from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha. She specializes in the field of family care and has experience working in a wide variety of medical disciplines in both hospital and clinical settings, including orthopedics, dermatology, and emergency medicine. 
“It is really cool to be a provider in the place that I came and got my own school physicals done as a kid,” she added.
Penner is the latest addition to the medical team, beginning her tenure as a family nurse practitioner on Nov. 14.
“MCHI’s staff and community has been overwhelmingly gracious and inviting,” she said of her initial impressions. “Aurora is so lucky to have access to an all-in-one healthcare facility.”
Penner, a native of Verdigre who now lives in McCool Junction, received her associate degree in nursing from Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, her bachelor of science in nursing from Western Governors University and her master of science in nursing, family nurse practitioner degree through Creighton University. She is experienced in a broad range of total family care, including the treatment of acute and chronic illness, and wellness and preventative care. She is also experienced in interventional radiology assessment and management as well as urgent care, emergency and trauma care, and air flight care.  
“Starting at MCHI has felt like coming home,” Penner concluded. “What a wonderful work experience.”
All four new providers are available for appointments and are accepting new patients now. More information can be found online at www.memorialcommunityhealth/health-clinics.