KALONA

Washington County Hospital and Clinics marked the one-year anniversary of its purchase of the Kalona Clinic on May 20 with treats, tours, and a ribbon cutting. Community members from across the county turned out to celebrate the updated clinic’s success.

John Woodward, Major Gifts Development Officer, opened the event by thanking the donors who made purchasing the clinic, formerly owned by Mercy Iowa City and, briefly, UI Health Care, possible. The Washington County Riverboat Foundation was one of those donors, awarding the Washington County Hospital Foundation a $414,285 grant in 2024.

“We could not have purchased this facility without the Riverboat Foundation,” Woodward said. “And I truly mean that without them, this doesn’t exist.”

Claude and Mary Greiner contributed $100,000 toward the project, which Woodward said was used for interior remodeling. CBI Bank & Trust, Ron Stutzman, KCTC, and other donors also made the renewed clinic possible.

“We could not have made this possible without your generous donations and continued support,” Woodward said.

CEO Todd Patterson introduced the primary care providers who staff the Kalona Clinic: Meagan Squires and Dr. James J. Schlichtmann, who practice family medicine, and recent addition Amanda Kleese, who serves the pediatric population.

“The Clinic is going very, very well after a year in operation,” Patterson said. “To give you some idea, we’ve seen just under 5,000 patients so far in our first year. With Amanda’s arrival, that number will probably be increasing significantly.”

Over the last year, WCHC has provided a new roof, HVAC, plumbing and lighting at the clinic; a new parking lot is next on the list of improvements.

“It’s going great,” Patterson concluded. “We feel very welcome in Kalona.”