ATKINS – It’s been a lifetime dream for Stephanie Vogeler and Deann (McNulty) Cariveau to work in their hometown of Atkins. And now the Benton County natives will have that opportunity beginning this August.
Ms. Vogeler, a trained and licensed Family Practice Physician Assistant, and Ms. Cariveau, a Pharmacist, will be providing medical care at the new Atkins Family Medical Clinic and Atkins Family Pharmacy, 401 Cardinal Ave. Ms. Vogeler, a native of Atkins and Newhall, and Ms. Cariveau, a native of the Watkins/Newhall area, will be joining Virginia Gay Hospital in their efforts to improve access to health care in Benton County.
“Operating a clinic is a big decision, especially during times of economic turmoil like we are witnessing now,” said Michael J. Riege, administrator for Virginia Gay Hospital. “But partnering with a growing, progressive community such as Atkins made the decision much easier. In times like these, it is good both for the community and for us to know it has a partner it can rely on.”
Ms. Vogeler has worked in health care for more than 30 years, providing her services as a physician assistant at St. Luke’s Corridor Family Medicine in Cedar Rapids since 2002. Atkins Family Medical Clinic will begin scheduling patients starting in July. To set up an appointment, call the clinic at (319) 446-7800.
Pharmacist Lori Gerhold, of Atkins, will be joining Ms. Cariveau in the pharmacy and can be reached at (319) 446-6231 for medication needs. The Atkins Family Pharmacy will open on August 13th, 2012.
An open house will be held Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and patients can begin seeing Stephanie Vogeler in Atkins on Monday, Aug. 20th. Hours of operation for both the clinic and pharmacy will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to create the best-rounded experience for each patient in my hometown of Atkins,” said Vogeler. “Our clinic will provide general care for all ages as well as providing multiple procedures to create a complete health care solution.”
A full-service physical therapy and occupational therapy department will be located at the Atkins Family Medical Clinic as well. The therapy department will have flexible hours to assist the needs of its patients.
A new clinic in Atkins means new jobs in the community, as well as medical care close to home.This opening validates Virginia Gay Hospital’s commitment to provide the highest quality of health care to the communities of Benton County.
“What we bring to Atkins is what we have brought to the communities of Vinton, Van Horne, and Urbana: decades of care which the people could count on,” said Riege. “We look forward to the same type of relationship with the people of Atkins for years to come.”
