Mercy Clinic: Opened in early 2017
Well-known physicians open a family practice clinic
A new family practice clinic with two well-known local physicians leading the medical team opened in Fort Dodge in early 2017.
The new clinic is affiliated with Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
While the Mercy name is new, Dr. John Birkett and Dr. Alan Nguyen are no strangers to Fort Dodge. Both of them practiced for decades at the UnityPoint Health family medicine clinic at 1428 Second Ave. N. Birkett has been practicing medicine since 1976, while Nguyen has been practicing since 1995.
“We’re excited and proud to be in that community,” said Sharon Phillips, vice president of operations for Mercy Clinics.
“We have been so excited to partner with some high quality physicians,” she added.
The clinic at 119 Ave. O West opened Jan. 9, 2017.
It has a staff of 16 people. In addition to Birkett and Nguyen, the care team includes two advanced registered nurse pracitioners, Jennifer Vought and Tricia Widlund.
The facility features eight patient exam rooms, an osteopathic manipulative treatment room, a procedure room and a laboratory.
However, the clinic won’t be in that building for the long term, according to Phillips.
“It is short-term,” she said. “Our intention is not to stay there.”
She said the Fort Dodge clinic is now on Mercy’s list of sites identified for future upgrades. But the clinic won’t be moving anytime soon. Phillips said during 2018, the staff will identify what additional services might be provided, with the goal of implementing them in about 18 months.