Marshalltown Orthopedics to close

A Marshalltown orthopedics business which employed a surgeon who is facing allegations of improper care will close May 31.

Marshalltown Orthopedics PC informed callers of the closing via recorded message.

The surgeon in question -- Dr. Margaret J. Fehrle -- is alleged to have violated laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa when she failed to provide appropriate orthopedic surgical care to 16 patients in Marshalltown and two in Vinton between 2008 and 2015, according to the Iowa Medical Board.

Efforts to reach Fehrle -- or another doctor affiliated with the practice, Dr. Douglas Cooper, were unsuccessful as of press time.

A Des Moines attorney -- Connie L. Diekema -- who is representing Fehrle before the Iowa Medical Board -- told the Times-Republican Thursday she could not comment on why Marshalltown Orthopedics was closing.

State Medical Board vs. Fehrle

In March, the Iowa Medical Board listed a statement of charges.

In the charges outlined, the board cited 18 examples of patients, ranging in age from 42 to 90, who endured complications related to procedures performed by Fehrle.

In some cases, the board alleged that some surgeries should never have taken place because those patients were "poor" candidates because of other medical conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, etc. Other patients allegedly suffered serious wound infections, while in other cases, the board noted that surgical and post-surgical procedures were not properly followed.

A contested hearing for Fehrle is scheduled Sept. 19, 20 and 21, according to the Iowa Medical Board.

It was originally scheduled for May, but was continued, according to Mark Bowden executive director of the Iowa Medical Board.

Fehrle attorney response

Connie Diekema answered the allegations with this statement in March shortly after the Iowa Medical Board issued its press release:

"We are disappointed the Iowa Board of Medicine chose to file charges against Dr. Fehrle." she said. "Unfortunately, the mere fact charges have been filed against her tarnishes her reputation. Dr. Fehrle was not given ample time to complete a defense

to the allegations before charges were filed. The Iowa Board of Medicine did not obtain Dr. Fehrle's office records in order to ensure they had all the facts, but it appears that two of the cases cited were conducted in Vinton. We are aware of evidence that disproves some of the charges based on a preliminary review completed to date. She has a busy practice based on referrals provided by the physicians who know her best. The reality is that Dr. Fehrle is a well-respected orthopedic surgeon."

Vinton hospital response

Shortly after the Medical Board press release, Vinton's Virginia Gay Hospital issued the following statement:

"The Virginia Gay medical community reviewed these adverse outcomes in a special interdisciplinary meeting of our medical staff. Present at the meeting were the physicians, representatives of nursing staff and therapy services, our safety director,

and administration. We concluded that the orthopedic surgery program remained a safe and effective program for our patients.

We cannot ignore these allegations and the uncomfortable position it causes for patients and clinic providers. With these circumstances in mind, and in consultation with Dr. Fehrle, she will be on administrative leave until resolution of these issues.

After conclusions are reached based on all the facts, we will make a decision about the future relationship with Dr. Fehrle."

One medical provider website listed the business as a group practice with one location, 312 E. Main St., Suite 2400, Marshalltown, in a building housing a variety of medical providers.

Two major health care providers in Marshalltown did not know the reasons why Marshalltown Orthopedics is closing.

"I have no information regarding this practice as they are an independent practice not associated with UnityPoint Health," said Regional Marketing Communications Director Laura Rainey. McFarland Clinic Marketing and Public Relations Director Shelley Goecke said Marshalltown Orthopedics was not affiliated with McFarland Clinic.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com