T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — Looking north, shown is the UnityPoint Health Conrad Clinic currently under construction near the east edge of town.

CONRAD — At a time when small rural towns in Iowa face uncertainty about the availability of quality health care, residents in Conrad — population 1,100 — can take pride in the construction of a new 5,500 square-foot medical clinic.

Business and community leaders in Conrad — known for its annual “Black Dirt Days” — and UnityPoint Health (UPH) officials were on hand in April for a ribbon-cutting on site in the 200 block of North Hartwig St.

The new clinic — being built by Edge Commercial of Grimes — will replace a smaller one in the 100 block of North Church St. which has served the town and area for many years.

Shelley Boldt — regional director for clinic operations for UPH-Waterloo, said in an email to the T-R earlier this week that construction is expected to be complete in October. The estimated opening date to serve patients is Nov. 17.

“We at UPH are continuing to invest in our rural health clinics so our patients can receive their health care locally” she said. “The new clinic will offer larger and more modern areas designed to better serve the community’s growing healthcare needs. Importantly it will have new x-ray equipment to perform imaging services onsite.

Mayor Jeff Martin told the T-R in a telephone interview Thursday that he and other residents are especially pleased that the UPH-Conrad clinic staff will have a new facility with expanded parking.

“The staff have served the Conrad area professionally and conscientiously,” he said. “Many residents like me have gone to the existing clinic for health care needs for many years. The new clinic is part of Conrad’s progressive path forward. Additionally, there are new town homes being built as well as a new Dollar General store.”

Martin is in his 12th year as mayor and is on the ballot this November.

“The new clinic is being built on land Conrad donated,” said Boldt. “UPH is investing a majority of the funds for the project but is seeking additional community support to bring the vision to life. A campaign has been launched to raise $1-million in private contributions over the next five years. These funds will support construction, allow for the third full-time provider and provide new medical equipment and furnishings. Consistent with our strategy to provide the best possible patient experience, UnityPoint Health knows the importance of keeping care close to home whenever possible.”

The new clinic will consist of 11 team members, Boldt said, including the same three providers it has now — Steve Scurr, DO; Tim Cooper, PA-C; and Abbie Sharp, ARNP. Other team members will be Ronda Neher, RN; Jayde Miller, RN; Kellie Wilson, CMA; Brittany Read, CMA; Allison Lenehan, radiologic technologist, Micah Gorder, CMA; Abby Smith, experience specialist; and Crystal Anderson, clinic administrator.

“Conrad has always been progressive,” said Heather Wilson, Conrad Chamber Main Street director. “The new clinic will have more staff and more facilities compared to the existing clinic. The new clinic is a major-positive for not only Conrad but for the residents in the surrounding area that travel here for health care needs.”

UPH has a network of 20 regional hospitals, 19 community network hospitals and more than 400 clinics and home care services at locations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Conrad Clinic hours are 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F. Closed Saturday and Sunday. The telephone number is 641-366-2123, or visit unitypoint.org.