New urologist starts at WCHC

WASHINGTON — A new urologist has started holding regular hours once a week at Washington County Hospital and Clinics. High-ups say Dr. Margaret Ekroth will split her time between Washington and other communities nearby.

The urologist will offer a variety of services that patients would otherwise need a trip to Iowa City or Cedar Rapids to address, according to WCHC CEO Todd Patterson. The list includes a variety of cancer screenings, diagnosis and treatment of prostate conditions, and urinary tract infection management.

Ekroth will not only offer clinical intervention, she’ll also operate as a surgeon, roughly twice a month.

“For our primary care physicians to have somebody local, somebody that they can refer to who’s closer in proximity … it makes a big difference,” Patterson said. “And, this wasn’t a major driver, but it does allow us a new revenue stream within the hospital. It’s just another thing we can use to help kind of reinvest in our hospital, expand our services over time.”

The doctor-sharing agreement was coordinated through the group Physicians' Clinic of Iowa, a private specialty medical group that offers inpatient and surgical care around Eastern Iowa.

Patterson said similar arrangements were not uncommon for WCHC. The clinics also share some specialists with the University of Iowa.

“They’re coming down periodically to meet certain levels of demand,” he said. “Obviously, they’re very expensive and we want them to be busy while they’re here, so we try and line up the supply and the demand. This arrangement allows us to do that.”

Ekroth will not provide drug tests in Washington, according to Patterson. He said the common screening practice for some employers required a specialized setup that WCHC doesn’t currently have.

Still, Patterson said he hoped to expand urology services at WCHC in the future.

“I think it’s going to be great for the community, we’re really looking forward to providing it,” he said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com