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Winthrop Clinic welcomed to areaIt was a whirlwind of activity that took place within the span of about three months, but the Winthrop Area Clinic opened on time December 3, 2007 to the enthusiasm of residents from Winthrop and the surrounding communities. The clinic is open five days a week and is staffed with four physicians and a nurse practitioner all working the same hours each week, which has been part of the appeal for patients. The timing of the opening – at the beginning of the cold and flu season – couldn't have been better. "We have exceeded our expectations for the first three months at the Winthrop Area Clinic," said Director of Clinic Operations Jeff Messenger. "We didn't plan to have our appointment slots filled to capacity as soon as we opened. That's a lot to ask for in a new clinic. However, we have surpassed the volume we thought we'd have in the beginning stages and the numbers have steadily grown as area community members get to know us better and all that the clinic has to offer." The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Monday. The onsite lab and digital x-ray capabilities have been a huge benefit to area patients, Messenger said. The patient population has ranged from young to old and appointments from regular office check-ups to nagging coughs to broken thumbs. In one instance, all these were in one family. Theresa Stimpert, a Winthrop resident, has taken three of her four children to the clinic within the first two months it was open. Her husband and one of her sons are the only ones to not have to visit the clinic as a patient during that time. "It has been an extremely unusual couple of months for us – we don't usually go the doctor this many times in one year," Stimpert laughed. Her youngest son, Andrew, had his five-year check up with Dr. Stephen Gilles, who the Stimperts have decided upon as their new family practitioner. Then, her 12-year-old son Jonathan was the first to take advantage of the clinic's x-ray machine with a broken thumb. Her 13-year-old daughter Samantha then complained of a sore back that wouldn't go away, which turned out to be a tight muscle that required some relief. Jonathan returned with a nagging cough and then Theresa injured her knee. Although nobody wants to have so many clinic appointments within such a short period of time, Stimpert found it a huge relief to be able to travel a short distance to take care of her family's health care needs. "Because I home school the children, it really disrupts our day if I have to take half a day off to run out of town for an appointment," she said. "It's been wonderful to have the clinic right here. I have really enjoyed the staff, too. It's a nice, smaller atmosphere – even though it's busy, it somehow doesn't seem as rushed. The staff are all so nice and they take time to talk to you." In addition to Stephen Gilles, MD, three other family practice physicians see patients at the clinic: Charles Stephens, MD, Kathleen Kobbermann, MD and Kara Jorve, MD. Nurse Practitioner Michelle Owens sees patients every afternoon and all day Fridays. Related Links New Ulm Medical Center Foundation  Back to Health Edition |
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