CONRAD — UnityPoint Health leaders, alongside staff at the organization’s family medicine clinic in Conrad, took a major step toward turning the long-awaited dream of a state-of-the-art new facility on the east edge of town into reality during a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday morning.

“This is a day we’ve dreamed about for quite some time. Before we break ground, i want you to hear from some people who are close to the clinic and the community. I hope you get a very real sense of the hope, optimism and excitement this project is bringing to the city of Conrad, UnityPoint Health, and most importantly, the residents of our community,” said Jill Lutes, a member of the project steering committee.

Lutes then passed the microphone to Carolyn Barko, the regional vice president of clinic operations for UnityPoint Health-Waterloo, who said she was thrilled to celebrate the approximately $3 million investment at the Smith Development, which is also home to the city’s new fire station. The current clinic is located at 105 N. Dwight St.

“We’ve been blessed to have a clinic in the community for many, many years and to serve the patients in the community, and we’re thrilled to continue to do so here in the community,” Barko said.

Up next was longtime Physician’s Assistant (PA) Tim Cooper, who along with Dr. Steve Scurr has been at the Conrad clinic for over two decades now — “a few years,” as he put it. Cooper shared the excitement he and his team are feeling about the new clinic with an increased amount of space and a modern look and feel for the next generation of care providers like Nurse Practitioner Abbie Sharp.

“Like UnityPoint, our commitment is the best outcome for every patient every time. We’ve paired very well with UnityPoint since we’ve joined them, and what we can expect is 5,500 square feet. We’ll continue to have x-ray, lab (and) telehealth capacity for access to specialty providers. That’s something that’s new to me,” Cooper said. “In addition, patient safety and comfort. We’ve had to modify some things to get chairs and wheelchairs through certain doors. (The current clinic has) served us well, but it’s time to modernize.”

Cooper thanked UPH for providing the majority of the funding on the project as well as the clinic staff, who he called “the best” while crediting them for their high quality care for patients, and the members of the community who have continued to support it. He noted that the fundraising work isn’t done yet, and a special event is planned for April 26 at BarLea Roots Event Center just outside of Reinbeck.

As it currently stands, the Conrad clinic sees about 12,000 patients a year, and Cooper expressed optimism that the number would hold steady and possibly even grow once the new facility is completed and operational by the end of the year. Last but not least was Conrad Mayor Jeff Martin, who told those gathered he found himself “amazed” by the people of the community who continue to make it a better place to live.

“Our residents truly are our greatest asset. That commitment to grow is what brings us together today for the groundbreaking of a brand new UnityPoint Health primary (care) clinic,” he said. “As mayor, I’ve often been asked ‘What does a new project like this mean for Conrad?’ There are obvious things like helping us attract people to town, to live in Conrad or a beautiful addition to the already wonderful amenities that we have. But I think there’s another aspect, a personal side as well. You see, the people of Conrad have been taken care of by the folks at the clinic for many years. I know I’m not unique when I say this, but on a personal note, my family’s in its fourth generation of being taken care of right here in Conrad with their health.”

The investment from UnityPoint, he said, will continue to ensure that access going forward, and Martin thanked UPH and all of those who have donated privately, noting that they will reap benefits for years to come. Lutes shared a similar message as she delivered the closing remarks, specifically shouting out early donors like GNB, PCA, Casey’s, the 100+ Women Who Care group, TJ Johnsrud, the Huff family, the Stubbolo family and many more.

“And for those who haven’t yet contributed, we still need help to reach our $1 million goal. Please consider how you can help support UnityPoint Health and your neighbors in getting this project completed,” Lutes said.

From there, the ceremonial groundbreaking photos were captured, first with the project steering committee, then the clinic staff and finally a mix of other members of the leadership and operations teams. Edge Companies of Grimes will serve as the general contractor, and as previously mentioned, the new facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

During a subsequent interview, Cooper said the whole situation still feels surreal and described himself as “still in awe.”

“I’ve not worked in anything but an old building where tall people have to duck their heads walking down the hall,” he said.

He also credited his coworkers for the remarkable longevity he and Scurr have enjoyed in Conrad, which is exceedingly rare at clinics in such small communities.

“They make us shine. If they didn’t show up to work one day, everybody in town would know. If Steve and I didn’t show up to work, nobody would know for a month because we don’t even know how to unlock the doors when we go in or turn the computers on. We’re idiots when it comes to that stuff,” Cooper said in his characteristically sardonic tone.

Martin felt the project fit well with the larger goals of growth and development in Conrad, and Barko was excited to be building a new clinic there as similar sized communities may see their facilities downsized or closed altogether.

“In UnityPoint, we’re trying to maintain those clinics or reinvest and continue to support small-town clinics. That’s not always the case, so I think we’re just excited to do that in our small-town clinics,” she said.

The current clinic, Barko added, wasn’t originally intended for three providers, so the new one will better accommodate Sharp. The new address will be 205 N. Hartwig St., and more information on the project can be found at www.unitypoint.org/giving/unitypoint-health-marshalltown-foundation/areas-to-support/imagine-more.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.