It began in the spring of 2008, when leaders at the hospital, Mercy Medical Center-New Hampton, announced they would build a new family practice clinic on the hospital campus.  Along with providing a modern facility to the community, those leaders hoped the new clinic would help them attract health care providers. 

Their hopes were well placed.  About a week before the clinic officially opened in July 2009, Mercy-New Hampton CEO Bruce Roesler announced six new physicians – Rick Moberly, April and Paul McQuillen, Shea and John Epperly and Jack Kline – had been successfully recruited and signed to contracts. 

Actually, it was more about the town of New Hampton and its hospital being irresistible to these young providers, who had conducted a nationwide search to find a rural, faith-based hospital where they could all practice together. They met while in residency at Via Christi Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas and became close friends through their interest in full-spectrum family practice, international medicine and a strong faith in God. 

Mercy-New Hampton provided them with exactly the practice and living situation they desired. Not only did the clinic and hospital (which was extensively modernized in 2004) offer them excellent facilities, but the hospital’s staffing plan gave them the flexibility to continue their medical mission work – a priority for both the physicians and the hospital. 

“The hospital has been extraordinarily blessed to add these individuals to our staff,” said Roesler.  “They are not only perfectly prepared for their roles here, but are also among the nicest people you can meet.  Their arrival means that our health care ministry, which had been threatened, will continue to serve the area for another generation with high-quality care.  The implications for personal health, quality of life and community development are enormous.” 

“The addition of these six new doctors is a very important, key ingredient to the long-term success and health of New Hampton and surrounding areas,” said Rich Kriener, who chairs the Mercy-New Hampton board.  “We are very fortunate and excited to have these young doctors joining our community. Their medical and educational expertise will greatly enhance the accessibility and quality of our local health care services.” 

A lot of change for New Hampton in only two years. But then it only took two years to plan, finance and build the original hospital – and that was more than 90 years ago. 

Amazing things can happen very quickly when a community unites to invest in health care.