20 years ago, Door County Medical Center (DCMC) recognized a growing need for medical services in neighboring Kewaunee County. So in the spring of 2001, Kathy Kott and Bonnie Johnson—two of Door County Medical Center’s Nurse Practitioners at the time—and lab technician Kris Richardson opened the Algoma Clinic in what had once been a local grocery store. “Initially, the clinic had X-ray personnel, a receptionist, an LPN and a Medical Assistant,” says Kim Swiggum, current RN Site Supervisor at the Algoma Clinic. “However,” she adds, “it quickly outgrew the space and additional exam rooms and a provider office were added. Visiting Specialists soon followed starting with Pediatrics and then Rheumatology, Orthopedics, OB/GYN, Diabetic Education and Podiatry.”
A wide range of medical services
Today, the DCMC Algoma Clinic employs 2 full-time Nurse Practitioners, 3 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and 2 receptionists, and medical services have expanded greatly. “We offer full Family Practice Services and see patients from newborn age through to Geriatric age.” Swiggum says, adding, “We do everything from Annual Wellness visits, Well-Child visits, immunizations and acute visits for illness or minor trauma.
Family Medicine services are currently provided by the DCMC Algoma Clinic’s two Nurse Practitioners: Mark Fergus, APNP and Ellen Knipfer, APNP. Mark Fergus is from Green Bay and received his Masters Degree from Concordia University's Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Ellen Knipfer is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Concordia University's Advanced Practice Nursing program, while Dr. Beth Lux, MD, provides supplemental Family Medicine support.
In addition to Family Medicine, the DCMC Algoma Clinic also provides a wide range of additional services, including:
The DCMC Algoma Clinic also offers full Lab Services and X-ray Services. “Many of our labs are processed right at the Algoma Clinic,” notes Swiggum, “while other labs are sent to the DCMC Main Lab for processing.”
Community engagement
Since its founding in 2000, the Algoma Clinic has played an active role in the local community. “The Clinic is partnered with the Algoma Chamber of Commerce and I currently serve on the Board,” says Swiggum, adding, “We also support many local community events such as Concerts in the Park, Shanty Days, and Algoma Night Out.”
Door County Medical Center, the Algoma Clinic and Prevea Health have also partnered with the Algoma Community Wellness Center, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health award winning facility that provides access to fitness equipment; health and wellness programming; education and interactive seminars on wellness, intervention and health practices; a variety of fitness classes like DCMC’s Knee/Hip Joint Class; and professional fitness staff.
Swiggum, an Algoma native, has also served as the Community Nurse Navigator at the Algoma Community Wellness Center since 2019. “I grew up in Algoma. I attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Algoma High School,” she says. “Many of the patients who come to the DCMC Clinic in Algoma are people I have known all of my life. The opportunity at the Algoma Wellness Center to work with people in a different venue is exciting. It gives me another way to give back to a community I am very passionate about.”
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Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Algoma Clinic is located at 815 Jefferson Street in Algoma, WI 54201. For appointments call (920) 487-3496. Walk-ins are available for Family Medicine!