Cam Ryer, Lanna Raatz and Alyssa Swenson (seated) in the reception area of Madelia Health.

NEW ULM – For Madelia Health President and CEO David Walz, the decision to open a location in New Ulm just made sense.

Family Nurse Practitioner Cameron Ryer was a big part of the decision.

“Cam is more from this area and towards Sleepy Eye,” Walz said. “And he has a big following, and I heard from multiple patients, ‘Boy, I wish you were closer to New Ulm so we didn’t have to drive to Madelia.”

Another part of the decision was that an ideal space became available.

Madelia Health is located at 2700 S. Broadway and shares the same building as Gislason and Hunter law firm.

Walz said the building owner came forward and said, “Hey, they’re going to downsize this law firm to two thirds of the building. We have a third available. Are you guys interested?”

Initially Walz said he wasn’t sure, but after talking with Cam, he was convinced.

“And so we came and took a look at the building, and with kind of minor revisions – facelift only – we used the rooms that were kind of existent in offices and outpatient rooms,” Walz said. “And it’s really a great setting.”

Madelia Health officially opened for business December 3. New Ulm marks the fifth location for Madelia Health. They started in Madelia proper, added a second location in Lake Crystal, then Truman and St. James.

“The biggest thing we offer right now is same day appointments,” Ryer said. “You can call the clinic and get seen the same day for really anything we do – any family practice visits, acute care, urgent care type things.”

Madelia Health has two nurse practitioners, Cam Ryer and Lacey Groebner, a nurse assistant, Lanna Raatz, and Alyssa Swenson, who works the front desk registration.

The facility has four examination rooms, a lab, and nurses station, as well as a 3D interactive touchscreen monitor, called PatientPoint, which allows patients to look up health topics while they wait for an appointment.

“We’re trying to keep up with best evidence practice and trying to keep somewhat current with technology and innovation,” Walz said. “How do we practice healthcare at its fullest to make sure that people can live a healthier life?”

Consistent with its mission to provide compassionate care closer to home, Madelia Health has scholarships available for area students who are interested in the field.

“I’ve been helping with various nurse practitioners programs in the area,” Ryer said. “I’m a clinical instructor, so I have practitioner students who practice in rural medicine almost year round for probably the last five years. I’ve got another student from here in New Ulm that’s actually going to be starting with me in about two weeks.”

Walz said one of their core values is creating an inviting environment for everyone at Madelia Health.

“We spend a lot of time on our culture,” he said. “We have core values and one of our core values is having fun. We know we’re taking care of people’s lives. It’s an unwritten value. We have a culture crew, and they put on fun events.”

They recently celebrated National Cheese Day, they’re looking to do a chili cook off, and are eying up the possibility of bringing in food trucks in the summertime.

Walz said he understands people have their health care providers, but said, “you know, through potential retirements or looking for something different, hopefully they can come and explore and give us a try.”