Our Family caring for your Family!

Dr. John Swords

Dr. Swords cares for patients in the Waukon Clinic.  He has always liked the Midwest and chose to join this rural practice in November of 2025, leaving his previous  practice in South Carolina.  Before becoming a physician, he devoted his career to the United States Army.  After watching his parents age and become sick, he chose to further his career as a health care provider.

Dr. Swords is available to see patients of all ages, but has a particular love for taking care of older adults.  He also has special training in Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

Schools and Degrees:
Penn State University-Bachelors Degree Accounting 
Millersville University-Bachelors Degree in Biology University of Wisconsin in Madison-Master Degree in Microbiology
Kansas City University-Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine 
 

Tara Fink

Tara Fink is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides behavioral health care at both the Waukon and Postville Clinics.  She has a passion for mental health care and the great need in these underserved communities in northeast Iowa. Tara also strives to reduce the stigma and indifference associated with behavioral health.

Tara also has a passion for Holistic & Integrative Mental Health Care, Improvement in psychological resilience, improved culture of acceptance, and barrier reductions.

Tara worked in Waterloo at Black Hawk Grundy Mental Health Center in an Integrated Health Home for six years, while finishing her masters degree.

Schools and Degrees

• NICC - RN 
• Allen College of Nursing -  Masters Degree
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Sue McMillan

Sue McMillan, ARNP, is one of the two new providers in the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.  She began her career as a nurse at Veterans Memorial Hospital and soon became aware of the shortage and need for health care providers in rural areas.  She was fortunate to work for a general surgeon who encouraged her to become a Nurse Practitioner.  Sue then completed her Masters of Science degree from the University of Iowa and became a registered nurse practitioner.  She provided clinical care at Prairie Medical Ltd. in Prairie du Chien for 10 years, then transferred to the Gundersen Health Calmar Clinic for five years and most recently completed another six years at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie due Chien.

Schools and Degrees

• Mt. Mercy University - B.S. Nursing
• University of Iowa School of Medicine - Masters of Nursing, N.P.
• Mayo School of Health Related Science, Post Master’s Certification

Minji Ransom

Minji Ransom, Nurse Practitioner, had been providing family health care for Mayo Clinics in the Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota areas, before moving back to her home of northeast Iowa to practice.  She was born in South Korea, moving to the United States when she was five years old living in New Jersey and Virginia, before settling in Decorah with her family.

After caring for her grandmother who had suffered a stroke, she knew she wanted to help people and entered the nursing career. After years as a certified nurse’s aide, LPN and RN, she went onto become a nurse practitioner to help collaborate with her patients in making health care decisions.

Minji will also work two days per week at the Postville Medical Clinic and two days in Waukon.

Schools and Degrees

• NICC - RN 
• Western Governors University -  Bachelors Degree
• Purdue University Global -  Masters Degree