Our Family caring for your Family!

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
   

Halie Ruff

Halie Ruff, ARNP, is from the rural Monona area.  She began her nursing career at Unity Point Health in Bettendorf where she worked as an ICU and Home Health RN.  She later transferred to the University of Iowa where she worked as an RN in the trauma unit. Her next position was with Gundersen Health where she worked as an RN in the ER and later as a nurse practitioner.

She enjoys the variety from pediatrics to geriatrics and is happy to care for those in the communities  she lives in and around. Halie enjoys educating her patients on preventative medicine and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Schools and Degrees

• Allen College - B.S. Nursing
• Chamberlain College of Nursing, Chicago, IL - Masters Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner 

Alex Berns

Alex Berns, ARNP, is from the Postville area.  He began his nursing career at Veterans Memorial Hospital, first as a C.N.A., then an RN.  He left the facility to branch out and gain experience in Hospice, Emergency Care, the ICU in Rochester and general inpatient care, while furthering his education.  He has now returned to VMH as a clinic a Nurse Practitioner and clinic provider.

Alex cares for youth and adults of all ages.  He always knew he wanted to return home to care for those in this area and to raise his children in this great community.  He is excited to care for those in all walks of life and getting to care for a variety of individuals in the area.

Schools and Degrees

• NICC - RN
• Clarke University - Doctorate Family Nurse Practitioner

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