Iowa Specialty Doctor Passionate About Helping the Elderly

 Dr. Rachael Etnier, who recently went full-time at the Iowa Specialty Clinic, said she loves seeing patients of all ages, especially the elderly.

Dr. Etnier, originally from northwest Iowa, told the Chronicle that she wanted to work in medicine to help people.

“I always had an interest in biology,” she said. “I was at my grandmother’s side when she passed and there is a genetic disease in my family, too, so I had a natural pulling towards medicine.”

Dr. Etnier said she most enjoys seeing her older patients, as it gives the patients a chance to get out for a bit and socialize.

“I have a special place in my heart for my older patients,” she said. “I like to sit and chat with them. This is a social event for many of them.”

But Dr. Etnier doesn’t do it all alone. She gets help from her assigned licensed practical nurse, Rylie Leerar, who joined her two years ago.

Leerar said there are many things that she appreciates about Etnier, including her fun personality and ability to actively listen to others. Leerar said she even had the chance to work at a different location, one that was closer to home, but decided against it, as she wanted to stay with Etnier.

“She makes working fun,” Leerar said. “She has the ability to not just look at one problem, but to look at someone as a whole person. Not just textbook.”

Dr. Etnier has degrees from Morningside University and Des Moines University, and she completed her three-year residency at Mercy Hospital in Mason City. Before joining Iowa Specialty in February of 2022, she worked as a family practice doctor at Franklin General Hospital.

When Dr. Etnier’s not busy with work, she can be found helping on their family farm, right outside of Sheffield, where she lives with her husband, Lon, and their children: 15-year-old Charlee, 9-year-old Otto and 8-year-old Owen. The five of them enjoy being outdoors together and traveling down to Florida for a week or so during the wintertime.

Dr. Etnier welcomes anyone, of any age, who’s in need of a primary care physician to contact their clinic in Hampton to schedule an appointment with her, as she’s currently taking new patients. She is available Monday through Friday, except for Tuesdays, from 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

The clinic can be reached at 888-258-0078.