Jenny Butler hired as chief medical officer

Jenny Butler was hired as CMO in June, but it’s a return home for the Medora native.

Butler graduated from Southeast Warren High School in 1996, alongside her husband, Chad Septer, and went on to study at Iowa State University and University of Iowa. The former CMO of Jones Regional Medical Center in Animosa, Butler hopes to bring more options to Clarke County Hospital while also becoming more involved in the community.

What are your major responsibilities as CMO?

I help build relationships with specialty people, so they will come here instead of all of our patients having to drive to Des Moines. We just recruited an allergist to come once a month. Right now, I’m currently trying to find a doctor to come down and do prenatal care.

What brought you to Osceola?

I have family in Osceola. My grandparents on my mom’s side are from here – Allen and Phyllis Halvorsen. I have a lot of family connection here.

What excites you most about your new role?

I brought in occupational medical services. Some of the employers were driving their employees all the way to Des Moines for work injuries. With workman’s comp, they have to pay the employees for mileage, time away and then time for a supervisor if they take them. It’s a lot different if you can just stay here and go to the local hospital here in Osceola. I hope people will embrace it instead of sending employees to Des Moines when they don’t have to.

What are your biggest challenges?

The occupational medicine clinic is not the same as the family medicine clinic. Employers need to call the hospital specialty clinic, because we can usually get people in the same day.

What have been the hardest adjustments to make?

In Animosa, I was very involved in the community. When you’re new, you’re trying to learn who works where and who you can ask if you need help. I don’t want to just work here and leave.

Occupational medicine includes injury-related exams and treatment, as well as DOT and flight physicals and other related services. Employers can call 641-342-5000 to make an appointment.