Several docs leaving Lake City

The physician staff at Lake City Medical Center is undergoing heavy turnover. Between March and last week, four doctors, three of them family physicians, announced they will be leaving the hospital.

The timing of the departures is coincidental, Lake City Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Thomas Witt said, adding it is not uncommon for hospitals to experience turnover among physicians.

"What's unique about this situation is the timing of things," Witt said, noting all four doctors are leaving relatively at once.

Hospital officials are focused on replenishing the physician roster, work that is already under way, Witt said.

The hospital has hired one new family physician, Dr. John Renelt, who will begin in mid-July. And, Witt said, the hospital is close to bringing in another family doctor and could announce a hire as early as next week.

Witt said the hospital has not decided yet if will seek to bring on a third new doctor.

Among those leaving, Dr. Douglas Pflaum's worked his last day Sunday. He is going into private practice.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kory Tuominen and Dr. Thomas Ziebarth will leave the hospital at the end of June and July, respectively.

Dr. Kristina McCaughtry, an obstetric/gynecology specialist will stay on with the hospital until August. She is joining a clinic in Hutchinson, Minn.

Because of McCaughtry's departure, the hospital won't provide some of the specialized services it has been, but will still offer standard OB-GYN services, Witt said.

Remaining onboard with the Lake City staff will be Witt, Dr. Dennis Spano and nurse practitioners Kathy Lofberg and Kayla Dascher.

Tuominen had recently been splitting his time between the hospital and his business, Refined Skin, located in Red Wing. He has chosen to concentrate on Refined Skin and spend more time with his family, according to Witt.

Calls placed to Tuominen and Ziebarth were not immediately returned.

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