Mahaska Health Partnership Welcomes Hospitalist Dr. Deb Buckler
Debra Buckler, DO
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership is pleased to announce the addition of Debra Buckler, DO, to its Medical Staff. Dr. Buckler will start as a Hospitalist in July.
“Hospitalists are physicians who care for patients during a hospital stay,” MHP Hospitalist Anne Whitis, MD, explained. “MHP began the program in January 2013 to better meet patient’s needs during a hospitalization. By partnering with a hospitalist, outpatient providers are better able to focus on their daily practice; while knowing their patients in the hospital are well cared for.”
Dr. Buckler brings 29 years of medical experience to her new role at MHP. “I have practiced in many settings during my career. This has included academia, primary care, hospital and nursing home medicine.
“In the late 90’s I practiced primary care in Pella and also adopted my eldest daughter,” Dr. Buckler said. “I enjoyed my practice but didn’t like being a slave to the clock. I often felt the need to spend more time with my patients than allotted by the schedule. Also, being on call with an infant was challenging. Although I loved the area, I decided to move to Kirksville to teach Internal Medicine for a more family-friendly schedule.”
In addition to teaching, Dr. Buckler has worked as a hospitalist and provided care to nursing home patients. She loved her interactions with students and patients.
“Teaching has always been my passion which I think serves me well in traditional practice,” Dr. Buckler stressed. “My favorite part about being a physician is teaching patients; taking someone who is confused and simplifying a concept in order to help them understand their condition. I don’t speak in doctor terms to my patients.”
When Dr. Buckler decided to return to Iowa she began looking for a place to practice. “I have a passion for geriatric medicine and palliative care. MHP had a need for a hospitalist and I have enjoyed that work in the past.
“The best thing about hospital-based medicine is the time I get to spend with patients. My focus is always the patient and their current life circumstances. I’m a straight-shooter and will be very open and honest with patients to ensure they understand their treatment,” Dr. Buckler explained.
The addition of Dr. Buckler brings MHP’s number of hospitalists to six. “We have built a great group of providers and we’re excited Dr. Buckler will be joining me, Drs. Amy Montgomery, Matt Whitis and Ben Oldson and Nurse Practitioner Jeff Sisul,” Dr. Anne Whitis said. “Patients in the hospital need decisions for their care made very quickly. Dr. Buckler’s extensive experience will be a great addition to the team.”
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
