Newton Independent
A new general surgeon has accepted an offer to join Skiff Medical Center, the hospital announced in a press release late Wednesday.
Dr. Dominic Formaro, D.O., currently in his fifth and final year of general surgery internship and residency at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, is expected to begin with Skiff by mid-July.
"He will make an extraordinary contribution to the hospital and our community," Steve Long, Skiff's CEO and president, said about Dr. Formaro's pending arrival.
Dr. Formaro said he was looking forward to establishing his surgical practice in Newton, a town he described as a "resilient and supportive community."
"The physicians and staff at Skiff are warm and genuine individuals," he said. "They really care about providing the best care for Newton."
The local medical community has been actively recruiting doctors to the community after the announcement over the course of the past year of a number of doctor departures. The effort to recruit Dr. Formaro was a combined effort of Skiff, Newton Clinic and independent physicians.
Long cited the efforts of several individuals in the successful recruitment process:
- Brett Altman, director of physical medicine and rehabilitation and former interim administrator
- Skiff board member Jeff King
- Ann Polking, OR director and interim chief nursing officer
- Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ron Charles
- General Surgeon and board member Dr. Gary Richardson
- Dr. Leighton Frost, Newton Clinic
- Dr. Paul Ruggle, Newton Clinic
- Dr. Pat Edwards, Newton Clinic
- Dr. Steve Hill, Newton Clinic
- Mark Thayer, Newton Clinic administrator
- Former board member Gary Kahn
"I consider the addition of Dr. Formaro to the Skiff staff a winning situation for all involved," said Dr. Edwards. "He arrives with excellent credentials and top-notch training. I feel that, with the support of the current medical staff, he has a great opportunity to develop a very active surgical practice in Newton."
A number of communities were vying for Dr. Formaro's services, who first began considering Newton last summer.
"Each time we talked it became more evident that Dr. Formaro had the qualities to be a successful Newton physician," Thayer said. "He shows great compassion toward his patients and he comes highly recommended."
Others involved in the recruitment process agreed.
"What most impressed me is that he is a very good listener," said Dr. Hill. "That's an important quality in a physician."
"He was very open and genuine and spoke of providing surgical care for patients with dignity and respect," Polking said. "I immediately liked him."
Thayer said he's looking forward to Dr. Formaro's arrival.
"We're excited to welcome here," he said. "He will be an integral part of the ongoing success of the Newton medical community."
Dr. Formaro noted the positive environment he found at Skiff.
"I'm pleased to be a part of the positive changes happening at Skiff," he said. "The environment is one of enthusiasm and positivity."
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