Orange City Area Health System is expanding access to primary care with the addition of a new family medicine physician later this summer.
Dr. Meghan Grassel will begin seeing patients on August 24. She provides comprehensive family medicine care for patients of all ages, including pediatrics, obstetrics, women’s and men’s health, preventive care, and chronic disease management. Appointments are already available by calling Orange City Area Health System.
A Rural Upbringing Led to Rural Medicine
Grassel grew up on a farm near Yankton, South Dakota, where she initially expected to pursue veterinary medicine before discovering a passion for caring for people. She said a difficult chapter in her family’s life ultimately helped shape her career path.
“My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when I was a senior in high school… I unfortunately got to experience the health care system as an advocate and a patient family member. And it’s scary. And I thought to myself, you know, I think I could be a good advocate for patients on the other end of things too and help them reach their health care goals and get through the journey with a little less fear and a little more support.”
She said her family’s own physician showed her how important a trusted family doctor can be during life’s most difficult moments.
“I felt like our family doc at home really helped coordinate things for him and made things better for everyone all around. And I wanted to do that for someone else in the future, too.”
Finding the Right Community
After completing her undergraduate education at South Dakota State University, earning her medical degree from the University of South Dakota, and finishing her residency at the Center for Family Medicine in Sioux Falls, Grassel visited Orange City while exploring career opportunities.
She said the community immediately felt like home.
“My husband and I came and really fell in love with the community and getting to get back to that small-town vibe where, you know, people have each other’s back and recognize you when you go to the grocery store… I also love that northwest Iowa knows how to talk farm. So I feel right at home.”
Caring for the Whole Family
Grassel said one of the things she enjoys most about family medicine is the assortment that each day brings.
“I really love the variety of family medicine. I think that each clinic visit can take you to wildly different places throughout the whole day and I get treat a whole spectrum throughout the day,” Grassel continued. “I love taking care of my OB patients, gosh there’s nothing better than a delivery that goes just beautifully. But, I also love taking care of my well-child checks and diabetes and high blood pressure and just working with patients to optimize their health overall.”
She says that caring for multiple generations of the same family allows physicians to understand patients better and tailor care to what matters most to them.
“I think helping take care of the whole family really helps put all the pieces together to provide really good care.”
Looking Ahead
As she prepares to begin seeing patients later this summer, Grassel says she’s excited to become part of the community.
“I’m excited to get to know the community and kind of build some roots and really get to know people well.”
Orange City Area Health System says Grassel’s addition continues its effort to expand access to comprehensive, relationship-centered healthcare close to home. Appointments are now being accepted ahead of her August 24 start date.
