Clinician excited to be caring for Waukon community

Perhaps it was fate that brought Raquel Ristau, PA-C, to Gundersen Waukon Clinic.

"I grew up in a small town, Cresco, and have a built-in gravitation to rural medicine," says Ristau, Gundersen Waukon's newest provider. "I had the opportunity to rotate through Gundersen in Waukon while I was still completing my education and just fell in love with the atmosphere, the people, and the experiences I had as a provider. The growth and opportunity I foresee myself achieving at Gundersen is far greater than any other place I had the opportunity to visit. I'm ready to enhance and enrich the lives of all the patients whom I have the opportunity to treat in the future."

At Gundersen Waukon, Ristau will care for patients of all ages and health levels, from acute to chronic illnesses to preventative care, such as routine checkups, health risk assessments, immunizations, screenings, personal counseling and more.

"As a family medicine physician assistant, my job is also to provide ongoing, personal care for even the most serious health problems. This ranges from heart disease, stroke and hypertension to diabetes, cancer and asthma," she says.

Ristau is excited about getting to know the people who will entrust her with their care. "I look forward to meeting people, touching the lives of my patients and establishing relationships with them—which brings me great joy and makes what I do as a provider so significant to me," she says.

When not caring for her patients, Ristau can be found enjoying the great outdoors, whether that's with her three large dogs, running, or just out enjoying the natural beauty of this area. She also loves spending time with her significant other, Allen. "I am a very family oriented individual so having the chance to hang out and just spend quality time with one another is very important to me," she says.

She joins Coley Barbee, MD, Jessica Everman, PAC, and Jenny Stegen, PA-C, in practice.

To schedule with Ristau or another Gundersen Waukon Clinic provider, call (563) 568-3000.