Dear Residents of Toledo and Tama,

Life is short so we all need to live in a place we want to call home – a place where your friends and acquaintances greet you in the grocery store and talk around the melon display. I’ve been humbled by the wonderful reception offered to me by each of you.

I’ve spent most of my practice life in rural communities and am very comfortable with rural living. So I’ve truly enjoyed coming to Tama and Toledo to practice medicine and be a part of the communities.

The mix of modern activities and community spirit make this a unique and wonderful place for me. I’m a small-town physician who was looking for a place to practice until I retire. That doesn’t mean I’m not staying current on all the latest in modern medicine, it simply means I’m not interested in the traveling jobs that I’ve been enjoying in recent years. As a family practice, general care physician, I want to be available consistently for my patients. I can watch them grow from infant to school-age, to college-bound, and to working family members and mature residents.

Just before I accepted the practice position at Deer Creek Health Center, I’d been offered a job in St. Cloud, Minn. I believe this is a better choice for me and my comfort level in a community. I wake up enthusiastic about going to work in the morning. And this is a healthy clinic supported by GRMC and the University of Iowa Healthcare. Both have made financial and personal commitments to ensure that area residents have a great facility and healthcare providers to meet your needs. I’m pleased with our relationships as they focus on the patient.

Growing up in a Czechoslovakian community, I love a good kolache and can strike up a good Czech conversation. Thanks for helping me realize I’ve finally found my home at the Deer Creek Health Center and in the Tama/Toledo area.

Emil Pecholt, DO

Family care provider

Deer Creek Health Center