GRMC Welcomes Back Joel Rand, PA-C

The new Grinnell Regional Orthopedics clinic will welcome a familiar healthcare provider as Joel Rand, PA-C, joins Clifford Novak, MD, in caring for patients. Rand will provide support for diagnostic services and treatment in the orthopedic clinic and surgical suite along with Novak.

From 2004 to 2006, Rand served as a physician assistant in Grinnell with Surgical Associates and the Grinnell Bariatrics program. He left to work for Iowa Health Weight Loss Specialists in Des Moines. In addition, Rand has worked with Primary Healthcare, Inc., in Des Moines, a nonprofit community health center serving uninsured and underinsured patients in the Des Moines and Marshalltown. He’s been involved with this program from 2001 to 2004, and 2006 to 2012. Prior to coming to Grinnell in 2004, Rand provided care and oversight at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Des Moines.

Rand attended the University of Iowa for both his bachelor’s degree as well as his master’s degree in the Physician Assistant Program.

“Joel has demonstrated a compassion for patients that will be great for patients in our new orthopedic clinic,” says Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “The combination of Dr. Novak and Joel will be a ‘dynamic duo’ as we re-launch this service line in Grinnell. Orthopedic care has been covered at a scaled back level for several years. With this new team, we will be able to meet the needs of area patients with exception care and skills.”

Rand says this was an easy decision to come back to Grinnell and practice orthopedics with Dr. Novak.

“From past experiences with GRMC, I know it is an excellent facility – a hospital that provides the same quality of care as the ‘big city’ hospitals but with the friendly and helpful attitudes of rural Iowans. I have a lot of experience working with surgeons and so choosing to assist Dr. Novak was based on his academic accomplishments and rapport with patients. Our clinic will perform hundreds of knee replacements but our staff will focus on each person individually to provide the best care for every patient. ”

Rand will begin in Grinnell Regional Orthopedic clinic on September 24. The clinic is located on the second floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building. Patients may schedule through their primary care providers or call the clinic directly at 641-236-2010.