Providers
At the Heart of America Medical Center, our providers deliver comprehensive healthcare services across our three clinic locations. We offer a wide range of care, including laboratory services, prenatal and pediatric care, sports medicine, family practice, and internal and geriatric medicine. Our providers can refer patients to the HAMC Wellness & Rehabilitation Center for occupational and physical therapy, as well as to the Pain Clinic. Additionally, we assist in coordinating cancer treatments within HAMC's chemotherapy suite.
Emergency Room Providers
Scroll down to see all of our ER providers:
Jenna Brossart,
FNP-C
- AANP
- Emergency Medicine
Jenna received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University in 2011. She then worked as an RN at HAMC while pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing from Concordia University, Wisconsin. She graduated in 2017 and worked as a clinic provider at Indian Health Services in Belcourt. Jenna returned to HAMC in October 2022.
Jenna enjoys playing softball and spending time with family.
Bobbie Burchinal FNP-BC
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- ANCC
- Emergency Medicine
Bobbie received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University and then her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary in Bismarck. She has worked for Sanford and at Heart of America. Bobbie has experience in Orthoptics and emergency medicine.
Bobbie enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles, camping, fishing, and spending time with family.
Cammy Kelsch, FNP-C
- Emergency Medicine
Cammy Kelsch, Family Nurse Practitioner, received an Associate of Science in Practical Nursing (LPN) from the North Dakota College of Science in Wahpeton and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Medcenter One College of Nursing in Bismarck.
In April 2006, Cammy completed a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary and became a certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She joined Heart of America Medical Center in February 2013 and cares for patients in the emergency room.
Clinic Providers
Scroll down to see all of our Clinic providers:
Stephanie
Buckmier,
MSN, NP-C
Areas of Practice
- Family Medicine
Stephanie grew up in Oberon, North Dakota. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, and then completed the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at UND in Grand Forks. She has worked at both Altru and the Spirit Lake Health Center prior to joining Heart of America at the Medical Clinic in Maddock.
Stephanie is married to Donnie, a farmer in the Minnewaukan area. She has two grown stepdaughters, Alexis and Jamie, and a son-in-law, Adam, as well as two granddaughters.
Steph enjoys spending time outdoors, caring for her flowers, gardening, golfing, and boating. She also enjoys reading.
Gail Danielson
PA-C
Areas of Practice
- Obstetrics (OB)
- Geriatrics
- Pediatrics
- Family Practice
Gail Danielson worked as a Registered Nurse for seven years before attending Physician Assistant school at the University of North Dakota. Since then, Gail has been serving the Heart of America clinics in Rugby and Dunseith as a PA-C for over 30 years.
Gail enjoys spending time at the lake and with her family, including her seven grandchildren! She likes to sew and quilt, garden, play pickleball, travel, and play the cello in the Devils Lake orchestra. Gail loves to stay busy.
Gail specializes in OB, pediatrics, and geriatrics, and assists in surgical procedures. Most of all, she loves to get to know her patients.
Dustin Hager,
PA-C
Areas of Practice
- Family Practice
- County Coroner
- Emergency Medial Services
Dustin began his healthcare career as a paramedic, working for ambulance services in Rugby, Minot, New Town, Velva, and the Minot Air Force Base. He still volunteers with the Rugby Emergency Ambulance Service. Dustin attended Bismarck State College, where he received an associate degree in Paramedic Technology, and then Minot State University, where he obtained a bachelor’s in business management. He later completed an MBA in healthcare administration from the University of Mary and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at the University of North Dakota.
Dustin is the recipient of the 2016 National Rural Health Association’s Practitioner of the Year award. He serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the UND Physician Assistant Program. He is also the Pierce County Coroner and has served on the local school board for several years.
Dustin and his wife, Angela, have four kids. He loves attending his kids’ activities and spending time at the lake.
Dr. Josalynne
(Josy) Hoff Rue, MD
Areas of Practice
- General Primary Care
- Endoscopy
- Pain Clinic
A native North Dakotan from outside Bowdon, Dr. Hoff received her undergraduate degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Mary and then attended medical school at the University of North Dakota. After graduating, she completed a Family Medicine residency at the UND Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck.
Dr. Hoff-Rue specializes in Family Medicine. “I love taking care of people from the day they are born through the rest of their lives," she says. "That’s the reason I chose to practice Family Medicine.”
Her husband, Jesse Rue, PharmD, is also employed at Heart of America Medical Center.
In her free time, Dr. Hoff enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, and photography.
Nicole Lemieux,
PA-C
Areas of Practice
- Family Practice
- Obstetrics (OB)
- DOT Exams
- Well Child Visits
Nicole grew up in Rugby and attended the University of North Dakota for her undergraduate degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS). After working for five years in the laboratory at Jamestown Regional Medical Center, she returned to UND to pursue her Physician Assistant degree.
Nicole has been with Heart of America since July 2017, working primarily in the Rugby and Dunseith clinics. She sees patients of all ages and enjoys prenatal care and well-child care.
Nicole spends time with her husband, a local farmer, and their children. She loves running and reading, and she is the current Vice President of the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants.
Heidi Schmaltz,
PA-C
Areas of Practice
- Family Practice
- Obstetrics (OB)
- Well Child Visits
Heidi Schmaltz is a Physician Assistant who specializes in family medicine and cares for patients of all ages. She splits her time between the HAMC clinics in Dunseith and Rugby. Heidi completed her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and also holds a degree in Microbiology from North Dakota State University.
Heidi is a graduate of Bottineau High School. Her husband is a Rugby native who farms in the area. In her spare time, she enjoys running, cooking and baking, and spending time outdoors.
Jenna Leigh Thompson,
FNP-C
Areas of Practice
- General Medicine in Family Care
- Well Child Visits
- Prenatal Care
Jenna was born and raised in Rugby, graduating from Rugby High School in 2003. She spent two years at NDSU Fargo before transferring to Minot State University, where she completed nursing school. After graduating from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she worked at Trinity Health in their orthopedic/neurology and post-anesthesia care units. Jenna eventually returned to HAMC in Rugby, where she worked her way up to the Assistant Director of Nursing.
In 2014, she returned to school, graduating from UND in 2017 with a Master of Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She then returned to HAMC, where she serves in our Rugby and Dunseith clinics.
Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband and children, watching them compete in their sporting events, reading, running, and spending time with friends.
Karen Alme
FNP-C
Areas of Practice
- General Medicine in Family Care
- Well Child Visits
Karen received her undergraduate degree in nursing in 2016 from the University of Mary. In 2021, she decided to pursue a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of North Dakota, completing this program in August 2024. She has a wide array of nursing experience that has enhanced her ability to care for a variety of patients in her role as a Nurse Practitioner. Karen has exhibited expertise in neonatal and intensive care nursing by becoming double certified in these areas. In addition, she has experience in orthopedics, rural health, and catheterization lab procedures. Karen looks forward to utilizing her knowledge from past experiences as a nurse while employing the skills gained during her graduate studies at UND.
Karen and her family live in rural Balfour, where they farm and ranch. They have one daughter who brings them so much joy! Karen grew up in Glen Ullin, ND, and has a great passion for serving rural areas.
In her time away from work, Karen enjoys helping her husband on the farm, gardening, and reading. She looks forward to serving the Rugby community!
Mikkel Buckmier,
FNP-C
Areas of Practice
- General Medicine in Family Care
- Acute Care Visits
- Well Child Exams
Mikkel received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Dakota, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
Living in the Maddock area, Mikkel and her husband stay busy with their three young boys, as well as farming and raising bison. Mikkel enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, attending her kids' activities, and going to the lake.
Mikkel is passionate about providing high-quality care to rural communities and caring for patients of all ages.
Christy Zinck,
FNP-BC
Areas of Practice
- General Medicine in Family Care
- DOT exams
- Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
- Geriatrics
- Well Child Exams
Christy grew up on a farm east of Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School. She obtained her nursing degree from Dakota College of Bottineau and went on to complete her Master’s of Nursing from Maryville University.
Christy has spent the last 7 years providing care to a diverse population with a variety of medical conditions. She looks forward to using her experience to serve patients in the Rugby and surrounding communities.
In her free time, Christy enjoys chasing her kids around to whatever activities they are currently enjoying, keeping her husband on his toes by bringing home random animals, and baking all things sourdough.
Physical and Occupational Therapy Providers
Scroll down to see all of our PT and OT providers:
John Brandt,
PT
Areas of Practice
- Physical Therapy
- Orthopedics
- Geriatrics
- Neuro
- Graston
- Dry Needling
- Ergonomics
John grew up in the Rugby area, graduating from Rugby High School in 1991. John graduated with Physical Therapy degree at the University of North Dakota in 1998, and returned to Rugby, "because it feels like you're working with family."
John is married to Kathy, who is employed by HAMC as our Dietary and Diabetic Educator. They have three children, Thaniel, Ethan, and Sophia.
John enjoys hiking, biking, games, movies, and traveling.
John specializes in outpatient orthopedics, geriatrics, workplace evaluation and ergonomics, dry needling, and Graston Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.
Jennifer Brossart, ATC, PT, MPT
Areas of Practice
- Sport Injuries
- Orthopedics
- Wound Care
- LSVT BIG Parkinson's Program
- Graston
Jen is from Mohall, ND and graduated from the University of Mary with a Bachelors in Athletic Training and a Masters in Physical Therapy. Jen started as a Physical Therapist at the HAMC Wellness Center in 2001. She works full-time in the Wellness Center and oversees the Athletic Republic Sport Acceleration Program in the summers, supporting high school athletes.
Jen also serves as the sports medicine coverage for Rugby High School sports athletes and is the Girls Basketball team coach.
Along with farming and ranching, Jen and her family raise mini-horses, pigs, chickens, and ducks. She loves gardening and selling her produce and eggs at the Farmer's Market.
Rachel Bruner,
MOTR/L
Areas of Practice
- Pediatrics
- Edema Management
- Geriatrics
- Hand Therapy
Rachel grew up on a dairy farm in South Central North Dakota. The middle of five children, she graduated with a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota in 2013.
Rachel worked in Bismarck until she met and married her husband, when she moved to Drake, ND. They have three children.
Rachel likes cooking, painting, photography, and gardening. She specializes in pediatrics.
Kali Carlson,
DPT
Areas of Practice
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
Kali was born in central North Dakota and attended NDSU to obtain her Bachelors in Exercise Science. Kali then obtained her doctorate of Physical Therapy at University of Mary.
Kali rodeos and crafts in her free time. She likes helping with 4H livestock and teaching riding lessons.
Katie Holzheimer, DPT
Areas of Practice
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
- LSVT BIG Parkinson's Program
Katie was raised on a farm south of Morris Minnesota, where she graduated High School in 2013. She attended Minnesota State University in Moorhead where she received a scholarship in track and field and then graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Coaching. Katie received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. She lives in Rugby and has worked for HAMC since August of 2020. She is experienced in geriatrics and orthopedics.
Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball and sand volleyball, hunting, and being outdoors.
Kayla Johnson,
DPT
Areas of Practice
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
- School Based and Early Intervention Pediatrics
- Clinical Based Pediatrics
Kayla Johnson is a dedicated physical therapist specializing in pediatrics, school-based physical therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, concussion management, and orthopedics. A graduate of Towner High School, she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, after previously obtaining her Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) from the University of North Dakota.
Kayla is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), including its Pediatric and Orthopedic Sections. She is committed to providing evidence-based physical therapy services that support individuals and communities in achieving optimal health and well-being.
Kayla enjoys cycling, gardening, and spending time with family.
Jennifer Keller,
DPT
Areas of Practice
- Women's Health
- Pelvic Health
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
Jennifer grew up in Onamia, MN and graduated from Onamia High School. She went to college at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where she received her Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and then her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. After graduating, Jennifer started her career at the Heart of America in Rugby as a physical therapist. Jennifer now serves as the Director of the Rehab and Wellness Center.
Jennifer has advanced training in pelvic health, women's health, and is experienced in geriatrics and orthopedics.
Jennifer lives in Rugby with her husband Josh and three children, Leo, Sam, and Eva. She loves spending time with her family and running.
Rebecca Kraft, PT
Areas of Practice
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
- Nursing Home Specialist
Becky graduated from Rugby High School and eventually received her Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary in Bismarck. Since graduating, Becky has worked as a Physical Therapist at Heart of America since 1998. While at HAMC, Becky has focused on both inpatient and outpatient therapy, home health, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Becky and her husband, David, have four children and both farm and raise beef cattle.
Becky likes to spend time with family and friends, garden, and help out on the farm and ranch.
Jessalyn Ostrem, MS, OTR/L
Areas of Practice
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Hand Therapy
- Edema Management
Jessa grew up in Harvey, ND. She graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in December, 2017.
Jessa works full-time at HAMC and also works one day each week at the Dunseith Day School, providing therapy services to the kids there.
Jessa is married to a local man who farms, ranches, and is an auctioneer. She loves to bake, spend time with her family, and runs an online boutique.
Shea Senger, DPT
Areas of Practice
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
Shea graduated high school from Rugby High in 2016. She then attended the University of Mary where she played basketball and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Biomechanics. Shea received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary in 2023.
Shea lives with her husband, Alex, 30 miles South of Rugby. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching Minnesota Vikings, outdoor activities, and playing sports.
Surgery Providers
Scroll down to see all of our Surgery providers:
Dr. Ronald
Skipper
Areas of Practice
- General Surgery
Dr. Skipper is a board certified general surgeon who provides all general outpatient surgeries at Heart of America Surgical Clinic. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Kent State University, Dr. Skipper went on to achieve his doctor of medicine degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He previously practiced at HAMC from 1997 to 2005, before rejoining the HAMC team in 2012.
Chelsey Wyatt
APRN, CRNA
Areas of Practice
- Anesthesiology
Chelsey Wyatt, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Wyatt, a Bismarck ND native, attended the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado. She worked as a Veterinary Technician in Denver for two years.
Wyatt was accepted into the University of Mary Nursing School in Bismarck and graduated in 2011. She worked as an ICU Nurse for nearly four years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. After which, she attended the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia graduating with her CRNA.
Dietitian and Diabetes Providers
Kathy Brandt, RDN, LRD, CDCES
Areas of Practice
- Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator
Kathy Brandt has been a Registered Dietitian since 1996 and has been working primarily as a Diabetes Educator since 2012. In 2017, Kathy received her credentials as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) which allows her to "follow my passion in helping people with diabetes to enjoy healthier, fulfilling lives."
Kathy specializes in assisting people with self-care behaviors, healthy eating, being active, monitoring glucose, taking medication, problem solving, reducing risks, and building healthy coping skills to deal with the challenges of living with diabetes.
Kathy works at HAMC, and has just started serving the community in Devils Lake as a consultant at CHI St. Alexius Health.
