Family Practitioners

Dr. Matthew Manning, DO

Date of birth: April 17th, 1950.

Place of birth: Jefferson County Hospital, about one year before Van Buren County Hospital opened.

Graduated from Van Buren County High School in 1968, and then spent two years at Central College in Pella, Iowa. Graduated with a B.S. in General Science from the University of Iowa in December, 1972. Then graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1977. Completed a Rotating Internship at Brentwood Hospital, in Cleveland, Ohio and an Internal Medicine Residency at Brentwood.

I practiced with Dr. Breckenridge from 1978 until 1980, then completed the residency. I spent three years in Des Moines working for Iowa Methodist Hospital and Clinics.

I returned to Van Buren County Hospital in August of 1986, and have remained in partnership and on staff ever since. My specialty area is Internal Medicine, although I practice General Medicine, minus the Obstetrics.

I married Judy (DeHart) August 9th, 1970. We have three children: M. Nathan married to Abby (Roe) and they have two children, Isabel (age 5) and Jackson (age 2 and one half). They live outside Keosauqua. Amanda is a grade school teacher in St. Louis Park (a Minneapolis suburb), and will be teaching 5th and 6th grade. Our youngest is Andrew, currently living at home, and he works for his older brother Nathan, building homes.

It has always been a privilege and a pleasure working at Van Buren County Hospitals and Clinics. We were in private practice until 1996, when we sold the practice to the Hospital. We returned to this area because of family, friends and the community. It was a great place to grow up, and we wanted our children to experience the same.

The practice of medicine "in the country" is so much different than "city practice" because of the melding of office, emergency room and hospital practices.  There truly is never a boring day!

Dr. Timothy Blair, MD

I was born at Van Buren County Hospital and raised on a family farm outside of Mt. Sterling.  My grade-school start began at Mt. Sterling and ended with my graduation from Van Buren Community Schools in 1972.  After graduating from Iowa State University, I returned home to farm with my family in the area around Keosauqua.  During the seven years I farmed, I realized that medicine was my calling.  I returned to college and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1989.  My residency in Family Practice was completed at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines.  I then returned to Van Buren County to practice medicine in 1992.  After 3 years, I felt I needed more training in Obstetrics.  I returned to Broadlawns where I taught residents in Family Practice medicine while I was gaining more experience in Obstetrics.  In 1996, I returned to Van Buren County for good with my family.

I live west of Keosauqua on a farm with my wife, Kim, and our menagerie of animals.  I am very proud or our three children, Ale, Nate, and Steven, who are scattered about the Midwest.  My interest aside from medicine includes working outside on the farm and helping my wife with her gardens and dog treat business.

From the time I recall Dr. Furumoto making a home visit when I was a child, family medicine has been my idea of a “doctor.”  I enjoy all aspects of family medicine, but particularly enjoy obstetrics, treating the elderly, and teaching medical students.  I can think of no place I would rather practice medicine than at Van Buren County Hospital.  The people I work with are like my extended family.  The combination of rural clinics in the outlying towns and our affiliation with the University of Iowa provide access to quality heath care to all the people of our community.  I am proud to be a member of this team of professionals.

Nurse Practitioners & Physicians Assistants

BeLinda Striegel, ARNP

Belinda Striegel joined the staff at VBCH in 2000.  BeLinda is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner.  She received her Master's in Nursing with an Advanced Nursing Practice degree from Graceland University.  Se has worked in the Rural Health Clinics since May of 2000.  Belinda is a Certified Diabetic Educator and specializes in Women's Health.  She staffs the new Birmingham Clinic.

She and husband Andrew live in the prairies of rural Keota.  Andrew is an Agricultural Engineer or better known as a farmer.  He also works construction.  The construction company puts up hoop structure for agricultural uses.

BeLinda and Andrew have three children.  Benjamin is a student at Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids.  Vanessa is a junior at Keota and Sarah a sophomore.

In her spare time she enjoys quilting and needlework.  A true farmers' wife BeLinda loves her garden.

BeLinda loves her practice at VBCH because it is a small rural community similar to where she grew up.

BeLinda is accepting new patients.  For an appointment, please call 319-498-4370.

Carrie Smithart, PAC 

Specialization(s): Family Practice & ER
Medical School: 
Specialty Training: 
Other Education: 
Experience: 
Special Interests:

Karen Land, ARNP

Specialization(s): Family Practice
Medical School: 
Specialty Training: 
Other Education: 
Experience: 
Special Interests:

Jim Kuder, PA

Specialization(s): Family Practice
Medical School: 
Specialty Training: 
Other Education: 
Experience: 
Special Interests: