A graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Dr. Clark completed his Family Medicine Residency with the University of Illinois-Rockford School of Medicine in 1980. After two years with the National Health Service Corps in rural Missouri, he moved North Iowa in 1982 where he practiced full-spectrum family medicine for 15 years. During that time he was actively involved in end-of-life care and served as medical director for the local community hospice.

In 1997 he joined the family medicine faculty at Mercy Family Medicine Residency in Mason City, Iowa, where he continues to serve as a faculty member.  Dr. Clark achieved board certification through the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2003 and became the first program Director of Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa’s Palliative Medicine Fellowship in 2006.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Wensel was transplanted to Iowa in1983. His journey into medicine started with becoming a hospice volunteer after the death of his grandparents. After returning to school to become a paramedic, he graduated from Creighton University with a degree in science, a certificate in theology, and decided to pursue a career in medicine. Knowing that a primary care specialty would fit him best, he joined the family medicine residency at Mercy-North Iowa after graduating medical school. During his residency hospice and palliative medicine became a recognized specialty, and he began to discuss the development of the fellowship with the team.

In the summer of 2006, Dr. Wensel became the first hospice and palliative medicine fellow at Mercy-North Iowa. He also had the great privilege to assist in the development of a palliative medicine consultation service at Mercy-North Iowa.

In addition to his interest in hospice and palliative medicine, he completed a yearlong certificate program in medical ethics through the National Catholic Bioethics Center during his residency.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Wensel and his wife, Toni, have 3 beautiful children ages 11, 9, and 5.

Dr. Mark Johnson’s medical career has spanned the Midwest, beginning at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, followed by a residency at the University of Nebraska. It was during an oncology rotation during his residency that he was exposed to a newly formed statewide hospice initiative at the University of Nebraska. This interest lead him to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, where the possibility of a hospice program in North Iowa was being explored, evolving into the current Hospice of North Iowa program in existence today.

After collaborating in outpatient primary care and Hospice for more than 20 years, Dr. Johnson and co-director of Hospice of North Iowa, Dr. Clark, received certification in Hospice and Palliative Care in January 2003. The two immediately made plans to develop a Palliative Medicine program at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

A board certified internist, Dr. Johnson practiced within a multi-specialty clinic from 1980 through 1998. He has since practiced with Mercy Internal Medicine, focusing his interests on managing difficult and chronic headache patients. Most recently, he has turned his attention to treating diabetes using a team approach to care.

Today, Dr. Johnson continues his active involvement in Hospice and Palliative Care

Dr. Swegle graduated from Drake University College of Pharmacy in Des Moines in 1992 and practiced retail pharmacy in central Iowa for two years before attending graduate school. He received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa in 1996 and completed a pharmacy residency in Family Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is also certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialities.

Dr. Swegle joined the Mercy Family Medicine Residency faculty in 1997 and began attending interdisciplinary team meetings with Hospice of North Iowa.  He has a great interest in the overall use of medications as it relates to end-of-life care.  He has publications in peer-reviewed journals and has given numerous presentations on symptom management issues in the palliative medicine and Hospice population.  

In addition to his residency responsibilities he is an Associate Professor (Clinical) at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.  He serves as a preceptor for clerkship students, coordinator of pharmacotherapy modules, and provides lectures on a variety of therapeutic topics.

Dr. Swegle is married with three children. He enjoys golfing, sports, and family activities.