Greene County Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer has a new role.

Dr. John Van Der Veer is now seeing adult patients as a general physician with UnityPoint Clinic-Greene County.  He was first hired as the CMO 16 months ago, but Chief Executive Officer Carl Behne points out they wanted him as a physician too.

“We had always talked about it and to see it actually come true, so he’s going to be able to not only care for patients but also continue to support the medical administrative needs of the organization.  It’s a very exciting time for us at the medical center and I feel for the community as well.”

Van Der Veer is excited about joining UnityPoint Clinic-Greene County and describes what led him to the decision.

“A large part of it is that I’ve kind of been working on getting sub-specialists into town and developing a clinic workforce.  And I wanted to have extra providers available to contribute to that, which I think, I will be able to do.”

The University of Iowa and Des Moines University graduate will continue to be the hospital’s CMO.  However, Van Der Veer says the only real reduction in responsibilities are fewer hours so he can concentrate on his physician duties.  He will see patients three days a week at the clinic.