Introducing Tara Fink; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at VMH Clinics

Tara Fink of Harpers Ferry, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, has joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital clinics to offer behavioral health care and counseling. She will be providing consultations at both the Waukon and Postville clinic locations. She shares her passion for mental health care and the need in these underserved communities in northeast Iowa.

“Helping people, bottom line, is the biggest reason that I chose a career in mental health. After a history with my own mental health struggles, it was difficult to find good support in rural Iowa and I vowed to help change this for others in this community who are struggling. I also find it wildly interesting to learn how the brain works. I have an interest in helping people in their efforts to achieve psychological resilience and self-actualization,” explains Tara Fink, PMHNP. “With my advanced nursing degree, I have the opportunity to make a greater impact within the community. I plan on seeing all patients through the lifespan in order to reduce barriers for all ages in the community.”

Fink received her master of science in Nursing degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with an emphasis in rural and underserved populations from Allen College earlier this year.

“Growing up, my parents have both worked in human service areas and I have known since a young age that I wanted to do something similar,” adds Fink.  “Finally, I have a passion for improving the community that we live in through the reduction of stigma and indifference.”

Fink was drawn to working at Veterans Memorial Hospital for the location and the fact this is an underserved, rural Iowa community. “My passions are Holistic and Integrative Mental Health Care, improvement in psychological resilience, reduction of stigma, improved culture of acceptance, barrier reduction, and supporting Iowa’s underserved rural areas, such as the farming communities” adds Fink.

“My role model is Patch Adams and I plan to practice in a way that aligns with his values/morals. I have a passion for improving our healthcare system and, like Patch, I strongly believe that creativity, joy and laughter are essential elements of the healing process. I believe strongly in integrative approaches to medicine and one of my favorite quotes from Patch, is ‘You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.’ I am very excited to start my career in this community and I dedicate myself and my time to improving mental healthcare in this area.”

“I am so excited to have Tara join our VMH Clinic team,” states Laura Baxter, VMH Clinics Director.  “Our behavioral health clinic project has been underway for several months and this new service line will help fill a much-needed gap within our community.”

Fink is available to see patients at both the Veterans Memorial Hospital Postville and Waukon clinics. To make an appointment to see her in Postville, call 563-864-7221, or in Waukon, call 563-568-5530.