Advocating for Patients and Providers
Paul Kietzmann, MD and Amanda Kietzmann.
Paul Kietzmann, MD, has spent nearly 20 years caring for Alexandria. Now he’s stepping into a new role—and his reason for saying yes says everything about who he is.
When CEO, Carl Vaagenes approached Dr. Kietzmann about joining Alomere Health’s Senior Leadership Team as Chief Medical Officer of Ambulatory Care, Dr. Kietzmann didn’t jump at the chance. He prayed about it.
“Carl was really patient and gave me time to consider the role. Should I try to help people and our health system in this way—or am I called to serve in the exam room?” That kind of careful discernment is a good window into who Dr. Kietzmann is.
He grew up in Watertown, SD, the son of a dialysis nurse and a funeral director—people who spent their lives in service to others. He studied biology at the University of Minnesota, made his way through medical school in Duluth, residency in Sioux Falls, and in 2008, reasonably sure he was going to take a position in Willmar, cold-called the clinic administrator at Alexandria Clinic to do his due diligence. He came for an interview, got back in the car with his wife Amanda, and said, “Oh boy. Now we’ve got to make a decision.” They chose Alomere and never looked back.
In his new role, Dr. Kietzmann serves as the bridge between Alomere’s clinic providers and the health system’s senior administration. One of Dr. Kietzmann’s concerns is protecting providers from burnout, and making sure the people doing the work feel supported in doing it well.
Despite his new CMO role, his favorite titles are “Husband” and “Dad”. “Amanda’s dedication and service to our family makes it possible for me to be able to do what I do at the clinic and hospital.”
Dr. Kietzmann still sees patients at the clinic but the new CMO role means stepping back from some of the primary care work he’s done for nearly two decades. That’s not a small thing.
That depth of relationship with patients and clinic providers is what Dr. Kietzmann will bring to leadership decisions to keep Alomere performing at the highest level. Alomere Health was recently recognized for a second time as a Top 20 Rural & Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association. “There’s a reason why so many of us (providers) come and don’t leave. This is an awesome place to live and work.”
