Psychiatry Staff
Laurie Clair, PA - C, Medical Director
Laurie Clair is a licensed Physician Assistant with a decade of providing psychiatric care, including diagnostic evaluations and medication management. As a member of the Iowa Physician Assistant Society, she was elected by her peers to serve as President, on the Legislative Committee and the Board of Directors. She’s certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and holds licenses in both Iowa and Minnesota.
She has vast experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and has been instrumental in initiating the psychiatric urgent care model in Central Iowa. She was also an integral voice in the establishment of a Crisis Observation Center, with a mission to provide stability and care management for those at risk, but unable to be hospitalized. Laurie also believes strongly in education, thus is a clinical preceptor with a special emphasis in psychiatry for PA programs around the state of Iowa. She serves as a national key note speaker/educator about the diagnosis and proper management of Bipolar disorder, educating her peers around the US.
In her personal time she enjoys traveling, cooking and fellowship with friends and colleagues.
Judith Gonzales, BSN, MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Judith brings a wealth of experience with over four decades of treating adolescents and adults in a clinical setting. She discovered her passion for improving patient outcomes in mental health services and has devoted the last 20 years of her practice to the field of psychiatry. Her goal is continual improvement in mental health service offerings and quality of life for central Iowans. Judith has a vast expertise in psychotherapy and psychiatric medication treatment. In addition, she is certified in providing both Ketamine treatment and Transcutaneous Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
"My priority is to provide a safe, empathetic environment where patients can express thoughts, feelings and memories in a nonjudgmental, healing space. My goal is helping my patients to enrich their lives by exploring current difficulties and adverse past experiences that prevent many of us from reaching our full potential."
Her acclaimed career in medicine began after she graduated with BSN from University of Iowa, and then went on to Allen College to obtain her Masters in Science and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner license. She’s currently an active member of the Neuroscience Educational Institute, and committed to keeping up to date on best practices and progressive standards of psychiatric care
Outside of her medical practice, Judith enjoys live music, dancing, spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling to new places, gardening and reading.
Lindsey Huisman, PA - C
Lindsey is a Physician Assistant who has worked in Psychiatry since receiving her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University in 2019. She is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed to practice medicine in the state of Iowa.
She sees all individuals over the age of 6 and brings with her a significant amount of experience working with the Child and Adolescent population in an outpatient setting. She has a passion for collaborating with families to provide a holistic approach to their child's mental health care. Her clinical areas of interest include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and impulse control disorders.
In her free time, Lindsey enjoys connecting with family and friends over a good cup of coffee, spending time with her husband, experiencing God’s creation through travel, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones!
Linda Steimling, PA - C
Bio Coming Soon!
Angie Cupp, RN
Angie Cupp is a Registered Nurse who started her nursing career in 2008, as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She found her true passion in mental health nursing in 2015. Angie continued her education by receiving her Associates of Science in Nursing in 2018. She is registered with the State of Iowa Board of Nursing. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
When not working, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband, children and pets. She also enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing.
Ema Ibrahimovic, CMA
Ema is a CMA who works in both the West Des Moines and Pella psychiatry offices.
Outside of work, Ema loves spending time with family and her pets, cooking, reading, being outdoors, and raising her son, who is the light of her life.
Carla Dixon, Support Staff
Carla has a passion for people, she has worked in the medical field since 1981 where she worked at Broadlawns Medical Center in the radiology department. She performed duties with Polk County Health Department funding for women and men needing breast cancer screening. She held a part time position at Hope Ministery women faciality for 2 years, Carla currently works full as support staff at Heartland also works parttime for Angela Browder HomeHealth care as a caregiver. Carla believes it's fair to say, "Caring & helping is her calling".
Carla has 2 children- Sierra , Anthony Jr, 2 grandchildren Xavier, Malia . In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her long-time campion of 27 years Anthony Sr, her children, grandchildren, shopping, traveling .
.jpg)
Michelle Minnehan, Support Staff
Bio Coming Soon!
Sharonda Thomas, Support Staff
Sharonda started her healthcare career in 2003 working in hospital admission, and then moved on to working in a medical office. In 2009 she earned her associate degree in medical assisting and became a Certified Medical Assistant. She has worked at Broadlawns, Mercy One, Eyerly Ball, and Central Iowa Psychological Services in many different specialty clinics and various roles. She also received her BA from Upper Iowa University in Health Services Administration.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and traveling.