Specialty Clinics
Services of physician specialists are available to supplement and compliment the WCHC Medical Staff through our Specialty Clinics.  For February's Specialty Clinic Schedule, please click here Copy of 2008 02 February Specialty Clinic.pdf

Specialists are available in the following areas:

Cardiology

Stephan Schomer, M.D.
    Dr. Stephan Schomer, M.D. earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa in 1987.  He completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1990 and a Cardiology fellowship in 1993, both also from the University of Iowa.  He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases.  
    Dr. Schomer practices non-interventional cardiology, including diagnostic heart catheterization.  His special interests include the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained syncope as well as the brain’s control over heart rate and blood pressure, which were his areas of research while at the University of Iowa.  Dr. Schomer practices at the Iowa City Heart Center, P.C. in Iowa City, which is affiliated through Mercy Hospital.  He sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every Tuesday and Friday of the month. 


ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)

Dwayne Capper, MD
Dr. Dwayne Capper, M.D. earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1992.  He completed a Preliminary Surgical Residency and Otolaryngology Residency from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1997.  He is Board-certified in Otolaryngology.  Dr. Capper practices at Otologic Medical Services in Iowa City, which is affiliated through Mercy Hospital.  
    Dr. Capper is a member of the following Associations: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, American Sleep Disorders Association, Johnson County Medical Society, American Board of Otolaryngology, American Rhino logic Society, Pan-Pacific Surgical Association, Iowa Medical Society, Iowa Academy of Otolaryngology, American Trinities Society.  Dr. Capper also sees patients and performs surgeries every Thursday at Washington County Hospital and Clinics.


Gastroenterology

Brian O’Meara, M.D.
Dr. Brian O’Meara, M.D. earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1988.  He completed his Residency from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology.  He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology.  Dr. O’Meara practices at Gastroenterology Associates of Iowa City, which is affiliated with Mercy Hospital.  Dr. O’Meara no longer has clinics at Washington County Hospital and Clinics, but still does procedures at WCHC.


Neurology

Todd Ajax, M.D.
Dr. Todd Ajax, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Utah in 1991.  He completed his residency from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Dr. Ajax is Board-certified in Psychiatry & Neurology, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Neuroimaging (neurosonology).  Dr. Ajax practices at Neurologic Associates in Iowa City, which is affiliated with Mercy Hospital.  Dr. Ajax sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every other Wednesday. 


Ophthalmology

Todd Gothard, M.D.
Dr. Todd Gothard received his medical degree with honors from the University of North Carolina.  Following an Internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, he completed a one-year fellowship in refractive, corneal and cataract surgery at the Phillips Eye Institute and the University of Minnesota.  He specializes in refractive, corneal and cataract surgery and has been performing refractive surgery since 1990.  He has also been actively involved in clinical trials with the excimer laser and has more than nine years of experience with the excimer laser.  
    Dr. Gothard has practiced at the Wolfe Eye Clinic in Cedar Rapids since 1993.  He performs cataract surgeries for patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. 


Orthopedics

Edward Lash, M.D.
Dr. Edward Lash received his medical degree from the University of Iowa 1984.  He completed his residency from the University of Wisconsin in 1989.   He is Board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and is also a member of several professional organizations such as American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Iowa Orthopaedic Society.  Dr. Lash sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics on Thursdays. 


Podiatry

Howard Cox, D.P.M.
Dr. Howard Cox, D.P.M., received his medical degree from the College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery at Des Moines University in 1992.  He completed a surgical residency at Green River Surgery Center in Seattle, Washington.  He is Board-certified in Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, and is on the medical staff at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.  He practices at the Town Square Family Foot Care in Coralville, Iowa.  Dr. Cox sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every Monday and Friday and every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. 


Urology

Gordon Goldsmith, M.D.
Dr. Gordon Goldsmith, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Iowa in 1970.  He completed his residency from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  He is Board-certified in Urology and is a member of several professional organizations such as the Iowa Medical Society, Rubin Flocks Society, Iowa Urologic Society, AUA and A.M.A.  He has practiced at Urologic Associates of Iowa City since 1978 and is affiliated with Mercy Hospital.  Dr. Goldsmith sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every third Tuesday of the month. 

James Skarda-M.D. 
Dr. James Skarda received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1971.  He completed his residency from the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in New York.  He is Board-certified in Urology and is also a member of several professional organizations such as AUA, Iowa Urologic Society and Iowa Medical Society.  Dr. Skarda has practiced at the Urologic Associates of Iowa City Clinic since 1976 and is affiliated with Mercy Hospital.  Dr. Skarda sees patients at Washington County Hospital and Clinics every first Tuesday of the month.