Deb Meissner, LISW, IADC

Deb is currently the Director of Behavioral Health.  She has been with Myrtue Medical Center since 2012.  While Deb serves in a managerial role, she continues to provide clinical services as well.  Deb provides mental health and addiction services to individuals and families.

Deb is a Colorado native and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Deb has spent nearly 25 years in the field of mental health and substance abuse and has experience providing services in varied settings.  Deb currently holds her Iowa license as an independent clinical social worker (LISW) and is a certified drug and alcohol counselor (IADC).

Kristine Gross, ARNP-BC, PMHCNS

Kris is currently the nurse practitioner who mostly monitors psychotropic at Behavioral Health.  She has been employed with Myrtue Medical Center since May of 2006.  While Kris mostly provides medication monitoring, Kris can also provide: Disability Evaluations and Psychiatric Evaluations and Therapy.

Kris is a Nebraska native.  She graduated from the University of Nebraska with her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, then with her Master’s degree in Nursing.  Kris has spent approximately 25 years in the field of mental health.  Kris currently holds her Iowa license as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) as well as a Senior Disability Analyst and Diplomate.

Nicole Thomas, MSN, MHed., ARNP, PMHNP-BC

Nicole Thomas received her Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Allen College. For the past three years, Nicole has worked as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Plains Area Mental Health Center. In addition, Nicole worked as a registered nurse in the Mental Health Unit for Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA.

Rodney Dean, MD

Dr. Rodney Dean attended Virginia Union University for his B.S., the University of Virginia for his medical degree, and then went into officer’s training for the Army.  He completed his Psychiatry Internship and Residency at the Letterman Army Medical Center and graduated with the honor of “Outstanding Psychiatry Resident.”  He has received military honors of Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.  Dr. Dean has worked as the Chief of the Community Mental Health Services and Department of Psychiatry for the Lyster Army Hospital in Alabama.  He was Chief of the Inpatient Psychiatric Service in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.  He currently is Director of Dean and Associates in Sioux City, Iowa and provides contracted psychiatric services for Myrtue Medical Behavioral Health Department.

Denise Kinney, LMHC

Denise is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor(LMHC) as is also a Nationally Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors as well as a member of the American Counseling Association. She has her bachelor’s in psychology and human services management from Buena Vista University and her master’s degree in human services mental health counseling from Bellevue University. She has been in the humans services field since 2002 and in practice as a mental health counselor since 2011.

Denise joined Behavioral Health in early 2016. She is trained in multiple evidence-based practices including Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She has also completed training through the VA through Certification for Serving Our Veterans. Denise works with a broad range of clients, including children, families, adults, and couples. Her practice includes considerable work in the area of trauma.

Lindsey Kinney, LMHC

Lindsey attended Iowa Western Community College and received her Associate’s degree in Psychology.  She then attended Bellevue University where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology.  She went on to obtain her Master’s of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling through Bellevue University.  Lindsey Jo has been working in the Human Services field for the past 12 years.  She has been trained and endorsed by the University of Iowa in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).  She has been employed by Myrtue Medical Center Behavioral Health since December of 2011.

Emily Barrett

Emily grew up in Walnut, Iowa then moved to Harlan after finishing school to pursue her career as a Pharmacy Technician.  Emily has worked as a pharmacy technician for 14 years.  She is now using her pharmacy background and working as a Patient Care Specialist in Behavioral Health here at Myrtue Medical Center.

Bev Jensen

Bev was co-owner of B & B Tire in Avoca for 20 years.  Prior to that, she managed a jewelry store for 10 years.  Bev has 30 years of experience in business accounting and customer relations.  Bev has worked at Behavioral Health for 7 years.  She has a strong focus on customer service.

Kelsi Lingle

Kelsi graduated from Iowa Western Community College as a certified medical assistant (CMA). While she is a recent addition to Behavioral Health, Kelsi has been with Myrtue Medical Center for 12 years as a CMA. Kelsi joined our team in June of 2017 as Behavioral Health Services Representative.

Dixy Rivera

Dixy graduated from Bryman College in California.  She moved to Harlan 9 years ago and started working at Behavioral Health.  She also is an Interpreter for the hospital and many other programs that Myrtue offers to the public.  She is very happy to be part of the Behavioral Health team and be able to help and provide care to this community.

Joan Kloewer

Joan attended college at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.  Joan received a degree in Education/Human Service Related field.  Joan began working at Behavioral Health in 1995.  Joan started doing the Supported Community Living program and was also a Case Manager for Shelby County residents, Incredible Years Parenting educator, and now currently she does some grant writing and working with the Supported Community Living program, Elderly Screens, Behavioral Health Intervention Services and the Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program.

Jenny Muhlbauer

Jenny graduated from Buena Vista University in 2015 with double major in psychology and human services. She is currently continuing her education as a graduate student in human services at Kaplan University. Jenny brings considerable experience to her work in community support services. She served as a residential advisor at Quakerdale in Manning, a teacher associate in the IKM-Manning schools, a counselor at Job Corps in Dension, and as a community support provider at Plains Area Mental Health. Jenny joined Behavioral Health in early 2017 providing Behavioral Health Intervention Services and Supported Community Living services.

Kevin Reynolds

Kevin is an Omaha native and world traveler. After military service, Kevin attended Bellevue University and earned his bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. Kevin is a current graduate student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is earning his master’s degree in clinical mental health. Kevin joined Behavioral Health in July of 2016. Kevin currently works with children and adults in the following programs; Supported Community Living, Behavioral Health Intervention Services, and Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services.