Olmsted Medical Center

🌟 Dr. Drehmel is now accepting patients at our Lake City clinic! 🌟 As a Family Medicine physician, Kyle Drehmel, MD, is dedicated to enriching lives through expert care. As a Family Medicine physician, Dr. Drehmel provides primary and preventive care to people of all ages, from newborn babies to elderly adults. Dr. Drehmel's interest areas include chronic disease management, wellness visits, skin biopsies, joint injections, and more. Dr. Drehmel says, “Making a connection with my patients is very important to me. I consider myself to be a partner to my patients, and I treat my appointments as us working together to figure out the best treatment plan for you as a patient.” Outside of work, Dr. Drehmel enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, cooking, reading, and camping. To schedule an appointment with Kyle Drehmel, MD, please call 507.280.1828.

Today we're reflecting on Olmsted Medical Center history from August 20, 1969, when the groundbreaking for what would become the OMC Rochester Southeast Clinic took place—just over 20 years after Dr. Wente first opened his office above Lawler’s Dry Cleaners in downtown Rochester. The new clinic officially welcomed patients on November 2, 1970. We enjoy looking back at how far we've come as we celebrate OMC's 75th anniversary this year!

Meet Amanda Thoendel, MD, Family Medicine physician at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Thoendel has been with OMC since 2012 and cares for patients of all ages, addressing a wide range of conditions including high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Additionally, Dr. Thoendel specializes in Women’s Health procedures, birth control planning, and simple skin procedures. Dr. Thoendel says, “When patients come to see me in Family Medicine, I want them to know that I’m there to listen to them. I’m here to understand what’s going on in their lives, listen to their concerns and symptoms, and help devise the best treatment plan for them.” Outside of work, Dr. Thoendel enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, fishing, camping, and hiking. To schedule an appointment with Amanda Thoendel, MD, please call 507.292.7183.

Meet Jared Aelony, DPM, Podiatrist at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Aelony has been with OMC since 2022 and sees patients for issues of the foot and ankle, including ingrown toenails, calluses, fractures, arthritis, reconstructive surgery, and more. Dr. Aelony says, “The most rewarding thing is seeing patients do well and seeing them get relief from the pain that they are suffering from and being able to live their best life. We get a lot of pickleball and tennis players, and people middle-aged and older who want to continue playing sports and engaging in an active lifestyle, and we’re here to help them do that.” Outside of work, Dr. Aelony enjoys live music, biking, and spending time with his dog. To schedule an appointment with Jared Aelony, DPM, please call 507.292.7186.

Meet Lee Schneider, OD, Optometrist at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Schneider has been with OMC since 2019 and sees patients for routine eye exams, glasses and contacts consultations, pre- and post-operative care for cataract and other eye surgeries, and urgent eye care needs. Dr. Schneider says, “I like coming into work each day because we have a great team, and it’s rewarding to help people see better and to try to improve other aspects of their health through their vision.” Outside of work, Dr. Schneider enjoys biking, cross-county skiing, and spending time with his wife and two daughters. To schedule an appointment with Lee Schneider, OD, please call 507.287.2711.

As a Certified Nurse Midwife, Carrie Rochester, APRN, CNM, is dedicated to enriching lives through expert care. Carrie has been with OMC since 2020 and sees patients at the Women’s Health Pavilion for prenatal, contraceptive, family planning, gynecological, and sexual health appointments. Carrie says, “I feel it’s important to make those connections with patients, especially with women, because often in healthcare they are dismissed, especially when it comes to pain. I want to provide that validation as well as that listening ear for those people.” Outside of work, Carrie enjoys running, hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors. To schedule an appointment with Carrie Rochester, APRN, CNM, please call 507.529.6605.

Meet Katie McKenzie, MD, Family Medicine physician at Olmsted Medical Center’s Plainview clinic. Dr. McKenzie has been with OMC since 2019 and provides care for patients of all ages. She particularly enjoys taking care of families and performing in-office procedures including skin biopsies and joint injections. Dr. McKenzie says, “I like to be able to be there for patients during the big milestones in their lives, and I like to help them through the tougher times as well. I want my patients to know that when they come to see me, I’m there to help them. It’s my job, and it’s what I’m there for.” Outside of work, Dr. McKenzie enjoys being outdoors, gardening, and cross-country skiing. To schedule an appointment with Katie McKenzie, MD, please call 507.534.3885.

Meet Jorges Brenes Salazar, MD, Cardiologist at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Brenes Salazar has been with OMC since 2021 and specializes in general community cardiology for adult patients and the evaluation and management of cardiac conditions such as electrical problems of the heart (arrhythmias), leaky or narrow valves, congestive heart failure, and chest discomfort or blockages in the arteries of the heart. Dr. Brenes Salazar says, “I come with no judgments; I only come to help, and that’s my privilege – to help others. In this era of technology, especially in Cardiology, advances go so rapidly, and you can get lost and focus more on the technology and the treatment strategies rather than the person and the family that you have in front of you. That’s a trend that we have to move away from, and focus on the patient and doctor relationship, which has a nature of being something sacred.” Outside of work, Dr. Brenes Salazar enjoys playing soccer, gardening, spending time in nature, and collecting unique shoes. To schedule an appointment with Jorge Brenes Salazar, MD, please call 507.292.7170.

Meet Ali Stewart, Registered Nurse and Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse in the Active Aging Services department at Olmsted Medical Center. Ali has been with OMC since 2021 and specializes in palliative care, memory care, and care for older populations. A full screening process at an appointment may include discussion around memory and symptom concerns, functional status, caregiver burden, and quality of life. Ali says, “I truly love supporting patients and their families through the journey of health, end of life, quality of care, symptom management, and being the person they can connect with when they’re having a difficult time.” Outside of work, Ali enjoys connecting with the southeastern Minnesota community through playing pickleball. To schedule an appointment with Ali Stewart, RN, BSN, CHPN, please call 507.287.2794.

Meet Ahmed Ansari, MD, Dermatologist at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Ansari sees patients of all ages for their skincare needs, including rashes, skin cancer, cosmetic concerns, and more. Dr. Ansari also performs procedures such as biopsies, steroid injections, skin cancer excision, Mohs surgery, and image-guided superficial radiotherapy (IG-SRT). Dr. Ansari says, “I want patients to know that here at OMC they can feel cared for. I will give them all the time and attention they need, as if they were a family member. I hope that they can just relax and be themselves during the appointment. Connecting with patients allows them to engage and have confidence in the treatment plan at the end of the day.” Outside of work, Dr. Ansari enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, being outdoors, and exploring Rochester’s culinary scene. To schedule an appointment with Ahmed Ansari, MD, please call 507.292.7182.