Stewart Memorial

Leah Marxen, Chief Executive Officer
CEO Leah Marxen started her career in healthcare working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Ward Secretary at her hometown hospital in Clarinda, IA. She fell in love with rural health care and pursued an education in nursing, earning her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then earned her Masters of Healthcare Administration from Des Moines University.

Marxen belongs to the America College of Healthcare Executives, the Iowa Hospital Association, Calhoun County Board of Health, Calhoun County Development Board, Lake City Betterment Board, PEO, and Rotary International.

Leah also enjoys many hobbies including camping, boating, and flower gardening.

Jim Henkenius, Chief Financial Officer
Since 1989, Jim Henkenius has served as the CFO at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital. The Iowa native earned his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City.

Henkenius is a member of the Health Financial Management Association (HFMA) and is active with his children’s activities, church and community. He is a volunteer 5th-6th grade Football coach and 6th grade boys’ Basketball coach for Southern Cal Schools. He is also a board member of The Kids Spot Day Care, Committee member for the Lake City Pool Fundraiser, Usher and Finance committee member at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and a volunteer worker at the Capri Theatre.

Jim and his wife Jodi are the parents of five children, Chelsey, Ashley, Derrick, Emily and Joshua. In addition to being involved with his family and church, Jim enjoys golfing and doing crossword puzzles.

Cindy Carstens, Vice President of Nursing and Ancillary Services
Cindy Carstens has worked in the health care industry since 1981 and came to Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in the summer of 2008. She earned her Associate Degree of Nursing from Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix.

She belongs to the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Emergency Nurses Association. She has also served as a Trauma Nursing Instructor for over ten years. Carstens is a member of the BE Chapter of TTT of Iowa and is an active member of ACHE. These volunteer groups focus on raising money to send 4th grade girls to camp and scholarships for graduating senior high girls.

Cindy and her husband Alan have three grown children, two grandsons and four granddaughters. In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading, flower gardening, outdoor activities and shopping with friends.

Michele Davis, Vice President of Clinics
Michele Davis joined Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in 2007 to serve as Vice President of Clinics. She attended Iowa State University and the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration. She also earned her MBA/Healthcare Leadership certificate from University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.

Davis is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and MGMA. She volunteers her time with the Lake City Lions Club, Lake City Betterment board member, and Kids Spot day care board member.

Michele and her husband Jason have three daughters, Caitlin, Chloe and Sophie. In her free time she pursues her passion of writing.

Dr. Elsie Verbik, Director of Medical Management
Elsie Verbik, M.D. serves as the hospital’s Director of Medical Management and specializes in Family Practice and Bariatric (weight loss) Medicine. She is one of only two people board certified as a Diplomat of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine in the state of Iowa.

She is Board Certified in Family Practice. Dr. Verbik graduated with her M.D. from Christian Medical College, University of Punjab, India. Her postgraduate training is in Pharmacology, which was also completed at the University of Punjab, India. Her residency in Family Practice was completed at Clarkson Family Medicine, Omaha, NE. She’s a member of the American Association of Family Physicians and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

Dr. Verbik and her husband David Verbik, DDS, have two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, piano music and reading.