When crediting someone for going the extra mile – we mean it!  

Dr. Naveen Penmasta and his family live in Ashburn, VA, an area just west of Washington, D.C. Once, sometimes twice, a month, Dr. Penmasta packs a bag, says goodbye to his wife and two young children, and heads to the airport to fly to work. His destination is over 1,000 miles away -most often, Des Moines, IA.  

Dr. Penmasta grew up in Chicago. He did his undergraduate studies in St. Louis before attending the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City. Dr. Penmasta’s initial exposure to DWC came as a senior resident. He saw the opportunity of moonlighting as a means of building up his confidence as an Emergency Department physician. Once he completed his residency program, he was hooked on practicing rural healthcare. 

Janine Smith, one of DWC’s Regional Managers for Iowa, was Dr. Penmasta’s main contact through his moonlighting experience. She witnessed firsthand how quickly he grew to understand the unique expectations associated with providing patient care in a rural community hospital. 

“Dr. Penmasta thrives in this environment. He is adaptable and knows how to integrate his clinical care style into each community,” says Smith, “He has learned that his success is directly impacted by his relational efforts with the staff at each hospital.”

Developing good working relationships with the hospital staff has meant the most to Dr. Penmasta. “I work about 90% of the time in Knoxville, Iowa where they have treated me like family,” says Penmasta, “I have forged so many close relationships with the staff there that it feels like a second home when I am there.”

So how does being away for a week at a time work for a young family of four?

“With two small children at home and a wife who works full time as a primary care physician is very challenging,” says Penmasta, “We are blessed to have family nearby who have helped us out tremendously and I am personally blessed that my wife, Priyanka, understands how much I love my job. All credit goes to her first and foremost!” 

Dr. Penmasta continues, “On the other hand is the benefit of a very flexible schedule. This allows me to spend more consistent time with my family. Much more than I would have working in a conventional clinic or hospital.” 

Of the five years Dr. Penmasta has served with DWC, two have been in the role of Medical Director for the state of Iowa.  

Graham Morsch, CEO of DWC reflects upon the decision of asking Dr. Penmasta to step into the role of State Medical Director, 

“He understands how to adapt to different environments, support hospital initiatives, and provide exceptional patient care alongside the local hospital staff. Dr. Penmasta exemplifies DWC’s philosophy of care and works very well with other DWC providers.”

All of us at DWC want to thank Dr. Penmasta for going the extra mile – the extra 1,000 miles – it takes to serve our rural communities and his fellow providers. 

And…an extra special thanks to his wife, Priyanka, and his children. 

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