About Us
At Remedy Internal Medicine our mission is to provide exceptional, comprehensive primary care for adult patients desiring a more personalized relationship with their medical team and greater transparency with medical costs. We offer direct access to a physician through phone, text, and email, same or next day appointments, and minimal wait times and longer office visits.
Rachael R. Dirksen, MD
Dr. Dirksen was born and raised in rural Charlotte, Iowa. She graduated with honors from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with majors in Biochemistry and English Literature. She spent a year in Madison, Wisconsin volunteering as an AmeriCorps VISTA before starting medical school. She received her medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society as well as the Gold Humanism honor society. Dr. Dirksen completed her internal medicine training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2012 where her training emphasized primary care. After residency, she worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Iowa, where she enjoyed teaching medical students and residents as well as caring for patients in the outpatient setting. After leaving her clinical position at the University of Iowa, she enjoyed volunteering at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and working towards the creation of Remedy Internal Medicine. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Physicians. She is happy to help patients from all walks of life and is a LGBTQ affirming provider. She is thankful to be in her home state of Iowa where she has the opportunity to be close to her family and the ability to serve her community. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys being a mother to two beautiful children, spending time with her husband, and finding time for yoga, baking, and reading.
Maureen Connolly, MD
Dr. Connolly is a native of New Jersey and did her training on the East Coast. She graduated with honors from Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences and then attended the Georgetown University School of Medicine. She received an invaluable education training at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. There she spent her Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine and was selected to spend a year as Chief Medical Resident. She met her future husband, Dr. Fred Ovrom, while training there. Dr. Connolly’s first position out of training was at Bellevue Hospital in New York City where she cared for working class and indigent patients, while also overseeing Medical Students and Residents.
Dr. Connolly and her husband then spent three wonderful years in Tucson, AZ where she was the Director of the Medical Walk-in Clinic at El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center. The population served was largely Mexican American and Yacqui Indians.
Once Dr. Connolly started a family, she and Fred decided to move to Iowa City as he has a large extended family in Iowa. They raised their four children here and have been privileged to serve the community in various capacities. Dr. Connolly was the Medical Director of the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic from 1997 to 2007. During that time she also served for six years as a member of the Johnson County Board of Public Health. She subsequently practiced as a partner at Towncrest Internal Medicine where she cared for patients from ages 18 to 100+. Dr. Connolly is an advocate for all her patients and a LGBTQ affirming provider.
Dr. Connolly is so excited to join Dr. Dirksen and continue doing what she loves best, seeing and working with patients.
Katie McSweeney, RN
Katie McSweeney is an Iowa native, born in Mason City, IA. Her family followed her father’s career with Hy-Vee to Rochester, MN, and then settled in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1993 where she has been ever since. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. After high school, Katie followed her calling to help others and worked as a Patient Care Technician at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. While working in that role, she enrolled at Kirkwood Community College and completed her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2012. As a registered nurse, Katie worked at St. Luke’s Hospital on the medical/surgical unit, intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, and as an IV Therapy Nurse. After five years of hospital nursing, she transitioned to the outpatient setting at the University of Iowa Internal Medicine Clinic in 2017. Katie looks forward to continuing her nursing career in a setting focused on patient-centered care. Katie is married to her high school sweetheart. They have two young and energetic children, and two large, lovable dogs, all of which contribute to a busy household. In her “spare” time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her family and friends, gardening, biking, and last but not least, a good cup of coffee.