Barbara Hostetler, M.D. OB/GYN Retires

Barbara Hostetler, M.D., OB/GYN physician and surgeon serving the local community for 14 years retired June 30, 2022.

Dr. Hostetler joined Upland Hills Health in 2008. Lisa Schnedler, hospital President and CEO states, “Dr. Hostetler is an outstanding and accomplished physician and surgeon who has affected the lives of many. She is a key member of our hospital family and we will miss her. She retires knowing she made a tremendous difference to the community we serve.”

During Dr. Hostetler’s time at Upland Hills Health, she gave her undivided attention to patients in over 19,000 clinic visits. She performed over 1,490 surgeries and delivered over 620 babies.

Hostetler was born in Wisconsin but grew up and spent most of her school years in Ohio. She received her medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Her residency was performed at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Memphis, TN. She is Fellowship trained in pediatric and adolescent gynecology and interests throughout her career include routine and high-risk obstetrics, laparoscopic surgery, incontinence treatment, menopausal issues and menstrual dysfunction.

In a recent interview, Hostetler reflected on her residency, saying, “Over the years, I have become very grateful for the training I received. It was a challenging place to provide care. Over 8,000 babies were delivered there annually at the time. Successfully providing care in a healthcare center like that helps a person realize their potential and builds confidence to manage pretty much anything that may be thrown at you.”

The first 10 years of her career were in academic medicine and research at the University of Tennessee where she traveled a great deal on the lecture circuit. She and her family then moved to Madison. Dr. Hostetler was the first OB/GYN hired after UW Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology acquired Physicians Plus. There she began her first clinical practice, which included teaching residents within the department. It was there she discovered she enjoyed clinical medicine.

She accepted a position at Upland Hills Health at a time when she was seeking better work-life balance. In 2008, she was the first surgeon employed by Upland Hills Health, Inc. She joined the C-section call rotation with Mineral Point Medical Center physicians, Dr. Everett Lyndsey, and Dr. Mark Bishop.
“I feel I’ve done something positive with my life here. It has been truly gratifying both professionally and personally,” Hostetler reflected. “I have been lucky to do this. It has been a privilege to participate in people’s health.

I made a choice to take care of women. Even though I am choosing to retire, at this point in my life being a surgeon and an obstetrician is still exciting. It is still a thrill. It is just time for me to give up call.

My retirement plan is to make no plan for a while,” she says with a smile. “I am going to exhale and relax for a time before I start working on my bucket list.”

Dr. Hostetler serves and supports women’s health locally and throughout the world through generous contributions of time and money. She has served as medical consultant to Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP) Clinics and regularly contributes to Family Advocates, The Heifer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.

Dr. Hostetler emphasized the caring family of co-workers she has enjoyed at Upland Hills Health.

“It has been an honor to work here,” Dr. Hostetler commented. “I have enjoyed everyone – culinary staff, building management and housekeeping staff, our volunteers, OR and ED staff, labor and delivery staff, medical-surgical staff – everyone. They are a very caring family. So when I needed recent surgery, I chose to have it here and I felt very cared for here.”

The Upland Hills Health team wishes Dr. Barbara Hostetler a well-earned, happy retirement.

Tamara Nodolf, Medical Staff Coordinator adds, “Please join in wishing Dr. Barbara Hostetler the very best days to come! Well wishes may be sent to Dr. Barbara Hostetler c/o Tammi Nodolf, 800 Compassion Way, Dodgeville, WI 53533