KNOXVILLE, IA – When John Gotta joined Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (then Knoxville Area Community Hospital) in 1994 as a Facilities Tech, he never imagined it would grow into a 31-year career. Looking back, John says the time has flown by.
“It seems like just yesterday, to be honest,” he said.
Over the years, John advanced to Facilities Director, overseeing countless building projects—ranging from small department remodels to the major construction of the Primary Care Clinic and Infusion Center. Now, he is set to retire on October 1.
Returning to work in his hometown was exciting for John, though he recalls there was much to learn about health care facility maintenance. He adapted quickly, and in 2006, he assumed leadership of the Facilities Department following Merril Woods’ retirement.
John has witnessed tremendous growth and transformation at KHC through the years.
“I’d have never dreamt how the facility would change throughout the years. It’s unrecognizable to when I first started,” he said.
One of the largest undertakings during his tenure was the 2016 renovation project, which remodeled the Admitting and Lobby areas, enlarged inpatient rooms, expanded Surgery, and added the Primary Care Clinic and Physical Therapy gym.
“That was a fun project, and I learned a lot,” John reflected. “There were so many moving parts to keep track of.”
Some projects brought unique challenges, such as the recent Emergency Department renovation, which had to be completed while patient care continued uninterrupted.
“It wasn’t necessarily the biggest project, but it was challenging,” he said.
Technology has also reshaped his work. Early in his career, staff submitted handwritten work orders; today, the process is entirely electronic.
Among his proudest moments, John cites achieving his Certified Healthcare Facility Manager designation in 2014 and playing a role in improvements that directly enhanced the patient experience.
“To be honest, one of my fondest memories is the role I played in helping resolve issues that made for a better patient experience,” he said.
While John is proud of the projects completed under his leadership, what he will miss most is the people.
“I have formed some great friendships throughout the years, and I will miss that daily interaction with those folks,” he shared.
For those just beginning a career in health care, John offers this advice: “Hospital facility maintenance can be very rewarding. Although we do not get a lot of direct patient contact, everything we do affects patients, families, and staff.”
In retirement, John plans to stay busy enjoying motorcycle riding, camping, and yard work during the warmer months, and woodworking throughout the winter.
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a 2025 Top Workplaces Industry winner, KHC’s highly skilled staff and specialists are committed to providing personal, compassionate, and innovative health care to individuals in our area. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call the Public Relations Department at (641) 842-1418 or visit knoxvillehospital.org.
