This Ames surgery center closed recently, canceled all appointments and scrubbed its website
A local cosmetic surgery center on the northeast side of Ames has abruptly closed for unknown reasons.
Sturm Cosmetic Surgery, located at 1405 Baltimore Drive, is no longer accepting appointments, according to a notice that is pinned to the facility's front door. All upcoming surgical appointments have been canceled.
It is unclear when the business officially closed. Its website (https://sturmcosmetic.com) is no longer active and has been scrubbed clean.
"This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our gratitude for the trust and support of our patients," the notice, signed by Sturm and the Sturm Cosmetics Surgery Team, said.
The center was operated by Dr. Lindsay Sturm, a licensed physician specializing in full-body cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery, according to the Iowa State Board of Medicine's website. Her license is still active as of Wednesday.
Sturm graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University in 2012 and has been certified by the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Sturm was born in 1984, according to the Iowa State Board of Medicine.
The Ames Tribune has been unable to verify how many employees worked at Sturm Cosmetic Surgery. The Tribune also reached out to the Iowa Workforce Development to inquire about possible layoffs but did not get a response.
Twin Shores, according to the contractor's website, handled the construction of Sturm Cosmetic Surgery's new 6,300-square-foot facility in January 2023.
"The office includes a beautiful lobby with modern decor, exam rooms and an independent surgery center," according to a Twin Shores testimonial.
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The doors to Sturm Cosmetic Surgery were locked on Monday and no cars were seen in the parking lot.
The message taped to the door mirrors an automated voice message that is heard after dialing the company's phone number.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by these cancellations," the signed notice said. "Please rest assured that we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible.
According to the company voicemail, current patients will be contacted with additional information. Patients in need of ongoing medical care have been told to contact another physician "to continue with appropriate medical care."
Though there are no criminal charges against Sturm, she is entangled in a pair of malpractice lawsuits that have been filed in Story County accusing her of negligence, one of which allegedly led to death. A lawsuit filed on May 20, 2024, accuses the doctor of causing injuries to a patient during surgery, which allegedly led to a massive hemorrhage and her death.
A response filed on July 10, 2024, denied the allegations.
The Ames Tribune reached out to Sturm's lawyers on Tuesday but did not receive a response.
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Sandra and Gary Quade, parents of a former patient, are suing Sturm by claiming that injuries the physician allegedly caused during surgery and the ensuing alleged "negligent" post-op care led to death.
Sturm performed core liposuction and an abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, on Angela Kettwig, 50, of Colo, on March 29, 2023, according to court documents. The operation and liposuction went without complication, according to the medical records, and Kettwig was discharged later that day.
At about 2 a.m. the following day, Kettwig's daughter allegedly called Strum to share that her mother was lightheaded when standing and "did not feel good." Sturm allegedly said the reaction was "normal" for an abdominoplasty and recommended she be given something to eat or drink to help with her blood sugar.
At 6:30 a.m. the same day, Kettwig suffered a cardiac arrest. She was transferred to Story County Medical Center and then to Unity Point Iowa Methodist Center, where she subsequently died of acute blood loss.
Dr. Nelson Goldberg, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Maryland Medical School, reviewed Kettwig's medical records, according to court documents filed on Jan. 3, and noted that Kettwig's signs and symptoms were indicative of hypotension and serious bleeding. He said it was a "preventable death" and, "to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, would have been prevented if Dr. Sturm had reasonably acted upon the first report of blood loss and dizziness."
The Quades, on behalf of Kettwig's children, are seeking damages "for their loss of past and future consortium in a fair and reasonable amount."
A jury trial has been set for Feb. 10, 2026, according to court documents.
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A United Arab Emirates resident who traveled to Ames for surgery at Sturm's practice filed a lawsuit in October 2023 for damages following a procedure. The lawsuit from Joseph Kaissi claims that Sturm was negligent "by performing a risky and unnecessary abdominoplasty when a less invasive and appropriate procedure was available."
Kaissi claimed that Sturm did not use the "appropriate degree of acceptable surgical technique and medical expertise in performing the abdominoplasty.
Kaissi said he's suffered "serious and permanent" injuries because Sturm's and Sturm Cosmetic Surgery's "negligent" care.
No filings have been made in the case since October 2024. A jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Sturm Cosmetic Surgery in Ames abruptly shuts down for unknown reasons
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