Top Doctors 2010

For the second year in a row, Duluth~Superior Magazine sent a survey to local physicians asking which of their peers they would choose to treat their loved ones. The results are in, the best of the best, chosen by their peers. Several of these fine physicians have been given his honor by their peers two years in a row — notice the 2 icon on their photos above. Congratulations to all our top docs, and many thanks to all who took the time to participate in this survey. For tips from our top docs on staying healthy in 2010, visit our website at www.duluthsuperiormagazine.com. Duluth~Superior Magazine sent a survey to local physicians asking which of their peers they would choose to treat their loved ones.
The results of the survey are listed here, the best of the best, chosen by their peers. Congratulations to these fine physicians, and many thanks to all who took the time to participate in our survey.

Anesthesia
Susan Streitz, MD
Dr. Susan L. Streitz joined SMDC in 2002. She earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She holds a dual board certification in Anesthesia and Pediatrics. Her husband, Dr. John Streitz, is a cardiothoracic surgeon at SMDC. Their son, Patrick, age 20, attends the University of Washington and daughter, Anna, age 19, attends the University of Oregon.

Stacy Coffin, MD, FASE
Dr. Coffin is an anesthesiologist with St. Luke’s Anesthesia Associates. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA. He also completed his fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Transesophageal Echocardiography. Dr. Coffin is a Fellow of the American Society of Echo (FASE).

Cardiology
Lee Giorgi, MD
Dr. Giorgi is a cardiologist with St. Luke’s Cardiology Associates. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, and completed his residency in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and his cardiology fellowship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Giorgi is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. He conducts extensive research, is widely published and is an internationally requested speaker in the cardiology world.
Dermatology

Robert Lund, MD
Dr. Robert Lund joined SMDC in 1993. He earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, and did his residency at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He is board certified in Dermatology. His wife, Rev. Sara Lund, is an ordained minister and works as a chaplain in the area. They have four children.

Emergency Medicine

Christopher Delp, MD

Christopher Delp, MD, is an emergency medicine physician at St. Luke’s Emergency Department. He received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his emergency medicine residency at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Delp is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He also has a master’s of science degree in molecular biology from the University of Nebraska.

Family Practice
Michael Hieb, MD
Dr. Michael Hieb joined SMDC in 1978. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and completed his residency at the Duluth Family Practice Residency. He is board certified in Family Practice. His wife, Shirleen, is a teacher with the Duluth Public Schools and they have three daughters: Anna, a social worker in Palliative Care with Kaiser Permanente in Denver, CO; Kate, a nurse anesthetist with SMDC and Betsy, a BFA artist.

Gastroenterology

Waldo Avello, MD
Waldo L. Avello, MD, is a gastroenterologist with St. Luke’s Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Avello is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. Dr. Avello received his medical degree from Rutgers Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, and completed his internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami. In 2001, Dr. Avello was awarded the Volunteer Physician of the Year award in his former community in Florida for his endless donation of time and energy in treating the underprivileged and indigent population.

John Deutsch, MD
Dr. John Deutsch joined SMDC in 2000. He earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and completed his internal medicine residency at University of New Mexico and University of California at Davis. He completed his hematology/oncology and gastroenterology residencies at the University of Colorado. He is board certified in Internal Medicine with subspecialties in Gastroenterology, Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Theresa Smith, MD

Dr. Theresa Smith joined SMDC in 1995. She earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She completed her residency and fellowship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. She is board certified in Internal Medicine. She and her husband, Mark Danielson, have one son, Jim, age 17.

General Surgery

Melissa Najarian, MD
Dr. Melissa Najarian joined SMDC in 2005. She earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota. She completed her residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI and her fellowship at Northwest Colon and Rectal Clinic in Seattle, WA. She is board certified in General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery.
Internal Medicine

James Jorgenson, MD

Dr. James Jorgenson joined SMDC in 2001. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He is ABMS board certified in Internal Medicine. His wife, Dr. Kathleen Monaghan, is a general surgeon at SMDC. They have two children, Natalie and Nathan.
Nephrology

Sandy Popham, MD
Dr. Sandy Popham, of Duluth Kidney Services, got her degree from Carleton College in Northfield, MN and her medical degree from University of Minnesota Medical School. She did her internship, residency, and fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She holds the rank of major in the military. She is married to Geoff Popham and they have 3 children, Sam, Joe and Kelly.

Neurology
Gary Beaver, DO
Dr. Gary Beaver joined SMDC in 2001. He earned his medical degree at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, WA and is board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology.

David McKee, MD
Dr. David McKee followed up his neurology residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland with a year-long fellowship in neuromuscular diseases and electromyography at the Montreal Neurological Institute in Quebec, Canada. However, as a life-long resident of the Midwest, an honors graduate of both St. Paul’s Macalester College and the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, and an avid sailor, McKee found Duluth an obvious choice for establishing his practice, Northland Neurology & Myology, SC”. Duluth has been home for Dr. McKee and his wife Marie-Laure for seventeen years; it is also the birthplace of three of their four children.

Rebecca Meyerson, MD
Dr. Rebecca Meyerson joined SMDC in 1998. She earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota. She completed her internship at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and her residency and fellowship at the University of Rochester in New York. She is board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. She and her husband, Christopher Kemnitz, have three children: Jenny, age 12, Diana, age 7, and Daniel, age 5.
Neurosurgery

Mark Glazier, MD
Dr. Mark Glazier joined SMDC in 1985. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he did his internship and residency. He is board certified in Neurological Surgery. He and his wife, Debbie, enjoy caring for the rescued dogs they have adopted from the animal shelter.

Frederick Harris, MD

Dr. Frederick Harris joined SMDC in 2007. He earned his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Tennessee-Memphis Department of Neurological Surgery. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Frederick II, age 13; Kennedy, age 8; and Kasey, age six months.

Obstetrics / Gynecology

Scott Johnson, MD
Dr. Scott Johnson joined SMDC in 1989. He earned his medical degree from Mayo Medical School in Rochester, MN. He completed his residency at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center in Grand Rapids, MI. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His special interest is in minimally invasive gynecological surgery including pelvic support and incontinence surgery. Dr. Johnson volunteers at the Lake Superior Community Health Center and multiple area high school health classes. He and his wife, Suanna, have three children: Philip, Robert and Kerstin. Dr. Johnson serves as SMDC’s Associate Chief of Medical Specialties.

Occupational Medicine
Brian Konowalchuk, MD
Dr. Brian Konowalchuk joined SMDC in 2005. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed his internship at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Ft. Lewis, WA and his residency at the University of Minnesota and Regions Hospital. He is board certified in Preventive Medicine. He and his wife, Marcie, have two daughters: Hayley, age 11 and Aspen, age 9. Dr. Konowalchuk has been integral in the development and implementation of SMDC’s SpineX spinal rehabilitation program.
Oncology
Daniel A. Nikcevich, MD, PhD
Dr. Daniel Nikcevich joined SMDC in 2002. He earned his Medical Degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago, and did his internship, residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, with a subspecialty in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He is Principal Investigator for the Duluth Clinic CCOP (Community Clinical Oncology Program) and the Principal Investigator for NCCTG (North Central Cancer Treatment Group) membership. When he’s not at work, he likes to fish and spend time with his wife and kids.

Tanya Repka, MD, FACP
Tanya Repka, MD, FACP, is an oncologist with St. Luke’s Oncology & Hematology Associates. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and in the Internal Medicine subspecialties of Oncology and Hematology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and, in 2004, received the Laureate Award for the Minnesota Chapter from the American College of Physicians. Dr. Repka received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, and completed her residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Dr. Repka participates in oncology/hematology research and is internationally invited to present in her areas of expertise. She is an avid SCUBA diver and world traveler.

Ophthalmology

Daniel Skorich, MD
Dr. Daniel Skorich joined SMDC in 1988. He earned his medical degree at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, NH. He completed his internship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals Clinic in Minneapolis, his residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI and his fellowship at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation in San Francisco, CA. He is board certified in Ophthalmology. He and his wife, Rosey, have three children: Danielle, Stefan and Aubry. Dr. Skorich attends St. Ben’s Catholic Church and is a member of the Road Kill Boys bluegrass band.

Susan J. Relf, MD
Dr. Relf is a graduate of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She also completed her residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Relf, a surgeon, is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has practiced medicine in Duluth since 1992. She founded Relf Eye Associates in 2000. Dr. Relf’s practice consists of general ophthalmology and specialized care for eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. In her spare time, Dr. Relf enjoys outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking and canoeing. She has two adult children.

Orthopaedics

Michael Gibbons, MD
A fifteen-year veteran of SMDC, Dr. Michael Gibbons has performed thousands of surgeries on athletes and non-athletes alike. Dr. Gibbons specializes in sports, general orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeries. After graduating from the College of St. Scholastica, he earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his residency at Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. He is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine. Dr. Gibbons is an avid bowhunter. He and his wife, Ann, have a golden retriever named Cooper.

Brad Edgerton, MD
Dr. Brad Edgerton joined SMDC in 1994 and specializes in joint replacement surgery. He has surgically repaired thousands of knees, ankles and feet, helping to keep his patients healthy and active. Dr. Edgerton is also known for repairing failed knee and hip replacements. He earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado and completed his residency and fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery. He and his wife, Jackie, have three children: Sarah, Zach and Sam.

Jeff Klassen, MD
Dr. Jeff Klassen joined SMDC in 1998. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his residency and fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. Dr. Klassen is one of the region’s leading experts in shoulder and elbow surgery and is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery. He is an avid hunter and fisherman. An involved dad, he combines his love for the outdoors and family by chaperoning class trips to Wolf Ridge.
Pediatrics

Gordon Harvieux, MD
Dr. Gordon Harvieux joined SMDC in 1994. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis and completed his residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. He is board certified in Pediatrics. He is the Medical Director of the Duluth Children’s Medical Home Project (caring for children with special health care needs) and serves on the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics board of directors and executive committee. Dr. Harvieux and his wife, Patti, have two daughters, Annie, age 15, and Zoe, age 11.

Timothy Zager, MD
Dr. Tim Zager joined SMDC in 1982. He earned his medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago, IL and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He is board certified in Pediatrics. He and his wife, Anita, have two children, Ellen and John, who were both born in Duluth. Dr. Zager serves as SMDC’s Chief of Medical Specialties.

Physical Medicine

Thomas Silvestrini, MD
Dr. Thomas (Skip) Silvestrini joined SMDC in 1986. He earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. He completed his residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, MN. He is board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with a subspecialty in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine. He and his wife, Dawn, have two children, Mike, age 24, and Nikki, age 21. His interests include alpine skiing, water skiing, photography and playing the drums.

Plastic Surgery

Andrew Messa, MD
Andrew Messa, MD, joined Northland Plastic Surgery in September of 2001. He received his undergraduate and medical doctor degrees from the University of South Alabama. His general surgery residency was completed at the Medical College of Ohio; his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency was completed at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, in Texas. He is certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Matthias Solomon, MBBS
Dr. Matthias Solomon came to SMDC in 2009 from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he completed his plastic surgery residency. A native of India, he graduated from Sri Ramchandra Medical College, and went on to his general surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Solomon is board certified in Surgery. He and his wife live in Hermantown with their four children.

Edgar Saldaña, MD, FACS

Edgar Saldaña, MD, FACS, is a surgeon with St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates. He received a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Saldaña is board certified in plastic surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has a strong professional interest in cosmetic surgery and is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Dean Weber, MD

Dean H. Weber, MD, joined Northland Plastic Surgery in July of 1996 and became a partner in the practice in January, 2000. A native of southwestern Minnesota, he attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. He received his MD from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed his General Surgery residency followed by his Plastic Surgery residency. Dr. Weber currently serves as the Medical Director of the Burn Center at Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. Dr. Weber is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Podiatry

James Deegan, DPM
Dr. James P. Deegan III joined SMDC in 1976. He earned his Podiatric medical degree from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. He was a consultant for the 1980 U.S. Olympic ski jumping team, and enjoys and specializes in biomechanics and computerized gait evaluation. He is married to Mary Kathryn and has two children, Patrick and Elizabeth, and three stepchildren, Dan, Lindsay and Josh. His interests include biking, cross country skiing and experimenting with cooking in the kitchen.

Kristen Moore, DPM

Dr. Kirsten Moore joined SMDC in 2006. She earned her Podiatric medical degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA. She completed her residency at St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City, NY. She is board certified in Podiatric Surgery. She and her husband, Dean, have three children: Daylen, age 10, Spencer, age 6 and Madeline, age 3.
Psychiatry

Michael Messer, MD
Dr. Michael Messer joined SMDC in 2003. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and completed his residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, MN. He is board certified in Psychiatry & Neurology. He has an interest in resistant depressive disorders.

Pulmonology

Timothy Rich, MD

Superior native Dr. Timothy Rich joined SMDC in 2006. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he also completed his internship, residency and fellowship. He and his wife, Sandra, have two children: Anthony, age 12 and Lady Lydia, age 7.

Trauma/Surgical Critical Care

Steven Eyer, MD

Dr. Steven Eyer joined SMDC in 1995. He earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School/ Finch. He completed his internship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, his residency at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and his fellowship at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center. He is board certified in Surgery with a subspecialty in Surgical Critical Care.

Vincent Ohaju, DO

Dr. Vincent Ohaju joined SMDC in 2002. He earned his medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, TX, where he also completed his internship and residency. He completed his fellowship at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, TX. He is AOA board certified in Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. He and his wife, Ann, have six children: sons Vincent, Jr. and Jeffrey and daughters Jensine, Jessica, Laurel and Gloria. Dr. Ohaju is chairman of the VOOM Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at improving health care in Nigeria.

Urology

Jeff Engelsgjerd, MD

Duluth native Dr. Jeff Engelsgjerd joined SMDC in 1996. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, Duluth and Minneapolis and completed his residency at the University of Nebraska Hospital and Clinics, Omaha. He is board certified in Urology. He and his wife, Patty, have three children: Joshua, age 22, Megan, age 19, and Erik, age 18.