Michael Schwartz, MD, PhD, FACS

Dr. Schwartz graduated from Emory University School of Medicine AOA, Magna Cum Laude in 1967. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota in 1975.

He was a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota and served in the United States Army (Lt Colonel) as Chief of Surgery at Kenner Army Hospital in Ft. Lee, VA. He has performed open bariatric surgery since 1978 and laparoscopic bariatric surgery since 1999.

Presently, he performs laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, Lap-Band insertions, revisions of previous bariatric operations and duodenal switch operations. He has a special interest in electronic medical records and founded Exemplo Medical, a medical software company. Dr Schwartz underwent a gastric bypass himself in January 2007.

Michael Koeplin, MD, FACS

Dr. Koeplin is board-certified in general surgery and has experience performing a wide range of abdominal, laparoscopic and vascular procedures.

Dr. Koeplin received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. After attending medical school at the University of Missouri at Columbia, he completed an internship and residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Barbara Schmidt Steinbrunn, MD, FACS

Dr. Schmidt Steinbrunn is board-certified in general surgery and has expertise in laparoscopic and breast procedures.

Dr. Schmidt Steinbrunn completed her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison before going on to medical school at the University of Minnesota. She completed a surgical residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Laurie Sund, MD

Dr. Laurie Sund is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School. She completed her residency at the University of Minnesota - St. John's Family Medicine Program and was awarded the degree of Fellow by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Board-certified in both family medicine and bariatric medicine, Dr. Sund is uniquely adept at identifying and managing weight-related co-morbidities. Her training also includes knowledge of nutrition, exercise and metabolism. Dr. Sund is particularly passionate about the dramatic metabolic and quality of life improvements following bariatric surgery.

She is one of fewer than two dozen board-certified Bariatricians in Minnesota and is the Non-surgical Medical Director at HealthEast Bariatric Care.

Paul Bagdade, PhD, LP

Dr. Bagdade is the behavioral health director of the HealthEast Bariatric Care program. He believes that it is essential to have a comprehensive behavioral health program that incorporates health and behavior assessments (psychological evaluations), pre and post-surgery support groups, and on-going individual education and counseling.

He believes that it is important for bariatric surgery candidates to have a good understanding of the physical and psychological changes that will occur after surgery, as this preparation can help promote a successful outcome.

Dr. Bagdade received his master's degree in counseling psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and his doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Judith Schwartz, RN, BSN, CBN

Judy is the program manager for Healtheast Bariatric Care. She joined the team in October 2010 with nearly 30 years of experience in the care of bariatric patients.

Judy received her BSN degree from the University of Minnesota. She received her certification as a certified bariatric nurse in 2007, the first year that this national certification was recognized. She is committed to making every encounter with HealthEast Bariatric Care exceed the patient's expectations.

Jill Carlson, RNFA

Jill is a bariatric nurse clinician at HealthEast Bariatric Care. She joined the team in January 2006. She assesses and educates patients both before and after surgery and assists the doctors in the clinic. Jill also assists the surgeons in the operating room with many of the bariatric surgery procedures, providing increased continuity of care to Bariatric Care patients.

Jill has more than 20 years of operating room experience including general surgery, neurological surgery and plastic surgery. Jill is an associate member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Emily Feig, RN, CBN

Emily is a certified bariatric nurse clinician with HealthEast Bariatric Care. She joined the team in August 2006 after working for five years on the medical-surgical/bariatric floor at St. Joseph's Hospital, where she was the lead preceptor. Emily was awarded the 2006 St. Joseph's Hospital Nurse Excellence Award. She is an associate member of American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Her work in the clinic includes consults with patients entering the program, care of patients before and after surgery, and long-term follow-up. She also teaches the pre-operative class and provides patients with personalized instructions in the hospital prior to discharge.

Emily has a passion for educating and empowering people to reach their goals of total mind, body and spirit wellness.

Amy Swenson, RN

Amy is a bariatric nurse clinician with HealthEast Bariatric Care. She joined the team in December 2007 after working for eight years on the medical-surgical/bariatric floor at St. Joseph's Hospital. Her work in the clinic includes consulting with patients entering the program, education of patients both before and after surgery, and long-term follow up with patients. She also acts as a resource to staff nurses on the medical-surgical unit and assists in coordinating the care of the patients as they go through the program. She is an associate member of American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Amy enjoys patient interaction and providing education and encouragement to patients through their follow up care.

Helen Harfmann-Strange, RD, LD

Helen joined the Healtheast Bariatric Care team in August 2010. She has over 25 years of experience as a registered dietician. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota. She completed her undergraduate studies at Valparaiso University in Indiana. While Helen has had a variety of jobs within the dietetics profession, her passion is providing nutritional counseling to individuals.

Kayla Kragh, RD, LD

Kayla is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian at HealthEast Bariatric Care. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, graduating summa cum laude. Kayla then completed a dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

Her work in the clinic includes providing nutrition education and counseling to patients before and after surgery. She helps patients develop healthy habits and ensures nutritional adequacy to promote successful outcomes. Kayla offers nutrition counseling for non-surgical weight loss patients as well. She also has experience in diabetes care and medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of kidney stones.

Kayla enjoys developing relationships with her patients as she helps them reach their weight loss goals, while offering support and encouragement along the way.

Christina Glasgow, PharmD

Christina is a clinical pharmacy coordinator at St. Joseph's Hospital and works with the HealthEast Bariatric Care program. She oversees a team of pharmacists who provide patients with information about medication concerns before and after surgery. She provides individualized medication plans for every patient having bariatric surgery.

Christina completed her pre-pharmacy curriculum at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 2002. She has worked as a pharmacist at St. Joseph's Hospital since 2002, and has been with the Healtheast Bariatric Care program since it opened in 2005.

Mary Kunz

Mary is the insurance specialist for HealthEast Bariatric Care. Before surgery, she helps patients meet the criteria required by their insurance companies and then submits information for them. She finds it extremely gratifying when she can inform patients that they have been approved for surgery. In October 2006, she was selected to receive St. Joseph's "One of Our Best" award.

Mary has worked in the medical field since 1996. She has worked as a health unit coordinator, perioperative aide and anesthesia aide. Prior to joining HealthEast Bariatric Care, Mary worked in a similar position for a local bariatric surgeon.

Suzie Schanke

Suzie is the HealthEast Bariatric Care secretary. She joined the bariatric team in June 2007 and assists the clinic staff and surgeons with various duties. Suzie has been in the medical field since 1991 working in a wide variety of clinic settings as an office assistant.

Suzie enjoys patient interaction and finds it rewarding to support each patient through their Bariatric Care journey.

Nikki Pischke

Nikki is the receptionist at HealthEast Bariatric Care Center. She has worked for Healtheast for five years. She enjoys interactions with patients as she supports them through their weight loss journey. She has a wonderful memory and really gets to know the patients as she works with them to conveniently schedule their appointments