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Bariatric Care

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Care Team

Michael Schwartz, MD, PhD

Dr. Michael Schwartz attended medical school at Emory University in Atlanta and completed his residency at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Schwartz been performing bariatric surgery since 1978 and this is the primary focus of his practice. With Dr. Raymond Drew (see bio below), he performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Midwest in 1999. He is a board-certified surgeon with extensive laparoscopic and open surgical experience, and a special interest in laparoscopic adjustable banding for weight loss.

Raymond Drew, MD

Dr. Raymond Drew, a board-certified surgeon, has devoted his entire professional career to the care of those with obesity. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa and studied under Dr. Mason, who performed the first gastric bypass. After surgery residency at Regions Hospital in St. Paul , he joined Dr. John Linner, who completed the world's first bariatric operation. He and Dr. Michael Schwartz (bio above) were the first in the Midwest to successfully complete a laparoscopic gastric bypass in 1999.

Edmund Chute, MD

Dr. Edmund Chute attended medical school and completed his residency at the University of Minnesota. He went on to complete a fellowship in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Chute developed an increasing interest in bariatric surgery and has been performing laparoscopic gastric bypass since 2002. A board-certified surgeon, he dedicates his full efforts to a practice in weight loss surgery.
Dr. Chute has a special interest in the minimally invasive approach and treatment of obesity complicated by diabetes.

Michael Koeplin, MD, FACS

Dr. Michael Koeplin, co-medical director of HealthEast Bariatric Care, is board-certified in general surgery and has experience performing a wide range of abdominal, laproscopic 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. Barbara Schmidt Steinbrunn, is co-medical director of HealthEast Bariatric Care. In addition to general surgery, she has expertise in vascular, laproscopic and breast procedures. She is board-certified in general surgery.

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.

Denice Hinrichs, RN

Denice Hinrichs, RN, is the director of HealthEast Bariatric Care at St. Joseph's Hospital, where she views her role as a calling and considers it a privilege to be involved in the life changing experience of her patients.

In addition to administrative duties, Denice teaches informational gastric bypass classes, consults with patients prior to surgery and follows patients through hospitalization, post-surgery and follow-up. Denice is an Associate Member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Her career in bariatrics began in 2000 as surgical nurse preceptor for Surgery Admission and Recovery Services at a local hospital. Admitting patients for gastric bypass surgery, she served as the nursing liaison to the hospital's bariatric program and, in 2001 became a Bariatric Nurse Clinician.

Denice has over 30 years of nursing experience in a variety of hospital and clinic settings, including outpatient surgery, oncology, obstetrics/gynecology, school/college nurse and nursing management for the University of Minnesota Family Practice Clinic and HealthEast Clinics.

Jill Carlson, RNFA

Jill Carlson, RNFA (Registered Nurse, First Assistant) 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, neuro and plastic surgery. Jill is an associate member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Emily Feig, RN

Emily Feig, RN, is a 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 Swenson, RN, 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.

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

Kelsey Brandenburg, RD, LD

Kelsey Brandenburg, is a Registered and Licensed dietitian with HealthEast Bariatric Care. She joined the team in April 2006 after working as a clinical dietitian for both St. John’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Kelsey received her nutrition and bariatric training at Rochester Mayo-St. Mary’s and Methodists Hospitals. Her work in the clinic includes introductory nutrition consults with patients starting the program, education and counseling before and after surgery, and on-going and long term follow-up. Along with the bariatric program’s bariatric nurse clinicians, pharmacist, and diabetic educator, Kelsey teaches the pre-operative nutrition class to prepare patients for surgery. Kelsey is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Minnesota Dietetic Association, and Twin Cities District Dietetic Association.

Kelsey enjoys educating and counseling patients on the fundamentals of nutrition. She looks forward to long term follow up care, and watching patients succeed with a healthy lifestyle.

Paul Bagdade, PhD, LP

Paul Bagdade, PhD, LP is the behavioral health director of the HealthEast Bariatric Care program. His goal is to develop a comprehensive behavioral health program that will incorporate 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.

Paul 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.

Christina Glasgow, PharmD

Christina Glasgow, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist at St. Joseph’s Hospital and works with the HealthEast Bariatric Care program. She provides patients with information about their medications after 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 worked as a staff pharmacist at St. Joseph’s Hospital before accepting a clinical pharmacist position in May 2004.

Suzie Schanke

Suzie Schanke 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. She came to HealthEast from Minneapolis Bariatric Surgeons where she was employed for nine years by Drs. Schwartz and Drew. Suzie enjoys patient interaction and finds it rewarding to support each patient through their journey in bariatric care.

Mary Kuntz

Mary Kuntz 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.