Specialists in Reflux & Heartburn.
The Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center has a staff of highly trained and experienced physicians specializing in reflux who are assisted by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, and technicians to provide the best service for patients. They provide patients suffering from reflux disease and heartburn with clinical excellence and compassionate understanding.
The team is dedicated to the treatment of heartburn, acid reflux, and other disorders in a highly specialized treatment center with the latest diagnostic equipment. The physicians are renowned for their expertise in advanced minimally invasive reflux surgery.
Evan Kelly
MD
Dr. Evan Kelly, MD, is a double fellowship-trained board-certified general surgeon and interventional endoscopist. In addition to providing the full range of general surgery care, he uses the training from his two postgraduate fellowships to provide comprehensive, world-class specialty care for patients suffering from pancreaticobiliary diseases, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, heartburn, obesity, and complex hernias.
Dr. Kelly was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree in human biology, graduating summa cum laude at Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College in East Lansing, Michigan. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine near his home in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Kelly completed his residency in general surgery at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in downtown Denver, Colorado. After obtaining his board certification in general surgery, he then went on to complete two distinguished postgraduate fellowships. The specialist first completed an accredited fellowship in advanced gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery, foregut surgery, bariatric surgery, and comprehensive, flexible endoscopy at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Crosby and Aitkin, Minnesota. He then completed a second fellowship in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and pancreaticobiliary surgery at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
The specialist has opened a new ERCP, EUS, and pancreaticobiliary surgery program at both CRMC and Riverwood. ERCP is a specialized endoscopic procedure used to study the ducts of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. EUS is similar to a standard upper endoscopy procedure, but the addition of an ultrasound probe at the tip of the endoscope allows the endoscopist to see through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, further aiding in the diagnosis and management of complex pancreaticobiliary and gastrointestinal diseases.
Dr. Kelly utilizes the ERCP and EUS procedures to diagnose and treat yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), bile and pancreatic duct stones, bile and pancreatic leaks, pancreaticobiliary and gastrointestinal cancers, complex pancreatitis, and various other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Outside his busy practice, the surgeon enjoys his family and pets, ice hockey, motorcycling, mountain and road biking, mountain unicycling, backpacking, canoeing, and travel.
Timothy P. LeMieur
MD, FACS
Specialties:
Anti-reflux Nissen fundoplication and LINX procedures
Laparoscopic gastric procedures
Laparoscopic oncologic procedures
Endoscopic procedures
Vascular procedures
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
Surgery
Education:
Medical Degree, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
Bachelor of Science Degree in biology, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn.
Residency:
Hennepin Residency Center Program in 1999
Memberships:
American College of Surgeons Young Surgeons Committee
Minnesota Surgical Society board member
President of the Hitchcock Surgical Society at Hennepin County Medical Center
Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery surgical fellowship faculty
State Trauma Advisory Council
Rural Physicians Associate Program primary surgical preceptor
Riverwood Healthcare Center board member
Awards:
American College of Surgeons Outstanding Young Surgeon
Andrew Loveitt
D.O.
SPECIALTIES:
Anti-reflux procedures
Laparoscopic gastric procedures
SEES PATIENTS AT:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
General Surgery, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons
Education:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine
BS degree, Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Residency:
General Surgery, Rowan University, Stratford, New Jersey
Fellowship:
Laparoendoscopic Surgery, Minnesota Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Aitkin/Crosby, MN
Awards:
Master Surgeon in Robotics, Surgical Review Committee
Shawn Roberts
MD, FACS
Specialties:
Reflux Management
Surgical Management of Cancer
Vascular Surgery
Advanced Laparoscopy
Surgical Weight Loss
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
Surgery
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Concordia College in Moorhead (Summa Cum Laude)
Residency:
Hennepin County Medical Center
Memberships:
American College of Surgeons State Committee on Trauma
American College of Surgeons Oncology Committee
American College of Surgery state and local committees on Trauma
Awards:
Alworth and Faculty Scholar Academic Awards
Melissa S. Dyrdal
MSN, RN, APRN FNP-BC
Specialties:
Reflux and Heartburn
Bariatrics
Family Practice
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Certification:
National certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Public Health Registered Nurse
High Resolution Manometry
pH/pH Impedance
Education:
Master of Science degree in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, College of Saint Scholastica
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, College of Saint Scholastica
Memberships:
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
American Foregut Society (AFS)
American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS)
Minnesota Nurse Practitioner Association (MNNP)
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Lea Carlson
RN, Nurse Coordinator
Specialties:
Reflux and Heartburn Management
Bariatric Surgery
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Education:
Central Lakes College
Bachelor of Science degree, College of St. Scholastica
Certification:
Health and Wellness Coaching
Dawn Harcey
RN, Nurse Coordinator
SPECIALTIES:
Reflux and Heartburn Management
SEES PATIENTS AT:
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
EDUCATION:
RN degree, Lake Superior College, Duluth
Experience:
10 years clinic & hospital nursing, including chemotherapy & surgery
Megan Perpich
RD
Specialties:
Clinical Nutrition
Sees patients at:
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota
Internship:
Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Memberships:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Regina Schimek
RD
Specialties:
Clinical Nutrition
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
EDUCATION:
Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and Exercise Science from North Dakota State University
Bachelor of Science degree at NDSU in dietetics with a minor in psychology
Internship:
University of Houston
SUCCESS STORIES
“I greatly appreciate the expertise of the reflux specialist along with the friendly and highly professional care of all the surgical staff.”
“With the progression of my GERD symptoms, including frequent sleep disruption, I was just miserable. Now I’m feeling so much better. I’m so grateful for what the reflux center has done to treat my reflux disease so far.”
“Throughout the evaluation process, I felt very comfortable with and confident in my reflux specialist, who I found very easy to talk with about my health concerns.”
“When I came in for my endoscopy, I felt like I was treated like a VIP.”
“I truly never thought this day would come where I can feel like a normal person again. I would highly recommend this treatment to anyone suffering from reflux disease.”
“It was a great experience, if you are having some of the same asthma and cough problems I did, then I would really recommend the Minnesota Reflux & Heartburn Center in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The procedure has made a massive change in my life, the facility was great and the care I received was exemplary.”
“Two weeks after my procedure, I was GERD-free and have not had any problems with it since then. I am a much happier person now. I recommend this procedure to anyone who has had GERD.”
"After years of suffering, my heartburn is gone. I feel great now!"
“I saw several doctors and specialists who said there was nothing they could do and I would just have to live with it; I didn’t know what to do. Finally, my son-in-law who is a doctor in the Twin Cities recommended the Minnesota Reflux & Heartburn Center.”
“I’m delighted with the success of my treatment. After my procedure three months ago, I haven’t had any acid reflux and I’m not taking any medication.
“I can eat more spicy foods than before without having any issues or heartburn. It’s like I never had reflux.”
Contact a nurse coordinator
Crosby: Lea carlson, RN
Aitkin: Dawn Harcey, RN
