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.
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
Howard M. McCollister
MD, FACS
Specialties:
Reflux and Heartburn Management
Anti-Reflux and Foregut Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Advanced and Revisional Minimally Invasive Surgery
Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Flexible Endoscopy
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
Surgery
Education:
Medical Degree, University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Residency:
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Memberships:
American College of Surgeons, Fellow
American Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, Minnesota Chapter Past President
University of Minnesota Medical School Rural Physician Associate Program, Preceptor
Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Director
MIMIS Fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery, Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy, Associate Program Director
Director, MIMIS Bariatric Division
Chief of Surgery, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
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
Paul A. Severson
MD, FACS
Specialties:
Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease
Weight Loss Surgery
Revisional Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic Colectomy
Minimally Invasive Varicose Vein Surgery
Minimally Invasive Hemorrhoid Surgery
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
Therapeutic Endoscopy
Missionary Medicine
Sees patients at:
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Board Certification:
Surgery
Education:
Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine degrees, University of Minnesota
Residency:
Hennepin County Medical Center
Memberships:
American Board of Surgery, Diplomate
American College of Surgeons, Fellow
University of Minnesota Medical School Rural Physician Associate Program, Professor
Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center, Director
Minnesota Surgical Society, Past President
Hitchcock Surgical Society, Past President
Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons
Project Haiti, Inc., Founder and President
MIMIS Fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery, Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy, Program Director
Fellowship Council Board of Directors
Society for Gastro-intestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
SAGES Global Affairs Global Surgical Curriculum
Awards:
Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Award for Excellence in Humanistic Clinical Care Minnesota Medical Association Community Service Award
University of Minnesota Distinguished Alumni Award
University of Minnesota Duluth Clinical Teacher of the Year
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
