Surgeons & Staff

SURGEONS

Adrianne L. Bowen, MD

2011 Best Doctor for Women

Dr. Bowen, a Minnesota native, completed her general surgery residency at the University of Louisville and Affiliated Hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky in 2009. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2004. Preceding this, a Bachelor of Science in Genetics was obtained in the year 2000 from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Dr. Bowen’s interest is in broad-based general surgery with an emphasis on laparoscopic, breast, oncologic, and endoscopic procedures. Currently, she is the Director of Surgery and Trauma at New River Medical Center, a critical access hospital and Level 4 trauma center in Monticello, MN.

In her free time, Dr. Bowen and her husband Ben enjoy camping, hiking, biking, boating and other outdoor activities with their three dogs.

Dana M. Carlson, MD FACS

2011 Best Doctor for Women

Dr. Carlson earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and received her M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. She completed her residency at Hennepin County Medical Center. Dr. Carlson is board certified in General Surgery, and her practice involves all aspects of General Surgery-with a special focus on breast surgery. She and her husband, Curt, have two children.

J. Kevin Croston, MD FACS

Dr. Croston earned his B.S. degree at the University of South Dakota, and his M.D. degree at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Hennepin County Medical Center. He has served as Medical Director of North Trauma Institute at North Memorial Medical Center since 1993 and was the chairman of the Minnesota State Trauma Advisory Committee from 2005-2010. He is board certified in General Surgery, with special interests in hernia repairs including complex abdominal wall reconstruction, minimally invasive and endocrine surgery. Dr. Croston served on the Board of Trustees at North Memorial Medical Center from 2007 through 2010 and is currently the Chief Medical Officer for the North Memorial Health Care System.

Dr. Croston enjoys sailing, hunting, fishing and golfing and spending time at his lake cabin in northern Minnesota. He has been active in the Minnetonka youth league as a coach and mentor. His wife, Kathryn, works at North Memorial Medical Center, and stepson, Mitchell is a freshman at St. John’s University pursuing a degree in business. In January 2006, 2007 and 2008 Dr. Croston was named one of the region's Top Doctors through a survey of doctors and nurses conducted by Mpls. St. Paul Magazine.

Jonathan C. Gipson, MD FACS

Dr. Gipson earned his B.A. degree from Carleton College in 1995 and earned his M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Twin Cities, 2001. He completed his General Surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine in 2006. He is board certified in General Surgery.

Dr. Gipson's clinical focus is utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat general surgical diseases. His practice includes laparoscopic hernia repair, laparoscopic colon resection, and laparoscopic adrenalectomies. He has a specific interest in laparoscopic bariatric surgical procedures, including laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding procedures.

Dr. Gipson is currently serving as the Assistant Medical Director of Trauma Services, in addition to managing the care of trauma patients, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, MN.

Corinne E. Jordan, MD

2011 Best Doctor for Women

Dr. Jordan, a native of Minnesota, completed her premedical studies at MIT, with a focus in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. She then went on to earn her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She remained in the the Big Apple for her general surgery residency training at St. Vincents Catholic Medical Center. Dr. Jordan also completed a Research Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, focusing on Hepatocyte Xenotransplantation for treatment of liver failure, and Stem Cell research. Dr. Jordan has written and presented several articles on diabetic gastroparesis, embryonic stem cell immunology, and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Jordan has been an active participant in many non-profit fundraisers for medical research as well as a volunteer for many charities and organizations. In her free time she enjoys reading, art galleries, fashion, and kick-boxing.

 Susan E. Hunt, MD FACS

2011 Best Doctor for Women

Dr. Hunt earned her M.D. degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2001 and completed her General Surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2006. She also completed a term as a Specialist Registrar in Surgery at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in Exeter, England in 2005. She is board certified in General Surgery.

Dr. Hunt is currently serving as the Surgical Director of Buffalo Hospital. She also serves as the Medical Director of Trauma Services and Breast Surgery at Unity Hospital in Fridley. Her interests include colon disease, breast disease and hernia repair.

In her free time, Dr. Hunt enjoys hiking, swimming and spending time with her family.

Steven J. Kern, MD FACS

2011 Best Doctor for Women

Dr. Kern earned his undergraduate degree in biology and MD from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. He is board certified in General Surgery. During his residency at the University of Kansas in Wichita he enjoyed working with medical education. Dr. Kern particularly enjoys thyroid surgery. In January 2010 Dr. Kern was named one of the region’s Top Doctors through a survey of his peers conducted by Mpls. St. Paul Magazine. Dr. Kern's wife, Anne, is an obstetrician. They enjoy water sports and music with their children.

Matthew K. Kissner, MD FACS

Dr. Kissner earned his B.A. in Physics from Gustavus Adolphus College and his M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed his residency in General Surgery at St. John's Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, MI. He is board certified in General Surgery.
Dr. Kissner has special interests in advanced techniques in laparoscopic and open hernia repair including hiatal hernias, inguinal hernias, and incisional hernias. In addition, Dr. Kissner is dedicated to laparoscopic surgery of the colon, and surgery of the breast and thyroid.
Dr. Kissner is also serving as the Trauma Medical Director at Mercy hospital and is the surgical co-director of the intensive care unit.
He and his wife, Neena, have a new daughter. Other interests include golf, travel, and spending time with their families.

    Dr. Vitas graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in microbiology and biochemistry, summa cum laude. He earned his M.D. degree from The University of Health Sciences/ Chicago Medical School, and his residency in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified in general surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Vitas is also a past President of the Minnesota Surgical Society and secretary of St. Paul Surgical Society. Over the past twenty years Dr. Vitas has served on multiple administrative and clinical hospital committees throughout the twin cities metro area.  He currently serves as the Surgery Section Chief at North Memorial Hospital 2012-2014.

Staff

Elizabeth Becker, RN

Elizabeth earned her B.S. in nursing from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has been with SGS since 1999, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. Elizabeth works as a registered nurse for SGS, but in her free time enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and their three daughters.

Amy Campeau, CSTFA

Amy has been a Certified Surgical Technologist since 1987 and has worked with Unity Hospital for eleven years. In July of 1999, she became a Certified First Assistant and has worked in that capacity for SGS ever since. Amy enjoys raising her daughter and spending time with family and friends.

Darla Morris-Preble, BS MBA
Administrator

Darla earned an M.B.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas and her B.S. in nursing from Bethel College in Arden Hills, Minnesota. She has a background in quality improvement, managed care, trauma, and critical care. Darla participates in MN Credentialing Collaborative Board and Minnesota Medical Association Medical Practice and Planning Committee along with the Hoban Scholarship Selection Committee; currently a member of Medical Group Managers Association and is past chair of the MMGMA Payer Relations committee. Darla and her husband enjoy hiking, biking and water sports with their two adult children.

Alissa Ventura, PAC

Alissa, originally a native of California, received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She then went on to complete her Masters of Physician Assistant at the University of New England in Portland, ME. She has been a part of SGS since the summer of 2004 and has enjoyed making Minnesota her home with her husband, Andrew.

Jenell Gilman, PAC

Jenell, originally a native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan Technological University. She then went on to complete her Masters of Physician Assistant at Des Moines University in Des Moines, IA. In October 2010, Jenell joined SGS. In her free time Jenell enjoys spending time with her husband, Adam; friends; and family, as well as her two beloved cats, Cloe & Roxy.

Rachel Wilkerson, PAC

Rachel completed her bachelor of science in biology at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She joined SGS in 2007 after earning her masters in Physician Assistant studies at Rosalind Franlkin University in North Chicago, IL. In her free time Rachel enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.

Jennifer Gorst, PAC

Jennifer grew up in northern Wisconsin and received her undergraduate degree from the University of WI-Madison. She joined the practice in December of 2010 following completion of her physician assistant studies at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, IN. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends, playing outdoors (biking, skiing, and fishing), and traveling with her family.

Jeanine Worms, PAC

Jeanine, originally from Minnesota, earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University in St. Joseph, MN. After graduation Jeanine worked as a cardiac technician within the HealthEast Care System operating autologous cell salvage machines, intra-aortic balloon pumps along with being a perfusionist assistant and assisting in hemodynamic monitoring during coronary artery bypass procedures. Jeanine then went on to Cuyahoga Community College/Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH and earned a Masters Degree in Health Sciences with emphasis in Physician Assistant Studies. Jeanine joined SGS in January 2011. In her free time, Jeanine enjoys yoga, running, being outdoors, and cooking as well as spending time with family and friends.