Dr. Wempe was born in Minnesota and grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota. She obtained her undergraduate degree in biology and her medical degree at the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine. She completed her residency in general surgery at Spectrum Health / Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Having spent her two clinical rotation years of medical school in the Black Hills, returning to Rapid City and joining Rapid City Medical Center’s surgery department in 2022 felt like coming home.

Dr. Wempe enjoys all aspects of general surgery including breast, endocrine, simple and complex hernia repairs, large bowel, and foregut surgeries such as acid-reducing procedures and hiatal hernia repairs. She is excited to bring her expertise in open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries to Rapid City.

Outside of the operating room, she is happy to spend time with her husband, young sons, and two Bernedoodles. They enjoy hiking the Hills, having Harry Potter and Star Wars marathons, trying out new restaurants, and relaxing with family.

Dr. Statz is a board-certified general surgeon, for 33 years, specializing in parathyroid and thyroid surgery. All laparoscopic surgeries & minimally invasive Hernia surgery are some of his other areas of strong interest.

Dr. Statz hails from Parkston, South Dakota. He attended medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and general surgery residency at The University of Wisconsin. He loves the Black Hills of South Dakota, the community he serves, and the people he works with at Rapid City Medical Center, Monument Health Hospital, and Same Day Surgery Center.

• Board Status

  Certified American Board of Surgery

Dr. Miller was born and raised in Rapid City and obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in general surgery at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. He knew he wanted to return to South Dakota and was excited to join Rapid City Medical Center’s surgery department in 2011.

As a general surgeon, he treats a broad range of conditions. The variety is what drew him to general surgery.

He and his wife have three children, so most of his free time is spent outdoors with friends and family. They like to go camping, and each year try to go to a few Major League Baseball games.

• Board Status

  Certified American Board of Surgery

Tyler Bergstrom is from Aberdeen, SD, and proudly joined Rapid City Medical Center’s Surgery Department in 2016. He obtained an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology before attending medical school at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. They enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fly fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and skiing.

Dr. Bergstrom operates at Black Hills Surgery Hospital, Same Day Surgery Center, and Monument Rapid City.