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Emily Baertsch, C-NP

Emily Baertsch, C-NP - Gastroenterology - Rapid City Medical Center

Emily Baertsch, C-NP

Emily is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and graduate of South Dakota State University. She has been in practice since 2020.

Emily was born and raised in Rapid City. She initially attended college at the University of Minnesota where she graduated with honors in Kinesiology and a Coaching Minor. She then went on to receive a BSN from South Dakota State University and later returned to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner, graduating in 2019. She spent 11 years as a RN in the acute care setting, caring for patients across the lifespan with a special focus in end-of-life care, organ donation, and hospital operations. She joined Gastroenterology in 2020 where she enjoys seeing general gastroenterology patients and subspecializes in liver disease. Her passion is to help people live their best lives using a personalized approach to medical care. Outside of the office, she spends time with her husband and 2 children enjoying life in the Black Hills. She is also active in high school gymnastics and has been a high school official since 2005.

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Blake Jones, MD

Blake Jones, MD - Gastroenterology - Rapid City Medical Center

Blake Jones, MD

Dr. Jones is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in Canada. He attended medical school at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, followed by a medical internship at the Toronto General Hospital, and residency training at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. Dr. Jones returned to Mayo for a fellowship in gastroenterology and completed training in 1998. He joined the Gastroenterology Department at Rapid City Medical Center in 2013.

In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and camping with his wife and children in the Black Hills and beyond. Dr. Jones is also an avid photographer and dog lover.

  • Board Status

    Certified American Board of Gastroenterology

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Nathan Jaqua, MD

Nathan Jaqua, MD - Gastroenterology - Rapid City Medical Center

Nathan Jaqua, MD

Dr. Nathan T. Jaqua is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Psychology from South Dakota State University (SDSU). After completing some graduate-level work in Chemistry at SDSU, he attended the University of South Dakota Sandford School of Medicine where he received his Medical Doctorate degree in 2010.

Dr. Jaqua completed both his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was followed by his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. During his fellowship, he participated in a phase-2 clinical trial for an investigative medication for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) as well as in research on the infectious triggers of Crohn’s disease. He spent almost nine years as an active duty Army physician.

Dr. Jaqua enjoys practicing general gastroenterology including the treatment of liver diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis), Barrett’s Esophagus, GERD, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. His passion is preventing colon cancer with screening colonoscopy and the removal of large polyps with endoscopic methods. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American College of Gastroenterology. He is a dual board-certified diplomate in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

In his spare time, Dr. Jaqua enjoys hiking, music, gravel and mountain biking, traveling and scuba diving.

Board Status
Certified American Board of Gastroenterology and American Board of Internal Medicine

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Andrew Kelts, DO

Andrew Kelts, DO - Gastroenterology

Andrew Kelts, DO

Born and raised in Rapid City, Dr. Andrew Kelts was a Central Cobbler before completing undergraduate training at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.  While at St. Olaf, he met his wife, Dr. Kay Kelts, before moving to Colorado to complete medical school at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He then completed residency in Internal Medicine at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  While in residency, Dr. Kelts gained a love for gastrointestinal medicine, realizing the great impact he could have on the lives of many people through treatment of their digestive health disorders.  Dr. Kelts was subsequently awarded a Gastroenterology fellowship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, New York, practicing there and at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester.

While in fellowship, Dr. Kelts was trained to a high level in clinical gastrointestinal medicine, becoming proficient in general gastroenterology and endoscopic techniques.  He enjoys practicing general gastroenterology including the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.  During training, Dr. Kelts realized the value of high-quality screening and prevention of colorectal cancer; he excels at removing polyps with endoscopic techniques, ensuring his patients the healthiest life possible.  Dr. Kelts also found and cultivated a strong emphasis on inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and liver disorders.  He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association.  He is board-certified in Internal Medicine.

In his spare time, Dr. Kelts enjoys hiking, camping, writing, music, and sports.  Of utmost importance to him, however, is spending time with his wife, Dr. Kay Kelts, and his two children, no matter the activity.  As his young son is fond of saying, Dr. Kelts is “a great poop doctor who also works on stomachs.”

  • Board Status

    American Board of Internal Medicine

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Erik Raborn, DO

Erik Raborn, DO - Gastroenterology - Rapid City Medical Center

Erik Raborn, DO

Dr. Erik Raborn is a board-certified Internist who graduated Gastroenterology fellowship in 2023, who has been practicing medicine for 6 years. He received his medical degree from LECOM Bradenton and completed his internal medicine and gastroenterology residency and fellowship at Elmira, NY. He is currently affiliated with the Rapid City Medical Center and Monument Heath.

Dr. Raborn has been married for 12 years to Kelly and has a single son, Finn. He and his wife moved to Rapid City summer of 2023, and they love the area so much that they even moved his in-laws to town. Dr. Raborn enjoys spending his free time with his family, playing board games, Dungeons and Dragons, video games, and watching movies. He is also fond of cooking, and can be seen on weekend using his smoker or trying to perfect pancakes and bacon.

Dr. Raborn’s areas of interest in gastroenterology include whole-person care, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, gastric disorders, and colon cancer prevention. He believes that a comprehensive approach to patient care is essential for optimal outcomes, and he is committed to providing his patients with the highest quality of care. He looks forward to taking care of you and your family.

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Oksana Anand, MD

Oksana Anand, MD - Gastroenterology - Rapid City Medical Center

Oksana Anand, MD

Dr. Anand became fascinated with Gastroenterology as a specialty as a fourth-year medical student. She felt it was a perfect blend of intellectual stimulation and procedural skill. Her choice was reaffirmed after her father received the diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer. After successfully completing Internal Medicine Residency, followed by Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS and prior to joining RCMC in 2016, she worked as a general gastroenterologist in rural Kansas and North Dakota.

Although she cares for patients with all gastrointestinal conditions, her special clinical interest includes diagnosis and management of Celiac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis), women’s GI health (chronic constipation, pelvic floor dysfunction, accidental bowel leakage), colon cancer screening and treatment of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea utilizing pharmacological options and fecal microbiota transplant. In addition to being proficient in general endoscopic procedures such as upper endoscopy (aka EGD), colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, she is also trained in interpreting wireless capsule endoscopy (aka PillCam), wireless SmartPill (the study of the gut’s motility), esophageal manometry and in performance of a non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids using CRH O’Regan system.

She is Board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and has been a member of the American College of Gastroenterology since 2008.

In her practice as a general gastroenterologist, she combines evidence-based principles of western allopathic medicine with functional (aka integrative) approach in order to achieve optimal, life-long lasting results for her patients. She works in close collaboration with Kathleen Ingle, DNP.

Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine, once said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Dr. Anand strongly believes this to be true and has made it her mission to help patients heal their bodies by healing their gut.

  • Board Status

    Certified American Board of Gastroenterology and American Board of Internal Medicine

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Paeton Moyle, PA-C

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Paeton Moyle, PA-C

Paeton Moyle, PA-C returned to her hometown of Rapid City after graduating from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE in 2018. She joined the Rapid City Medical Center dermatology team in 2020. Paeton is passionate about providing personalized care to individuals of all ages.

Paeton is a member of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants and the South Dakota Academy of Physicians Assistants. Paeton enjoys hiking, downhill skiing, and spending time in the Black Hills with her husband and both of their extended families.

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(605) 721-3376

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2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

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Gregory Wittenberg, MD, FAAD

Gregory Wittenberg, MD, FAAD

Gregory P. Wittenberg, MD, FAAD, FACMS, is a native of Hot Springs, South Dakota. He attended the University of South Dakota School of Medicine where he graduated magna cum laude in 1994. Dr. Wittenberg then completed his internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and trained in dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He also completed a fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Wittenberg is board-certified in dermatology and dermatologic surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honorary Society.

Dr. Wittenberg has practiced in Rapid City for 25 years and performed thousands of surgeries for both malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions. He values most the physician/patient relationship and the best outcome for the patient is always his primary objective. He considers his patients part of his family and strives so that each patient has access to the highest quality care. He acknowledges and appreciates his outstanding staff and partners in providing the best quality care in Rapid City and the surrounding area.

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Dermatology Horizontal FullColor

(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

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Lycia Thornburg, MD, FAAD

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Lycia Thornburg, MD, FAAD

Dr. Thornburg was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wyoming, attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She joined The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center in 2004.

Dr. Thornburg specializes in general and pediatric dermatology, surgical dermatology, laser surgery, and cosmetics, including Botox and Juvéderm. She also focuses on the early detection of skin cancers.

Dr. Thornburg has been elevating her cosmetic craft, showcasing her passion for aesthetics by earning Master Expert status at AMI Master Training in Washington, D.C. in 2023. She was selected as faculty for the National Skincare Advisory Board and Filler Advisory Board for Allergan, the world’s leading scientific-backed manufacturer of aesthetic products. Dr. Thornburg has welcomed a national role for Allergan as speaker, consultant, and instructor to other dermatology groups throughout the United States.

Dr. Thornburg has been selected to be a media expert for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on all topics regarding skin. This is a national position, and she has had opportunities to represent dermatologists throughout the United States.

Made for Shade is the heart and soul of Dr. Lycia Thornburg, who founded this in 2006, along with her partners at Rapid City Medical Center Skin Institute.  Dedicated to sheltering children from the damaging effects of the sun while fostering a love of outdoor play, Dr. Thornburg, and her team of volunteers, with the Made for Shade Foundation, have funded and supported over 34 shade structures in the Black Hills.  Along with prevention of skin cancer, Dr. Thornburg is focused on research and development with her partner Dr. Melody Eide and Dr. Blake Jones, on a study to evaluate biomarkers in patients with cancer.  This is an area of her practice that she is very passionate about and is attentive to her patients and community on the prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

Her favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” She draws on this philosophy daily in how she cares for her patients – providing the best treatment available, educating patients on the tools necessary to achieve and maintain healthy skin, and never forgetting the medical importance of the skin to overall patient-health. At the end of the day, Dr. Thornburg makes her patients, whether medical or cosmetic, feel like red carpet guests, as she honors their inner beauty.

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Dermatology Horizontal FullColor

(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

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Robert Sage, MD, FAAD

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Robert Sage, MD, FAAD

Dr. Sage practices dermatology at The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center, with a fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology. He also has a special interest in skin cancer and facial reconstruction. He is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and joined The Skin Institute in 2012. He is board certified in Dermatology and Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

He attended medical school at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, followed by an internship at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was trained in dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and completed a fellowship in Procedural Dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dr. Sage believes in providing the highest quality care in a patient-centered practice and tailors each patient’s treatment plan to their unique needs. He strives to ensure that patients are educated about their condition and empowers them to be an integral member of the care team. Patients are encouraged to ask questions about their diagnosis, the surgical process, and their expected results.

When he is not at work, he can be found with his family enjoying the many outdoor activities in the Black Hills. They enjoy playing at local parks, golfing, swimming, hiking, bike riding, downhill skiing and playing in the yard at home. They also spend their free time visiting state parks and monuments, tourist attractions and their family farm.

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Dermatology Horizontal FullColor

(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

Map to this Location

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