Kevin Weiland, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 11, 2023. Posted in Physicians, Tower Road.

Kevin Weiland, MD

Dr. Weiland is board certified in the specialty of internal medicine. He graduated from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin. He is an associate professor with the Sanford School of Medicine and is actively involved in numerous nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association.

He has been published in the Annals of Pharmacology as well as the State Medical Journal. He was the “Supervising Physician” for the 2008 documentary Good Meat: “How the Lakota Got Fat and Beau LeBeau Saved Himself.”

After years of witnessing the destructive forces of overindulgence, Dr. Weiland authored the book The Dakota Diet: Health Secrets from the Great Plains. (Basic Health Publications, 2008)

Luke J. Hushagen, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 11, 2023. Posted in Physicians, Tower Road.

Luke J. Hushagen, MD

Dr. Luke Hushagen is originally from Bismarck, North Dakota. He began his undergraduate training at Bismarck State College and graduated from the University of North Dakota where he also attended medical school. His medical training was completed with an internal medicine residency at Penn State University practicing at the renowned Hershey Medical Center.

As an internist, Dr. Hushagen cares for patients in all stages of their adult lives. His primary focus is on patient education with an emphasis on complex medical care. His goal is to empower his patients to become advocates for their own care.

Dr. Hushagen moved to South Dakota to be closer to his roots in the Great Plains. His wife is a pediatrician also practicing at RCMC. Together they have a small family and a productive hobby farm. In his spare time he enjoys being with his family, playing golf, watching hockey, and exploring the Black Hills.

Board Status

American Board of Internal Medicine

Kristin Wempe, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 11, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Kristin Wempe, MD

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 son, and two Bernedoodles. They enjoy hiking the Hills, having Harry Potter and Star Wars marathons, trying out new restaurants, and relaxing with family.

Michael Statz, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 11, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Michael Statz, MD

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

Robert Miller, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 11, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Robert Miller, MD

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

Andrew Kelts, DO

Written by cloakendagger on July 8, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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

Written by cloakendagger on July 8, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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.

Tyler Bergstrom, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 8, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Tyler Bergstrom, MD

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.

Blake Jones, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 8, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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

Nathan Jaqua, MD

Written by cloakendagger on July 8, 2023. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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, camping, music, and spending time with his wife and three children.

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