This database was last updated in July 2015 and is based on data from 2009 to 2013. It should only be used as a historical snapshot.
AVERA MCKENNAN HOSPITAL & UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
- 1325 S CLIFF AVE PO BOX 5045, SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57117, PHONE: 605-322-7814
How Surgeons at This Hospital Perform, by Procedure
An individual surgeon who performs this procedure at this hospital.
At least one surgeon performing this procedure has a high adjusted rate of complications.
How to Read a Surgeon's Chart
Hover over each word for details
How we calculated these rates: Guided by top researchers and doctors, ProPublica used Medicare data from 2009-2013 to identify cases where a patient died in the hospital or had to be readmitted within 30 days for a problem related to one of these elective procedures. We then calculated complication rates for surgeons, carefully accounting for differences in patient health, age and hospital quality. These rates are calculated using data from Medicare records, which do not include patients with private insurance or in another program like Medicaid. A surgeon’s rate spans all hospitals at which he or she operates and is not unique to a given hospital. Read our methodology »
Important: Some surgeons may no longer be operating at this hospital.
Hover over underlined items to see details.
Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.54)
Replace diseased knee joint with an artificial knee. The most common reason for a knee replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information 
TIMOTHY ZOELLNER »
JEFFREY KALO »
PETER RODMAN »
ROBERT SUGA »
MICHAEL ADLER »
TIMOTHY WALKER »
JONATHAN WATTS »
JONATHAN BLAKE »
BRIAN AAMLID »
ERIK PETERSON »
MATTHEW MCKENZIE »
DAVID HOVERSTEN »
KEITH BAUMGARTEN »
EVAN HERMANSON »
ROBERT VANDEMARK »
COREY ROTHROCK »
PETER LOOBY »
ERIC WATSON »
WALTER CARLSON »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for 13 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.51)
Replace diseased hip joint with an artificial hip joint. The most common reason for a hip replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information
COREY ROTHROCK »
JEFFREY KALO »
WILLIAM BELL »
JONATHAN BLAKE »
PETER RODMAN »
MATTHEW MCKENZIE »
JASON HURD »
DAVID HOVERSTEN »
ERIK PETERSON »
PETER LOOBY »
BRIAN AAMLID »
MICHAEL ADLER »
JONATHAN WATTS »
ROBERT SUGA »
WALTER CARLSON »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
ROBERT VANDEMARK, TRAVIS LIDDELL, MITCHELL JOHNSON, EVAN HERMANSON, TIMOTHY ZOELLNER
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ICD-9-CM code 51.23)
Minimally invasive gallbladder removal. This is performed most commonly when gallstones are blocking the flow of bile. More information
DAVID STRAND »
MICHAEL PERSON »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
BRADLEY THAEMERT, SCOTT BAKER, DONALD KNUDSON, GADDUM REDDY, WADE DOSCH, THOMAS FULLERTON, ROBERT DAHL, DAVID FLANAGAN, MICHAEL BAUER, DONALD WINGERT
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column and Approach
Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the back of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.07)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the back portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information
ROBERT SUGA »
MATTHEW MCKENZIE »
WALTER CARLSON »
MICHAEL PUUMALA »
DAVID HOVERSTEN »
GREGORY ALVINE »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
MITCHELL JOHNSON, DANIEL TYNAN, HAMID ABBASI, HENDRIK KLOPPER
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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column, Posterior Approach
Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the front of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.08)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the front portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information
HAMID ABBASI »
GREGORY ALVINE »
WALTER CARLSON »
MITCHELL JOHNSON »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
DANIEL TYNAN, ROBERT SUGA, MATTHEW MCKENZIE, MARK FOX, MICHAEL PUUMALA
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Prostate Removal
Radical prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.5)
The removal of the entire prostate gland via the open or laparoscopic or robotic method. Usually performed to treat prostate cancer. More information
MATTHEW WITTE »
JOHN ROBBINS »
DAVID AREND »
DAVID ROSINSKY »
MICHAEL GILLETT »
DARLYS HOFER »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
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Prostate Resection
Other transurethral prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.29)
The resection and removal of a portion of the prostate through the urethra. This is most commonly done because of an enlarged prostate that may be restricting the flow of urine. More information
DARLYS HOFER »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
DAVID ROSINSKY, MATTHEW WITTE, DAVID AREND, MICHAEL GILLETT, BRIAN LINDAMAN
The following surgeons also perform procedures at a hospital that has misattributed surgeons’ identities, so we are not reporting their results:
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Cervical (Neck) Spinal Fusion
Other cervical fusion of the anterior column, anterior technique (ICD-9-CM code 81.02)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae of the neck, using orthopedic devices to hold them in place. Age-related breakdown or displacement of the spinal discs in the neck. More information
MITCHELL JOHNSON »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
DANIEL TYNAN, MICHAEL PUUMALA, GREGORY ALVINE, HAMID ABBASI, HENDRIK KLOPPER
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