Please help us extend a warm welcome to our two new general surgeons, Dr. Michael Boerner and Dr. Zachary Staskywicz. Their diverse expertise and patient-focused approach will enhance the level of care available in our community.
Dr. Michael Boerner
Dr. Boerner earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Neuroscience in Bozeman, Montana, followed by a Master’s degree in Health Sciences. He then returned to his home state of Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth, where he participated in the Rural Physician Associate Program. Dr. Boerner completed his five-year general surgery residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.
“While in medical school, I was fortunate to work with excellent general surgeons in Northern Minnesota. I was impressed by the large spectrum of surgeries and procedures they performed,” states Dr. Boerner. “I also loved that they were able to do this while living in a small town and supporting the surrounding community.”
His love for Northern Minnesota shines through in his hobbies, which include snowboarding, skiing, fishing, hiking, bow hunting, and mountain biking. “My wife and I usually try to get up to the Boundary Waters at least once a year, though hopefully more often now that we live so close,” states Dr. Boerner.
Dr. Zachary Staskywicz
Dr. Staskywicz graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and completed his Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and five-year general surgery residency through the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND.
When asked what inspired him to pursue a career in general surgery, Dr. Staskywicz stated, “ I was inspired by the great impact a surgeon can have on a patient’s health and quality of life.”
Outside of work, you’ll find Dr. Staskywicz spending time with his family on Swan Lake, chasing after his young children, ages 4, 2, and 6 months. “I also enjoy the occasional hunting, fishing, and golfing trip,” states Dr. Staskywicz.
What Is General Surgery?
“General surgery specializes in the treatment of a wide range of issues, including abdominal, breast, hernia, skin, and soft tissue surgeries,” explains Dr. Boerner. “Other subspecialties within general surgery include vascular, trauma, burn, transplant, critical care, colorectal, and endocrine surgery.”
What Conditions Do General Surgeons Commonly Treat?
Dr. Staskywicz explains that he mostly treats patients with disorders of the GI tract, gallbladder, appendix, and abdominal wall (hernias).
“I am mostly interested in broad-based general surgery such as endoscopy, hernia repair, diseases of the gallbladder, appendix, small bowel, cancers of the colon, breast, and soft tissue,” states Dr. Staskywicz.
What Approach Do Our Surgeons Bring to Patient Care?
“I always tell patients that my role is to give them all the information they need to make good decisions for themselves,” Dr. Boerner states. “The patient is always the one driving the ship. We just help with the navigation.”
Similarly, Dr. Staskywicz explains that his approach to patient care involves a heavy emphasis on patient education and collaborative decision-making. “I want to ensure the patient has the best possible understanding of their disease and its management and treatment options,” Dr. Staskywicz states.
Why Did Our General Surgeons Choose Fairview Range?
Dr. Staskywicz’s wife, Lyndsey, is from Cloquet, and they would frequently visit her family on Swan Lake while they were in college. “We would visit Hibbing every so often on our visits. Coming from a small town in North Dakota and knowing the benefits of a smaller community, Hibbing and the surrounding area seemed like a great place to plant roots and raise a family,” explains Dr. Staskywicz. “I was contacted by Fairview Range while in residency, and this was exactly the practice I was envisioning for myself after residency. I’m most excited to simply just be a member of the Fairview team and get involved.”
“As a kid growing up in the southern end of the state, most of our vacations involved heading up north,” explains Dr. Boerner. “After living in Duluth and Moose Lake for several years, I knew this was where I wanted to spend my career. I chose Fairview Range because I knew I would have the support to give patients the best care possible close to home. Fairview Range is a bit bigger than most other hospitals in the area, allowing us to treat higher acuity conditions without requiring patients to travel as far for their care.”
Dr. Michael Boerner and Dr. Zachary Staskywicz are bringing the latest training and expertise to join alongside our highly experienced general surgery team of Dr. Joseph Skaja, Dr. Wendell Smith, Nurse Practitioner Melissa Milkovich, and Clinical Nurse Specialist Jackie Haigh.
Our entire team is here and ready to serve your general surgery needs close to home. Our growing team also means we are able to provide expanded general surgery coverage at the Fairview Mesaba Clinic in Mt. Iron. To schedule an appointment, please call 218-362-6937. Be sure to check with your insurance company to determine if a referral is needed.
