Meritcare Health System

Roger L. Gilbertson, M.D., has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MeritCare Health System since July 1993.

Craig Hewitt serves as chief information officer for MeritCare Health System. Craig joined MeritCare in 1974 and has been CIO since 2002. As CIO Craig leads the vision and strategic planning efforts related to the use and application of health information technology throughout the entire health system. This encompasses administrative, medical, privacy/security, customer services, IT auditing, project management and technology infrastructure components, as well as all areas of information technology governance, design and fiscal responsibilities. Craig has been appointed to the American Hospital Association National Advisory Group, was appointed by the governor of North Dakota to the State Information Technology Advisory Council (SITAC) and is chairman of the North Dakota Healthcare CIO Group and is a member of North Dakota Health Information Technology Steering Committee. Craig also actively participates in many nationally recognized organizations including Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), College of Health Information Executive (CHIME) and Gartner. Craig is a native of Rugby, N.D. where he was raised and schooled in a rural farming community culture. He received an associate's degree in computer science from North Dakota State School of Science and a bachelor of science degree in business management, University Of Mary. He's been with MeritCare's Information Technology department for over 30 years and thus has seen incredible change in the use of technologies at the health system. Prior to joining MeritCare he worked for several years for a banking service based in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Craig resides in Fargo with his wife Caryn. He and his wife have 6 children and 2 grandchildren. Of his 6 children 3 still live at home and keep he and his wife busy with their academics, theatre and many sports. Craig and his family enjoy spending as much time as possible at their lake home.

Harriette McCaul is the chief human resource officer at MeritCare. In this role, she creates strategies to attract, develop and retain a talented workforce for MeritCare. Harriette joined MeritCare in 2001. Prior to MeritCare, Harriette was the senior vice president of Human Resources at Community First Bankshares. She was the dean of the College of Business Administration at North Dakota State University and also served as a faculty member in management in the College of Business Administration. Harriette earned a doctorate degree in management from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, a master's degree in business administration from the University of Kansas and a bachelor's degree in psychology and personnel administration from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Harriette is married to Kevin, who is the dean of the College of Science and Math at North Dakota State University. She and her husband have a son, David, and a daughter, Laura.

Dr. Justesen attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks where he earned his doctor of medicine degree in 1993. He completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in neurological surgery at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Ill. After completing his residency in 1999, he held a fellowship in spine surgery with the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch. Dr. Justesen joined MeritCare in 2002.

As an internal medicine specialist, Dr. Pitts diagnoses and treats adults with a wide range of medical problems. His practice is limited to the care of hospitalized patients. Dr. Pitts is a Senior Executive and has a wide range of administrative responsibilities at MeritCare, and is also Associate Dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr. Tufte is married and the father of three sons. In his spare time, he enjoys sports and is an active motorcyclist. He is a member of the Lions Club and he and his wife Deb are part of a mission group which provides annual eyecare services in Mexico.

Dwight Williams, owner and craftsman at Smith Williams Studios, can duplicate existing objects or create new designs for anything his clients desire in wood, clay, metal or glass. He has more than 20 years of experience in specialty woodworking, and his projects have included everything from custom-designed furniture to assisting in building a village named Laffalot at MeritCare Children's Hospital to creating specialty display cases for the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, N.D. In addition to his own art, Dwight has owned several small businesses, taught high school art in Breckenridge, Minn. and served as administrative director for the Plains Art Museum. He holds a bachelor's degree in art (sculpture and pottery) from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Dr. Mistry received his medical degree from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga, India. He completed surgical training in general surgery in the United Kingdom and at St. Louis University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Mistry completed fellowships in surgical critical care/trauma and abdominal transplant surgery at St. Louis University Health Sciences Center. He was also Chief Resident in Surgery at St. Louis University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Mistry is also trained in laparoendoscopic surgery, including laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Dr. Mistry received his board certification in surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons-England and the Royal College of Surgeons-Ireland. He is certified by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and United Network of Organ Sharing in organ procurement and multiorgan abdominal transplant surgery (kidney, pancreas and liver). This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in the fields of surgery, organ procurement and multiorgan abdominal transplant surgery. Dr. Mistry is a member of the American Society of Transplantation, The Transplantation Society, International Liver Transplantation Society and Society of Critical Care Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Dr. Mistry is currently Vice President and Medical Director of LIfeSource, Organ Procurement Agency in St. Paul, MN. He joined MeritCare in 2000.

Dr. Haggerty received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed an intenal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. He is board certified in internal medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and passed examinations that accredit him in the field of internal medicine. Dr. Haggerty is a member of the American College of Physicians. He enjoys caring for all adult medical problems, including cardiac, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Dr. Haggerty joined MeritCare in 1984.

Dr. Stover received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis. He received his bachelors of science degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. Dr. Stover completed his residency in general surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn. He is board certified in general surgery. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the field of surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Stover joined MeritCare in 2000.

Dr. Bier received his medical degree from Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island. He received training in internal medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Ariz.; completed a residency in radiation oncology at University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Ariz.; and completed a fellowship in radiation oncology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bier is board certified in radiation oncology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria of the regulating board and has passed examinations which accredit him in the field of radiation oncology.

Dr. Dahlstrom earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed his residency in radiology at the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis. Prior to joining MeritCare, Dr. Dahlstrom practiced at St. Peter Hospital, St. Peter, Minn. And St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, Minn. Dr. Dahlstrom is board-certified in radiology and nuclear radiology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in these fields.

Doug serves as Senior Executive of Regional Health Services. In this capacity, he provides system leadership for MeritCare outside the Fargo-Moorhead area including operational responsibility for regional sites, oversight of regional services, service development/expansion and relationships throughout the region. Doug has previously provided direction to the strategy/planning, marketing and communications functions at MeritCare. He joined MeritCare in 2005. In previous roles, Doug served in a wide range of leadership positions for complex, multi-state organizations doing business across the western United States primarily in health care. These positions have included chief operating officer, regional executive, human resources officer, chief strategist and legal counsel. These experiences have lead him to a passion for organizational development and human performance to create mutual success. Doug was born and raised in North Dakota, earning his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Doug is both a C.P.A. and an attorney. He enjoys using his background and experiences to pursue the mission of MeritCare with vigor. Doug and his wife, Kristi, have two grown daughters, Lisa and Sara. In addition to family activities, Doug enjoys the outdoors, bird hunting and fishing in his free time.

Dr. Twedt received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis. She completed a residency in internal medicine at MeritCare through the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. She is board certified in internal medicine. This means that she has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit her in this field. Dr. Twedt joined MeritCare in 1999. Dr. Twedt received the 2006 North Dakota Diabetes Care Provider Achievement Award.

Dr. Goldenberg received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. He completed an internship at Health Sciences Center and St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg. Dr. Goldenberg completed a diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. He is board certified in diagnostic radiology. This means that he has fulfiled the necessary criteria established by the board and has passed the examination that accredit him in this field. Dr. Goldenberg joined MeritCare in 1997.

Mr. Carpenter is a founder and Senior Managing Director of Riverside Management Group (RMG). Founded in 1996, RMG is a boutique private equity and investment banking firm focused primarily on the technology and metal industries. Mr. Carpenter most recently lead RMG's successful effort in the operational restructuring and sale of Horsehead Industries operating assets serving as President and Director for nearly two years. Horsehead is the largest recycler in the world of the steel industry's Electric Arc Furnace Dust and the largest producer of zinc in the United States. Horsehead has averaged more than $230MM in sales and employs approximately 1000 people. As Senior Managing Director of RMG, Mr. Carpenter has overseen approximately 40 transactions and financings totaling more than $500MM. Mr. Carpenter received a BS in communications from Boston University in 1989 and holds the series 82 & 63 securities licenses.

Dr. Stanley received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He completed a general surgery internship and an otolaryngology residency at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, and at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque. Dr. Stanley was on faculty at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center prior to joining MeritCare. He is board certified in otolaryngology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the field of otolaryngology.

Dr. Munoz received his medical degree from San Marcos University in Lima, Peru. He completed his internships at the Hospital Arzobispo Loayza, Lima, Peru, and at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Ill. He completed an internal medicine residency and an endocrinology fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School in Rochester, Minn. He is board certified in endocrinology, internal medicine and clinical nutrition. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the fields of endocrinology, internal medicine and clinical nutrition. Dr. Munoz joined MeritCare in 1980.

Judith received her degree in physician assistant studies from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Prior to joining MeritCare, Judith worked as a physician assistant at The Dermatology Center, New Albany, Ind. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. this means that she has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit her.

Dr. Hall received her medical degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and her bachelor's degree from Jamestown College, N.D. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of North Dakota, Fargo. Prior to obtaining her medical degree, Dr. Hall worked as a registered nurse at MeritCare Family Birth Center. She is board certified in internal medicine. This means she has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit her in this field. Dr. Hall received the 2006 North Dakota Diabetes Care Provider Achievement Award.

Dr. Geeraerts received his medical degree from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium. He completed his residencies at Winthrop University Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian in New York. Dr. Geeraerts received the Clinical Fellow of the American Cancer Society award in 1984. Dr. Geeraerts is board certified in internal medicine, oncology and hematology. This means he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in the fields of internal medicine, hematology and oncology. Dr. Geeraerts is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Applied Science. He joined MeritCare in 1988.

Dr. Luke received her medical degree from the Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, R.I. She completed her residency in internal medicine at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, New York. Dr. Luke has also completed a Bush Fellowship, which includes courses on complementary and alternative medicine from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and courses on epidemiology and biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. She is board certified in internal medicine and geratric medicine. This means that she has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit her in this field. Prior to working at MeritCare, Dr. Luke practiced in primary care at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Fargo, and worked as a clinical researcher.

Dr. Machayya earned his degree at Madras Medical College, University of Madras, Madras, India. Prior to joining MeritCare, Dr. Machayya was a Rotating Type II Intern at Illinois Central Hospital, Chicago, Ill. He completed residencies in general surgery at Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria, England and in urology at Preston & Chorley Hospitals in Preston and Lancashire, England. He served as a senior house officer at Wakefield Group 9 Hospitals in Wakefield and Yorkshire, England and was a resident house officer at Salford Royal Infirmary in Salford, England. He is board certified in surgery as a Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons in England (F.R.C.S.). Dr. Machayya joined MeritCare in 1972.

Dr. Weiner received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. He completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville. He has been board certified in diagnostic radiology by the American Board of Radiology since 1976. He obtained the Certificate of Additional Qualification in vascular and interventional radiology from the American Board of Radiology in 1996. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in this field.

Dr. Bhora received his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. He completed his residency in internal medicine at State University of New York, Buffalo. Prior to working at MeritCare, Dr. Bhora worked as clinical assistant instructor of internal medicine at State University of New York, Buffalo.

Dr. Haider received his medical degree from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan. Dr. Haider is board certified in psychiatry. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in this field. He completed a residency in psychiatry through the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Dr. Haider joined MeritCare in 1999. He has special intersts in geriatrics, research and the use of hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety related disorders.

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A native of Scranton, N.D., Dr. Teske graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks with an undergraduate degree in zoology. He received his doctor of medicine degree there as well. Dr. Teske completed an internship at the University of North Dakota--St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He received emergency room training at St. Luke's Hospital and Denver General Hospital in Denver, Colo. He is certified in advanced trauma life support and advanced cardiac life support. He is board certified in emergency medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in this field. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and First District Medical Society, North Dakota.

Dr. Stoy received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed an internship at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital, Minn. and an internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. He is board certified in internal medicine, allergy and immunology, pulmonology and critical care. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating boards and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the fields of internal medicine, allergy and immunology, pulmonology medicine and critical care. Dr. Stoy joined MeritCare in 1979.

Dr. Bilstad received his medical degree and bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Prior to joining MeritCare, he completed his internship and residency in emergency medicine at Summa Health Systems Akron City Hospital, Akron, Ohio. He is board certified in emergency medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria and has passed examinations that accredit him in this field.

Dr. Steen graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings and received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed a fellowship for oncology and hematology at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City and a residency in internal medicine at Maricopa Medical Center and University of Arizona Affiliate, Phoenix. Dr. Steen is the medical director of MeritCare's Palliative Care Service. He is an Academic Professor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Former Chair of the Division of Hematology and Oncology for the Medical School. He is the Principal Investigator for the Community Clinical Oncology Program. Dr. Steen is board certified in internal medicine, oncology and palliative care medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in these fields. Dr. Steen joined MeritCare in 1990.

Dr. Catalan received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia. He completed a transitional internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colo. and subsequently completed his diagnostic radiology residency at Tripler Army Medical Center. He served on active duty with the U.S. Army as a physician from 1992-2006 and completed his service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He completed his fellowship in body imaging at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. Dr. Catalan is board-certified in radiology. This means he has fulfilled the necessary criteria and has passed examinations that accredit him in this field. Dr. Catalan joined MeritCare in 2006.

Dr. Arusell graduated from Jamestown College and received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota. He completed his internal medicine residency in Fargo and his radiation oncology residency at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Arusell is board certified in internal medicine and radiation oncology. This means he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in the fields of internal medicine and radiation oncology. Dr. Arusell is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Applied Science. He joined MeritCare in 1984.

Dr. Tight received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, N.Y. He completed internship and residency training in internal medicine at the Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the same institution. Dr. Tight is board certified in the specialty of internal medicine and the subspecialty of infectious disease. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating boards and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the fields of internal medicine and infectious disease. Dr. Tight joined MeritCare in 1984.

Dr. Dutta received his medical degree from the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He received his undergraduate degree from the Faujdarhat Cadet College, Faujdarhat, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Dr. Dutta did his residency training in internal medicine at Northshore University Hospital at Forest Hills, New York. He also completed Fellowship training in geriatric medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, New York. Dr. Dutta also worked as Chief Resident in the department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills, New York. He is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine. This means he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in these fields.

Dr. Spellman received his medical degree from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine through the University of Pittsburgh, Presbyterian University Hospital, Pa. He completed a residency in gastroenterology through McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. Dr. Spellman is an associate clinical professor at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Dr. Spellman is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in these fields. He joined MeritCare in 1977.

Dr. Clemenson received his medical degree from St. Louis University Medical School, St. Louis, Mo. He completed an internal medicine residency and was chief resident in internal medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis. He is board certified in internal medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed examinations that accredit him in the field of internal medicine. Dr. Clemenson also completed an additional year of training in echocardiography and noninvasive cardiology. Dr. Clemenson was also a Bush Fellow in Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School and is helping to direct MeritCare's intelligent use of computers to improve medical care. Dr. Clemenson joined MeritCare in 1988. Dr. Clemenson received the 2006 North Dakota Diabetes Care Provider Achievement Award.

Dr. Daniels is involved in the administration of general, regional, or sedation anesthesia to patients during surgery or other procedures and is also responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of patients' vital functions. Dr. Daniels may personally administer anesthesia or may supervise the administration of anesthesia by nurse anesthetists. Anesthesiologists are also involved in post-operative pain management and chronic pain management. Dr. Daniels joined MeritCare in 1991.

Dr. Quamme graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, and completed a family medicine residency at the University of North Dakota Family Practice Center in Fargo. He is board certified in family medicine. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the field of family medicine. Dr. Quamme joined MeritCare in 1989.

Dr. Thom received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. He completed his internship at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn. and completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Thom is board certified in ophthalmology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Thom joined MeritCare in 1998.

Dr. Noah, a Fargo native, received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He completed a clinical internship at MeritCare Medical Center in Fargo. He completed training and a urology residency at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine in Akron. Dr. Noah is board certified in urology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in the field of urology. He joined MeritCare in 1998.

Dr. Strinden received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is board certified in ophthalmology. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in this field. Dr. Strinden joined MeritCare in 1995.

David Glatt is a physician with the Department of Family Medicine of MeritCare Clinic Southpointe. He is a member of the Board of Directors of MeritCare Health System and is the Medical Director at Bethany. David and his wife, Janice, have three children and are members of Holy Cross Catholic Church. He holds the Board position for the Medical Director.

Lauris Molbert joined Otter Tail in 1995 as president of the Varistar Corporation, continuing its successful diversification into nonelectric businesses. With his appointment in 2002 as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Otter Tail Corporation, he continues the focus on creating shareholder value through the long-term ownership of businesses in diverse industries. As chief operating officer, Lauris is responsible for overseeing all of the utility and nonelectric operating companies of Otter Tail Corporation. In his role as executive vice president, he is second-in-command to the president in formulating strategy for the entire organization. Prior to joining Otter Tail, Lauris was a partner in the Fargo-based law firm of Conmy, Feste, Bossart, Hubbard & Corwin, specializing in banking law, and mergers and acquisitions. He graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law, Juris Doctor with distinction, in 1983. He earned degrees in Finance, Accounting and Banking in 1980 and was awarded his CPA designation in 1981. Lauris is a recognized community leader and currently serves on the boards of MeritCare Health System and the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation.

Mike, who holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota, has shown his work in numerous individual and juried shows around the region. He's received fellowships and grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and the McKnight Foundation. He's been awarded honorariums from the Bemidji Community Sculpture Walk, the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, and the Ames, Iowa Sculpture Walk.

Dr. Montgomery received his medical degree from University of Iowa, Iowa City. He completed his pediatric residency at Walter Reed U.S. Army Hospital, Washington, D.C. He served as Chief of Pediatrics at Fort Carson, Colo. He joined MeritCare in 1966. Dr. Montgomery is board certified in pediatrics. This means that he has fulfilled the necessary criteria established by the regulating board and has passed the examinations that accredit him in this field.