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Brain Disorders

Sashi Kuppala, MD, MS

Trinity Health is pleased to welcome neonatologist Sashi Kuppala, MD, MS, to our care team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Dr. Kuppala is double board certified in neonatology and general pediatrics, with a philosophy of care that prioritizes quality measures to ensure that infants receive the highest level of care possible.

Dr. Kuppala graduated from Rangaraya Medical College in India, where he earned both his primary medical degree and post-graduate diploma in child health. He says his early training led him in the direction of neonatology. “What stuck with me is that in the NICU, you’re supporting the life of a human being who could very well go on to make an enormous contribution to human achievement.”

Dr. Kuppala did his pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic and completed his neonatology fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Later, to enhance his expertise he earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management from Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kuppala practiced neonatology at hospitals in Kentucky and Indiana. He also served two years as medical director for Signature Care Network Health Insurance. Most recently, he served as staff neonatologist and medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Women’s Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

An avid hiker and mountain climber, Dr. Kuppala and his wife, Kavita, who is also a physician, have a daughter and son.

Moayed Ibrahim, MD

A member of our cancer team, Moayed Ibrahim, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist, dedicated to providing expert care to cancer patients utilizing the latest anti-cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. He is also skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood and blood forming organs.

A graduate of the Hashemite University Faculty of Medicine, Jordan, Dr. Ibrahim did his Internal Medicine residency at East Tennessee State University/Quillen College of Medicine in Mountain Home, TN. After completing a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, he accomplished his Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA. He was selected as chief resident and chief fellow during his training.

Dr. Ibrahim takes pride in treating his patients as he would like his own family members to be treated. He believes that shared decision-making is the cornerstone of a successful treatment plan.

Dr. Ibrahim is board certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine. He’s been published in peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized with multiple academic and research awards, including the 2020 American Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award.

A member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Hematology, and American Geriatric Society, he enjoys cycling, running, and walking his dog, Smoke.

Robert Fischer, MD

A member of our Ear, Nose and Throat team, Robert Fischer, MD, is an otolaryngologist, dedicated to providing high-quality, up-to-date care to adults and children with ear, nose and throat conditions. Dr. Fischer is board-certified in Otolaryngology with three decades of ENT experience. He is well-equipped to provide medical and surgical care for the full range of disorders, from ear and sinus problems, to head & neck surgery and facial plastic surgery. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Fischer earned his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his Otolaryngology residency at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia as part of a 10-year association with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. After discharge, he practiced at Duluth Clinic in Minnesota and Wind River ENT in Lander, WY, before joining Trinity Health in 2015. He practiced four years with Sanford Health in Bemidji, MN, before returning to Trinity.

Melissa Andreasen, FNP-C

A member of our pediatrics team, Melissa Andreasen, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to children and adolescents. A graduate of Minot State University, Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2013 and began her nursing career as an RN with Trinity Health. She served patients in the addiction services, intensive care, and same day surgery units before shifting her focus to advanced practice nursing. While pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, she worked part time as a clinical nurse instructor with Dakota College at Bottineau. She completed her Family Nurse Practitioner training 2020 and joined a private primary care practice as a family care provider, helping pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients manage the full range of acute and chronic health conditions. Melissa is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She loves spending time with her two children when she’s not at work.

Dawn Romfo, MSN, FNP-C

A board-certified nurse practitioner, Dawn Romfo, MSN, FNP-C, provides care and support to oncology and hematology patients as a member of our cancer care team. A Burlington native and Des Lacs-Burlington graduate, Dawn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University. She practiced clinic and hospital nursing in various community settings in the region, including Trinity Hospital’s ICU and Post-Anesthesia Care units. In 2012 she began a long association with Dakota College at Bottineau, serving initially as a nurse faculty member and for six years as Nursing Program Director. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education through Walden University in Minneapolis in 2014 and more recently earned a post-master’s certificate in Family Nurse Practice through Maryville University in St. Louis. She’s a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Jewel L. Sandy, MD

A member of our eye care team at Trinity Regional Eyecare – Western Dakota, Jewel Sandy, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, board-certified, fellowship trained Oculoplastics Specialist., Orbital, Reconstructive Surgery. She provides high-quality medical and surgical care to patients for the full range of eye conditions and is specially trained to perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, eye socket and face. Dr. Sandy earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California and completed her ophthalmology residency at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In addition to her residency, she spent an additional two years of advanced fellowship training at Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma and Allegheny Ophthalmic & Orbital Associates, PC, in Pittsburgh, focused on Global Eye Care and Orbital/Ophthalmic Plastic surgery respectively. Prior to joining Trinity Health, she was Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine Ophthalmology Department. In addition to being recognized for her academic achievement, Dr. Sandy has been an advocate for improving patient access to quality eye care, pioneering domestic and international medical missions and outreach. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Medical Association, Dr. Sandy enjoys hiking, reading, and international cuisine.

Joseph Stonehocker, CPNP-PC

Trinity Health is pleased to announce that Joseph Stonehocker, CPNP-PC, has joined our team of providers at Trinity Health Western Dakota in Williston. A board certified pediatric nurse practitioner, Joseph has spent the last three years serving the healthcare needs of Williston-area young people. He provides primary care to children ages 0 to 18, with an emphasis on general and acute pediatric care, annual well-child visits, and mental health support, including ADHD diagnosis and treatment. He’s also trained in various surgical procedures such as circumcision and tongue-tie correction. Originally from Canada, Joseph was reared in Edmonton, AB, and moved to the United States with his family at an early age. He graduated from Utah State University and earned both his Master of Science in Pediatric Nurse Practice and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UT Health San Antonio, part of the University of Texas system. A devoted husband and father, he and his wife have five children. They enjoy family time and attending youth sporting events.

William Sisa, MD

Dr. Sisa is a pediatrician, dedicated to providing holistic care that promotes the well-being of children, adolescents, and their families.  He is specially trained to manage the full range of children’s physical, mental, and emotional health problems, including acute and chronic conditions, behavioral difficulties, and developmental disorders.

Dr. Sisa earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, and completed his pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, a teaching hospital affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

Dr. Sisa grew up in Ghana, where he won the Presidential Award for being the best student from one of the 10 regions in Ghana at the Junior High School level, after which he proceeded to Major in Science at the best high schools in Ghana. Upon completion of high school, he started a remedial school in his hometown which is currently a high school in Ghana.

He proceeded to the University of Ghana where he majored in Chemistry. Upon arrival in the USA, he worked as a quality control chemist at NicePak PDI helping to develop some of the HPLC methods used to test the Super Sani Wipe the most popular hospital disinfectant used in hospitals in the USA. Dr. Sisa was pursuing a graduate Studies in Biochemistry at The City University of NY before he decided to pursue medicine at the St. George’s University School Medicine.

During clinical years in NYC, he got interested in teaching and mentoring of high school students in the science field, and completed several hours of volunteer work teaching. During residency, he participated in various research projects and had one of his research topics presented at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) 2020 Conference in Washington, DC.

He loves driving, playing volleyball, and soccer.

Maria Li, MDCM

Maria Li MDCM, MSc, FAANS is a board-certified specialist in neurosurgery. With over 20 years of experience as an attending neurosurgeon, she brings an abundance of expertise to help patients afflicted with a wide breadth of conditions affecting the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. Dr. Li earned her medical degree, completed her neurosurgery residency including an enfolded orthopedic spine fellowship, and earned a Master of Science in neuroscience in Montreal. Following her training at McGill University and the Montreal Neurological Institute, she did a post-doctoral laboratory fellowship in neurophysiology at the University of California at San Francisco and later completed a clinical fellowship in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery at the Seattle Neuroscience Institute.

She has practiced general neurosurgery in the USA for a decade, trying to improve the services available to local patients, including recently implementing a cranial neurosurgery program where none existed. Her academic career practicing, teaching, and doing clinical research spanned almost a decade in Montreal teaching hospitals affiliated with McGill University and the University of Montreal. Her neurosurgical practice consisted of 50% cranial and 50% spinal surgeries, with a focus on brain tumors.

Dr. Li is dedicated to maintaining the highest, most up to date standards, participating in the annual maintenance of certification program of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, which fosters excellence and lifelong learning. Dr. Li is a member of several medical and neurosurgical organizations. She continues to serve as a reviewer for the journal Neurosurgery.

 

Darren Hill, MD

Darren Hill, MD, is an ophthalmologist and a member of our team of specialists at Trinity Regional Eyecare Minot Center. Dr. Hill provides comprehensive medical and surgical eye care including cataract removal, laser and injection treatment for retinal pathology, laser and surgical glaucoma management, refractive surgery including LASIK and PRK, as well as surgical correction of strabismus and eyelid malposition. He graduated from Brigham Young University with academic honors, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Penn State University College of Medicine, and completed his surgical internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Throughout his medical career, Dr. Hill has been recognized for academic achievement, his research endeavors including peer-reviewed papers, abstracts, and textbook publications, as well as for his strong commitment to volunteer service.  A member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, he has participated in international and domestic missions providing vision care to disadvantaged patients. He spends his free time with his wife and five children.