A member of our Neurology team, Maria Gonzales, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner who works closely with neurologists and other clinical staff to assess, diagnose and treat patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic headache. Born and reared in the Philippines, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing before emigrating to the United States in 2005. She practiced 17 years in healthcare settings in New York. In 2017 she joined Trinity Health, where she cared for patients in the Emergency/Trauma Center before completing her Master of Science degree in Advanced Nurse Practice from Walden University, Minneapolis. Maria is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She enjoys traveling when she’s not taking care of patients.
Dysphagia
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.
Jason Coombs, DO
A physiatrist specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Jason Coombs, DO, helps patients restore loss of mobility and function due to injury or disease and serves as medical director of our inpatient rehabilitation unit, RehabCare. Dr. Coombs provides both inpatient and outpatient care to people dealing with a variety of conditions such as stroke, brain/spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and orthopedic trauma. He also provides musculoskeletal examinations and diagnosis using EMG and other techniques. Formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Coombs earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Touro University California and completed his PM&R residency at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. His experience includes medical service across three different continents as part of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. A member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Coombs and his family enjoy sports, outdoor activities, and travel. He’s been active in community service, including a 20-year involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and coaching youth sports teams.
Alycia Coutts, FNP-C
A board-certified nurse practitioner, Alycia Coutts, FNP-C, cares for patients as a member of our Ear, Nose & Throat team. She works with otorhinolaryngology surgeons and other team members to manage the care of children and adults with acute and chronic ENT conditions such as ear infections and other concerns, sinusitis, head & neck problems, and sleep issues. Alycia received her Master of Science degree in Family Nurse Practice from Simmons University. Prior to that she earned an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Williston State College and worked as an RN at Trinity Health as a family practice nurse and a charge nurse in Labor & Delivery. A member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association, Alycia enjoys spending time outside with her family and watching hockey.
Rob Thomas, MD
A specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine (Otolaryngology) and Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Thomas provides medical and surgical care for children and adults with ear, nose, and throat conditions, including ear infections, snoring, sleep apnea, hearing loss, dizziness, voice evaluation and surgery, and thyroid and salivary gland disorders. He earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, where he was named a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society in recognition of scholarship and professionalism. He completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He’s a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Mary Sadler, FNP-C
A nurse practitioner in Trinity’s Neurology Department, Mary Sadler, FNP-C, works closely with neurologists and other clinical staff to assess, diagnose and treat patients with neurological illnesses and injuries. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998 from Minot State University and practiced 10 years with Trinity Health in the Rehabilitation, Ortho/Neuro and Emergency/Trauma departments. In 2010 she received her Master of Science/Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck. Since then she has served patients in family practice and emergency settings, most recently serving as an Occupational Health/Family Practice nurse practitioner with Sanford Health. She’s a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the North Dakota Nurse Practitioners Association, the American Academy of Neurology and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Rosina Medel, MD
Rosina Medel, MD, is a neurologist board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Medel provides specialized care for patients dealing with the full spectrum of neurological disorders affecting the brain, nervous system, peripheral nerves and muscles. She received her early medical training in the Philippines, earning a nursing degree and later a medical doctorate from the University of Perpetual Help System. She migrated to the United States, where she completed a preliminary residency in Internal Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. She fulfilled her Neurology residency and performed a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ, where she served as chief resident her final year and earned numerous awards for academic and clinical excellence. Dr. Medel is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
Ira Paul Michaelson, MD
Ira Paul Michaelson, MD, is a board certified gastroenterologist with extensive experience caring for people with digestive disorders and other conditions affecting the G.I. tract. A lifelong Boston-area resident, Dr. Michaelson graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and earned his medical degree from the University of Florence in Italy. He completed his internship and the first year of his Internal Medicine residency at Carney Hospital in Boston. His second and third years of residency were completed respectively at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Boston. He practiced briefly as an emergency physician before pursuing a two-year fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. He then began a 35-year association with Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Medford, MA, where he provided gastroenterology and advanced endoscopic care to G.I. patients throughout the Medford area. A member of the American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Michaelson is dual boarded in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, with clinical interests in Plant Based Medicine and cancer prevention following the work of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic. An avid cross-country skier, he and his wife, Shari, have four children and six grandchildren.
Bonnie Ler, FNP-C
Bonnie Ler, FNP completed her medical training at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. She provided medical services in the Internal Medicine Department for many years and now practices in the Gastroenterology Department of Health Center – Medical Arts.