Dr. Longfors is a board-certified general surgeon, dedicated to providing advanced, high-quality surgical care to patients of all ages. Her experience covers a broad range of minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques, including laparoscopic procedures and Trinity Health’s da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system. Areas of specialty include surgeries of the breast, colon, gallbladder, appendix, hernia, and gastrointestinal system. Born and reared in Minnesota, Dr. Longfors graduated with high honors from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. She practiced general surgery at hospitals in Arizona, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Dr. Longfors provided general surgery services at CentraCare Health in St. Cloud, MN. In addition to being recognized for academic achievement, Dr. Longfors has been an advocate for improving patient access to surgical care, serving international medical missions in Kenya and other short-term trips in Africa. A member of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Longfors enjoys travel, hiking, biking, and spending time with family and friends.
Peripheral Arterial Aneurysm and Dissection
Kevin Clemans, FNP-BC
A board-certified nurse practitioner, Kevin Clemans, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, with four decades of nursing experience, is well qualified to address the complex needs of patients. Originally from Indiana, Kevin received his early RN training at South Western Michigan College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bethel College, both in Indiana. He practiced in civilian and military hospitals, including 10 years with medical units at Wright Patterson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases in Ohio and Alaska respectively, achieving the rank of captain. In 2013, he earned a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice from Goshen College in Indiana. He has since worked as an intensivist nurse practitioner in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, hospital medicine, and primary care. He has participated in numerous activities supportive of nursing and emergency preparedness, including serving as a flight nurse, Red Cross nurse, and Disaster Medical Assistance Team member. His many honors include receiving the Distinguished Duty Medal and Silver Star.
Paul DiGregorio, CCP
A key member of our heart team, Paul DiGregorio, CCP, is a certified cardiovascular perfusionist with 40 years of experience providing clinical perfusion and other services to patients. His role during heart surgery is operating the heart-lung machine that assumes the functions of a patient’s heart and lung while the surgeon performs surgery on the heart. A Long Island native, Paul completed his perfusion training in 1980 at State University of New York (SUNY) in Syracuse. He was chief perfusionist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland for many years. He has practiced in various clinical settings in Ohio, Indiana, and Florida. Most recently he was senior staff perfusionist at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN. His experience also includes serving as a clinical instructor and faculty member for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). Paul is married with two children. He enjoys golf, dining out, and movies.
Michael Savitt, MD, MSE
A member of our heart and lung team, Dr. Savitt is a cardiothoracic surgeon with over 20 years of surgical experience. His expertise covers a broad range of innovative and minimally invasive techniques for coronary bypass and valve surgery, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He is also an expert in lung resection and surgical treatment of lung and esophageal cancers. A Milwaukee native, Dr. Savitt earned his medical degree and Master of Science in Engineering from Duke University. He completed his surgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco, where he served as chief surgical resident. He accomplished his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota and later returned to Duke for a clinical lung transplant sabbatical. Dr. Savitt has maintained a dynamic practice at heart and lung centers in the Midwest. Most recently he served as a cardiothoracic surgeon and associate clinical professor at IU Ball Memorial Hospital in association with Indiana University School of Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. A member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, Dr. Savitt has been a frequent lecturer on cardiothoracic topics and has authored numerous manuscripts for various medical journals.
Robert Guttormson, MD
Robert Guttormson, MD, MHA, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. With a special interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery, Dr. Guttormson is dedicated to providing excellent surgical care to patients, with innovative approaches that involve less pain, less blood loss, and quicker recovery. A Minot native, he earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed his general surgery residency in Saginaw, Michigan, at an affiliate campus of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Following residency, he practiced at Altru Health System in Grand Forks for over nine years and served as Assistant Professor of Surgery for the UND Surgical Residency. His volunteer service includes medical missions work in Niger, Africa. His wife and their four children enjoy outdoor activities and travel. He also has an interest in photography. He is looking forward to helping serve his home community as a member of Trinity’s Surgical Associates Group.
Dustin Evans, MD
A member of our General Surgery team, Dustin Evans, MD, provides safe and effective surgical care to patients, with advanced treatment options and minimally invasive techniques for a wide range of surgical procedures. He is originally from Colorado and grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Colorado. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He remained at UC for his general surgery internship, and completed his general surgery residency training at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Evans’ experience is broad and includes things from working at a gold mine to volunteering as an EMT with Highland Rescue Team Ambulance Service in Golden, CO. In his spare time, he enjoys shooting sports, 4-wheeling, and spending time with his wife and four children.
Alicia Crosby, FNP-C
A member of our General Surgery team, Alicia Crosby, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner trained to provide a wide range of services to patients undergoing surgical procedures, including patient assessment, follow-up care, and education to surgical patients. A Minot native, Alicia received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University and her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner training from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Her RN experience includes over five years of experience as a critical care nurse in Trinity Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Michael Gooden, MD
Dr. Gooden is a board-certified Vascular/Endovascular surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. As a vascular surgeon, he is uniquely qualified to treat, by either open surgical or endovascular means, all aspects of peripheral vascular disease, including carotid stenosis, aortic aneurysms, lower or upper extremity peripheral artery disease, renal and mesenteric stenosis, nonhealing diabetic foot wounds, or dialysis access. This includes the most up to date techniques of carotid endarterectomy/stenting, open AAA repair/EVAR/TEVAR, peripheral artery bypass or stenting/angioplasty.
Originally from Iowa, Dr. Gooden grew up in Tucson, AZ. He served 6 years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, and was recalled for Desert Storm. He received both his Bachelor of Sciences in Molecular and Cellular Biology and MD degree at the University of Arizona. Following General Surgery residency at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Gooden completed a two-year Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in 2004. He is a member of the American Medical Association and a fellow in the prestigious Society for Vascular Surgery. He has worked in a variety of settings over the years, including private practice, academic surgery, and with the VA healthcare system.
“I enjoy working closely with patients and their primary care doctors, treating vascular disease to improve people’s daily lives, prevent stroke and limb loss.” When not working, ” I am spending all the time I can with my wife Erin and our son Colin, doing outdoor or school activities.”
Gillian Lavik, MD
A member of our General Surgery team, Gillian Lavik, MD, provides safe and effective surgical care to patients, with specialty interests that include surgical oncology, abdominal surgeries and minimally invasive options for a wide range of procedures. A Rugby, ND, native, she completed her premedical education at Macalester College in Minnesota and received her medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. Her internship and residency were completed at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY, an affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where Dr. Lavik served as chief resident her graduate year.
Jerel Brandt, DO
Dr. Brandt is a board-certified general surgeon, experienced in the full range of surgical procedures. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques, including surgeries utilizing the da Vinci robotic system. A Minot native and 1996 graduate of Minot High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Mary and a Masters in Kinesiology from the University of North Dakota before receiving his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Des Moines University in Iowa. He completed his General Surgery residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, MI. Throughout his educational career Dr. Brandt has been active in projects and initiatives to promote health and wellness.