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.
Sleep Disorders
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.
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.
Dwight Remington, DNP, FNP-C
Dwight Remington, DNP, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a member of our Pulmonary/Critical Care team. A Minot native, he received both his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in Nursing from the University of Mary in Bismarck. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Dwight worked as an RN for Trinity Health starting February, 2000, and practiced in various critical care departments, including the adult and newborn intensive care units, the cardiac catheterization lab, and as a flight nurse with NorthStar Criticair. Dwight provides treatment and support to patients in all stages of pulmonary disease and cares for critically ill patients in the ICU. He is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Jeffrey Verhey, MD
Dr. Verhey is board certified in three specialties. He is board certified in Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Internal Medicine. His training gives him expertise in treating patients with respiratory and lung conditions. He also is trained to care for those critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Verhey has been with Trinity Health since 1996, and serves Trinity in many capacities. He is the Medical Director for Home Health/Hospice, ICU, Respiratory Therapy and NorthStar CriticAir. He has served as Trinity’s Chief of Staff from 2002-2008. He is a Clinical Professor of Medicine for UND School of Medicine and has been honored as the Teacher of the Year at the Northwest Campus several times including three years in a row from 2012-2015. Dr. Verhey received his medical degree from the University of South Dakota-Vermillion, and did his Internal Medicine Residency and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Verhey is a native of Madison, South Dakota. He and his wife, Janelle, have four children.
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.
Nasser Saffarian, MD
Dr. Saffarian is a graduate of the American University of the Carribean, British West Indies. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital where he also fulfilled his Nephrology fellowship. He completed an additional fellowship in Transplant Nephrology at St. Johns Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.
Garett Rhule, MD
Garett Rhule, MD, is part of our team of providers at Trinity Health Western Dakota in Williston. Dr. Rhule is board certified in Internal Medicine, a primary care specialty dealing with the full range of adult illnesses, including preventive care, such as screenings and physical check-ups. He earned his medical degree from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and completed internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at State University of New York. He also completed a fellowship in Nephrology, a branch of medicine dealing with kidney disorders and is a member of the American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Rhule’s experience includes five years working as a medical officer for Port Maria Hospital. His personal interests include soccer, reading historical books and traveling.
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.