A certified registered nurse anesthetist, Laken Kittelson, CRNA, provides anesthesia care to patients across a wide spectrum of surgical cases. A Burlington, ND, native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Dakota State University, Fargo, and worked as a critical care nurse in the ICU at Sanford Health and Trinity Health. Later, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. A member of the North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Laken and her husband, Collin Kittelson, have two children.
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Donna Verhasselt, PA-C
Donna Verhasselt, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant with nearly 20 years of experience caring for patients in clinic and hospital settings. She works with patients in Trinity Health’s Pre-Admission Testing Unit, providing pre-admission testing and education to ensure the health and safety of patients as they prepare for a surgical procedure. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Donna received her Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. She served patients in Ohio and Arizona, and from 2007 to 2019 was associated with Trinity’s orthopedics team, where she served as first assist in the OR and managed the care of new and post-operative patients. Prior to returning to Trinity Health, she worked at Altru Health System in Grand Forks in the areas of orthopedics and neurosurgery. Donna is originally from Williston.
Christian Eby, MD
A Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, Christian Eby, MD, has extensive experience in both adult and pediatric anesthesia. He is highly qualified to provide safe and effective anesthesia care to ensure the comfort of patients undergoing the full range of surgical procedures. A graduate of Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, Dr. Eby completed a pediatric residency at the University of California, San Diego, and fulfilled his anesthesiology residency at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. His training also includes advanced clinical instruction in pediatric anesthesia and pediatric critical care, which he completed at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Eby has provided pediatric anesthesia care at hospitals in California and Nevada, and in 2014 began a lengthy association with Sanford Health, providing leadership for anesthesia and critical care programs at Sanford Health in Fargo and Aberdeen, SD. Most recently he served as medical director of anesthesia services at Sage West Healthcare in Lander, WY. Dr. Eby is a member of American Society of Anesthesiologists and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
Diane Schmidt-Krings, MD
A member of our anesthesiology team, Diane Schmidt-Krings, MD, provides safe and effective anesthesia care to patients undergoing the full range of surgical procedures, from elective surgeries to emergency and trauma care. Dr. Schmidt-Krings has extensive experience in the medical field, having spent more than a decade practicing in the specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery before becoming an anesthesiologist. The Minneapolis native received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1995 and completed a surgical residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. She completed her fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Cleveland Clinic and spent the next 13 years providing plastic and reconstructive surgical care to patients in St. Cloud, MN, Eau Claire, WI, Fargo, ND, and Jacksonville, FL. She received her residency training in anesthesiology at West Virginia University, where she was recognized for academic excellence. Dr. Schmidt-Krings enjoys painting, camping, and spending time with her family.
Earl Brewley, Jr., MD
Dr. Brewley is a board-eligible, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating complex diseases of the upper extremity. His expertise includes advanced shoulder and elbow arthroscopy as well as primary and revision joint replacement surgery of the upper extremity. He earned his medical doctorate from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, and completed his orthopedic residency at Albany Medical Center in New York, where he served as chief resident. He completed a highly coveted shoulder and elbow fellowship in Tampa, FL, with Drs. Mark Frankle and Mark Mighell at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute. Under their supervision, Dr. Brewley performed over 150 shoulder replacements and over 100 arthroscopic shoulder procedures. Upon graduation, he completed additional training in Japan under Hiroyuki Sugaya, MD, and Teruhisa Mihata, MD, PHD, to learn additional arthroscopic techniques, including superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears. Dr. Brewley’s research interests include age-related outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty, alternative treatments for post traumatic elbow arthritis, and biomechanics stability in revision shoulder arthroplasty. He is a fellow member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and an editorial reviewer for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. In his leisure he enjoys reading, hiking, writing poetry, and cheering for the New York Yankees.
Julius Ngaile, MD
A member of our Anesthesiology team, Dr. Ngaile provides safe and effective anesthesia care to patients undergoing the full range of surgical procedures, from elective cases to emergency/trauma. Dr. Ngaile received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, and completed his four-year Anesthesiology residency at the UC School’s Department of Anesthesia, located in Aurora. Prior to pursuing his medical career he worked as a registered nurse in Colorado and Kenya. He’s a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the American Medical Association. He enjoys swimming, soccer, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Brent Knudson, DO
Dr. Knudson is an orthopedic surgeon who brings advanced expertise to the care of people with bone, joint, and muscle disorders. His areas of focus include joint replacement surgery of the knee, hip, and shoulder. He is also passionate about sports and taking care of sport-related injuries, as well as routine fracture care.
Originally from Mandan, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry/Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and received his medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. His residency training was completed through Michigan State University at McLaren Oakland, known for its advanced orthopedic program. During his residency, Dr. Knudson trained in all aspects of orthopedic surgery, with special emphasis on joint replacement, direct anterior hip replacement, sports medicine, and trauma care.
His experience also includes five years as a flight surgeon with the US Air Force and Air Force National Guard, two and a half years of which were spent with the 5th Medical Group at Minot AFB. The remaining time was spent in Japan, Afghanistan, and Michigan.
Dr. Knudson and his wife, Kelly, have three children. Whether fishing or hunting, they enjoy spending their free time in the beautiful North Dakota outdoors.
Amber Stephenson, CRNA
A certified registered nurse anesthetist, Amber Stephenson, CRNA, provides anesthesia care to patients across a wide spectrum of surgical cases. A Minot native and Minot High School graduate, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University and joined Trinity Health, serving as a staff RN in the ICU from 2010-2013. In 2015, she received her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, and has been a part of our anesthesia team since 2016. A member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Amber is certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. She and her husband, Branden, have three children. They enjoy going to the lake, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and playing games.
Kristi Syverson, CRNA
A certified registered nurse anesthetist, Kristi Johnson, CRNA, provides anesthesia care to patients across a wide spectrum of surgical cases. Originally from Sidney, MT, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary in Bismarck and began an extensive nursing career, practicing at hospitals in Bismarck and Sioux Falls for 11 years. In 2012, she earned her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Mount Marty College’s nurse anesthesia program in Sioux Falls. A member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Kristi is certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. Fishing and camping are among her favorite activities.
Cody Pehrson, MD
Dr. Pehrson specializes in orthopedic surgery with a focus on complex trauma and hip reconstruction. His expertise includes anterior hip replacement, an innovative approach that can significantly reduce pain and downtime. He also does total shoulder replacement. Dr. Pehrson is fellowship trained in orthopedic trauma, with specialized expertise in pelvic and acetabular fracture care. He’s dedicated to helping patients regain mobility and return to the activities they enjoy. A magna-cum-laude graduate of Utah State University, he earned his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Wisconsin and received residency training in orthopedic surgery at UCSF Fresno, where he was voted Resident of the Year for the 2014-2015 academic year. Following residency, he completed his Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship with Sonoran Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons in Phoenix, AZ, where he provided orthopedic trauma care at the four Level I trauma centers in the Phoenix area and trained extensively in reconstructive and revision surgery of the hip, with an emphasis on utilizing the anterior approach. Dr. Pehrson and his wife Jocelyn have five children. They enjoy spending time outside, traveling, and trying new things. Dr. Pehrson is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.