Trinity Health is pleased to welcome board-certified physician Sugandha Kumar S. Nagarajan, MD, (“Dr. Kumar”) to our family medicine team. Dr. Kumar sees patients of all ages and provides a broad range of acute, chronic and preventative care services, including diagnosing and treating illness, routine checkups and healthy lifestyle management. A graduate of SUNY’s Stony Brook University, Dr. Kumar earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his family medicine residency at UND School of Medicine’s Northwest Campus in Minot. Following residency, he pursued a fellowship in Clinical Informatics at HonorHealth, Phoenix, AZ, where he received training in the use of information technology to improve patient outcomes. A member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Kumar is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Trinity Health Medical Arts
Chris Seil, PA-C
A board-certified physician assistant, Chris Seil, PA-C, is a member of our provider team at FirstCare Walk-In Clinic. With primary care experience in civilian and military settings, Chris is well qualified to provide diagnosis and treatment to patients seeking care for non-emergent illnesses and injuries. A graduate of Minot State University, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Medcenter One College of Nursing and worked as an RN at Bismarck hospitals in the emergency and surgical units. In 2014, he completed his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He went on to provide primary care services to patients in association with healthcare organizations in Bismarck and Dickinson. A longtime member of the North Dakota Army National Guard, Chris served with various medical units, achieving the rank of major. His many honors include the Army Valorous Unit Award and Army Commendation Medal. Chris is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, youth ministry, car restoration, hunting and playing sports.
Kara Kline, FNP-C
Kara Kline, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner and a member of our team of providers at FirstCare Walk-In Clinic. As a medical provider, Kara sees patients to evaluate their health status and recommend treatment. A Minot native, Kara earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University and went on to complete her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice from Maryville University, St. Louis. Kara previously spent seven years at Trinity Health working as a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and as a flight nurse with First Response Air. In 2017, she was named Director of Nursing at Edgewood Healthcare in Minot, a post she held before returning to Trinity Health.
Halle Hendrickson, FNP-C
Trinity Health is pleased to welcome Halle Hendrickson, FNP-C, to our provider team at FirstCare Walk-In Clinic. Halle is a board-certified nurse practitioner fully trained to manage the immediate needs of patients seeking care for non-emergent illnesses and injuries such as abdominal pain, colds and flu, mild allergic reactions and more. She obtained her Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice through Maryville University, St. Louis, MO. A member of the North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Halle’s experience includes hospital, long term care, and clinic nursing. Most recently, she provided care and education to patients on anticoagulation medications. In her off time, she spends a lot of time in the outdoors with her husband and three children.
Cathleen Hoffman, DNP, FNP-C
A member of our provider team at FirstCare Walk-In Clinic, Cathleen Hoffman, DNP, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in emergency nursing. She is highly qualified to manage the immediate needs of patients seeking care for non-emergent illnesses and injuries such as abdominal pain, colds and flu, mild allergic reactions and more. She will be working full-time at the walk-in clinic and also joining the Emergency Trauma Center team once a week. A Florida native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health from University of West Florida in Pensacola and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. She received both her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice and Doctor of Nursing degree from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. A member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Cathleen is a proud military spouse excited to provide compassionate care to the Minot community. She and her husband have two children and together they enjoy traveling and exposing their son and daughter to different cuisines, cultures and climates.
Traci Specht, FNP-C
A member of our primary care team at Trinity Health Medical Arts, Traci Specht, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner who provides compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages. She addresses acute and chronic health conditions, performs annual wellness checks and educates patients in self-care skills to prevent disease. A Minot native, who acquired her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and later earned a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice from the University of North Dakota. Traci began her nursing career in 2005 at Sanford Health in Fargo and gained critical care experience working as an RN at BSA Hospital in Amarillo, TX. In 2011, she moved back to her hometown and joined Trinity Health, working eight more years as an ICU nurse before transferring to clinic nursing, where she worked with other members of the healthcare team caring mostly for Dermatology and Urology patients. Traci is married with two children. She’s a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Stacey Peterson, FNP-C
Trinity Health is pleased to announce that Stacey Peterson, FNP-C, has joined our primary care team at Trinity Health South Ridge. A board-certified nurse practitioner, Stacey has a master’s degree in advanced nursing practice from Simmons University, Boston, MA. She’s fully qualified to provide primary care services to people of all ages, including annual physicals, acute care visits, treatment of chronic health conditions, and educating patients in self-care skills to prevent disease. A Crosby, ND, native, Stacey received her nursing education at Williston State College, graduating with honors, and began her nursing career as an LPN at St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby. After earning her RN degree, she became a charge nurse and trauma coordinator at the hospital. In 2012 she joined Trinity Health, starting as an Ob/Gyn clinic nurse and working her way to become a clinic nurse manager with responsibilities across several primary and specialty care departments. Most recently she served as a clinic nurse trainer for Trinity’s extensive clinic network. When she’s not caring for patients, Stacey enjoys running, walking, hiking and biking, as well as dabbling with painting and baking. Most of all, she loves spending time with her husband and three kids.
Brianna Ellingson, FNP-C
Trinity Health is pleased to welcome Brianna Ellingson, FNP-C, to our pediatric team at Trinity Health Medical Arts. Brianna is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to children and adolescents. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks and began her nursing career as an RN in Trinity Health’s Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care units. Later she joined the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, where she provided nursing and counseling support to residents and caregivers. She returned to Trinity Health as part of the surgical team, providing pre- and post-operative care to patients. Recently she completed her Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice from UND. Brianna is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She and her husband, Todd, have two children. She enjoys camping, reading, and spending time with her family.
Megan Miller, FNP-C
Trinity Health is pleased to welcome Megan Miller, FNP-C, to our primary care team. A board-certified nurse practitioner, Megan has a Master of Science degree in Advanced Nursing Practice from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. She is fully qualified to provide primary care services to people of all ages, including annual physicals, acute care visits, treatment of chronic health conditions, and educating patients in self-care skills to prevent disease. A Minot native, Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University. She began her career as an RN at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. In 2014, she joined Trinity Health, where she’s been a key member of our clinic team, caring for patients in the Ob/Gyn and primary care units. Megan’s personal interests include hiking and fishing with her husband and three children.
Melisa Wisdom, FNP-C
A board-certified nurse practitioner, Melisa Wisdom, FNP-C, is part of our team of providers at FirstCare Walk-In Clinic. She is well qualified to manage the immediate needs of patients seeking care for non-emergent illnesses and injuries. Melisa brings to the team extensive experience treating conditions such as colds, flu, sinus and urinary tract infections, and minor injuries. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University and practiced several years as a staff and travel nurse in diverse emergency care settings in Georgia, California, New York and Texas. She completed her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Melisa is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.