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Northwest Digestive Center

Address: 750 N. Syringa St. Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854
(Northwest Specialty Hospital)

Phone: 208.262.0945

Fax: 208.415.0150

Hours:

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 8AM-4PM

Tuesday: 8AM-4PM

Wednesday: 8AM-4PM

Thursday: 8AM-4PM

Friday: 8AM-12PM

Saturday: Closed

Northwest Digestive Center

Address: 750 N. Syringa St. Post Falls, ID. 83854

Our physicians have teamed up to form a one-of-a-kind institute that offers the most comprehensive diagnostics, the latest imaging technologies, and the widest range of treatment options, all backed by some of the most experienced doctors in the region.

Northwest Specialty Hospital sets a new standard of excellence for the treatment of digestive disorders. From advanced imaging and diagnostics, to highly skilled surgeons, we provide the highest level of treatment – all under one roof.

  • GERD
  • Barrett’s Esophagus
  • Achalasia
  • Malignancy
  • Esophagitis
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Gastritis
  • Gastroparesis
  • Gastric Ulcers
  • Gastric Tumors
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Splenectomy
  • Liver
  • Duodenal Ulcers
  • Intestinal Bleeding
  • Small Bowel Cancer
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Small Bowel Obstruction
  • Colon Bleeding
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Colitis
  • Diverticulosis
  • Diverticulitis
  • Colorectal Polyp
  • Colon Cancer
  • Appendicitis
  • Large Bowel Obstruction
  • Rectal Bleeding
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Rectal Prolapse
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Femoral Hernia
  • Umbilical Hernia
  • Ventral Hernia
  • Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Find the forms you need prior to your visit at Northwest Digestive Center. If you can’t find a form, please contact us at 208.262.0945.

Providers

John Pennings, MD, FACS, FAFS, FASMBS

General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist

Dr. John Pennings received his MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, which was followed by a general surgery residency at Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, an institution noted for excellence in trauma and critical care. He went on to complete a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery and endoscopy at Oregon Health Sciences University. He was one of the first eight fellows in the nation to complete this highly specialized training.

During this training, Dr. Pennings helped to develop new surgical techniques for esophageal, gastric and colon surgery, and was responsible for educating other surgeons in these new, minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Pennings has also pursued advanced training in bariatric (weight loss) surgical techniques, surgical and endoscopic management of reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus and non-surgical management of hemorrhoids.

In his twenty year career as a community general surgeon, he founded Minimally Invasive Surgery Northwest, Surgical Bariatrics Northwest, Optifit, and currently is the founder and director of The Northwest Digestive Center.

Dr. Pennings has served in leadership roles as chairman of the department of surgery at Kootenai Medical Center and as chairman of the board of directors at Northwest Specialty Hospital. As part of his involvement at Northwest Specialty Hospital, he oversaw the development of a comprehensive bariatric surgery program and was awarded Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery status by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, and an active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. He is committed to surgical excellence and compassionate patient care.

Dr. Pennings is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Pennings has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Residency: Emanuel Medical Center

Fellowship: Oregon Health Sciences University

Certifications: American Board of Surgery

Memberships: Idaho Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Idaho Chapter American College of Surgeons, Kootenai-Benewah Medical Society, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

Northwest Digestive Center

750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854

Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150

Derek Dirks, MD

General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist

Dr. Dirks grew up in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with a BS in Biology and a minor in Spanish. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, IA. He completed the University of South Dakota general surgery residency program in Sioux Falls, SD. He finished his training with a fellowship in bariatric surgery at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. During his fellowship he was trained in bariatric surgery with the Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute and advanced foregut and colorectal surgery with The Oregon Clinic.

Dr. Dirks is board certified in general surgery by the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Dirks resides in Coeur d’Alene, ID with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys skiing in the winter and spending time hiking, running, and time on the water in the summer.

Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Residency: University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Fellowship: Legacy Good Samaritan

Memberships:

Oregon State Medical License

Certifications: American Board of Surgery
ATLS Instructor Certification
FLS Certification
FES Certification
ACLS Certification
BLS Certification

Northwest Digestive Center

750 N. Syringa St., Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854

Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Address: 750 N. Syringa St. #103
Post Falls, ID. 83854

Phone: 208.415.0151

Fax: 208.777.1591

Clinic Hours:

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 8AM-4PM

Tuesday: 8AM-4PM

Wednesday: 8AM-4PM

Thursday: 8AM-4PM

Friday: 8AM-12PM

Saturday: Closed

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Address: 750 N. Syringa St. #103. Post Falls, ID. 83854

Providers

Antoine Sarkis, MD

General Surgery, Breast Surgery, Endoscopy

Dr. Sarkis has been in practice in North Idaho since 1997. He has a special interest in the management of benign and malignant diseases of the breast and is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Sarkis performs endoscopy and a variety of minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical techniques, to diagnose and manage diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Sarkis received his medical education at Saint Joseph University School of Medicine in Lebanon. He completed his surgical training at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York and at New York Medical College. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons. He joined Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2001 to serve patients seeking state-of-the-art diagnosis and management of diseases of the breast and gastrointestinal tract. He offers minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical interventions for a variety of disease states.

Education: St. Joseph University School of Medicine

Medical School: St. Joseph University School of Medicine

Residency: St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York

Memberships: American Society of Breast Surgeons

Minimally Invasive Surgery

750 N Syringa St #103
Post Falls, ID 83854

Phone: (208) 415-0151
Fax: (208) 777-1591

North Idaho Endoscopy and Surgical Specialists

Address: 3318 N Grand Mill
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Phone: (208) 292-0445

North Idaho Endoscopy and Surgical Specialists

Address: 3318 N Grand Mill, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Providers

Cory Richardson

Cory Richardson, MD, FACS, FAFS, FASMBS

General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist

Dr. Richardson grew up in Mammoth Lakes, CA. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Alpine Ski Team. He completed medical school and General Surgery Residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He then went on to complete an advanced surgical fellowship at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, the only fellowship program in the United States or Canada accredited in Advanced Gastrointestinal/Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy.

Dr. Richardson is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Richardson has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.

Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Internship: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Residency: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Fellowship: Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Certification: American Board of Surgery

North Idaho Endoscopy and Surgical Specialists

3318 N Grand Mill
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814

Phone: (208) 292-0445
Fax: (949) 703-7725

northidahosurgery.com

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