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At Northwest Speciality Hospital, we are proud to offer a wide range of clinics and services through our network of partners. From primary care to specialized treatments, our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare for all your needs. Explore the list below to find out more about what we have available. Our experienced staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help guide you in making informed decisions about your health.
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
Olga Lebedevskiy, MD
General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist
Dr. Lebedevskiy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, where she majored in Biology (Pathophysiology), as well as Spanish. Shortly after receiving her undergraduate degree, she attended Grand Canyon University where she was awarded a Masters in Public Health (MPH). Continuing her educational pursuits, she attended St. Georges University earning a Medical Doctorate (MD) degree, immediately followed by a General Surgery Residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, which is well known for its state-of-the-art level I trauma and burn center and boasts as the second busiest Emergency Department in the entire State of California. This residency also included training at Kaiser Permanente Fontana. She then went on to complete her subspecialty fellowship training in Advanced Gastrointestinal and Foregut Surgery at The Oregon Clinic/Portland Providence Medical Center, with focus on Minimally Invasive Foregut Surgery techniques, endoscopic treatment, as well as Bariatric Surgery.
Dr. Lebedevskiy is certified by The American Board of Surgery and is an active member in the American Foregut Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.
Dr. Lebedevskiy resides in Coeur d’Alene with her husband and two children. She enjoys being outdoors and can be found with her family skiing, hiking, boating or camping in her spare time.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Residency: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Fellowship: The Oregon Clinic/Portland Providence Medical Center
Certification: American Board of Surgery
Membership: American Foregut Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.
Northwest Digestive Center
750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150
Brian Kazmierski, PA-C
General Surgery, Bariatrics
Brian E. Kazmierski, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from the University of Washington School of Medicine. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies with a focus on General Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical College in 2001. He has been with NW Digestive Center since September 2001 and continues to provide excellent care for each of our patients.
Medical School: The University of Nebraska Medical College
Northwest Digestive Center
750 N. Syringa St., Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150
Jonathan Saxe, PA-C, DSc
General Surgery, Bariatrics
Jonathan L. Saxe, PA-C, DSc, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois. He then received a commission in the U.S. Army where he served as a military police officer before attending the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, earning him a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He later went on to complete a general surgery fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, and was awarded a Doctorate of Clinical Science with a focus in General Surgery from Baylor University. He joined the surgical team at Northwest Specialty Hospital in 2019 after retiring from 20 years of active duty service.
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Fellowship: General Surgery – Brooke Army Medical Center
Northwest Digestive Center
750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150
Amanda Simpson, PA-C
General Surgery, Bariatrics
Amanda K. Simpson, PA-C, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Biola University in La Mirada, CA. She then went on to complete her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Pacific University in Hillsboro, OR, and is also about to earn a Doctorate of Medical Science from Pacific University with a focus in healthcare improvement. She rotated with the team at Northwest Digestive Center during her clinical training as a physician assistant, and was thrilled to be added as a member of the team in 2021.
Medical School: Pacific University
Certifications:
BLS
ACLS
PALS
Northwest Digestive Center
750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150
Jennifer Ramsrud, MS, RD, CDCES, LD
Bariatrics
Education: Michigan State University
Master's of Science in Education: University of Idaho
Certifications: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).
Northwest Digestive Center
750 N Syringa St Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150
Lyndi Bertman, RD, LD
Bariatrics
Specialty Areas:
- Bariatric surgery
- Weight management and obesity treatment
- Nutrition for chronic disease
- Nutrition for kidney disease
Northwest Digestive Center
750 N Syringa St Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150