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Northland Plastic Surgery has assembled a highly qualified, supportive, and enthusiastic team to assist you in your self improvement goals. Our surgeons and support staff welcome you to come in and meet us! We look forward to having an opportunity to serve you! Click to learn more about our surgeons and staff:
Choosing a plastic surgeon can be a confusing task, but the most
important issue is to be sure your doctor has completed the specialized
training and examinations necessary to become a board certified plastic
surgeon. This training prepares the physician to perform cosmetic and
reconstructive procedures of the face and body. You can identify these
plastic surgeons by board certification from The American Board of
Plastic Surgery. Look for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
logo (emblem) to be sure. Dr. Baertsch, Dr. Weber, Dr. Messa, and Dr. Rishavy are all certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Additionally, they are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an organization which is comprised solely of board certified plastic surgeons. There are many different boards for other specialties, but only the American Board of Plastic Surgery is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify plastic surgeons. As a voluntary patient, you should be sure your doctor has this certification. Look for these five words to be sure.
The Symbol of Excellence The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS), founded in 1931, represents 97 percent of all physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Members also include physicians certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The Society has recently changed their name to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This name change simplifies our organization and includes all procedures done; cosmetic as well as reconstructive. By choosing an ASPS member plastic surgeon, patients can be assured that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency, usually three years in general surgery and two years in plastic surgery. To be certified by ABPS, a physician must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. 
Andrew Baertsch, MD is the founder of Northland Plastic Surgery, as well as Lakewalk Surgery Center. He came to Duluth in 1992 with a vision of providing the highest quality care to patients in this area. His practice has provided "state of the art" techniques such as endoscopic procedures, tumescent liposuction, microsurgical free tissue transfers, and the use of the laser to name a few. His vision has resulted in the first free standing out-patient surgery center in the area, beginning in 1994 as a one operating room plastic surgery center and expanding to a four operating room multi-specialty surgery center in 1999. Dr Baertsch earned his BS degree from the University of Minnesota and his MD degree from the University of Wisconsin. He completed a five year general surgery residency followed by a two-year plastic surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin. After his training in Madison, he and his family traveled abroad during which time he completed a fellowship in Microsurgery in Taipei, Taiwan. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He also holds a "Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand." He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Baertsch finds the rewards in plastic surgery are great. He enjoys the concentrated skill of microsurgery, the creativity and aesthetic eye used in cosmetic surgery, and returning form and/or function after trauma or disease. He also enjoys teaching others and participates in the family practice residency training program as a preceptor. In addition, Dr. Baertsch, and two other University of Wisconsin trained surgeons, founded a charitable organization called Eduplast. Since 1991 they have provided surgical care to the people of Nicaragua and more recently Tibet. They established a residency program and train Nicaraguan and Tibetan surgeons in the art of plastic surgery so that they are able to provide modern plastic surgery services to their community. A native of northern Wisconsin, Dr Baertsch enjoys many outdoor activities including cross-country skiing, fly fishing, hunting, horse riding, and mountain biking. His wife Sonja and their three energetic sons join him in these endeavors. Click here to schedule a consultation or call (218) 724-7363 or (800) 964-6891. About Dr. Weber  Dean H. Weber MD is a native of Minnesota, growing up in south central
Minnesota and attending St. Olaf College. Dr. Weber received his medical
degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,
Missouri. He continued his residency training there, gaining experience in
general and plastic surgery. His goal upon completing residency was to
return home to Minnesota! Dr. Weber joined our staff at Northland Plastic Surgery in 1996.
In 1999, Dr. Weber became a partner in the practice, along with Dr. Baertsch. He serves as the Medical Director of the Burn Center and as Chief of Staff elect at Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. Dr. Weber holds licenses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Burn Association, the Minnesota Medical Society, and the Lake Superior Medical Society. Dr. Weber has written papers and made presentations to colleagues on the subjects of wound healing, hand, and carpal tunnel surgery. Dr. Weber and his wife Meg have two daughters. They both spend much of their leisure time on the golf course or hiking in the woods in the summer and on the ski slopes in the winter.
Click here to schedule a consultation or call (218) 724-7363 or (800) 964-6891.
After completing his training, Dr. Messa was assigned to Langley Air Force base and was a staff Plastic Surgeon at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA for eight years. While at the Naval Medical Center, Dr. Messa served as the assistant department head and as director of the Craniofacial Board. Dr. Messa is interested in all aspects of plastic surgery including; major reconstruction, cleft lip, palate surgery, hand surgery, and cosmetic surgery. He is licensed in Minnesota and Ohio. In addition, he is board certified in Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. When not at work, Dr. Messa enjoys bicycling. He also has 5 children who keep him busy.  Click here to schedule a consultation or call (218) 724-7363 or (800) 964-6891.
Dr. Rishavy attended Medical School at Creighton University of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his residency in general surgery at Detroit Medical Center and his fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Rishavy is a native of the southern Minnesota town of Owatonna. He completed his undergraduate degree just north of his hometown at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Dr. Rishavy's goal upon completion of his fellowship was to practice medicine in his home state. He and his wife Rebecca, have one son, Jacob. They enjoy the outdoors and traveling. Dr. Rishavy is board certified in Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery.
Click here to schedule a consultation or call (218) 724-7363 or (800) 964-6891. |
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