Quality People: Meet Our Team

Troy W. Ahlstrom, MD, SFHM is a Michigan native and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. He practiced in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon to the instructor and student pilots of the US-NATO combined Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program’s 80th Fighter Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

After completing his military service and subsequent residency in internal medicine with Michigan State University/Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center, he also served as chief resident. He began practice as a hospitalist with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2005 and serves as the CFO. He is board certified in internal medicine and in 2010 was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine. In 2011 Dr. Ahlstrom was awarded the status of Senior Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

Dr. Ahlstrom considers his personal faith, his father (who was known as the toughest teacher in his high school), and the crucible of negotiating the various political pressures and bureaucracy of the academic, military and not-for-profit hospital environments to be the formative elements in his training as a hospitalist thus far.

His other areas of interest include medical education, personnel management, practice benchmarking and microbrews (not necessarily in that order).

Deborah A. Blashill, CPA, MBA has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since January 2010. She earned a BA in financial administration from Michigan State University and an MBA from Arizona State University and has nearly twenty years of professional experience, including public accounting and corporate finance, almost exclusively in the healthcare industry.

Deborah is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.

She and her partner Chris have two dogs, and she enjoys running and playing hockey. She also serves as treasurer for the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center.

Natalie Brown, MD, PhD, FHM joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2002. She received her MD from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, where she also earned a PhD in microbiology. She is board certified in internal medicine. In April 2009, Dr. Brown was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

Dr. Brown is married, and she and her husband have two children and two large dogs. She leads an active lifestyle, with lots of sports and recreation, and she loves to travel. Her community involvement includes membership in the Women’s Giving Circle of the Munson Foundation.

Jacques-Brett Burgess, MD, MPH, FAAP came to the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team in 2009. He graduated from Wayne State University with a BS in chemistry and from the University of Michigan with an MS in public health toxicology. After earning his MD from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, he completed his residency at Hurley Hospital in Flint, specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics, and also served as chief resident. Dr. Burgess had a combined inpatient/outpatient practice for adult and pediatric care in Grayling and Prudenville for eight years, including adult ICU and neonatal resuscitation. He is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a recipient of the 2010 James Stephen II Memorial Quality Award from Munson Medical Center.

Dr. Burgess is married with two children. He enjoys the seasons, mountain and road cycling, and cross-country skiing. His faith is very important to him, and he is an active participant in his church, while also looking for other ways to become more involved in his new community. "Every day I wish to put forth my best to serve God, my family, and my fellow brothers and sisters," he says.

Douglas F Coffin PA-C joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2006. He has an MS in physician assistant studies from Wayne State University and completed additional training to become a nuclear medicine technologist. He also has experience in the areas of diabetes/HTN/endocrinology, cardiology, and internal medicine.

He considers it one of his greatest achievements to have married the most beautiful and wonderful woman on earth!

Kurt Crosby, PA-C has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2004. He is a graduate of Albion College and earned his MS from Central Michigan University, completing the physician assistant program at the school’s Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. Further training followed at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Mid-Michigan Health Center’s regional medical center in Claire, and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He has over ten years of experience in family practice and hospitalist medicine. He has memberships in the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

Kurt’s outside interests include traveling, the outdoors, University of Michigan football, fantasy football and sports in general. He and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Connor and Camryn.

“As a PA, it is my job to provide the highest quality of care, and to work collaboratively with my supervising physician in evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients at the highest level possible,” he says.

Charles A. Easton, MD is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he earned his undergraduate degree in economics, a master's degree in public policy studies, and his MD. The university was also the location for his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine, during which time he also served as an instructor of internal medicine at the medical school.

Dr. Easton is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He has worked in his chosen specialties in Northern Michigan for the past 25 years. In June 2008, he was included in the "Best Docs Up North" issue of Traverse Magazine. He joined Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2010.

An avid cyclist, runner and boater, Dr. Easton has been married for 36 years to his wife Patti, also a U of M graduate. They have two grown sons, Geoffrey and Christopher.

Bradley J. Eshbaugh earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Michigan, including a BS in biology and an MBA with a concentration in finance and operations. He also completed an internship in medical technology at the McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. He has been chief administrator for Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since September 2009. Eshbaugh is a certified medical practice executive as well as a certified medical technologist.

He is also past-president of the Michigan Medical Group Management Association, chairman of the Michigan State Medical Society PIA Advisory Committee, a member of the Michigan Medical Group Management Association Program Committee, and a member of the Michigan Medical Group Management Association Reimbursement Committee, and a member of the Michigan Medical Group Management Association Membership Committee.

David A. Friar, MD, SFHM joined the group in 2000, was one of the co-founders of Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001, and served as the group president for 2006 and 2007. He received his BS degree from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and completed his MD at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. An internal medicine residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii followed, after which he spent four years working at the Würzburg MEDAC/67th Combat Support Hospital in Germany.

In April 2009, Dr. Friar was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Friar was awarded the status of Senior Fellow of Hospital Medicine in March 2010. He is board certified in internal medicine and is a member of the American Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American College of Physicians. He also serves on the Munson Medical Center Board of Trustees. He received the 2008 James Stephen II Memorial Quality Award (the top award at Munson Medical Center) for work on emergency department throughput issues.

Dr. Friar is a leading expert on many hospitalist subjects. His expertise has been sought for presentations, articles and interviews. He is a regular lecturer at the Society of Hospital Medicine Annual Conference presenting; Who Say 15 is the Right Number?" in 2009, Our Group Has Hired NPP's; Now What?" in 2010, and "Strategies for Success: Blending NPP's into Your Practice" in 2011. Dr. Friar's list of favorite things includes skiing, running, photography, and travel with his family.

Kenneth W. Friar, MD, SFHM has a BS in biology and mathematics from Ferris State University and earned his MD from Wayne State University. He was also named Resident of the Year in 1993. Prior to becoming a hospitalist in 1998, he worked at Thirlby Clinic and Munson Medical Center. He co-founded Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001 and served as president until 2006. He was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine in 2009 and has received the James Stephen II Memorial Quality Award (the top award at Munson Medical Center) five times. In March 2010, Dr. Friar was awarded the status of Senior Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

Dr. Friar is married, and he and his wife, Mary, have four children. He describes himself as a “dog person” and also enjoys water and snow skiing, as well as camping and hunting. He is involved in community softball and baseball programs for Traverse Area Girls Softball (TAGS) and the American Legion.

Congratulations to HNM providers Jacques Burgess MD, FAAP and Kenneth Friar MD, SFHM who have been awarded the 2010 James Stephen Memorial Quality Award at Munson Medical Center.

Douglas Gentry, MD, a native of Holland, Michigan, earned his BA from Cedarville College (now Cedarville University) in Cedarville, Ohio, and his medical degree from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He completed his residency in family practice at Munson Medical Center between 2000 and 2003.

Before joining Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2010, Dr. Gentry spent seven years in private practice in Ludington, Michigan, providing medical care in the office, hospital and nursing home settings.

He is board certified in family medicine and is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Gentry is married and enjoys camping with his family, as well as fishing, hunting and woodworking.

Derek I. Grossman, DO is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has over 20 years of experience in the medical profession and has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since June 2009. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Amy Hepper, MD, who joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009, received a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and continued her education there, earning her MD and doing a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics. She has just begun her career as a hospitalist and is board certified in internal medicine and board eligible in pediatrics. Dr. Hepper holds professional memberships in the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In her free time, Dr. Hepper pursues her hobbies of running, reading and swimming. She and her husband, Allan, also like to discover new restaurants.

Michael Howard, PA-C was one of the co-founders of Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001. He has been practicing in his field for over 30 years. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

Michael and his wife, Marsha, have two daughters, Willa and Ella. The family pursues a host of outdoor activities together, including canoeing, kayaking and hiking.

Marjorie L. Kelsey, MSN, NP is a graduate of Michigan State University where she earned a BS with high honors in nursing, and the University of Michigan, where she earned her master's degree. In the course of her long nursing career, she has worked as a staff nurse, nurse manager, director of nursing, director of emergency services and hospitalist nurse practitioner at hospitals throughout Michigan. She joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009.

Jason D. Knoke, PA-C joined Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2011. He earned his BS in clinical laboratory science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MS in medicine from Western Michigan University. He is board certified by NCCPA (the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).

Jason's hobbies include participating in triathlons, cycling, skiing, and University of Wisconsin athletics.

Daniel F. Ladd. PA-C, DFAAPA has over 25 years combined experience as a physician assistant in cardiology and as a hospitalist, joining Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2006. He has a BS in physiology from Michigan State University and a BS in medicine from Mercy College of Detroit, where he also received his PA training. He is past president of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants and current co-chair of the organization’s reimbursement committee, as well as a member of the credentials committee. He serves as president of HNM’s Board of Managers and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

Leisure activities for Daniel and his wife, Heidi, include golf and water gardening.

Benjamin G. Lamphere, MD came to Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009. He is a graduate of Denison University, where he received a BS in biology. He earned his MD from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and did his residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Lamphere is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. He is a member of the American College of Physicians.

He and his wife, Stephanie, have a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Katie. His personal view of his profession: “The word ‘doctor’ derives from the Latin docere, meaning ‘to teach.’ I see myself as a teacher first, and a scientist second.”

Andrij Lawrin, PA-C received a BS in health studies from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and an MS in physician assistant studies from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Prior to joining Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2010, he worked in a family practice in Flint, Michigan. Andrij is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

An avid fan of active sports, he enjoys skiing, snowboarding, soccer and volleyball, as well as running and playing with his yellow lab, Sonny.

His philosophy of care for his profession is echoed in two quotes from Hippocrates: “Some patients, though conscious that their condition is perilous, recover their health simply through their contentment with the goodness of the physician” and “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”

James Lee, PA-C became a member of the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team in 2008. He received his BS and MS from Central Michigan University. He is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and a member of both the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

An avid outdoorsman, James counts salmon fishing, hunting, camping and kayaking among his favorite hobbies.

Joseph G. Lessard, DO is an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran and has been practicing medicine for nearly 25 years. After completing his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, he earned his MD from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri. An internship and residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital followed. He has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2007. Outside activities related to his profession include teaching medical and osteopathic medical students, interns and residents.

Dr. Lessard was chief resident of internal medicine at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in 1984-85. He is board certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, a diplomate of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and a member of the American College of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.

His family includes three children – Ian, Adam and Madeleine. Dr. Lessard’s professional philosophy: “Medicine is a service profession. Always put people first.”

James W. Levy, PA-C received his BS and PA degrees from Indiana University and worked at the Fort Wayne Indiana Mental Health Center for one year and Leelanau Memorial Hospital for nineteen years before coming to Munson Medical Center and co-founding Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001. He serves as vice president of personnel and recruiting for HNM Cadillac.

He published “Utilization of a PA in a Comprehensive Community Health Center” in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in 1978. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants. Jim also served 15 years on the Northport school board.

His philosophy of care: “A wise man once told me, ‘Keep the patient as the center of your attention and concern, and the rest will take care of itself.’”

Thomas Ling, MD came to Traverse City from Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, joining Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2010. He formerly served as chief of medicine as well as medical director at NMH. He also had a busy internal medicine practice doing both inpatient and outpatient medicine. He was instrumental in establishing a hospitalist program in Petoskey.

A native of Birmingham, MI, Dr. Ling earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, and his MD from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He did subsequent training in internal medicine at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. He is board certified in internal medicine.

He and his wife Mary have three children, Bradley, Megan and Jennifer. Dr. Ling coached their soccer teams for 15 years, and activities such as golfing, cycling and waterskiing in summer, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, are also high on the family's agenda. Kayaking, reading and ping pong are additional hobbies that Dr. Ling enjoys.

Brian Lishawa, MD joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009. An alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he earned his BS, he continued his education at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee and did an internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of Rochester (New York), where he was honored with the Med-Peds Quality Award and the Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Resident Teaching Award. He is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. Brian was recently awarded the Volunteer Faculty Teach Award from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Hobbies and interests for Dr. Lishawa, whose wife Kristina is a fellow hospitalist, include soccer, swimming, running, trees and theology. Over the years, he has served as a volunteer several times at foreign mission hospitals.

Kristina Lishawa, MD is a 2009 addition to the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team. She is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and completed an internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, where she won the Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Resident Teaching Award. She is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Lishawa is married to Brian, who is also part of the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team, and they have a feline family member named Sampson. Her favorite pastimes include running, road biking, watching foreign films and making granola. Her simple motto for life is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

John Macnowski III, MD, who is originally from Saginaw, joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a BS in chemical engineering and also did his internal medicine residency program after earning his MD from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. He is board certified in internal medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Macknowski and his wife, Angie have two children, Kayla and Jay. His hobbies are golf and camping. He has volunteered his services to the Medical Clinic at the Ann Arbor Delonis Homeless Shelter and to the Michigan Public Radio Pledge Drive.

Niladri Mal, MD, FACP earned an MBBS (equivalent to an MD in the United States) from the R.G. Kar Medical College at the University of Calcutta in Calcutta, India. He also completed an MD in Laboratory Medicine (equivalent to a residency in the United States) at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India.

Additional training included a residency in internal medicine at the University Hospitals Department of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and a post-doctoral clinical research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Cell Biology and Cardiovascular Medicine. He joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in January 2010.

He is a member of the American Medical Association. He received the William E. Lower Award in clinical research from the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Mal has published extensively in medical journals both in the United States and in India.

Dr. Mal and his wife, Ananya, have a son, Anik. Dr. Mal’s outside interests include cars and driving, swimming, painting, computer and Internet, traveling, and interacting with new people and cultures. His community service activities have involved serving as a volunteer medical officer at the Lions blood bank in India and actively assisting in a blood donation campaign in rural India. He also served as a medical officer in the Pulse Polio immunization campaign established by the government of India to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio) by vaccinating annually all children under age five against the polio virus.

His professional philosophy of care: First, do no harm, and always act in the best interest of the patient.

Thomas McElwee, MD is a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. He received additional training at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he completed his internship and residency, and practiced internal medicine both in private practice and hospital care for over 25 years in that city. He has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2009.

For three years in a row, Dr. McElwee was selected by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a membership of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. McElwee is married, and he and his wife have two adult daughters. They are parishioners at Christ the King Catholic Church in Acme. His professional philosophy is that “providing excellent medical care involves knowing the patient as well as the disease.”

Chandrashekar Narayana, MD, who has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2008, earned his MBBS and MD in nuclear medicine in India, and his MD in internal medicine in St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit. He has five years’ experience in nuclear medicine and four in internal medicine, with board certification in internal medicine. Dr. Narayana has published dozens of papers and abstracts during his career so far and is a member of the American College of Physicians.

He and his wife, who is a dermatologist, have one son. He cites three quotes to sum up his philosophy: “Simple living, high thinking.” “Work is worship.” “Never mix personal and professional life.”

John Robert Nelson, MD earned his BA with honors from Wayne State University in Detroit with a major in chemistry and a minor in philosophy. He also received his master’s degree in chemistry, with a major in organic synthesis, from WSU. Medical School at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan followed.

A member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians, Dr. Nelson has licenses from the State of Michigan in both medicine and controlled substance pharmacy, and he is also a diplomate in internal medicine. Earlier in his career, he worked as a staff chemist for Merck & Co. in New Jersey. Dr. Nelson joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2008. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Andrea Pasko, PA-C is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she received a BS in biomedical laboratory diagnostics. She also has an MS in Medicine from Western Michigan University. She joined Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2010.

Andrea is board certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician assistants.

In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors – running, cycling, golfing and skiing.

Amy Robertson, MD, originally from Port Huron, MI, is a graduate of Duke University in Durham, NC and the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. She did her internal medicine residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.

Before joining Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2010, Dr. Robertson worked for five years in both inpatient and outpatient internal medicine in Mount Airy, NC and was director of the hospitalists program at a community hospital in North Carolina for three years. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. While in medical school at MSU, she was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She received the Bryant Kendrick Award for Excellence in Primary Care Internal Medicine during her residency at Wake Forest.

Dr. Robertson is an avid gardener. She and her husband Jim, a pediatrician with HNM, have four children, Luke, Ian, Keely and Tyler.

James Robertson, MD, FAAP earned his MD from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. He completed his residency at the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, where he also served as chief resident for two years.

Dr. Robertson is board certified in pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatricians. He has worked for 12 years as a pediatrician at Mt. Airy Hospital and in office-based medicine in Cincinnati, OH. He joined Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2010. His philosophy of care: "Kids first."

He and his wife Amy have four children – Luke, Ian, Keely and Tyler. He is a coaching volunteer at the Presbyterian Church in Traverse City.

Nate Rousse, MSN, NP-C, AOCNP has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2007. He has a BSN from Grand Valley State University and an MSN NP degree from Michigan State University, where he was named “Outstanding Graduate Student.” Nate also served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1992-2005. His professional experience includes eight years in the fields of hematology, oncology and internal medicine.

In addition to being a registered nurse, Nate is board certified in advanced practice nursing in Michigan and as a national advanced oncology nurse practitioner. He is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Michigan Nurse Practitioner Association.

Nate enjoys the great outdoors year-round and shares his passion for an active lifestyle with his family and friends. He was the founding race director for the local Harvest Stompede Run and has always promoted supporting local charities. His professional philosophy is to utilize the most current evidence-based medical recommendations.

Jennifer Jeskey-Sabuda, MD graduated with a BS in psychology and a BA in art from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. She completed her medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford in Rockford, Illinois and her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago Hospitals in Chicago, Illinois.

During her schooling, she worked as a respite care worker, an operating room nursing care technician, and a neonatal intensive care unit resident. Just prior to joining Hospitalists of Northern Michigan, she was chief resident of the internal medicine and pediatrics department at the University of Chicago. She is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics.

Dr. Jeskey-Sabuda was involved in various charitable activities over the years, including volunteering for two free clinics in the Chicago area, helping to prepare young medical students for residency training, and mentoring first-year medical students. In her free time, she enjoys painting.

Michael P. Salata, MD, FACP is originally from Ann Arbor and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he earned a BS with honors in biology and microbiology. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and did his residency in internal medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Dr. Salata has been a hospitalist since 1996, working first at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredricksburg, Virginia, and then moved to Munson Medical Center in 1998 before co-founding Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001. He was part of the United States Air Force Medical Corps from 1986 to1998, attaining the rank of major, and served as an Air Force flight surgeon and general internist. In that capacity, he was honored by the Air Force with its Humanitarian Service Award, Joint Task Force Unit Citation, Achievement Medal for Outstanding Service, and Meritorious Service Medal for Medical Education Innovation.

He is board certified in internal medicine and is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American College of Physicians. In February 2010, Dr. Salata was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

Dr. Salata is married, and he and his wife, Michelle Mae, have three children, Audrey, Andrew and Luke, and a family cat named Princess. His hobbies include all types of fishing – but especially fly fishing – as well as biking, camping and skiing (both cross-country and downhill). He is on the corporate and executive board for WLJN Radio in Traverse City, mentors high school and college students who are interested in careers in medicine, and also teaches adult Sunday school at this church.

His favorite quote related to his profession is from Francis Peabody, MD of Harvard Medical School, who in 1925 said, “…for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

Gary Shintani, DO joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2008. He is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association.

Before coming on board at HNM, Dr. Shintani worked as a physical therapist at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso, Michigan, and was a resident in internal medicine at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing.

Robert F. Sigworth, MD has been a hospitalist and part of the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team since 2003. He has a degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and earned his MD from the University of Texas at Houston. He completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining HNM, Dr. Sigworth had 12 years of experience in private practice, specializing in general internal medicine. He is a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Phi and the medical honor society AOA. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Dr. Sigworth and his wife have two children. In his free time, he enjoys bicycling and kayaking.

James D. Sitek, DO is another co-founding member of Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan. He currently serves as chairman of Munson Medical Center’s Code Committee and Records Committee, and is also a member of the Performance Improvement Committee. He received his DO from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internship at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital and an internal medicine residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Grand Rapids. In addition to his experience as a hospitalist, Dr. Sitek has operated a rural internal medicine practice in Lakeview, Michigan and an internal medicine practice in Traverse City.

He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and is board certified in internal medicine. He was named Resident of the Year and served as chief resident while at Metropolitan Hospital, and was honored as Educator of the Year at the former Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital.

Dr. Sitek is married with three grown children. He and his wife are active volunteers and have worked for the National Cherry Festival, the Traverse City Film Festival, the State Theatre, the Father Fred Foundation, the Red Wing training camp, and the Cherry Roubaix bicycle race in various capacities. They also support the TART organization and the Grand Traverse Conservancy. In his spare time, Dr. Sitek enjoys bicycling and kayaking.

His professional philosophy: “Ensuring that Americans have access to adequate medical care should be a priority for all of us.”

Douglas Slater, MD, FAAP, joined Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2009. He did his undergraduate work at Central Michigan University and, received his MD from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. He completed, and did his residency at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI, where he specialized in pediatrics and internal medicine. He also earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.

Dr. Slater is a member of MSU's Pediatrics Department faculty and , a guest lecturer at Mayo Clinic. He was the former chief of staff and chief medical officer at Mercy Hospital in Grayling, where he practiced pediatrics, internal medicine and emergency medicine. He also had a private practice and served as medical director of the Au Sable Free Clinic. In addition, he has provided testimony on rural health to the U.S. Congress.

Board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, Dr. Slater is a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as a fellow in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Section of the latter.

Music, karate, fly fishing, backpacking and winter sports count among Dr. Slater's hobbies. His community involvement includes serving on the Grayling School Board. He and his wife Marcie have one son, Doug. His private and professional philosophy: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

David J. Straight, MD has a BS in biochemistry from the University of Michigan and also completed a year of theological studies at Detroit Bible College. He earned his medical degree at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and did his residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. Before joining Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2008, he worked in private and hospital practice in Owosso, Michigan and at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He is board certified in both internal medicine and geriatric medicine and has been the medical director of Munson’s Geriatric Assessment Clinic since 1997.

During his college years, Dr. Straight spent a year in Kenya with a mission group. Besides his interest in hospital medicine, he has particular interests in cholesterol management and cardiovascular risk reduction, as well as geriatric medicine, including dementia evaluation and treatment. One of his main goals as director of the Geriatric Assessment Clinic is to solve problems that might otherwise result in a hospital admission.

Dr. Straight is married to Carol Straight, who is a family nurse practitioner, and they have three children, Ryan, Bethany and Emily. They both share a passion for delivering excellent medical care.

Charles G. Todoroff, MD joined the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team in 2009. He received his BS from the University of Michigan, and his MS and MD from Wayne State University Medical Center, where he also completed his residency and served as chief resident. He spent 17 years working at Mercy Hospital in Grayling, Michigan, during which time he also volunteered at the Au Sable Free Clinic. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds membership in the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Todoroff and his wife, Carol, have two children, Kristen and Zachary.

Lawrence (Larry) H. Warbasse, MD, FACP was a co-founder of Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan in 2001. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he received his AB in biology. He earned his MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine and an MS in clinical research design and statistical analysis from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Additional training included an internship, residency and chief residency at Wayne State University affiliated hospitals.

Dr. Warbasse was an assistant professor at the Wayne State University School of Medicine for 13 years. He was named “Teacher of the Year” among Munson family practice residents in 2003 and received the James Stephen II Memorial Quality Award, the top award at Munson Medical Center, in 2008. In 2009, he became the director of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Year III Medical Student Internal Medicine Rotation and was appointed as an associate professor. He is board certified in internal medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Warbasse's experience and credentials have led him into the field of legal case reviews. He has amassed extensive experience reviewing legal cases for providers and institutions, and as a professional witness for defense teams.

In his free time, Dr. Warbasse enjoys cycling, skiing and spending time with his wife Jamie, a psychiatrist, and children Alexandra, Larry and Elizabeth, as well as the family’s dog, Frodo, and cat, Jordan (who has a weight problem and needs to see Dr. Friedli).

“I take pride in working with a top-notch group of physicians and mid-levels who are all committed to excellent patient care,” says Dr. Warbasse. “I also enjoy mentoring and teaching medical students and residents.”

Danette L. Wells, PA-C earned a bachelor of science degree from Aquinas College and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies (MPAS) from Grand Valley State University, both in Grand Rapids. She has seven years’ experience in family practice and women’s health. She joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009.

Danette is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She and her husband, Bryon, live in Leelanau County, where they operate several organic apple orchards.

Susan Willis, PhD, PA-C also joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009. She is a graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she received her PhD in cell and molecular biology. She earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Susan’s experience includes two years in family practice, five years in emergency medicine/critical care, and three years as a hospitalist. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and holds professional memberships in the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

Laura Worthington PA-C, RN, EMT is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, where she earned her master’s degree as a physician assistant. She received her associate’s degree from Northwestern Michigan College and her BSN from Ferris State University. She has had ten years of experience as an RN, four years as a flight nurse, and four years as a physician assistant. She became a member of the Hospitalists of Northern Michigan team in 2006. She is board certified by the American Nurses Association and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Laura is married to Vincent, who is a family nurse practitioner with HNM. They have a daughter and a son. Describing her work with the organization, she says, “We all strive to provide the utmost quality to our patients and have a wonderful relationship with our colleagues and staff. The mid-level staff actively participates in high-quality care for patients with very complex cases, maintaining full communication with sub-specialty providers.”

Vincent Worthington, MSN, FNP has been with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan since 2004. He has a master’s degree in nursing from Grand Valley State University and did post-graduate training to earn his family practice board certification. His professional experience has included working in cardiology, emergency medicine, family practice and inpatient internal medicine. Vince was the 2008 recipient of the James Stephen II Memorial Quality Award for his work on Munson Hospital’s Emergency Department throughput.

In addition to his hospitalist duties, Vince serves as medical director for the North American VASA organization in Traverse City.

Richard A Woodbury MD has actively practiced at Munson Medical Center since 1985. He began his affiliation with Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 1994 and became a full time hospitalist in 2000. He was one of the original co-founding members of the group in 2001. After earning his MD from Indiana University Medical Center, he stayed on to complete an Internal Medicine Residency at the same institution. Dr Woodbury is board certified in Internal Medicine and in February 2010 was named a Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

He and his wife Eileen have been together since early college days and are the proud parents of three children currently actively pursuing their own studies at the collegiate and graduate levels. Richard and Eileen enjoy traveling, cycling, kayaking, hiking, and gardening in their spare time.

Hal Richard Yost, DO is an honors graduate of Olivet College with a BA in chemistry. He attended medical school at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internship and residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Corporation. He also served as chief resident of Henry Ford BiCounty Community Hospital in Warren, Michigan (now known as Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Warren Campus). He is board certified by the American College of Osteopathic Internists and licensed by the State of Michigan. Professional memberships include the American Osteopathic Association, the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and the Northeastern Michigan Osteopathic Association.

Dr. Yost is the former president and senior partner of Straits Area Internal Medicine, PC in Cheboygan, Michigan and was medical director of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, where he founded its hospitalist program. He is a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence for the treatment of pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He joined the staff of Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2008.

In Cheboygan, Dr. Yost was also active in the local Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the board of education, and served as chairman of the Cheboygan County Airport Authority. His favorite pastimes outside of work are spending time with his family, fishing and flying.

James Zeratsky, MD is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison, Wisconsin. He completed his internship and residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and joined Hospitalists of Northern Michigan in 2009.

Dr. Zeratsky is board certified in internal medicine and holds a professional membership in the Society of Hospital Medicine.

In addition to spending time with his wife, Linda, and daughter, Ava – as well as the family’s golden retriever – he enjoys any kind of outdoor activity, including cycling, running, skiing, kayaking and sailing.