Bariatric Team

Matthew Christophersen, M.D., FACS
Medical Director, Center for Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Christophersen was born in Illinois.  He did his undergraduate work at Lewis University, attended medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and completed his general surgery residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a board certified general surgeon, with experience in general and advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures.  He joined the Davenport Surgical Group, P.C., in 2001, and lives in Davenport with his wife, Jamie, and their two children.  Dr. Christophersen is the Medical Director of the Center for Bariatric Surgery, a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Medical Association, the Iowa Medical Society and the Scott County Medical Society and is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.  

Michael Phelps, M.D., FACS
Dr. Phelps is an Iowa native, performing his undergraduate work at the University of Northern Iowa, his medical school and residencies at the University of Iowa.  He is a board certified general surgeon, with experience in general, advanced laparoscopic and hepatic surgical procedures.  He joined the Davenport Surgical Group, P.C., in 1994, and lives in Davenport.  Dr. Phelps is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Medical Association, the Iowa Medical Society, the Scott County Medical Society, and is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.

David Aanestad, M.D., FACS
Dr. Aanestad is a native Iowan, who was born in Iowa City. He is the father of four beautiful little girls along with his wife, Jennifer, who is a family practice MD with Genesis Health Group.  He has been a member of the Davenport Surgical Group, P.C. staff since 2003.  He graduated from undergraduate Summa Cum Laude from Luther College, Decorah, IA and attended medical school at University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.  He interned in general and advanced laparoscopic surgery in residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.  Dr. Aanestad is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.  Dr. Aanestad is a member of the Iowa Medical Society and the Scott County Medical Society.

 

Joanna Leung, PhD
Staff Psychologist
Dr. Leung graduated from the University of South Carolina in December 2006 with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Leung is a member of the following organizations: American Psychological Association, Illinois Psychological Association and pending the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Leung lives in Bettendorf with her husband, Stanley Leung, son, Elliot Leung, and dog, Gizmo. Her interests include yoga and walking her dog.

Kathy Crooks, RN, CNOR, CBN
Bariatric Program Coordinator
Kathy graduated from Blessing Hospital School of Nursing in Quincy, IL.  Kathy has worked in the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, pre-admission scheduling, and operating room scheduling departments before joining the CBS staff in 2005.  Kathy is a certified operating room nurse and a certified bariatric nurse.  She is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Association of Operating Room Nurses.  Kathy lives in Davenport with her husband Roger, and she has two daughters.

Leslie Heim, RPh
Clinical Coordinator FirstMed Pharmacy
Ms. Heim graduated from the University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy.  She has been at Genesis Medical Center since 1988 working in Long Term Care consulting.  Leslie lives in Davenport with her family; husband, Raymond and children, Matthew & Rachel.  She is a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa.

Sandi Hinz
Registered Dietician
Sandi graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Foods and Nutrition. She completed her internship and received hours toward a Masters Degree at Indiana University Medical Center. She has worked as a Traveling Dietician, a WIC Dietician, and has worked in the clinical areas of pulmonary, rehabilitation, orthopedics, cardiac rehabilitation, and most recently, bariatric surgery. Sandi lives near New Windsor, IL, and has two toy poodles, which are her "joys". Sandi’s children are grown, and she has five grandchildren.

Jennifer Hovey,CTRS
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Jennifer graduated from The University of Iowa with a Bachelors of Science in Health, Leisure and Sport Studies. She has worked at Genesis since June 2002 in the areas of physical rehab, substance abuse, and mental health. Jennifer is certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification and is currently serving as the President-Elect of the Iowa Therapeutic Recreation Association. Jennifer lives in Davenport with her husband, Justin, and their son.

Raele Moore
Registered Nurse
Raele graduated from Scott Community College with her Associates Degree in Nursing in 1990. She is currently attending St. Ambrose University working on her Bachelors Degree in Nursing with a projected graduation date of 2010. Raele has worked for Clinton VNA and VNA Hospice, Genesis Surgical Specility Unit, and is now at the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Raele lives in LeClaire and is married to Randy and has four children, Jason, Jen, Liz, Angela and a step-daughter Liz.

Terry Pool
Department Secretary
Terry has been employed at Genesis Medical Center since February 1984, working in the following areas: Materials Management and the Cancer Program.  She lives in Bettendorf with her family; husband, Lonnie, and three girls, Ashley, Chelsi and Kelli. Terry has been involved with many organizations and events relating to cancer. 

Alicia Puckett
Clinical Office Secretary
Alicia graduated from Kaplan University with an Associates degree in Medical Assisting on January 19th, 2009. She completed her externship at the Center for Bariatric Surgery where she was hired shortly after she graduated. She will be attending Scott Community College to recieve an Associates in Nursing and has plans to attend St. Ambrose University once she recieves her degree from Scott Community College. Her career goal is to beome a Nurse Practioner and work with children. She lives in Park View, Iowa and has a little girl named Ecko.

Angie Sinn-Field
Insurance Advisor
Ms. Sinn-Field graduated from University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Angie has worked with many hospitals as a contracting/reimbursement consultant across the country prior to joining the staff of the Bariatric Center in July 2008. She lives in Eldridge, Iowa with her husband John and their two sons Andrew & Gordy. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, attending sporting events and spending time with her family.

Claire Smick-Kuhn
Physical Therapist
Ms. Smick-Kuhn graduated from University of Iowa with a Masters in Physical Therapy.  She has been with Genesis Medical Center since 1995 working in the following areas:  inpatient, outpatient and VNA outreach.  Claire lives in Bettendorf with her husband John and daughters Kira and Kaylin.

Denise Strathdee
Registered, Licensed Dietitian; Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ms. Strathdee grew up in Chicago, IL, and received her undergraduate degree in Medical Dietetics from the University of Illinois Medical Center. She earned a master's degree in counseling from Western Illinois University. Denise has been at Genesis Medical Center since 1996 in the areas of behavioral health, outpatient medical nutrition therapy, and bariatric surgery. She lives in Moline with her husband Gene, and has two grown children. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Mississippi Valley Dietetic Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors.