Meet the Weight Management Team

Surgeons

Matthew ChristophersenMatthew 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 PhelpsMichael 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.David Aanestad, M.D., FACS 

Dr. Aanestad is a native Iowan, who was born in Iowa City. 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 completed his surgical residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He is a board certified general surgeon with experience in general and advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures. Dr. Aanestad is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Aanestad is a member of the Iowa Medical Society and the Scott County Medical Society.

Staff

Catherine Jackson, PhDCatherine D. Jackson, PhD
Leslie Heim, RPh
Leslie Heim, RPhClinical 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.
Claire Smick-Kuhn, Physical TherapistClaire 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.
DeAnna DeVinneyDeena Devinney
Registered Nurse
Deena graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Moline, Ill in 1984. She has experience in medical/surgical, geriatric, orthopedic, behavioral health, neurological and outpatient surgical nursing. Deena has a son and a daughter, and is married to husband, Darren Devinney.
Rachel FargherRachel Fargher, RD, LD 
Registered Dietitian 
Rachel received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Rachel joined the Center for Weight Management Program in 2014 and works closely with bariatric patients both pre and post operatively. She also provides nutritional counseling to Medical Nutrition Therapy patients.

Melissa Johnston, RN, BSNMelissa Johnston, RN, BSN
Program Coordinator
Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) in 1998 from the University of Iowa. She has been with Genesis for over 19 years. Melissa has experience in medical/surgical and outpatient surgery nursing. She is married to her husband, Kevin, and has 2 sons, Ty and Ben.

Brenda Jamison, Health CoachBrenda Jamison
Staff RN
Brenda received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1987. She has experience in medical/surgical, renal, kidney transplant, hemodialysis, family practice, and health coach nursing. Brenda has a son and daughter and is married to husband, Dan Jamison.