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Meet our residency leaders and faculty

Our core residency faculty includes dozens of exceptional, award-winning surgeons with a wide range of clinical, educational and research interests. We are passionate about surgical education and dedicated to teaching and developing our residents into highly qualified and caring surgeons who will become leaders in the field and the communities they serve. You will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our surgeons on cases from day one - and we will be here to guide you as you grow into an independent operating surgeon.   

Program director

Melissa K. Johnson, MD

melissa-johnson-md-in-white-lab-coat

Dr. Johnson practices broad-spectrum general surgery, with interests in breast surgery, endocrine surgery, acute care surgery and surgical education. Dr. Johnson served as an associate program director for 9 years before she took over as director. She was drawn to Gundersen’s General Surgery Residency Program by its long-standing tradition of outstanding education, noting "Every faculty member is dedicated to the education of the surgery residents and is passionate about surgical education."

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Residency associate program directors

Joshua D. Pfeiffer, MD, associate program director

 

Joshua D. Pfeiffer, MD
Joshua D Pfeiffer MD Portrait

View Dr. Pfeiffer's profile

 

Kevin Riggle, MD, associate program director

 

Kevin Riggle, MD
Kevin Riggle MD

View Dr. Riggle's profile

Brendon M. Esquibel, MD, surgical skills lab director

 

portrait-of-doctor-brendon-esquibel

View Dr. Esquibel's profile

 

Residency faculty

Gundersen’s Surgery department encompasses general surgery, pediatric surgery, vascular surgery and bariatric surgery. With their teaching responsibilities, many of our surgeons are clinical adjunct professors of surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

General Surgery teams make up our core residency faculty: 

Team A: Vascular surgery

Team B: Bariatric, colorectal, foregut, GI and hernia

Team C: Acute care surgery, critical care and trauma

Team D: General surgery—breast, colorectal, endocrine, GI, hepatobiliary and pancreas

Team E: Chief surgery resident service

Our chief resident service—a “junior attending” rotation—allows you to build autonomy and transition to your ultimate practice. Under our attending surgeons, you will be responsible for your own office, operating room and endoscopy schedule, call responsibilities and administrative tasks. Chief residents rotate every 3-4 months. 

Team F: General surgery and pediatric surgery

Residency staff

Teresa Enger, program administrator

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Claire DeJong, residency program assistant

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Why Gundersen

Aerial view of la crosse, wisconsin.

Call La Crosse Home

We have it all in La Crosse, Wis. Our vibrant city and region support your dream lifestyle with a welcoming community, culture and outdoor adventure.

Explore La Crosse
Single family home near Gundersen's campus.

Housing

Steps from our flagship medical center in La Crosse, our housing options allow you to enjoy the company of your family and the comradery of your colleagues.

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Residents kayaking the Kickapoo river.

Prioritizing Your Wellness

As you learn how to become the clinician you aspire to be, we’ll provide space to prioritize your mind and body wellness, and reach the work-life balance you need.

Wellness opportunities
Contact our team

We are here to answer your questions. 

Email us

1900 South Ave.
La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-7300

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