Local roots run deep for Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s orthopedic surgeon

Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s orthopedic surgeon Tom Dudley, MD, Ph.D., feels his connection to Wabasha and Lake City in the patients he sees.

A high school classmate, a longtime friend or someone who knew his father.

"How cool is that?” he said.

Case in point, Lake City resident Lowell (Hogey) Holmgren. Hogey has known Dr. Dudley – or Tommy, as he calls him – since childhood.

"When I learned that Dr. Dudley was returning to the area, there was no question in my mind where I’d go,” Hogey said, referring to his successful hip replacement, performed by Dr. Dudley. Following physical therapy, he’s now back to work – and back to the golf course. "I feel fantastic.”

Dr. Dudley is a second-generation surgeon in the area. His father Stephen Dudley practiced at St. Elizabeth’s for a decade after providing care in Lake City.

"He loved being a small-town physician and building relationships with his patients. He delivered lots of babies and touched many lives,”

Dr. Dudley said. "His time was tragically cut short when he was killed in a car accident on his way to see one of his patients in Wabasha. The memory of that day is never forgotten."

Dr. Dudley’s decision to return to Lake City and Wabasha was supported by the opportunity to join a rural healthcare organization that has the support and resources of a larger system.

"The collegiality of a group practice offers benefits for me as well as my patients," Dr. Dudley said. "I consider myself a general orthopedic surgeon with a broad skill set. When more specialized care is needed, I want the opportunity to consult with other team members that can offer another level of expertise."

Dr. Dudley earned a biology degree from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., a doctorate in physiology from Kent State University and his medical degree, residency and internship from the University of Minnesota. He established orthopedic practice in 2007 with Heartland Orthopedic Specialists in Alexandria.

Dr. Dudley provides orthopedic clinic and surgery services in Wabasha, Winona and Whitehall, Wis. His scope of care includes knee and hip joint replacements, arthroscopy, procedures of the hands and fingers, shoulder surgery and surgical interventions for fractures and trauma. He also performs a variety of injection therapies and other minor procedures.

To schedule an appointment in Wabasha, call (651) 565-4531