People

Faculty

Physician faculty members of the general surgery residency program at Saint Joseph Hospital are recognized for their excellence in both clinical and academic medicine. There is a high level of collegiality among the residents and faculty.

Jason Johnson, DO, FACS, FASMBS

Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program
Medical Director - Trauma and General Surgery

Dr. Johnson was born in North Carolina, but raised in Broomfield, Colorado. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He then earned his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. He went on to complete a general surgery residency at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System in Spartanburg, South Carolina followed by a laparoscopic and bariatric surgery fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Dr. Johnson’s original plan was to go into the Air Force and become a pilot. However, in high school, his mother, who was the director of medical staff at a local medical center at the time, gave Jason the opportunity to shadow a surgeon for a day. Ever since that day, he knew he wanted to go into the medical field.

“I believe in a holistic, patient-centered approach.” Dr. Johnson loves being able to help his patients get back to their daily routine in a relatively short amount of time.

While Dr. Johnson is trained in all areas of general surgery, his areas of clinical interest include:

• Bariatric and weight loss surgery
• Minimally invasive and robotic surgery
• Surgical education

When he is not at work, Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children doing outdoor activities such as skiing and fly fishing, as well as going to baseball games to cheer on the Colorado Rockies.

Wendy Peterson, MD, FACS

Assistant  Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program  

Dr. Peterson was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, followed by her medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. After earning her medical degree, Dr. Peterson completed a general surgery residency at the University of California San Francisco-Fresno.

With her father being a plastic surgeon, Dr. Peterson was exposed to surgery from an early age. Becoming a surgeon herself was something she always had interest in and the pursuit was a natural progression for her. In fact, she got the chance to operate alongside her father during her medical school training. 

Surgery can be a scary time for both the patient and the family. As such, Dr. Peterson’s philosophy is simple, “I treat every patient as if they were my own family member.”

While Dr. Peterson is trained in all areas of general surgery, her areas of clinical interest include:

• Endocrine surgery (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands)
• Hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction
• Alimentary tract (small bowel and colon)
• Minimally invasive and robotic surgery

When she is not at work, Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with her husband and two children as well as outdoor activities such as running, snowboarding and mountain biking.

Sydne Muratore, MD

Faculty, General Surgery Residency Program
Medical Student Clerkship Director
Medical Director Platte Valley Breast Cancer Porgram

Dr. Sydne Muratore was born and raised in Hulett, Wyoming. She grew up on a cattle ranch, which she acknowledges instilled an early work ethic and a dedication to "something greater than oneself." She circuitously developed an interest in surgery due, in part, to the collective traits she acquired from her formative years. "Working with my hands, fixing things on the ranch, thinking about the bigger picture all came from my father. Curiosity, creativity, and the fluidity of the arts came from my mother." She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Leadership from Dickinson State University in North Dakota. She then earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. Subsequently, Dr. Muratore moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to complete her general surgery residency at the University of Minnesota where she also engaged in two years of clinical research. Her research there spanned perioperative infection and sepsis identification and reduction, total pancreatectomy islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis, medical student surgical education, and clinical outcomes in trauma/critical care.

Moving back to Colorado was a natural choice for Dr. Muratore. She and her husband met while in medical training here in Colorado, and it has always felt like home to them. She says the St. Joe’s General Surgery Program drew her "because of the juxtaposition of being able to help both medically complex patients as well as the opportunity to care for the underserved." Growing up in a rural area, she brought with her an early interest in access to care issues. Throughout her training, she has developed a passion for caring for patients from all walks of life. She has been on numerous surgical brigades in Latin America as a result. These collective experiences have taught her profound respect for the art and science of surgery and its impact on her patients' lives. "Each day, I realize what privilege we have as physicians that patients choose to put their trust in us in their most vulnerable moments. I believe in empowering my patients through education about their condition, offering choices, and then guiding them through the surgery process."

While Dr. Muratore is board certified and trained in all areas of general surgery, her areas of clinical interest include:

• Breast Surgery
• Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
• Acute care surgery
• Hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction
• Alimentary tract (small bowel and colon)
• Surgical Education
• Surgeon Wellness

When she is not at work, Dr. Muratore enjoys hiking, skiing, photography, and travel. Her husband is also a surgeon at SJH and they have two small children. They spend their free time adventuring and exploring everything the beautiful Colorado outdoors has to offer.

Noelle Bertelson, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Faculty, General Surgery Residency Program

Dr. Bertelson grew up in North Pole, Alaska and received a Bachelor of Arts with high honors in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Montana in Missoula. After attending medical school at the University of Washington, one of the top ranked medical schools in the U.S., Dr. Bertelson completed her general surgery residency at Rush University Medical Center/Cook County Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Bertelson now has over 10 years of experience as an attending surgeon. She joined Saint Joseph Hospital in 2021 with a desire to focus on patient centered care, surgical education, and public health equality. Dr. Bertelson has practiced in the Denver metro area since 2016 and prior to that practiced in Omaha, NE, and Phoenix, AZ. She has trained residents, fellows, and medical students from Creighton University, the University of Nebraska, Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency, and Saint Joseph Hospital. Previously, Dr. Bertelson served Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and veterans as a general surgeon with the Indian Health Service and Veterans Administration in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Bertelson is board certified in general surgery and fellowship trained in MIS and Colorectal Surgery. Her areas of clinical interest include:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Endoscopy
• Acute Care Surgery
• Surgical Education 

Aaron Lynn, MD

Faculty, General Surgery Residency Program

Dr. Aaron Lynn grew up in Kansas but has spent much of his adult life in Denver, Colorado. He received his Bachelors of Science with honors in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. His medical training started at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in a dual degree, MD/PhD program. He received his PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Colorado, Boulder studying the foreign body response to tissue engineering biomaterials. His residency training was in general surgery at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, completing residency in 2017.

Since completion of his residency, he has practiced as a Trauma and Acute Care surgeon in Colorado. Dr. Lynn finds acute care surgery to be a fulfilling career choice due to the variety and complexity of surgical problems presenting in the emergency setting. In 2022, he joined the faculty at Saint Joseph Hospital full-time. He has worked in several groups at the hospital and state level related to patient safety and physician political advocacy. Dr. Lynn is passionate about passing along his experience in the business of medicine to residents in both formal and informal settings.

While Dr. Lynn is board certified and trained in all areas of general surgery, his areas of clinical interest include:

• Acute care surgery
• Surgical Education

When not at work, Dr. Lynn spends time outdoors and with his family. His wife is an anesthesiologist practicing Pain Medicine and they have three small children. He enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, cooking and introducing his children to (what he claims are “necessary”) films for their social and emotional development.

Kimberly Vanderveen, MD, MAS, FACS

GME Surgery Faculty

Dr. Vanderveen is a Colorado native and graduate of Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, CO. She received her bachelor’s degree with honors from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA; medical degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL; and surgical residency training at UC-Davis in Sacramento, CA. During her residency, she also obtained a Master’s Degree (MAS) in Clinical Research and was actively involved in cancer research and education. Dr. Vanderveen subsequently completed a fellowship in Endocrine Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She holds Board Certification in General Surgery.

Dr. Vanderveen is an expert in both medical and surgical aspects of endocrine diseases, specializing in surgery for diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands. She is adept at minimally invasive techniques and advanced imaging, including new “scarless” transoral techniques. Dr. Vanderveen is active in national organizations, including the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Thyroid Association, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a coveted local and national speaker, and also provides consultations for medical practice development and biomedical device research and design.

Dr. Vanderveen initially practiced in Albuquerque, NM, where she helped the Presbyterian Medical Group build one of the country’s first community thyroid and endocrine cancer programs. She returned to Denver in 2011 to be closer to her family. (You may recognize her brother-in-law, Chris Vanderveen, from his Emmy Award-winning reporting on 9News.) Dr. Vanderveen served as the Chairman of Rose’s Surgical Quality Committee, Vice-Chairman of Surgery, and Medical Director of the Rose Thyroid and Parathyroid Center – one of the country’s first community multidisciplinary endocrine centers of excellence. Dr. Vanderveen’s true joy is spending time with her three children and her husband (also a physician and Denver native). She is also known for her love of cowboy boots, which she often wears during surgery.

Stephanie Davis, MD

Faculty, General Surgery Residency Program

Dr. Stephanie Davis was born and raised in southern California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physiological sciences at UCLA, and then received her medical degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Colorado, and during her residency she completed a two-year research fellowship in the lab of Dr. Bryan Haugen studying mouse models of thyroid cancer. She then completed her Endocrine Surgery fellowship at the prestigious UCSF program.

Dr. Davis is board certified in general surgery and fellowship trained in Endocrine Surgery. Her areas of clinical interest include:

• Thyroid nodules
• Thyroid cancer
• Graves’ disease
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Adrenal nodules
• Pheochromocytoma
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Primary hyperaldosteronism
• Adrenocortical carcinoma

Outside of work, Dr. Davis enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, playing tennis and volleyball, and scuba diving.

Benjamin Foreman, DO

Faculty, General Surgery Residency Program

Dr. Benjamin Foreman is a board certified general surgeon. He was born in Cincinnati, OH where he, and his 3 sisters, were raised. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Anatomy from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. He then moved to Denver for a research position at the University of Colorado Medical Center studying novel pathways and agents that could be used to expedite rapid acclimation to high altitude.

“My interest in medicine blossomed during my time in research. I had a variety of roles on the team including planning and performing animal studies, bench top work, and assisting with grant preparation. However, I found my time with the clinicians to be the most rewarding. It was incredible to apply the complex concepts I had learned to human pathophysiology. I knew medicine was going to be my career.”

After applying to medical school, he elected to stay in Colorado and attend Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, CO. He knew he wanted to become a surgeon during his third year of school. “I always liked anatomy, working with my hands, and solving problems, so surgery was a natural fit for my background and interests. I didn’t look back after my medical school rotations in surgery.” He completed his general surgery residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.

Dr. Foreman returned to Colorado with his wife after finishing training in 2018. He worked in private practice in Denver for 5 years before joining Intermountain Health in 2023. His main clinical focus is full spectrum acute care surgery. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and son. Dr. Foreman can also be found running the front range trails and roads, skiing, cheering for the Buckeyes (as well as all the Cincinnati sports teams), and enjoying the outdoors.

 

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Residents

Our residents graduated from medical schools all around the nation and have a variety of interests. Learn more about them.

Class of 2024

• Madhurima Baliga, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine
  Excellent knitter.
  
• Christine R. Burton, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine
  Former ballroom dance competitor.
  
• Yulia Kostenko, MD
  University of Illinois College of Medicine
  Aspiring single-engine plane pilot and retired breakdancer.
  
• Emil Patel, DO
  Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Dedicated husband, dog lover, and shoe enthusiast.
  
• Kevin Rodriguez, MD
  University of Utah School of Medicine
  Appeared in several commercials, rock climber.

Class of 2025

• Erika Anderson, DO
  Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Scrub wearing, dog loving, yogi in the woods
• Erika Baird, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine
  Dog mom and protector of Teeni and Tini Baird, Shih tzu sisters
• Briana Britton, MD
  Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University
  Dog Teddy has lived with her in Chicago, Phoenix, and California. They are both excited to explore the Colorado and the mountains.
• Zachary Green, MD
  Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
  Aspiring chef, Colorado native
  
• Carson Walker, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine
  Part time woodworker

Class of 2026

• Godwin Anyanwu, MD
  University of Arizona, AZ
  Voted best uncle in America for the past 5 years in a row\
  
• Kayli Costner, DO
  Rocky Vista University
  Rocky Mountain roaming, cowboy boot boasting, fresh powder praising southern belle who is proud to call Colorado home
• Joshua Jackson, MD
  Medical College of Wisconsin, WI
  Plans to climb all 58 14ers in CO. He has 57 more to go.
  
• Kemi Oduyeru, MD, MBA
  University of Missouri, KS
  Food and wine connoisseur, certified Kansas City BBQ Society Judge. Also an uncertified IKEA furniture assembly expert.
  
• Kassandra Samuel, MD, MBA
  Northwestern Feinberg, IL

Class of 2027

• Scott Christenson, MD
  University of Colorado, CO
  Built a camper van and road tripped to Alaska in it- over 16000 miles!
• Kelly Morton, MD
  Indiana University School of Medicine
  Salsa enthusiast; both the dance and taco topping
• Ann Rowland, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Cattle rancher and devoted dog mom to King, the three-legged border collie
• Nathan Von Roeder, MD
  Texas Tech UHSCSOM, TX
  Husband, dog dad pf a white German Shepherd (Midas), and outdoor anything!
  
• Landon Riggs, DO
  Kansas City University COM, KS
  Amateur alpinist, armchair mountaineer, cheese curd connoisseur

Class of 2028

• Barzorig Batsaikhan, DO
  VCOM - Carolina's
  Competitive wrestler age 14-19, amateur wake surfer and longboarder
• Leah Bowen, MD, PhD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Painting rejected by Dean's Art gallery during medical school
• Tristan Chun, MD
  Tulane University School of Medicine, LA
  Alongside his wife has jumped out of airplanes and cage dove with sharks, yet considers himself a homebody
• Alexandra George, DO
  Campbell University Jerry Wallace SOM, NC
  Former environmental engineer/journalist/public health program manager and forever tree hugger
  
• Rachel Graham, MD, MPH
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Retired collegiate gymnast, green chile enthusiast, novice tennis player and skier
• Zachary Haave, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  New cat dad, wilderness adventurer, and travel enthusiast
• Liana Haven, MD, MPH
  University of North Dakota School of medicine and Health Sciences, ND
  Cat, dog, and plant mom. Almost an expert on all things Disney and Marvel. I can sort of speak Norwegian.
• Anthony Monzon, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Dedicated foodie, fan of soccer, will per your dog
• Megan Schramski, MD
  University of Minnesota, MN
  Yoga enthusiast, aux cord aficionado, snowboard amateur, and professional rom-com movie crier
  
• Sofia Simina, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Outdoor enthusiast, professional beach sitter, sister to Macbeth and Mrs. Willington
• Daniel Soria Jimenez, MD
  University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO
  Loves all things spicy, coffee addict, often attends concerts
• Rebekah Withers, DO, MS
  Rocky Vista University, CO
  Wellness enthusiast, amateur chef, bookworm, dedicated wife, and cat mom
• Joshua Zane, MD
  Albany Medical College, NY
  Former ski patrolman now aspirant homebrewer and rock climber

  

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Alumni

Many graduates of our residency program have entered fellowships to specialize in an area of surgery while others are now general surgeons.

Class of 2023

• Annabella Maurera, DO
  Houston Methodist Vascular Fellowship, Houston, TX
  
• W. Cameron Maclellan, MD, MBA
  Allegheny Health Foregut Fellowship, Pittsburgh, PA
• Eric Bradford, DO
  Lehigh Valley Health Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship, Allentown, PA
  
• Abigail Zinn, DO, MS
  Associated Surgeons of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
  
• Lexi Wilson, DO, MS
  Swedish Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship, Seattle, WA

Class of 2022

• Reece L. Boyd, MD 
  Private practice general surgery, New Mexico and Texas
  
• Noelle Elzas, MD 
  Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ
  
• Mari Freedberg, MD, MS
  Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship, Emory University
  
• Anna Hubbard, MD 
  Private practice general surgery, Tacoma, Washington
  
• Erika Poulos, DO
  Private practice general surgery, Frisco, Colorado

Class of 2021

• Teresa S. Gross, MD, MS
  Providence Portland Medical Center – Foregut Fellowship
• Justin T. Frisenda, DO, LT, MC, USN
  Naval Hospital, Sigonella, Italy
• Peter F. Layman, DO
  UC San Diego, Vascular Surgery Fellowship
• Daniel Wilkinson, MD
  University of Pittsburgh – Minimally Invasive Thoracic Fellowship
• Evan L. Kelly, MD
  Cuyna Regional Medical Center – MIS Fellowship, Cuyna, Minnesota
  University of Louisville ERCP Fellowship

Class of 2020

• Anthony H. Loewen, MD
  Huron Regional Medical Center (Huron, SD)
• Drew Albright, DO
  Mohave Surgical Specialists (Kingman, AZ)
• Timothy J. Van Dyke, MD
  Trauma and Critical Care Fellowship - Cook County (Chicago, IL)
• Calliandra Hintzen, MD 
  Colorectal Fellowship - Creighton University (Omaha, NE)

Class of 2019

• Caren Millard, MD
  UC Health (Greeley, CO)
• Ryan Griffith, MD
  Advanced Laparoscopic and General Surgery (Denver, CO)
• Colin Price, MD
  Denver Surgical Specialists (Denver, CO)
• Kyle Thompson, MD
  Advanced GI MIS/Bariatrics/Flexible Endoscopy Fellowship - Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (Crosby, MN)

Class of 2018

• Milda Shapiro, DO
  Intermountain Healthcare American Fork Hospital  (Lehigh, UT)
• Philip Ernest, MD
  San Juan Regional Medical Center  (Farmington, NM)
• Spencer Hansen, MD
  Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center  (Dallas, TX)
• David Bailey, MD
  Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center  (Biloxi, MS)

Class of 2017

• Frank Bauer, MD
  Fellowship in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center  (Dallas, TX)
• Aaron Lynn, MD
  Saint Joseph Hospital  (Denver, CO)
• Vance Mitchell, MD
  Surgical Specialists of Colorado, SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center  (Wheat Ridge, CO)
• Albert Youn, MD
  Mora Hospital, Firstlight Heath System  (Mora, MN)

Class of 2016

• Evan Gillespie, DO
  Colorado Permanente Medical Group  (Denver, CO)
• Cindi Japhet, MD
  Montrose Memorial Hospital  (Montrose, CO)
• Scott Golembeski, MD
  Rocky Mountain Surgical Associates, Rose Medical Center  (Denver, CO)
• Kyle Marthaller, MD
  Boulder Memorial Hospital  (Boulder, CO)

Class of 2015

• Caitlin Gade-McCarthy, MD
  Celilo Surgical Specialists at Mid Columbia Medical Center  (The Dalles, OR)
• Aaron Guercio, MD
  Intermountain Healthcare, Cassia Regional Medical Center  (Burley, ID)
• Derek Leopold, MD
  Longmont Clinic  (Longmont, CO)
• Barbara Melendez, MD
  Fellowship in Vascular Surgery, Albany Medical Center  (Albany, NY)