Ann Van Heest

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Credentials

MD

Bio

Dr. Van Heest is professor, vice chair of education, and the previous residency director. As the residency program director, she received the 2011 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, the highest recognition for an ACGME program director. She specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery. Her academic interests include neuromuscular disorders including arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury, and congenital and pediatric upper extremity and hand disorders. Dr. Van Heest is also affiliated with Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and Shriners Hospital for Children.

Expertise

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Awards & Recognition

• American Orthopaedic Association Distinguished Clinician Educator Award: 2018
• Residency Program Teacher of the Year: 2016
• ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award: 2011
• Best Doctors in America®: 2007-2013
• Mpls.St.Paul Magazine "Top Doctor:" 2008, 2010, 2012-2020
• Minnesota Monthly "Top Doctors": 2020
• Inducted into the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: 2021

Publications

View Dr. Van Heest's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• National Association of Corporate Directors
• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Board of Directors, Graduate Medical Education Chair
• American Orthopaedic Association, Secretary
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Diversity Advisory Board/Chair
• American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Member
• Ruth Jackson Society, Member
• Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic Director, Gillette Children's Hospital
• Hand and Upper Extremity Service Director, Shriners Hospital for Children

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Tendon Transfer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Wrist
• Orthopedics
• Thumb
• Arthrogryposis
• Wrist Joint
• Ulna
• Articular Range of Motion
• Retrospective Studies
• Radius

Clinical Summary

I love working with kids to help them achieve greater function. My University appointment has allowed me to go to multiple children’s hospitals in the Twin Cities and provide pediatric upper extremity specialty care. This gives me the opportunity to provide a very subspecialized type of medicine, which is why I love what I do.

Board Certifications

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Certificate of Added Qualification (Hand Surgery)

Clinical Interests

Hand and upper extremity disorders, particularly pediatric disorders such as congenital hand deformities, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, arthrogryposis nerve injuries, fractures or mal-/non-unions