Ann Van Heest, MD

Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Ann Van Heest

Contact Info

Office Phone 612-273-9400

Fax 612-273-7959

Office Address:
M Health Clinics and Surgery Center
909 Fulton St SE
4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Mailing Address:
University of Minnesota
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2450 Riverside Avenue South
Suite R200
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Administrative Assistant Name
Amber Prahl

Administrative Phone
612-273-1290

Administrative Email
aprahl@umn.edu

Administrative Fax Number
612-273-7959

Additional Locations

Practices:

  • Orthopedic Clinic

Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Residency Program Director, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Vice Chair of Education, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic Advisory Board, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Hand Section Leader, Department of Orthopedic Surgery


Orthopedic Hand Surgeon


Medical School, University of Minnesota Medical School

Orthopedic Surgery Residency, University of Minnesota

Harvard Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery and Pediatric Hand Surgery Fellowship, Brigham and Women's Hospital / Children's Hospital, Boston, MA

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.

Summary

Dr. Van Heest is professor, vice chair of education, and the department's residency program 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

Professional Associations

  • 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

Research Summary/Interests

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

Publications

Clinical

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