Faculty by Location

Bio

Dr. Peña is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Following completion of his residency training at the University of Minnesota, he went on to a fellowship in sports medicine in Canada, a foot and ankle fellowship in Norway, and then went into private practice in Spain. He returned to the University of Minnesota in 2003 and sees patients at TRIA Orthopedic Center and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. He specializes in foot and ankle deformities.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Lower Extremities
• Foot and Ankle
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Awards & Recognition

• Best Doctors in America®: 2007-2008, 2015-2016
• US News Report Top Doctor: 2012

Publications

View Dr. Pena's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Chief of Foot and Ankle Service at Fairview University Medical Center: 2008-Present
• Clinical Medical Director at TRIA Orthopedic Center: 2008-Present
• European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA): 2010-Present
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): 2003-Present
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS): 2003-Present
• Trauma Program Liaison for Orthopaedics

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Ankle joint preservation
• Ankle stability
• Limb preservation

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinical Interests

Foot and ankle related sport injuries; Complex foot and ankle deformities; Treatment of degenerative conditions of the foot and ankle; Ankle replacements; Ankle cartilage restoration; Foot and ankle fractures

Bio

Dr. Polly is a professor and chief of spine surgery in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He holds the James W. Ogilvie Chair and the Catherine Mills Davis Land Grant Chair in Biomechanical Engineering. He is nationally and internationally recognized for biomechanics and outcomes research. He cares for complex pediatric and adult spine conditions and is well known for scoliosis research.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Spine and Scoliosis
• Spine Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Awards & Recognition

• Best Doctors in America®: 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013, 2015
• America's Top Doctor: 2004-2008, 2010-2017
• American Society of Spine Radiology (ASSR) Best Oral Paper Presentation in the Diagnostic Spine Category: 2016
• Value Award Best Paper at North American Spine Society (NASS): 2015
• Catherine Mills Davis Land Grant Chair in Biomechanical Engineering in Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota: 2014
• Co-author Hibbs Award Finalist , Minimum 20-Year Radiographic Outcomes for Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Results from a Novel Cohort of US Patients Scoliosis Research Society, Anchorage, AK: 2014
• Recipient of the 2011 Charles D. Ray Award for Best Clinical Paper-Radiographic Comparison of Lateral Fusion (LLIF) vs. ALIF vs. TLIF vs. Posterior Fusion: Analysis of Segmental Sagittal Contour Change, (ISAS), Las Vegas, NV: 2011.
• Winner-White Cloud Award-Best Clinical Paper (co-author) International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) 16th annual meeting, Vienna, Austria: July 15-18, 2009.
• Nominee co-author Louis A. Goldstein Award best clinical poster, Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, Scotland: September 4-8-2007.
• Outstanding Paper, Resident/Fellow Award: Eastern Orthopaedic/Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland. Straight-Forward versus Anatomic Trajectory of Thoracic Pedicle Screws: A Biomechanical Model. (Senior Author): 2003
• Outstanding Poster Award, 17th annual meeting of the North American Spine Society: 2002
• Finalist Hibbs' basic science award paper, Scoliosis Research Society annual meeting: 2002
• Recipient of the General Claire L. Chennault award as the outstanding teacher at Walter Reed Army Medical Center: 2002
• Recipient of the David C. Wherry Award in emerging technologies from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: 2002

Publications

View Dr. Polly's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• President of the Scoliosis Research Society: 2014-2016
• Member of Board of Councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): 2010-Present
• Member of Board of Specialty Societies for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): 2015-Present
• Minnesota Orthopaedic Society Board of Directors: 2010-Present 

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinical Interests

Spine (pediatric and adult); Scoliosis; Spinal tumors; Spine degenerative disease

Bio

Allison Rao, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder/elbow surgery. She has a particular interest in shoulder surgery and treats patients with a wide variety of shoulder conditions ranging from dislocations to rotator cuff tears, to arthritis.

Expertise

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Awards & Recognition

• Mpls.St.Paul Magazine "Top Doctor—Rising Star": 2023
• Young Scholars Memorial Fellowship Award, American Shoulder and Elbow Society: 2021
• Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society Medical Student Award: 2013
• Western Orthopedics Association Young Investigator Award: 2013
• Stanford University School of Medicine Medical Scholars: 2010-2012
• University of Pennsylvania Recipient of the College Alumni Research Grant
• University of Pennsylvania Recipient of the Stellar Award for Outstanding Senior Honors Thesis

Publications

View Dr. Rao's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Member, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine: 2019-Present
• Member, Arthroscopy Association of America: 2019-Present
• Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: 2014-Present
• Member, Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society: 2013-Present
• Member, Orthopaedic Research Society: 2012-Present

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Periprosthetic shoulder infections
• Rotator cuff augmentation
• Rotator cuff tears
• Shoulder Arthritis
• Shoulder Replacement
• Arthroscopy
• Shoulder Pain
• Elbow Pain

Clinical Summary

I believe in the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and clear communication about goals and expectations. I use my expertise to help patients return to a healthy, active lifestyle and achieve their goals through shared decision-making.

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Clinical Interests

Rotator cuff tear, shoulder arthritis, shoulder replacements, shoulder instability, dislocation, arthroscopic surgery, shoulder surgery, elbow surgery

Hospital Privileges

M Health Fairview Clinics & Surgery Center (CSC) & M Health Fairview Maple Grove

Bio

Dr. Jacob Ristow, MD, is a board-eligible orthopedic surgeon with a focus on sports medicine and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at MSU-McLaren Flint and an orthopedic shoulder and sports medicine fellowship at TRIA-University of Minnesota. During his fellowship, Dr. Ristow served as the fellow team physician for the University of Minnesota football and men’s hockey teams. After fellowship, Dr. Ristow remained in Minneapolis to join the Department of Orthopedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Outside of his clinic and operative days in Burnsville and Woodbury, Dr. Ristow is active in resident education at the university and assists as a team physician for the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team. In his free time, he enjoys jogging, golfing, skiing, and traveling.

Care Philosophy

• I believe in practicing personalized medicine with shared decision-making between myself and my patients. My job as a physician is not only to maintain the highest standards of care, but to help educate my patients on their condition in order to make a treatment plan that best suits them and their goals. My top priority is for patients to leave the office feeling comfortable and confident in their diagnosis and treatment.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Honors & Recognition

• Randle E. Pollard, MD Endowed Urologic Prize
• Robert Jason Gore Scholarship
• Emory Clark Scholarship
• Kohler Company Scholarship
• Edmund J. and Estelle D Walker Scholarship

Publications

• Magone KM, Ristow JJ, Root K, Atkinson T, Sardelli M. “Marking Pen Bacterial Contamination During
  Shoulder Surgery.” Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Feb 14;10(2):23259671211062225. doi:
  10.1177/23259671211062225. eCollection 2022 Feb.

• Ristow J, Cordeiro M, Boyle D, Telehowski P, Atkinson T. “Factors influencing side air curtain deployment in
  rollover motor vehicle accidents”. Traffic Inj Prev. 2020;21(5):303-307. doi:
  10.1080/15389588.2020.1750606. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

• Ristow J, Mead M, Cordeiro M, Ostrander J, Atkinson T, Atkinson P. “Pre-bending a dynamic compression plate
  significantly alters strain distribution near the fracture plane in a mid-shaft femur.” Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2020
  May;234(5):478-485. doi: 10.1177/0954411920903875. Epub 2020 Feb 5.

• Ristow JJ, Orgel M, Ostrander J. “Short Arm Plaster of Paris Cast – Technique and Evaluation.” OTA Video Library. 2019 Sept. 

• Ristow JJ, Ellison CM, Mickschl DJ, Berg KC, Haidet KC, Gray JR, Grindel SI. “Outcomes of shoulder
  replacement in humeral head avascular necrosis.” J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2019 Jan;28(1):9-14. doi:
  10.1016/j.jse.2018.06.031. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Professional Associations

• American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Arthroscopy Association of North America

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

• Michigan Unrestricted Medical License, #4301505521
• Minnesota Unrestricted Medical License, #70941
• ABOS Part 1 Orthopedic Board Exam 2022 – Board Eligible

Clinical Interests

Arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery, shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, shoulder arthritis and arthroplasty. Arthroscopic and open knee surgery, ACL reconstruction, meniscal injuries and transplantation, knee ligamentous injuries, cartilage preservation, knee arthritis and arthroplasty. Fracture care.

Bio

Dr. Schuster is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery practicing in the area of podiatry. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopaedics and Primary Medicine, and American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He also specializes in the treatment of diabetic wounds and foot care. His areas of interest include diabetic foot care, athletic foot injuries, and geriatric foot care.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Lower Extremities
• Foot and Ankle
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Awards & Recognition

• Minnesota Monthly "Top Doctors": 2020

Publications

View Dr. Schuster's Publications on PubMed

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

Podiatry Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds and Diabetic Foot

Clinical Interests

Foot pain; Foot injuries; Infected ingrown toenails; Planter fascitis; Heel pain; Bunions; Hammertoes; Foot deformities; Neuromas; Warts; Foot infections

Bio

Dr. Sembrano is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. His areas of expertise are pediatric and adult spinal deformities, minimally-invasive spine surgery, computer navigation for spine surgery, spinal degenerative disorders, and cervical spine surgery.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Spine and Scoliosis
• Spine Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Publications

View Dr. Sembrano's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Member – Evidence-Based Guidelines Committee of the North American Spine Society (NASS)
• Member – SpineLine Editorial Committee of the North American Spine Society (NASS)
• Board Member – Society of Lateral Access Surgeons (SOLAS)
• Board Member – Philippine-Minnesota Medical Association (PMMA)
• Board Member – University of the Philippines Alumni in Minnesota (UPAM)

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Minimally-invasive spine surgery
• Computer navigated spine surgery
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Spinal deformity
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinical Specialties

• Spinal deformity (pediatric and adult)
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
• Spinal degenerative disorders
• Cervical spine surgery

Clinical Interests

Spinal deformity (pediatric and adult); Minimally invasive spine surgery; Spinal degenerative disorders; Cervical spine surgery

Bio

Dr. Swiontkowski is a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He was the department chair from 1997 – 2007. He specializes in trauma, fractures, non-unions, malunions, children's fractures, osteomyelitis, and leg length inequality.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Trauma

Awards & Recognition

• Best Doctors in America®: 2011-2012, 2013
• Mpls.St. Paul Magazine Top Doctors: 2012, 2014

Publications

View Dr. Swiontkowski's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Board of Directors Mid America Orthopaedic Association
• Past president of the American Orthopaedic Association and Orthopaedic Trauma Association
• Director Emeritus of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and American Board of Medical Specialties
• Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Tibial Fractures
• Internal Fracture Fixation
• Femoral Neck Fractures
• Open Fractures
• Laser Doppler Flowmetry
• Fracture Healing
• Randomized Controlled trials

Clinical Summary

Clinical Interests

Trauma; Fractures; Non-unions; Mal-unions; Leg length inequality; Osteomyelitis

 

Bio

Dr. Tompkins is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He has a clinical interest in sports medicine that includes knee repair and reconstruction, shoulder repair and reconstruction, cartilage injuries, sports related ankle injuries, and sports related elbow injuries.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Awards & Recognition

• AOSSM Traveling Fellowship-South America: 2017

Publications

View Dr. Tompkins' Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Director of Resident Arthroscopy Curriculum
• International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: 2017-Present
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine: 2014-Present
• Arthroscopy Association of North America: 2014-Present
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: 2014-Present
• AOSSM Council of Delegates: 2015-Present

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Patellar Instability
• Knee ligaments including multi-ligamentous injury
• Cartilage regeneration
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Biceps labral complex pathology
• Shoulder instability
• Rotator cuff repair

Research Funding Grants

• University of Minnesota Innovation Research Grant—Minimally-Invasive, Wearable, Continuous Monitoring of Knee Flexion Posture for Real-Time Biofeedback: 2017-2018
• University of Minnesota Foundation Grant—Matrix Composition, MRI and Healing of Human Meniscus: 2016-2017
• University of Minnesota Foundation Grant—Evaluating the Efficacy of Lateral Heel Wedges for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: 2013-2014

Clinical Summary

Board Certifications

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Subspecialty

Clinical Interests

Shoulder; Knee; Sports Medicine; Knee repair and reconstruction; Shoulder repair and reconstruction; Cartilage injuries; Sports related ankle injuries; Sports related elbow injuries; Athletes

Clinical Specialties

Shoulder, Knee, Sports Medicine, Knee repair and reconstruction, Shoulder repair and reconstruction, Cartilage injuries, Sports related ankle injuries, Sports related elbow injuries, Athletes

Bio

Dr. Vakhshori is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery. She completed her fellowship training in hand and upper extremity at New York University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Prior to fellowship training, she completed residency training at the University of Southern California, which included one year dedicated to basic science research. In her free time, Dr. Vakhshori enjoys yoga, crocheting, and spending time with her family and dog.

Awards & Recognition

• ASSH Annual Meeting Scholarship, 2021
• Senior Research Paper Award, First Place, 2021
• C. McCollister Evarts Resident Leadership Forum Participant, 2020
• International Section of Fracture Repair winner at the Orthopaedic Research Society Meeting, 2020
• Robert Bucholz Journal Club Grant (JBJS Resident Education Fund), 2018
• Adrian E. Flatt Resident and Fellow Scholarship, 2018
• Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society 99th Scientific Meeting, 2nd Place Oral Abstract Presentation, 2012
• Clinical Neuroscience Training Program Summer Research Fellowship, 2012
• Walter Lewis Croll Medical School Scholarship, 2011-2013

Publications

View Dr. Vakhshori's Publications on PubMed

Professional Associations

• Member, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 2019-Present
• Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2015-Present
• Member, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2017-Present
• Member, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, 2017-Present
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa Society, 2007-Present

Research Summary

Research Interests

• Distal radius fractures
• Tissue transfer
• Hand arthritis

Clinical Summary

Hand injuries and conditions have the potential to upend a patient's life and need to be treated with consideration of the patient as a whole. I partner with my patients to fully understand their symptoms and how their condition impacts their lives. With a passion in research, I incorporate the latest techniques to provide the best patient care possible.

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery – Board eligible

Clinical Interests

Fractures of the fingers, hand, and wrist; Nerve compression; Finger, hand, and wrist osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis surgery; Joint replacement in the hand and wrist; Tendon repair, reconstruction, and transfers; Peripheral nerve repairs, releases, and transfers; Dupuytren's disease; Kienbock's disease; Hand and wrist tumors; Infections and osteomyelitis; Fracture nonunion and malunion; Wrist arthroscopy; Microvascular surgery; Amputation care and targeted muscle reinnervation

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

Bio

Dr. Ward is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Her clinical interests include hand and wrist surgery, with an emphasis on care of wrist trauma, including distal radius fractures, carpal dislocations, and distal radioulnar joint injuries. She is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certificate in surgery of the hand.

Expertise

• Orthopedics
• Hand and Upper Extremity

Publications

View Dr. Ward's Publications on PubMed

Clinical Summary

Clinical Specialties

• Hand and wrist surgery
• Distal radius fractures
• Carpal instability

Clinical Interests

Hand and wrist surgery; Distal radius fractures; Carpal instability

Bio

Expertise

• Orthopedic Trauma

Awards & Recognition

• University of Calgary Resident Physician of the Year Award 2014

Professional Associations

• Orthopaedic Trauma Association: 2017-Present
• Fellow Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Canada: 2015-Present
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association: 2015-Present
• AO Member: 2012-Present