Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715/847-2022
Outreach Clinics:
Aspirus Iron River Clinic
814 South Ice Lake Road
Iron River, MI 49935
Local: 1-906-265-0499
Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic
1630 N. Chippewa Drive
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: 1-715-361-5480
Started Practice:
2013
Medical Education:
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI
Residency:
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Specialties:
Vascular Surgery
Certifications:
American Board of Surgery
Special Medical Interests:
Vascular Disease, Limb Salvage, Aortic Aneurysms
Professional & Personal Background:
Dr. Herdrich completed his fellowship in Vascular Surgery in 2013 prior to starting with Surgical Associates, S.C. Dr. Herdrich also provides outreach services in Wisconsin Rapids, Rhinelander, and Iron River. He enjoys the many outdoor activities that northern Wisconsin has to offer with his wife and two daughters.
Dennis J. Costa M.D.
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715/847-2022
Outreach Clinic
Surgical Associates – Antigo
c/o Langlade Hospital General Clinic Antigo
110 East Fifth Avenue
Antigo, WI 54409
Phone: 715/847-2022
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Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic
5409 Vern Holmes Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Local: 1-715-344-1600
Toll Free: 1-866-708-8984
Started Practice:
2008
Medical Education:
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Residency:
Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, IA
Fellowship:
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Specialties:
Vascular Surgery
Certifications:
American Board of Surgery General Surgery – Vascular Surgery Certifications
Dr. Costa started with Surgical Associates, S.C. in July 2008 and also provides outreach services in Antigo. He enjoys skiing, traveling, the theater and spending time with his children.
Ralph Fairchild M.D.
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715/847-2022
Started Practice:
August 1, 2015
Medical Education:
University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas
Residency:
Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA
Fellowship:
Vascular Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Dr. Fairchild completed his fellowship in vascular surgery in 2015 after previously completing fellowships in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery–and training in dialysis access. He enjoys reading and discussing medicine with his two daughters and their husbands, all of whom are physicians.
Stacey LeJeune M.D. RPVI
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715-847-2022
Outreach Clinics
Aspirus Medford Clinic
143 South Gibson Street
Medford, WI 54451
(715)-748-2121
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Aspirus Hurley Clinic
501 Granite St.
Hurley, WI 54534 1-715-561-2255
Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine (Rural Physician Program – Marquette, MI)
Residency
St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI
Fellowships
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Certifications
American Board of Surgery, Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation
Professional memberships/affiliations
Society of Vascular Surgery, Midwest Surgical Association
Professional & Personal Background
Dr. LeJeune enjoys interacting with patients and their families, providing education about vascular disease and helping people obtain a better quality of life. Outside of the clinic, Stacey can be found playing golf and water sports and making crafts.
Kevin Schoepel M.D.
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715-847-2022
Outreach Clinic
Aspirus Riverview Hospital
420 Dewey Street, Suite 2
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 423-6060
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Aspirus Riverview Clinic Adams
419 N. Oak St.
Adams, WI 53901
1-608-339-5250
Specialty
Vascular Surgery
Special Medical Interests
Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Medical Degree
UW – Medical School 94-98
Residency
New Hanover Regional Hospital 98-2003
Fellowships
University of Virginia 2003-2004
Professional & Personal Background
Dr. Schoepel provides services at Surgical Associates Wisconsin Rapids located at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. He is dedicated to taking care of the elderly rural population of Wisconsin. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Schoepel enjoys hunting, fishing and farming.
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715-847-2022
Outreach Clinics:
Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic
5409 Vern Holmes Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54482
715/847-2022
Surgical Associates – Wisconsin Rapids
420 Dewey Street, Suite 2
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
715/422-7771
Education
Bachelor’s – Viterbo College, LaCrosse
Master’s – Concordia University, Mequon
Year Started:
2013
Medical Education:
BS Nursing – Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI (1986)
MS Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner – Concordia University, Mequon, WI (2005)
Specialties
Vascular Surgery
Special Medical Interests:
Varicose Veins, Carotid Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, and PVD
Professional & Personal Background:
Mary Jo started with Surgical Associates, S.C. in January 2013. She is part of the vascular team providing outreach services in Antigo, Medford, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids. Her hobbies include photography, quilting and spending time with family. She lives in a small log cabin in the woods and enjoys hiking and fishing.
Rhonda Repinski, A.P.N.P.
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
715-847-2022
Outreach Clinics:
Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic
1630 N. Chippewa Drive
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: 1-715-361-5480
Medical Education:
BS Nursing – Bellin College, Green Bay, WI (1999)
MS Nursing – Adult Nurse Practitioner – University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI (2007)
Rhonda started with Surgical Associates, S.C. in January 2017. She is part of the vascular team and comes to us after seeing patients in the Northwoods for 10 years. Rhonda lives in Tomahawk, and her hobbies include riding motorcycles, working on her yard, and crafts. She also enjoys playing volleyball.
Kayla Poncek, A.P.N.P.
Primary Clinic:
Surgical Associates – Wausau
2400 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, WI 54401
Local: 715-847-2022
Toll Free: 1-888-278-3795
Outreach Clinics:
Aspirus Antigo Clinic
110 East Fifth Avenue
Antigo, WI 54409
Phone: 1-715-623-2351
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Aspirus Medford Clinic
143 South Gibson Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: 1-715-748-2121
Specialty
Vascular Surgery
Special Medical Interests
Varicose Veins, Carotid Disease, Abdominal Aneurysms, PVD
Education
ADN – Nicolet Area Technical College
BS Nursing – Rasmussen University, Ocala, FL
MS Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, Chamberlain University, Downers Grove, IL
Certifications/Credentials
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners – Family BLS & ACLS
Professional Memberships/Affiliations
AANP
Professional & Personal Background Kayla enjoys spending time with her family, camping, outdoor activities, crafting and reading.
Amanda Pisco, N.P.
Amanda Pisco Provides Services at the Following Clinics:
Aspirus Iron River Clinic
814 South Ice Lake Road
Iron River, MI 49935
1-906-265-0499
Aspirus Hurley Clinic
501 Granite St.
Hurley, WI 54534 1-715-561-2255
Wound Care Certified, Certified Nurse of the Operating Room CNOR – Licensed in MI and WI
Professional memberships/affiliations
AANP, WCC, CNOR
Professional & Personal Background
Amanda enjoys helping people with their health care needs as part of a team often tasked with addressing chronic, non-healing wounds. Outside of the clinic, she likes spending time with her family outdoors and watching her children participate in athletics.
Your cardiovascular system is your body’s major “transportation system.” It is the means, via arteries and veins, by which blood and oxygen is supplied to your muscles and organs. Problems within the vascular system can be life-threatening or severely impact your quality of life. You may simply have pain in your legs after walking (claudication) or sores on the legs and feet that won’t heal. Stroke is possible if buildup in the carotid arteries of the neck is left untreated.
Surgical Associate’s team of board-certified vascular surgeons are highly-trained in the complex practice of correcting vascular problems. Our surgeons work closely with the Vascular Laboratory (located in our clinic) as well as the Aspirus Wound Clinic.
We take pride in our comprehensive approach to vascular care at Surgical Associates. Our clinic has trained nurse practitioners focused on vascular disease and an accredited vascular ultrasound department providing services within our clinic setting. Surgical Associates vascular surgeons are fellowship-trained, and all lower peripheral interventions are performed within the comfort of our clinic’s angiography suite.
We are dedicated to quality outcomes and preventing amputation, offering the most advanced treatment options available to help patients preserve their legs. Patients at Surgical Associates report a client satisfaction score of 4.98/5, and our amputation rate stands at 5% compared to the national rate of 20%.
Regardless of your condition, our goal is to always offer hope when others tell you there is none.
Surgical Associates offers a fully-equipped, office-based vascular laboratory to provide a higher level of service and care to our patients. The vascular lab allows our surgeons to treat patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) with interventions that are traditionally performed in a hospital setting. Furthermore, clinical innovation is not limited by this comfortable “boutique” setting. Our vascular and endovascular procedures use minimally-invasive techniques and state-of-the-art imaging and monitoring equipment.
Completing pre-op, lower peripheral surgery, and recovery in the lab reduces wait time, adds comfort, and allows you to return home sooner after the procedure. In addition, our 1:1-1:2 patient-to-nurse ratio and easy-to-navigate facility ensures the experience is as personalized, convenient and stress-free as possible. More than 600 patients have been treated at the Surgical Associates’ vascular lab since it opened two years ago.
Any condition that affects the veins and vessels of your circulatory system is considered a vascular disease and requires treatment. More common issues include your tissues not getting enough blood, or your bloodstream not bathing your tissues with enough white blood cells.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
When deposits of fat, cholesterol or other substances narrow or block arteries that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body, it’s called Peripheral Arterial Disease, or PAD. Those blockages can build up over time and make the condition worse.
Health problems and habits linked to PAD include smoking, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol and being over the age of 60. Symptoms of PAD include pain or tiredness in your extremities, color change in your skin, sores or ulcers, and potentially heart attack or stroke.
If lifestyle changes or medications don’t bring relief, a doctor will usually recommend one of several procedures. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon to open a blocked artery. Stenting involves inserting a wire mesh tube into an artery to hold it open. Bypass surgery may be the only option for more severe blockages. This treatment uses a bypass graft to reroute blood around a blocked section.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The aorta is the main artery of the body, supplying blood from the heart to the rest of the vascular system. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when an area that feeds blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs balloons out beyond the normal confines of the arterial wall.
While the exact cause of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is unknown, factors known to exacerbate the problem include smoking, high blood pressure and some genetic factors. Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include back or abdominal pain, dizziness, clamminess, nausea, vomiting, elevated heart rate and shock.
Bleeding inside your body is considered an emergency and requires surgery right away, but an unruptured aneurysm bigger than two inches or growing is also often treated with a surgical procedure.
Carotid Artery Disease
The two primary vessels that carry blood to your brain are called the carotid arteries. A condition called stenosis occurs when one or both become narrowed by the buildup of a waxy substance called plaque.
Lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet or weight, older age, smoking, diabetes and family history can all be considered risk factors for Carotid Artery Disease. Stenosis can reduce the blood supply to the brain and lead to a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke are varied and sudden. This includes numbness, dizziness, confusion, severe headache and trouble speaking or walking.
Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, can determine if you have carotid artery stenosis. Doctors typically recommend one of two treatments, a carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Endarterectomy surgery clears blockage from the artery, while the stenting procedure widens the artery to hold it open.
Consultation with the surgeon to evaluate the severity and necessity for treatment of your vascular problem as well as to initiate the workup process
Testing; this could include something simple like an ultrasound done in the office or to something more complex like x-ray imaging in the hospital to evaluate the severity and location of the disease. This helps us identify which treatment is the best option for you.
Observation versus surgery; your surgeon will guide you on what the best course of action is whether it be a periodic check of your condition to see if it is advancing or scheduling surgery.
Will my insurance cover my procedure? Vascular surgery (arterial) is usually covered and we will work with your insurance company to check for coverage and if preauthorization is required.
What kinds of testing will need to be done?
This really depends on why you are being seen. If you have carotid disease, usually you will have had a Carotid Ultrasound (Duplex) already completed. For leg issues, we usually get ABIs prior to your appointment. You may also need further testing depending on the reason you are being seen. The type of testing you may need will vary and the provider you see will determine if anything further is needed so the appropriate treatment can be determined for you.
How long will I be off of work? This really depends on the type of surgery that you have but can range anywhere between 2-8 weeks for an open vascular surgery and as little as 24 hours for endovascular procedures.
What if my employer has paperwork to be completed, such as FMLA or disability forms?
No worries! Our office staff takes care of all that paperwork for you. When you notify your employer you need time off for surgery, they will give you these papers which you then bring to our office with your name and date of birth on them.
What if I have problems after surgery?
We have a vascular surgeon on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will always have someone available to you if you have problems. We also have a vascular triage nurse in the clinic during business hours as well as multiple surgeons to answer your questions.
Our office number is 1-888-278-3795.
When can I drive after surgery?
The day of your procedure you will need a driver and are not able to drive. After surgery you may be sore and have some limited mobility. Your surgeon will advise you on what to expect for the timing of this of this. It may be just a couple days or weeks depending on what you have done.