Summit Orthopedics is delighted to announce that 12 of our talented physicians have been honored as 2023 Top Doctors by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. We’re proud to have each of them on the Summit team!
At Summit, we pride ourselves on having a team of highly skilled, compassionate expert orthopedic providers in our practice. And for proof, look no further than Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s 2023 Top Doctors list. A full dozen of our physicians were honored with a spot on this list of the doctors other doctors rely on to provide the best care, personalized attention, and expertise possible.
The 12 physicians featured on this year’s list from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine are each outstanding in their specialties. The selection process for the 2023 Top Doctors list begins with a survey sent out to physicians across Minnesota. Minnesota doctors are asked to name the doctors they would choose to go to themselves or would recommend to a family member. The doctors whose names come up most often go through an additional evaluation process by an expert panel before being named to the prestigious list.
Congratulations to our 12 amazing 2023 Top Doctors! We’re glad you’re part of the Summit family.
Kristoffer Breien, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2007
Dr. Breien is a hip and knee surgeon who specializes in total joint replacement. He completed an arthroplasty fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction in addition to his orthopedic surgical training.
Check out what one of Dr. Breien’s recent patients shared about him:
“Dr. Breien is the model of the perfect doctor, as he explains everything in common, easy-to-understand language. I felt very comfortable with him.”
Peter Daly, M.D. — Top Doctor since 1999
Dr. Daly believes that empathy is the foundation of a great patient-doctor relationship. He is an orthopedic surgeon with particular expertise in knee, shoulder, hip, sports medicine/arthroscopic surgery, and joint preservation and restoration.
Here is a recent recommendation from one of Dr. Daly’s patients:
“No delays and no complaints. I did not experience ANY pain, and I was walking without a walker 11 days later!”
Jack Drogt, M.D. — Top Doctor since 1992
Dr. Drogt is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee reconstruction. His goal is to work in partnership with his patients to help people with arthritis get back to enjoying their active lifestyles.
One of Dr. Drogt’s recent patients shared what sets him apart:
“Every experience has been nothing but the best regarding the care and concern from Dr. Drogt and his staff, including his PAs. It’s wonderful to be treated and to be regarded as a ‘special’ patient. The feeling of having a personal relationship with the staff is amazing and very much appreciated. Makes going to the doctor so much easier and more comfortable. This Summit Orthopedics clinic has been highly recommended to others by me!”
Erik Ekstrom, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2016
Dr. Ekstrom is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician (also called a physiatrist). He focuses on caring for patients with back, neck, and spine problems that are standing in the way of their ability to lead healthy, pain-free lives.
Take a look at this glowing recommendation from one of Dr. Ekstrom’s recent patients:
“My only complaint is I wish I had come to you first! I lived with this pain for two years. I was at the end of my rope! Couldn’t take it anymore! Thank you so much.”
Michael Forseth, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2015
Dr. Forseth is an upper extremity surgeon who specializes in hand, wrist, and elbow, complex reconstructive surgery of upper extremities, and microsurgery. He takes a conservative approach and is dedicated to finding the right treatment plan for each patient, which many times does not require surgery.
A family member of one of Dr. Forseth’s recent patients shared what makes him so special:
“Dr. Forseth was amazing through every step of my husband’s elbow injury and eventual surgery! So glad he was recognized! We’ve been thrilled with all the doctors at Summit and how they run things! Keep up the great work!”
Michael Q. Freehill, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2006
Dr. Freehill is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in helping people recover from shoulder and elbow injuries. He has a special interest in adult joint reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery.
Read this recent review of Dr. Freehill’s care from one of his patients:
“Dr. Freehill is an incredible doctor who takes the time to make sure his patients are healing in the way they should be. His attention to detail is truly amazing.”
James Gannon, M.D. — Top Doctor since 1996
Dr. Gannon is a fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder arthroscopy, sports medicine, joint preservation, and joint replacement. He has been an honoree on the Top Doctors list for more than two decades.
Check out this patient’s assessment of Dr. Gannon’s care:
“I have had the best of care at Summit, from surgery to therapy. I’ve recommended Dr. Gannon’s team to a friend … and got a call from him after seeing this team. He said it was the best experience he had ever had at a clinic group.”
Debra Parisi, M.D. — First Year as a Top Doctor Honoree!
Dr. Parisi is a hand surgeon who specializes in hand, wrist, and elbow care, hand and wrist arthritis, carpal tunnel, and surgery. Her surgical practice combines a biomedical engineering background with her passion for helping people, enabling her to design effective, individualized treatment plans that minimize an injury’s effect on a person’s quality of life.
One of Dr. Parisi’s recent patients had this glowing report:
“Dr. Parisi and her team have been absolutely amazing in the treatment of my tennis elbow over the last couple years. What started out as a pretty common issue developed into a more serious injury. Dr. Parisi and team never gave up and made me feel like I was the number-one priority in their care! I’m almost eight weeks post-op from an elbow reconstruction, and am finally feeling like I’m on the road to permanent recovery!”
Peter Parten, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2008
Dr. Parten is a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon. He specializes in shoulder arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery, as well as sports medicine. When surgery is necessary, he works with his patients to prepare for recovery and minimize the disruption to their lives.
A recent patient shared what makes Dr. Parten stand out:
“I’ve had multiple shoulder injuries, and I was lucky to find Dr. Parten and staff. He has operated on me several times. Each time I’ve been very happy and impressed. The staff is so friendly and caring, while also being professional. I can only wish all medical providers could provide this level of care.”
Edward Santos, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2019
Dr. Santos is a spine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive back, neck, and spine surgery, and cervical disc replacement. He is dedicated to conducting a thorough review of patients’ symptoms and working in partnership with patients to determine the best treatment plan possible.
A patient had this to say about Dr. Santos’s care:
“My visit with Dr. Santos had very little wait time, and he gave me 100% of his attention and answered all my questions. He is genuine, empathetic, and very patient. He was kind enough to answer questions I had to ask over and over due to not understanding, and he acknowledged my worries. I would highly recommend him if you are looking for someone who is willing to listen and look at the best approach for you.”
David Strothman, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2020
Dr. Strothman is a spine surgeon with particular expertise in cervical disc replacement and minimally invasive back, neck, and spine surgery for the treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders. He considers the full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for each patient to address the spine issue in the least invasive way.
Take a look at this recent recommendation of Dr. Strothman’s care:
“Dr. Strothman is a great doctor and surgeon. He has a wonderful personality, and I appreciate everything he has done to make my life better.”
Andrew Thomas, M.D. — Top Doctor since 2018
Dr. Thomas is a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon. He specializes in diseases of the hand, wrist, and elbow; carpal tunnel syndrome; and hand and wrist arthritis. He is committed to helping each of his patients avoid pain and return their hands to the strength and function they need for a good quality of life.
Here is what a recent patient had to say about Dr. Thomas’s expertise:
“Dr. Thomas is a five-star doctor; his team members are fortunate to work with Dr. Thomas and learn from him how to be classy, caring, and professional when dealing with patients.”