Michael R Anderson, DO

Dr. Michael R. Anderson’s Approach to Care

“Foot and ankle problems affect people from all walks of life. Whether your goal is to get back to competitive sports, live a more active life, resume work or enjoy time with family and friends, I’m here to help.” – Michael R Anderson is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, serving patients in the Twin Cities.

An Orthopedic Surgeon’s Journey in Globally Recognized Medical Research

Michael R Anderson, DO earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s University (Collegeville, MN) and went to medical school in Chicago at Midwestern University. “I did my residency through Henry Ford in Detroit, and then was very fortunate to do a fellowship in New York at the University of Rochester,” he says. “Rochester’s fellowship program is supervised by world-class foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons. I was lucky enough to be mentored by five of them, and to work on research that has been recognized at numerous national and international meetings, including the 2017 Triennial International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies (IFFAS) convention in Lisbon, Portugal.”

Learn more about Summit Surgeon Dr. Michael Anderson Presenting Research At IFFAS Lisbon Conference

Michael R. Anderson on the Rewards of Foot and Ankle Surgery

“Orthopedic specialties are uniquely positioned in all of medicine,” he says when asked about his choice of subspecialty. “We find problems and we fix them. I feel an enormous amount of satisfaction in helping patients identify their medical issue, addressing it, and then designing treatment to help give patients the best possible outcome. I also really enjoy treating patients of all ages and all walks of life. A foot and ankle specialty covers a lot of medical ground, and I enjoy it all,” he continues. “I like sports. I enjoy helping patients with trauma injuries and my pediatric patients are such a joy. The most rewarding part of my work is getting my patients back to their lives.”

Orthopedic Surgeon Michael R. Anderson Prioritizes Patient Trust

“I think part of my job as a orthopedic surgeon is to help my patients feel comfortable,” says Dr. Michael R Anderson. “All patients are vulnerable when they see you. I offer a friendly environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions. And I want them to know they are going to get an honest answer because their best interest is my priority. That is a responsibility that I take to heart. My time with each patient may be limited, but I use it to understand who each patient is as a person, where they are coming from, and how their problem affects their quality of life.

“This is especially true when there are a couple of different ways to solve a medical problem,” Dr. Michael R Anderson notes. “I have to figure out which solution is the right fit for the patient’s priorities and values. The young guy who wants to go elk hunting in Colorado every fall may not be right for an ankle replacement, but the grandfather who just wants to walk around Lake Harriet with his grandchildren might do well with one. Getting to know patients helps me to understand their goals and what they care about.

Michael R. Anderson, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dedicated to His Community

“My wife and I are both from the Twin Cities,” says Dr. Michael R Anderson. “My medical studies took me to other parts of the country, but now we are really excited to be home. I may have been gone from Minnesota for 10 years, but I feel like a Minnesotan through and through. It’s great to be playing hockey here again, and I can’t wait to get back up to the Boundary Waters. A recent study declared Minnesota the happiest state in the nation; I’m not surprised. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than caring for the people of the community I’ve loved for my entire life.”