Pediatric Surgical Associates is delighted to announce the addition of Katie Willihnganz-Lawson, MD to our growing pediatric urology team. Dr. Katie Willihnganz-Lawson grew up in Rochester, Minnesota. She attended medical school and completed her urology residency training at the University of Minnesota. She then completed her fellowship training in pediatric urology at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Willihnganz-Lawson enjoys all aspects of pediatric urology but is especially interested in genitourinary reconstruction, sex development, neurogenic bladder and congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. She is also trained in minimally invasive robotic surgery. During her training she researched surgical outcomes for patients with bladder exstrophy, vascular anomalies, and disorders of sex development. She has performed quality improvement projects and improved standardization of care and quality of life for pediatric urology patients. In both education and treatment, Dr. Willihnganz-Lawson uses a family-centered care model to engage her pediatric patients. She is excited to be returning to Minnesota and bringing her talents and skills as a physician and reconstructive surgeon to the Twin Cities!
Tag Archives: Pediatric Surgeon
Pediatric Surgical Associates Welcomes Joshua Short, MD/PhD and Joseph Lillegard, MD/PhD!
Twin Cities native Dr. Short and his family are happy to return to Minnesota. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and then completed the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He performed his general surgery residency at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and Hennepin County Medical Center. He completed a Minimally Invasive Surgery/Bariatric fellowship at the University of Minnesota and then completed his Pediatric Surgery fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He cares for and enjoys the full spectrum of neonatal and pediatric diseases, with a particular interest in minimally invasive surgical approaches.
Dr. Joseph Lillega
rd attended medical school at the University of Nevada where he completed his MD and PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology. He completed his surgical training at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in General Surgery and his Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His areas of interest are Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery including minimally invasive laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, neonatal congenital anomalies, congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair, childhood malignancies, thyroid and parathyroid disease, anal rectal malformation repair, and the repair of chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum and carnatum. He will be participating with the fetal surgery team performing operative fetoscopy and will be working to help start an open fetal surgery program. He is the Director of Research at the Midwest Fetal Care Center and conducts research related to ex-vivo and in-utero cell and gene correction strategies related to inborn errors of metabolism of the liver
Bradley Linden, MD Joins Pediatric Surgical Associates!
Bradley Linden, MD
Pediatric Surgeon
Pediatric Surgical Associates is pleased to announce the newest member of its surgical team, Dr. Bradley Linden! A native of Minneapolis, Dr. Linden’s Pediatric Surgery training was obtained at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He joined the Harvard Medical School faculty as Director of Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery and has been the primary IBD surgeon at Boston Children’s. Dr. Linden cares for pediatric patients with the full range of pediatric diagnoses, co-founded the Esophageal Atresia Treatment Program and, as a fully trained adult and adolescent weight loss surgeon, founded and directed the Bariatric Surgery Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Office-Based Circumcisions
A circumcision is a procedure to surgically remove the foreskin from the penis. This is most often done shortly after birth. On infants less than 27 days old, circumcision can be done in the office. Several methods are used to minimize discomfort and calm your baby during the procedure. These may include LMX (a topical anesthetic cream), a marcaine / lidocaine injection, and a pacifier dipped in sweetened water.
The advantages of office-based circumcisions include greater convenience for the family, lower cost when compared to hospital-based circumcisions and access to surgeons who are specifically trained in this area.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about this important service, please call Pediatric Surgical Associates at 612-813-8000.
Hypospadias Repair
Hypospadias (hi-poe-SPAY-dee-us) is a birth defect of the penis. The urethral opening, the hole where the urine comes out, is not in the normal position. Instead of the tip, it is in the undersurface of the penis. Hypospadias may be mild, moderate, or severe depending on how far back the opening is.
Signs and symptoms of hypospadias may include:
• Opening of the urethra at a location other than the tip of the penis
• Downward curve of the penis (chordee)
• Hooded appearance of the penis
• Abnormal spraying during urination
Fortunately, surgery can correct the problem. These operations are best done between 6 and 18 months of age. The repair is usually performed in one surgery. However, if the Hypospadias is severe, it may be necessary to have more than one surgery.
The physicians of Pediatric Surgical Associates possess the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to evaluate and correct the condition of Hypospadias.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We may be reached at 612-813-8000.