Surgical Excellence in Cresco

If you need surgery, take comfort in knowing it is likely you can have the procedure performed close to home by a physician who works in your community.

Michael LaBelle, MD, from Gundersen Health System provides a full range of general surgical services in Cresco including:

  • General surgeries: c-section, colon, bowel resections, thyroid, hemorrhoidectomy, skin lesion removal, and hernias;
  • Laparoscopic procedures using minimally invasive techniques for gall bladder, appendix, hernia, tubal ligation, and colon;
  • As well as colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures.

From diagnosis through recovery, Dr. LaBelle provides seamless communication with your primary health care provider. Patients are cared for by a team of specially trained surgical personnel at RHSHC who are known for providing safe, comfortable, and personalized care to every patient.

Patients are encouraged to contact their health care provider regarding surgical procedures or to contact the Surgery Department at 563-547-6697 with questions regarding procedures offered at RHSHC.

Note from Patient, Trinna & Steve Sweet:

“I just wanted to drop a line and tell you what a great experience we had at your hospital. My husband had surgery the morning of February 2nd. His post-op nurse was Susan. She was so caring, attentive, informative, thorough, and made us feel very special. His surgeon was Dr. LaBelle, who was a great doc with a good sense of humor (something we greatly appreciated at the time!). He was very open and his approach made us very comfortable talking about personal topics. We never felt rushed. I will definitely remember the consideration we received at Cresco’s hospital. It’ll be my first choice THANKS A MILLION to the entire staff who participated in my husband’s care.”

Surgery Department

With renovations and new construction complete in the spring of 2016, RHSHC has two fully equipped operating suites; comfortable, modern recovery rooms; and family room amenities.

Surgical Team

With the many specialists who see patients at RHSHC in Cresco and the various surgical cases performed, the surgical team at RHSHC are knowledgeable, experienced and provide the best possible care to their patients.

Are you at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? Know the facts.

  • Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States.
  • Colonoscopy is the one test that can help prevent colon cancer by removing polyps before they become cancerous.

For healthy individuals who are not at high risk for developing colon cancer, screening should begin at age 50.  Testing can be done earlier for those at high risk for developing colon cancer; those having a family/personal history of colon cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Regional Health Services of Howard County offers the latest technology in colonoscopy screening with high definition equipment making polyps and abnormalities easier to identify.

Talk to your health care provider about the options for colon cancer testing and how often you should be tested, or call RHSHC for more information.

The Following Specialists See Patients/Perform Surgical Procedures at RHSHC in Cresco

  • Richard Rattay, MD
    Orthopedic Surgery
    Mason City Clinic
    Procedures include: total joint replacements, knee/shoulder arthroscopy, sports-related injuries, extremity related pain/injury

 

  • Henry Diggelmann, MD
    Ear, Nose, Throat
    Mason City Clinic
    Procedures include: tonsillectomy; adenoidectomy, myringotomy with tube placement, skin lesion removal

 

  • Benjamin Mason, MD
    Cataract Surgery
    Wolfe Eye Clinic

 

  • Brooke Tappe, DPM
    Podiatry
    Gundersen/Decorah
    Procedures include: bunion surgery, toenail removal, toe amputation, a fusion of the metatarsal

 

  • Christopher Adams, MD
    Urology
    Mason City Clinic

 

  • Todd Schissel, CRNA, ARNP
    Pain Management Clinic to treat back pain, neck pain, disc bulge or herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritis in the spine/back, degeneration of the spine, sciatica
    Procedures include: epidurals, sacroiliac injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablations, trigger point injections

 

  • Shawn Blake, CRNA, ARNP
    Pain Management Clinic to treat back pain, neck pain, disc bulge or herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritis in the spine/back, degeneration of the spine, sciatica
    Procedures include: epidurals, sacroiliac injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablations, trigger point injections

 

For more information about specialists and procedures performed at RHSHC, contact your family physician or RHSHC at 563-547-2101.