Surgeons in Wichita, KS

Dr. Ragnar S. Peterson is a board-certified general surgeon practicing with Wichita Surgical Specialists.

Born in Lindsborg, Kansas, Dr. Peterson received his Doctor of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

As a child, Dr. Peterson had severe medical problems requiring multiple multi-month-long admissions to hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic and National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado. “These experiences led me to determine that I was going to be a physician by my 10th birthday,” said Dr. Peterson. “When you are eight years old and treated like a number with a set of symptoms, the experience tends to stick with you. I knew that I could do it better, and I try to meet this standard every day.”

As a general surgeon, Dr. Peterson performs a broad range of procedures. He has focused the last 10-15 years of his practice on abdominal wall problems. “My team and I started and maintained the region’s only abdominal wall and hernia center,” he said. “We take care of simple to the most complex hernias, fistulas and other abdominal wall problems.”

Dr. Peterson considers himself an educator first and a surgeon second. “If we are going to the operating room, then the patient and their family should know and understand plan A, plan B, plan C and the risks and benefits of each,” he said.

“My goal as a surgeon is to give my best effort, every day,” said Dr. Peterson. “I want my patients to be able to live full, free, fulfilling and productive lives.” He is happy to be a part of the Wichita Surgical Specialists team.

He’s climbed mountains, driven race cars, flown airplanes and traveled the world, but his greatest adventure is being a father. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children and loving every moment.

Dr. Andrew S. Hentzen is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Dr. Hentzen is from Seward, Nebraska. He is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University Of Kansas School of Medicine. He serves at Wesley Medical Center as the Chair of Robotic Governance and is a member of the Pharmacy & Therapeutics committee, as well as an executive member of the trauma committee.

Dr. Davis was board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and maintains his board certification through the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He is an advanced fellow in regenerative and functional medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Medicine through University of Kansas at Via Christi Hospital in Wichita, KS and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He holds a bachelor of arts and masters of clinical gerontology from Baylor University.

Fellowship

American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

Dr. Diane Hunt is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Dr. Hunt grew up in the Flint Hills near Council Grove, Kansas. She received her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City and completed her surgical residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita. Dr. Hunt is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Critical Care.

Dr. Hunt is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine Wichita and Executive Chair of Surgery at Wesley Medical Center. She also serves as an executive member of the trauma committee.

In addition to her general surgery practice, Dr. Hunt has a special interest in Breast Cancer surgery and treatment, Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery, trauma and acute care.  Dr. Hunt also donates her surgical services to Project Access, who serves uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County.

Dr. Nicholas Brown is with Wichita Surgical Specialists.

"My special surgical interests are general surgery, surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal endoscopy, bariatric surgery, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and hernia surgery."

"I'm most passionate about my family, and how that incorporates into patient care as well. I think if you are passionate about your family then you treat people like you would treat your family."

Dr. Howes is with Wichita Surgical Specialists.

Special interests include general surgery, trauma, laparoscopic bariatric surgery, spinal approach surgery, gastrointestinal endoscopy, hernia surgery and acute care surgery.

My philosophy of care is very easy. I treat everybody like it's my loved one. So, every move I make with respect to patient management, I try to pretend like that's my loved one, or I'm the one in that bed, and how I would have it done.

Dr. Brent A. Lancaster is a board-certified general surgeon, specializing in bariatric surgery practicing with Wichita Surgical Specialists. He performs minimally invasive laparoscopic bariatric surgery as well as advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Another area he specializes in is endocrine surgery, the surgical treatment of diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.

“My goal as a surgeon is to provide the best outcome that I can for the patient, to improve their postoperative function to a healthier level than they were existing at before,” said Dr. Lancaster.

Dr. Christina Nicholas is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Dr. Nicholas is from Huron, South Dakota. She is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Nicholas is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and Executive Vice Chair of surgery at Wesley Medical Center, Secretary for the Medical Society of Sedgwick County and an executive member of the trauma committee. She is also President of the Wesley Medical Arts Tower Association. In addition to her general surgery practice, Dr. Nicholas has a special interest in breast cancer surgery and treatment, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and trauma care. Dr. Nicholas also donates her surgical services to Project Access, who serves uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County.

Dr. William A. Waswick is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Dr. Waswich grew up in North Dakota. He is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and served as Past President of the medical staff at Wesley Medical Center. He currently serves as an executive member of the trauma committee.

In addition to his general surgery practice, Dr. Waswick has a special interest in burn care, Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery, trauma, and acute care. He also donates his surgical services to Project Access, who serves uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County. Dr. Waswick is the director of a medical mission trip that travels to the Dominican Republic twice a year.

Dr. Scott Porter is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Dr. Porter is from Wellington, Kansas. Dr. Porter is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and serves as President of the medical staff at Wesley Medical Center. He also serves as an executive member of the trauma committee. In addition to his general surgery practice, Dr. Porter provides his surgical services to outlying communities. He has a special interest in laparoscopic, robotic surgery, and trauma care. Dr. Porter also donates his surgical services to Project Access, who serves uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County.

"Education is key in helping our patients. We individualize the treatment for people suffering with back and radiating leg pain, and help them get back to a better life."

Surgical Specialties include: Brain Tumors/Neuro-Oncology; Degenerative, Traumatic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Pediatric Neurosurgery

"My favorite part is when you can intervene in a person’s life and watch them improve from either surgical or non-surgical care."

Surgical Specialties include: Traumatic, Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Surgery; Brain Tumors/Neuro-Oncology; Degenerative Disc Disease

Dr. Craig Sudbeck is with Kansas Surgical Consultants.

Born and raised in Hartington, Nebraska, Dr. Sudbeck graduated Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He received multiple Student and Resident Teaching awards between 2019-2021. Dr. Sudbeck resides in Wichita with his wife and children.

Dr. Sudbeck specializes in robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, endoscopic procedures, breast care, endocrine surgery, and trauma surgery.

Get the proper care and treatment you need from a highly trusted and trained general surgeon. Dr. Sudbeck provides care for elective procedures including:

• Hernia repair
• Gallbladder removal
• Thyroid/parathyroid
• Colonoscopy/EGD
• Colon resection
• Breast surgery

Dr. Frimpong is a board-certified neurosurgeon and spinal surgery specialist. He brings a unique skill set to the care of people with spinal disorders, with expertise in adolescent and adult scoliosis, complex spinal disorders, and minimally invasive surgery. 

Born in Ghana, West Africa, Dr. Frimpong moved to the United States in 1996 at the age of 16 and attended high school and college in Massachusetts. He completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery at Bassett Healthcare —Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Currently residing in Wichita, Dr. Frimpong is passionate about helping his patients and improving their quality of life.

At Smith Medical, we are dedicated to premier patient care at an affordable price for everyone. Our state-of-the-art multispecialty facilities are operated by only the most talented of surgeons. The care provided at Smith Medical elevates the standard of typical surgical care.

Demetrio J. Aguila III MD FACS is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, specializing in peripheral nerve surgery and the surgical management of acute and chronic pain, as well as general plastic, reconstructive, and microsurgery and general otolaryngology. As a world-renowned peripheral nerve surgeon, Dr. Aguila regularly sees patients from 48 states and 22 countries. He is the only surgeon in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and South Dakota to offer micro-invasive carpal tunnel surgery with real-time ultrasound guidance, allowing patients to return to work the same day, without restrictions. Dr. Aguila is a founding member of the International Surgical Society for Nerve-Induced Pain. Dr. Aguila is also an active member of numerous other organizations, including the American Society for Peripheral Nerve, American Society of Pain and Neuroscience, International Headache Society, American Headache Society, American Society for Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, the Catholic Medical Association, and the Free Market Medical Association.

NW Surgery is proud to be Houston’s leading outpatient surgical facility. We are also one of the longest-standing, independent, physician-owned surgery centers in Houston. Our new, state-of-the art facility, along with our experienced team of expert surgeons ensures that all procedures at NW Surgery deliver the highest quality in patient care. NW Surgery was founded in 1999 by a physician, and continues to be operated by physicians today. As such, the primary focus of our practice has always been to deliver exceptional personal medical care to every one of our patients. Our expertly trained surgeons operate in an outpatient setting and cover a wide range of specialties including: Orthopedics, Spine, Knee, Hand, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Pain Management, Ketamine Treatment, and General Surgery. Our unwavering commitment to personalized patient care, along with our exemplary staff of physicians makes NW Surgery the leader for all outpatient Orthopedic and specialty needs.

We deliver high-quality surgical services, directly to patients, saving them money through transparent, fixed, up-front pricing.

WellBridge is truly a better option for surgical services.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Texas Medical Management is your free-market medicine solution for quality, affordable and convenient surgical procedures. We offer bundled episodes of care across Texas in a broad range of specialties. Our price includes surgeon fees (consult, operative, post-op), anesthesia, facility fees and, when needed, implants/hardware, pathology and DME. Additionally, our team has decades of healthcare experience and walks through the process with you to ensure a great experience along with great care.

What makes us different is what makes us good for you. Texas Medical Management is a partnership between the peer-selected surgeons and medical facilities with a mutual focus on the best possible outcome for the patient.

Dr. Beutler is here to help you with your surgical needs. He is board certified and has completed certification in the surgical specialty area. He has specialized knowledge and skill enabling comprehensive and continued care of the surgical patient relating to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative and postoperative management in the following areas:

• Alimentary Tract
• Hernia
• Abdomen
• Trauma
• Breast
• Skin and Soft Tissue
• Endocrine System
• Vascular

Surgical Oncology: Including coordinating management of the cancer patient by screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up.

Maneesh Ailawadi, MD, FSSO, is an expert general and bariatric surgeon at Lehigh Valley Weight Loss in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ailawadi has helped thousands of people achieve better health with weight-loss surgery.

Ronen Elefant, MD, MBA, MSEng is a double board-certified general surgeon and surgical intensivist, accomplished pilot, and leader with advanced training in biomedical engineering and business. He specializes in acute care surgery, including trauma, emergency general surgery, and critical care.

Currently serving as Trauma Medical Director and Chief of Acute Care Surgery, Dr. Elefant is redefining surgical care through ACES. He leads a national network of elite surgeons expanding access to high-quality outpatient surgery through bundled direct pricing, physician-led autonomy, and uncompromising clinical standards. He is also an educator, invited lecturer, and active contributor to professional surgical societies.

ACES is a multispecialty group practice that launched with a primary focus on general surgery and orthopedics with future expansion into other specialties. Our model is based on direct surgical care, where patients pay out-of-pocket for bundled surgical services, completely independent of insurance.

Referral Network:

Patients will be referred through direct primary care (DPC) physicians, self-funded employers, and specialized healthcare brokers.

Facility Model:

Unlike traditional practices that build new surgery centers, ACES partners with underutilized ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across multiple states. We have already secured partnerships in Charleston, SC, Southport, CT, and Manitowoc, WI, with further expansion planned.

Surgeon Network:

• General surgeons currently based in Connecticut, Alabama, Utah, Indiana
• Orthopedic surgeons based in Connecticut
• Surgeons will participate on a part-time basis, independent from their full-time hospital or practice roles elsewhere, as independent practitioners.

Patient Care Workflow:

• Preoperative and postoperative visits are primarily delivered via telehealth, allowing patients to connect across state lines with their surgeons.
• In-person postoperative visits may be arranged depending on case volume and operating schedules at each facility.
• Emergencies will be managed locally through existing ASC-hospital partnerships.

Practice Style:

ACES is designed as an episodic, patient-centered practice — not full-time by any one surgeon, but flexibly staffed to match patient demand.

At Smith Medical, we are dedicated to premier patient care at an affordable price for everyone. Our state-of-the-art multispecialty facilities are operated by only the most talented of surgeons. The care provided at Smith Medical elevates the standard of typical surgical care.

Dr. Cody M. Neuburger is a board-certified general surgeon practicing with Wichita Surgical Specialists. He has a special interest in foregut and bariatrics.