Exceptional surgical care in our own backyard

GRINNELL — When people think about surgery, they often assume they’ll need to travel hours away to find high-quality care. Maybe they think they should travel west to Des Moines or east to Iowa City. Maybe even to a bigger city in Minnesota or Illinois.

What too many don’t realize is that we have advanced, specialized surgical services available right here at home.

At GRMC, we’re proud to offer the same caliber of surgical care you’d find in larger hospitals. As a Bariatric Center of Excellence, we provide comprehensive, high-quality care for patients considering surgical weight loss.

Our experienced team supports patients from pre-surgical health preparation and insurance navigation to long-term follow-up care. Whether you need a routine procedure or something more complex, our surgical team has the training, experience and technology to take excellent care of you, your aging parents or your children.

Let me introduce you to some of the remarkable surgeons who are part of our growing team:

Dr. Phillip Bilderback is a board-certified surgeon who brings expertise in minimally invasive procedures to treat issues like acid reflux, hernias and weight loss, including revision surgeries for patients who’ve had prior bariatric procedures. His scope includes colonoscopies, gallbladder and appendix removal, hernia repairs and advanced robotic surgeries.

Dr. Anna Mensing provides specialty care in breast health and breast cancer surgery, including biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies. She is a board-certified surgeon who also performs a wide range of general procedures from colonoscopies and hernia repairs to robotic surgeries and soft tissue excisions.

Dr. Mahmoud Tayash is passionate about weight-loss surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. As a board-certified surgeon, he also offers a wide range of general and advanced robotic surgeries. From reflux procedures and skin excisions to carpal tunnel surgeries, Dr. Tayash delivers care that meets patients where they are.

Dr. Anthony Tedesco is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons who lives and practices full-time in Grinnell. He specializes in knee and shoulder surgery, sports injuries and orthopedic trauma. Dr. Tedesco is passionate about helping patients regain mobility, function and quality of life.

Dr. Elizabeth Tigges offers full-scope OB/GYN services for women of all ages — from adolescence to postmenopause. She specializes in cesarean deliveries as part of our maternity team who has been awarded the Center of Excellence grant by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Tigges is also a board-certified surgeon who produces minimally invasive da Vinci robotic procedures, offering advanced care for everything from abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain to complex gynecologic conditions like hysterectomies, close to home.

These physicians aren’t just names on our website, they’re your neighbors. More than half of our surgeons live in Grinnell and are deeply committed to serving and investing in this community. Their combined expertise means you don’t have to drive an hour or more to get top-quality care. Whether you’re dealing with a broken bone, breast cancer, a hernia or a women’s health issue, the care you need is right here in Grinnell.

So, if you or someone you care about has been putting off a surgery or planning to drive hours for care, I encourage you to take a closer look at what’s available at GRMC. Our surgical team is here, ready and fully equipped to deliver safe, high-quality care close to home.

Call us, visit unitypoint.org or talk to your primary care provider to learn more about our surgical services. We’re proud to serve you, and even prouder to call this community home.