Moab Regional Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Deidre Flanagan, a board-certified general surgeon, to our community. Dr. Flanagan joins a skilled and experienced surgical team in offering great care, right here in Moab. Small, rural, critical access hospitals, like Moab Regional Hospital, are an excellent choice for many common surgical procedures (i.e. appendectomy, broken bone repair, gall bladder removal, hernia repair, hysterectomy, joint replacement, etc.) and may be safer, according to findings published in the Journal of American Medical Association, than traveling to a larger facility.
Dr. Dylan Cole, Chief Medical Officer at Moab Regional Hospital echoes these findings, “This research helps support and validate the excellent surgical care and quality that our patients can expect to receive here at Moab Regional Hospital, whether it is for scheduled or emergency procedures.”
A native of Illinois, Dr. Flanagan spent the last 23 years developing a broad and active practice with a large medical group in Wisconsin. She has a particular passion for breast cancer care with additional training in oncoplastic breast surgery and Hidden Scar certification. Further areas of interest include robotic surgery and surgical management of diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Dr. Flanagan’s surgical partner of 22 years, Dr. Wagner described her as “a brilliant, technically excellent surgeon who is extremely calculated and efficient in the operating room. He also recounted, “I trust her so much that when my sister needed surgery, I had her drive up to our town so that Dr. Flanagan could be her surgeon.”
Another colleague, Dr. Kiesnowski, proclaimed “she is adored by the nursing staff and by her patients. Without question, she is the best general surgeon in the region.”
Dr. Flanagan believes that in surgery, as with any aspect of healthcare, “We function best as a team. You can expect me to listen to your concerns and to complete a thorough evaluation before making recommendations. Together, with an honest and cooperative relationship, we can achieve the best care!”
Michelle Peterson, Director of Surgical Services, has worked as a nurse at Moab Regional Hospital for nearly a decade and in that time has witnessed just how committed her co-workers are to providing excellent care – before, during, and after surgery. “Our patients are neighbors, friends, and family members (and sometimes visitors from other places!) and we care deeply about taking care of every one of them.”
In addition to providing surgical services, Dr. Flanagan will also serve as the Trauma Director for Moab Regional Hospital. She is looking forward to practicing at a smaller hospital and living in Moab. Outside of work, Dr. Flanagan enjoys spending time with her husband. Favorite activities include hiking/canyoneering, waterskiing, and finding time for a good book.
Deidre Flanagan, MD is a board-certified general surgeon. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an American Society of Breast Surgeons member. To schedule an appointment, please call 435-719-5500.
1University of Michigan Health System. (2016, May 17). Surgery surprise: Small rural hospitals may be safer, less expensive for common operations: Critical access hospital study suggests local care works well for straightforward surgical cases in uncomplicated patients. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 26, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160517120512.htm