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More about Dr. Heegaard
I am an OB-GYN in the Minneapolis area. I have been in practice now for 20 years. I grew up not far culturally from the mythological Lake Woebegon in a hamlet named Alexandria, Minnesota where my father was a general practitioner. It is because of his love for medicine and especially obstetrics that guided me into this profession and finally into the specialty of OB-GYN.
My approach to treatment and management of endometriosis and chronic pain is collaborative. From a surgical standpoint, my goal is excision. I have created a team which involves a  pelvic floor physical therapists, colorectal surgeons, and urologists who have interest in endometriosis. My goal is to have everything set ahead of time, prior to surgery, with the necessary team present or available so that, hopefully, all reasonable eventualities can be addressed at the time of surgery. I do not manage any gynecologic problems and especially endometriosis/pelvic pain from a top-down angle. I feel like the best results come from working collaboratively with the patient and, together, coming up with an agreed upon treatment plan. My experience has been that this approach allows the patient to feel like she is a participant in her care and not just the recipient. From my perspective, I also find this extremely satisfying.

Employment
2019-Present Hennepin Healthcare department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2004-2019 OB-GYN West P.A. , Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, Minnesota
1997-2004 Associates in Women's Health, Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Professional /Education
1999 - current Fellow and Diplomat in the American Board of Obstretrics and Gynecology
1993-1997 Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinic
Raymond J. Albrect Award for excellence in clinical teaching
1989-1993 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) University of Washington Seattle, Washington
1982-1986 Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Cum Laude, The Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, Colorado

Medical Affiliations
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
American Medical Association
American Society of Cosmetic Gynecologists

About Dr. Palmer
It is the connection that I make with my patients that really make my job exciting and rewarding. Patients come to see their ObGyn with deeply personal and, at times, very troubling concerns. It is very rewarding to me to be able to offer my patients treatments, both medical and surgical, that can sometimes change their whole outlook on life. I love to see the hope in a patient’s eyes that comes when they have been struggling with pain, bleeding or uterine prolapse and I tell them I can help. It is this opportunity to give patients hope and help them through both joyful and difficult times that makes me passionate about being an ObGyn doctor.
For me, minimally invasive surgery is the most exciting part of my practice and I completed an additional two years of fellowship training to acquire advanced surgical skills. With the advancement of surgical instrumentation and robotics, it is good news that most gynecologic conditions can now be treated in a minimally invasive manner that allows for fewer complications, faster recovery, and less pain. Most of my patients lead very busy and active lives and it is gratifying to them to be able to get back to living their lives more quickly than ever before.
I grew up in the St. Paul metro area, and after 10 years away for residency and fellowship training, we are now glad to call the West Metro and Maple Grove our home. We love all the varied seasons that Minnesota has to offer and are active outdoors enthusiasts. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three young children. You may see us around town in a variety of kids team sports and activities.
We enjoy traveling, being active outside, and are big Minnesota sports fans.

Education
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Mo.
Residency: Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, Mich.
Fellowship: Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit

Certification
American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Essential in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (EMIG) Certified
Awards and Recognition
Minnesota Monthly “Best Doctors” for Women – 2015
Minnesota Monthly “Top Doctors” – 2018
endosupport.com (Minnesota Endometriosis Support Website) – Recommended endometriosis surgeon
Recognized expert endometriosis excision surgeon by Nancy’s Nook endometriosis Facebook Community

Clinical Special Interests
Treatment of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence, and minimally invasive surgery with and without robotic assistance.

Articles
Minnesota Physician, March 2018 – Endometriosis: Improving the Path to Better Patient Outcomes
Minnesota Health Care News, April 2016 – Abnormal Bleeding: Evaluation and Treatment
Minnesota Physician, April 2015 – Endometriosis: Improved Outcomes Through New Technology

Conditions treated
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Pelvic pain
Uterine fibroid
Procedures performed
Gynecological surgery

Interests
Excisional treatment of endometriosis
Surgical treatment of benign uterine pathology — uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, abnormal uterine bleeding
Pelvic pain

Education
2015 Fellow - Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Southern Illinois University
2012 Residency - Obstetrics & Gynecology
University of Michigan Health System
2008 MD - University of Michigan Medical School
2003 BS - Andrews University

Activities and honors
Certifications
2014 Obstetrics & Gynecology
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Awards and honors
2015 First place award, 25th Annual Trainee Research Symposium
Southern Illinois University School Of Medicine

2012 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected by 3rd year medical students on the OB/GYN clerkship for teaching excellence.
University of Michigan
2012 Society for Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award for showing promise in operative laparoscopy.
University of Michigan
2011 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected by 3rd year medical students on the OB/GYN clerkship for teaching excellence.
University of Michigan
2004 Ferdinand and Ripley Schemm Endowed Scholarship, merit based admission scholarship.
University of Michigan
2004 Longway Scholarship, merit based admission scholarship.
University of Michigan
2003 Magna Cum Laude
Andrews University

Professional memberships
2018 - present Member
Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders
2017 - present Member
OB/GYN Quality Committee
2017 - present Member
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Special Interest Group
2016 - present Member

International Pelvic Pain Society
2011 - present Member
AAGL, Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide
2004 - present Member
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Education
BASIC SCIENCE MASTERS
Clinical and Translational Science, Programs, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Fellow - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Fellow
RST REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Masters - Clinical research
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Residency - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
MB BS
Aga Khan University Medical College

Certifications
Obstetrics & Gynecology
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Awards and honors
2017 Top Doctors
Minnesota Monthly
Award for Best New Investigator Poster Presentation
Society for Reproductive Investigation
Giorgio Pardi Foundation Award for New Investigators
Society of Gynecologic Investigators
Best Teacher Award
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Best Teaching Chief Resident Award
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Masters in Clinical Research
CCaTS Program
Ann Harris Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in the Field of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Donald Richardson Prize Paper
ACOG District VI Annual Meeting
Administrative Chief Resident
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lawrence Randall Travel Award (Most Outstanding Resident)
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pfizer Resident Reporter
ACOG Annual Meeting
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics - Prize Paper
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Honors of Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Aga Khan University Medical College
Honors of Excellence in Ophthalmology
Aga Khan University Medical College
Honors of Excellence in Pediatrics
Aga Khan University Medical College
Begum Shafiqa Scholarship
Aga Khan University Medical College

Present Professional Memberships
Full list available on his website
Chair- Gynecology/Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Special Interest Group
Member- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Committee
Member- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OB/GYN Social Media Workgroup
Member- Reproductive Medicine Practice and Quality Committee, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Member- Pacific Coast Reproductive Society
Member- OB/GYN Education Committee, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Member- American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
Member- American Society of Reproductive Medicine
Member- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Member- American Medical Association
Member- Zumbro Valley Medical Society
Chief Resident- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Publications
Comprehensive list available on his website
Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Smith CY, Weaver AL, Khan Z, Stewart EA, Rocca WA. In Reply. Menopause. 2019 Jan; 26 (1):112-114
Smith BM, Duncan FE, Ataman L, Smith K, Quinn GP, Chang RJ, Finlayson C, Orwig K, Valli-Pulaski H, Moravek MB, Zelinski MB, Irene Su H, Vitek W, Smith JF, Jeruss JS, Gracia C, Coutifaris C, Shah D, Nahata L, Gomez-Lobo V, Appiah LC, Brannigan RE, Gillis V, Gradishar W, Javed A, Rhoton-Vlasak AS, Kondapalli LA, Neuber E, Ginsberg JP, Muller CH, Hirshfeld-Cytron J, Kutteh WH, Lindheim SR, Cherven B, Meacham LR, Rao P, Torno L, Sender LS, Vadaparampil ST, Skiles JL, Schafer-Kalkhoff T, Frias OJ, Byrne J, Westphal LM, Schust DJ, Klosky JL, McCracken KA, Ting A, Khan Z, Granberg C, Lockart B, Scoccia B, Laronda MM, Mersereau JE, Marsh C, Pavone ME, Woodruff TK. The National Physicians Cooperative: transforming fertility management in the cancer setting and beyond. Future Oncol. 2018 Nov 26 [Epub ahead of print]
Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Khan Z, Weaver AL, Smith CY, Rocca WA, Stewart EA. Cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: a cohort study. Menopause. 2018 May; 25 (5):483-492
Javed A, Khan Z, Pittock ST, Jensen JR. Options for Fertility Preservation in Children. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2018 Mar; 15 (3):223-233
Khan Z, Goldberg JM. Hysteroscopic Management of Asherman's Syndrome. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2018 Feb; 25 (2):218-228 Epub 2017 Oct 09
Khan Z, Zheng Y, Jones TL, Delaney AA, Correa LF, Shenoy CC, Khazaie K, Daftary GS. Epigenetic Therapy: Novel Translational Implications for Arrest of Environmental Dioxin-Induced Disease in Females. Endocrinology. 2018 Jan 1; 159 (1):477-489