Welcome to the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Our Surgeons

What you want in a surgeon could fill a book. Skill, training, capability, confidence, kindness, honesty, heart.
When surgery becomes the necessary choice for your health, what you need most is someone you can trust. You want an experienced surgeon who really cares for you, who will be your partner before, during and after the procedure.

Of course you also want your surgeon to do everything right. Preoperative explanations you can understand. An expert touch in the operating room. Leading-edge procedures and advanced techniques. Compassion and understanding when you need it.

You may not get to choose how injury or illness enters you life but you always have the choice of surgeons for the best possible outcome.

James D. Rifenbery, MD, FACS

General & Laparoscopic Surgeon
Board-Certified, American Board of Surgery

"I've had surgery myself and I've gained a lot of insight from it. I learned what it's like to have to completely trust somebody, and it's made me more sympathetic to what my patients go through. I know they're trusting me to make decisions on their behalf, and in some cases to save their lives, and it's a responsibility I take seriously."

The training and skill you can trust
"When it comes to surgery, there is no substitute for skill. Every surgery is unique, and I believe each and every procedure requires the full weight of my training, experience and core knowledge. Every option must be considered, every potentiality explored. And I don't approach your case as though it is a checklist procedure, because it isn't."

Fellow: American College of Surgeons
Diplomate: National Board of Medical Examiners
BA: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 1976
MD: University of Washington, Medical School, Seattle, WA, 1980
Residency: General Surgery, Emanuel Hospital, Portland, OR, 1980-85

Providing advanced surgical solutions for your best health
"As technology grows and changes, so does modern medicine. In the years since I became a surgeon, there have been a large number of medical achievements that make a real difference in caring for patients like you. This is especially true of surgery, which more and more is being modernized with minimally invasive procedures that can reduce scarring, postoperative pain and even overall recovery times. In my quest to always provide the best care possible, I pursue advanced training and get involved with professional organizations in order to offer techniques and capabilities that will help you get back to your life quickly."

Member: American Society of General Surgeons, Washington State Medical Association, Pierce County Medical Society, Tacoma Surgical Club (past president), Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, British Columbia Surgical Society, American Society of Bariatric Surgeons
Advanced Certification: Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Advanced Training: Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery

Putting your individual needs first
"An important part of being a good surgeon is listening. In my opinion this can't be overstated. I make a point of really listening to you, getting to know who you are and what's important to you and finding out what's really going on. I look at the whole patient, because the big picture is important to restoring you to good health. It's not about stitches. It's about you."

Associate Director: Franciscan Health Systems Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

Co-Founder: Tacoma Trauma Center

Hospital Affiliations: St. Joseph's Medical Center, Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital, St. Joseph's Surgical Center, Day Surgery of Tacoma, Tacoma Ambulatory Surgery Center, Gig Harbor Day Surgery Center

Call Partners

The following surgeons share call with Dr. Rifenbery, and care for his patients during weekends off or on holidays.

Wendy A. Weeks, MD

Wendy A. Weeks, MD, is a general surgeon specializing in gastrointestinal surgery and laparoscopic procedures. She is an Associate Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Candidate Member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. She is a clinical instructor for the Franciscan Advanced Laparoscopy Fellowship Program. Drawn to medicine by the desire to improve lives, Dr. Weeks strives to do the best and safest job possible for every patient.

Medical Degree: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

General Surgery Residency: University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

Fellowship Training: Advanced Laparoscopy, Franciscan Health System, Tacoma,
Washington.

Board Certified: General Surgery

Office: 1802 S. Yakima Ave, Suite 202, Tacoma, WA, 98405 253 572-7120

C. Stevens Hammer, MD, FACS

Dr. Hammer has been in surgical practice here in Tacoma since the mid 1970s. He practices a wide range of general surgical procedures including advanced laparoscopy. Dr. Hammer is a clinical instructor for the Franciscan Advanced Laparoscopy Fellowship Program. Dr. Hammer is passionate about providing the highest quality surgical care for his patients.

Medical Degree: McGill Medical School

General Surgery Residency: University of Washington

Board Certified: General Surgery

Fellow: American College of Surgeons

Diplomate: National Board of Medical Examiners

Advanced Training: Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery

Member: Henry Harkins Surgical Society, Pierce County Medical Society, American College of Surgeons

Hospital Affiliations: St. Joseph's Medical Center, Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, St. Joseph's Surgical Center, Day Surgery of Tacoma, Tacoma Ambulatory Surgery Center, Gig Harbor Day Surgery Center

Office: 316 ML King Jr. Way, Suite 205, Tacoma, WA 98405 253 383-5331

Janie Orrington-Myers DO

Dr. Alizadeh is the current Fellow with the Franciscan Advanced Laparoscopic Fellowship Program. He will be with us from July 2008 to June 2009. The focus of Dr. Alizadeh's studies is advanced laparoscopic surgery. As part of his clinical work he shares call with our call group. Dr. Alizadeh also participates in emergency room call for St. Joseph's, Tacoma General, and Allenmore Hospitals. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Alizadeh with us this year.

Medical Degree: University of Colorado

General Surgery Residency: University of Vermont

Member:

Office: 419 South L St., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA, 98405 253 383-5949

Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery
(253) 572-7120