Heather Kistka Email & Phone Number

I've wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until my freshman year in college that I found my calling with neuroscience. There was something about using symptoms as clues to finding life-changing solutions for patients that absolutely thrilled me.Neurosurgery can be daunting—and it should be. We're working with the most complex structure in the body. With each patient, each procedure, we need to pause and realize the importance of every decision.I operate on people, not pictures. It is imperative to know each patient and their unique needs in order to determine which treatment will make them well. Seeing the profound difference in each patient, being able to put an end to their back pain, or help them overcome trauma or a brain tumor is a humbling and rewarding experience.There is no typical day when it comes to neurosurgery, but my clinical work includes:• diagnosing and treating patients with brain tumors, neck and back pain, trauma and other neurological concerns• performing complex spine and brain surgeries • monitoring patients during postoperative therapiesNeurosurgeons see patients on some of their worst days. Being able to help them through that—to diagnose the issue, relieve their suffering and get them back to their lives—is the reason I do what I do.When I'm not with patients, I try to spend time outdoors and find new, local adventures. A proud Midwesterner, I'm grateful to take advantage of everything this beautiful area has to offer.Specialties include: spinal surgery | neurosurgical oncology | interdisciplinary care

Listed skills include Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Brain Tumors, Medical Research, and 19 others.