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At Northwest Speciality Hospital, we are proud to offer a wide range of clinics and services through our network of partners. From primary care to specialized treatments, our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare for all your needs. Explore the list below to find out more about what we have available. Our experienced staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help guide you in making informed decisions about your health.


John Pennings, MD, FACS, FASMBS
General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist
Dr. John Pennings received his MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, which was followed by a general surgery residency at Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, an institution noted for excellence in trauma and critical care. He went on to complete a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery and endoscopy at Oregon Health Sciences University. He was one of the first eight fellows in the nation to complete this highly specialized training.
During this training, Dr. Pennings helped to develop new surgical techniques for esophageal, gastric and colon surgery, and was responsible for educating other surgeons in these new, minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Pennings has also pursued advanced training in bariatric (weight loss) surgical techniques, surgical and endoscopic management of reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus and non-surgical management of hemorrhoids.
In his twenty year career as a community general surgeon, he founded Minimally Invasive Surgery Northwest, Surgical Bariatrics Northwest, Optifit, and currently is the founder and director of The Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery.
Dr. Pennings has served in leadership roles as chairman of the department of surgery at Kootenai Medical Center and as chairman of the board of directors at Northwest Specialty Hospital. As part of his involvement at Northwest Specialty Hospital, he oversaw the development of a comprehensive bariatric surgery program and was awarded Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery status by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, and an active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. He is committed to surgical excellence and compassionate patient care.
Education: University of Minnesota
Medical School: Emanuel Hospital and Health Center
Residency: American Board of Surgery
Certifications: Board Certified in Digestive Surgery
Memberships: Idaho Medical Association
American College of Surgeons
American Society of American Surgeons
Idaho Chapter American College of Surgeons
Kootenai-Benewah Medical Society
American Society of Bariatric Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery
750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150


Derek Dirks, MD
General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist
Dr. Dirks grew up in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with a BS in Biology and a minor in Spanish. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, IA. He completed the University of South Dakota general surgery residency program in Sioux Falls, SD. He finished his training with a fellowship in bariatric surgery at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. During his fellowship he was trained in bariatric surgery with the Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute and advanced foregut and colorectal surgery with The Oregon Clinic.
Dr. Dirks resides in Coeur d’Alene, ID with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys skiing in the winter and spending time hiking, biking, and time on the water in the summer.
Dr. Dirks is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Dirks has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.
Fellowship Trained
Education
University of Idaho
Medical School
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Residency
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Fellowship
Legacy Good Samaritan
Memberships
Oregon State Medical License
American College of Surgery – Board Eligible
ATLS Instructor Certification
FLS Certification
FES Certification
ACLS Certification
BLS Certification
Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery
750 N. Syringa St., Suite 205
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: 208.262.0945
Fax: 208.415.0150


Cory Richardson, MD, FACS, FASMBS
General Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopist
Dr. Richardson grew up in Mammoth Lakes, CA. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Alpine Ski Team. He completed medical school and General Surgery Residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He then went on to complete an advanced surgical fellowship at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, the only fellowship program in the United States or Canada accredited in Advanced Gastrointestinal/Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy.
Dr. Richardson is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Richardson has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.
Fellowship Trained
Education: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Residency: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Certifications: Board Certified in Digestive Surgery
Memberships: Advanced Surgical Fellowship - Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Certified by the American Board of Surgery
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery
750 North Syringa Street, Suite 205
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
Phone: (208) 262-0945
Fax: (208) 415-0150


Antoine Sarkis, MD
General Surgery, Breast Surgery, Endoscopy
Dr. Sarkis has been in practice in North Idaho since 1997. He has a special interest in the management of benign and malignant diseases of the breast and is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Sarkis performs endoscopy and a variety of minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical techniques, to diagnose and manage diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Sarkis received his medical education at Saint Joseph University School of Medicine in Lebanon. He completed his surgical training at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York and at New York Medical College. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons. He joined Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2001 to serve patients seeking state-of-the-art diagnosis and management of diseases of the breast and gastrointestinal tract. He offers minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical interventions for a variety of disease states.
Education: St. Joseph University School of Medicine
Medical School: St. Joseph University School of Medicine
Residency: St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York
Memberships: American Society of Breast Surgeons
Minimally Invasive Surgery
750 N Syringa St #103
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 415-0151
Fax: (208) 777-1591