Prairie Ridge Health is a 25 bed acute care hospital located in Columbus, Wisconsin. A Board of Directors comprised of community leaders and physician representatives governs the hospital. In addition to its over 300 employees, which include team members at the Prairie Ridge Health Clinics in Beaver Dam, Marshall and Columbus, a group of close to 100 volunteers provide valuable services to the hospital in a variety of areas. Philanthropic support is provided through the Prairie Ridge Health Foundation which was established in 1989. Our service area includes Columbus, Fall River, Rio, Waterloo, Marshall, Sun Prairie, Reeseville, Lowell, Randolph, Cambria, Beaver Dam, and other surrounding communities. Emergency transport services are provided to our hospital by a private carrier, LifeStar, as well as the Med-Flight Helicopter Service from Madison. Prairie Ridge Health is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC).

As a nurse practitioner, Dawn Faust specializes in Internal Medicine. Dawn has been practicing in Columbus for over 13 years. As a nurse practitioner, Dawn specializes in helping patients with both acute and chronic conditions become and stay healthy. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her nurse practitioner Master's Degree from Marquette University.

As a physician assistant, Mandy provides care to orthopedic patients in both clinic locations. She graduated from the University of Dayton, Ohio, Physician Assistant Program and also earned her B.A. from Edgewood College in Madison WI. Mandy is a valued member of the orthopedic team, specializing in preoperative and postoperative care as well as osteoarthritis. She enjoys working with patients one-on-one to provide a more individualized care experience.

Dr. Dan Malone specializes in all aspects of Rheumatology, which is the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and related autoimmune conditions. He has special expertise in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures, and he is recognized as one of the leading Rheumatology ultrasonographer practitioners and teachers in the nation. He earned his MD from the University of Illinois Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago and did a fellowship in basic scientific immunology research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He is the current president of the Wisconsin Rheumatology Association, the state-wide scientific Rheumatology Organization.

Dr. Leslie Alzuhn-Hansen has been practicing as an OBGYN for over 18 years and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She partners with each patient to provide a truly unique and engaging experience. She graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed her residency at the Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Dr. Alzuhn-Hansen is board certified with the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and is also a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Hansen grew up in Wisconsin. She enjoys traveling, going to concerts, the theatre, and spending time with her family and dogs.

As a physician assistant, Andrew Tratar provides care to orthopedic patients in both clinic locations. Andy is a valued member of the orthopedic team specializing in sports medicine, joint and fracture care, as well as preoperative care for joint replacement patients. He graduated from the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program and also earned his B.A. in Biology from Ripon College. Andy enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, archery, camping, and kayaking. He coaches baseball and enjoys attending local sporting events. He also enjoys woodworking, reading, cooking, and spending time with his children.

Dr. Minier received her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA. She completed her residency at Kern Medical Center Bakersfield, CA and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Her special interests are obstetrics, including waterbirths, and pediatrics, but she sees patients of all ages, birth to over 100 years old. She is also certified in performing DOT physicals, placing Nexplanons and IUDs.

Dr. Niesen is one of only a handful of surgeons in the state who holds the distinction of being fellowship-trained in orthopedic joint replacement surgery; specializing in hip, knee and shoulder replacement. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he served as Chief Resident and was honored with the Longmire Surgical Society Research Award. He completed an additional fellowship in joint replacement at the Mayo Clinic and is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Niesen sees patients at both clinic locations.

Dr. Robb Whinney has been providing care to patients for over 20 years and is fellowship-trained in surgical critical care and trauma surgery. He received his Bachelor of Science from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre PA and his DO from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his residency in general surgery at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Whinney completed his fellowship training at Jackson Memorial Medical Center/ Ryder Trauma Center Miami, FL. He was an Associate Professor at Yale University and Washington University in St. Louis, covering the sections of Burn, Trauma, and Critical Care. Dr. Whinney is a board-certified general surgeon by the Fellow American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Whinney sees patients at both the Columbus and Beaver Dam clinic locations.