"It's exciting whenever the options expand for our patients"

Dan Rohrbach

Dr. Francis Cormier

Dr. Martin Benoit

   “We are excited to bring expanded orthopedic coverage to our area,” said  CEO Dan Rohrbach as he announced that two new specialists will be offering their services at Bridges Medical Center.  Dr. Francis Cormier and Dr. Martin Benoit of Dakota Clinic in Detroit Lakes, specialize in orthopedics and began seeing patients at the Bridges Clinic on July13.

   “Dr. Phil Johnson of Orthopedic Associates is still with us and will continue to provide services,” said Rohrbach.  “The addition of Dr. Cormier and Dr. Benoit will allow us to offer orthopedic services on-site twice a month.  They will also be performing some outpatient surgical procedures at Bridges.  Major surgeries will still be referred to larger facilities, but we want to be able to offer patients the convenience of having local surgical services whenever possible.”

   Dr. Cormier and Dr. Benoit have known each other since their medical school days in Montreal, Quebec.  Both specialized in orthopedics.  Dr. Benoit came to Dakota Clinic and St. Mary’s Regional Health Center several years ago and has a thriving practice. He was joined by Dr. Cormier in March of this year.

   In the Spirit of St. Mary’s, a publication of St. Mary’s Regional Health Center, Dr. Cormier is quoted as saying, “It’s a very good working environment here.  I like the pace, the people, and the country.  You’d never see me living and working in New York, or even Minneapolis.”

    Dr. Cormier brings the experience of a decade-long orthopedic practice in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, where, in addition to many joint replacement surgeries he performed specialized procedures on the lumbar spine in the lower back.

   “We consider ourselves fortunate to have specialists with such a wide range of skills and experience working with our providers and staff,” said Rohrbach.  “Our surgical team has been spending time in the operating room at St. Mary’s getting to know Dr. Benoit and Dr. Cormier and everyone is looking forward to adding another local service. I think it’s exciting whenever the options expand for our patients.”