PROVIDERS

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 Digestive Center.

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.

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 is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Dirks resides in Coeur d’Alene, ID with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys skiing in the winter and spending time hiking, running, and time on the water in the summer.

Dr. Lebedevskiy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, where she majored in Biology (Pathophysiology), as well as Spanish. Shortly after receiving her undergraduate degree, she attended Grand Canyon University where she was awarded a Masters in Public Health (MPH). Continuing her educational pursuits, she attended St. Georges University earning a Medical Doctorate (MD) degree, immediately followed by a General Surgery Residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, which is well known for its state-of-the-art level I trauma and burn center and boasts as the second busiest Emergency Department in the entire State of California. This residency also included training at Kaiser Permanente Fontana. She then went on to complete her subspecialty fellowship training in Advanced Gastrointestinal and Foregut Surgery at The Oregon Clinic/Portland Providence Medical Center, with focus on Minimally Invasive Foregut Surgery techniques, endoscopic treatment, as well as Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Lebedevskiy is certified by The American Board of Surgery and is an active member in the American Foregut Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.

Dr. Lebedevskiy resides in Coeur d’Alene with her husband and two children. She enjoys being outdoors and can be found with her family skiing, hiking, boating or camping in her spare time.

Medical School: St. George’s University

Residency: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

Fellowship: The Oregon Clinic/Portland Providence Medical Center

Certification: American Board of Surgery

Membership: American Foregut Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.

Dr. Michael W. James is a highly experienced and board-certified gastroenterologist with a distinguished career spanning over three decades in both civilian and military healthcare settings. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Carroll College in Helena, MT, in 1986, and went on to receive his Medical Doctorate from Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, TN, in 1990.

Dr. James completed his residency at Kessler Medical Center, Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, in 1993, followed by a prestigious fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, from 1995 to 1997.

Throughout his career, Dr. James has held numerous significant positions, including serving as a Staff Gastroenterologist at St. James Hospital in Butte, MT, from 2021 to 2024, and at Kootenai Clinic in Coeur d'Alene, ID, from 2013 to 2021. He also worked at North Idaho GI from 1999 to 2013, where he took on the role of Medical Director at the Endoscopy Center from 2008 to 2010.

Dr. James' military service includes a decade-long tenure in the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1990 to 1999, where he served as Staff Internal Medicine at Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS, and later as Chief of Gastroenterology at David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA.

He holds a medical license in Idaho and is board certified in Gastroenterology. Dr. James is currently enrolled in the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) program to maintain his certification and stay abreast of the latest developments in his field.

Medical School: Vanderbilt University Medical School

Residency: Kessler Medical Center

Fellowship: Wilford Hall Medical Center

Certifications: Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA)

Education: Michigan State University

Master's of Science in Education: University of Idaho

Certifications: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).

Specialty Areas:

• Bariatric surgery
• Weight management and obesity treatment
• Nutrition for chronic disease
• Nutrition for kidney disease

Deanna Brunk is a highly experienced and compassionate Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who joins Northwest Specialty Hospital as a dedicated Mental Health Provider. With a deep commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of her patients, Deanna brings extensive experience from her previous roles in both the public and private sectors.

Deanna has been serving as a NIL TC Program Social Worker with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs since 2020. In this role, she has overseen the Home Health Aide (HHA) and Respite Services operations, providing continuous support and service management for Veterans. Her work includes collaboration with healthcare teams and community providers, crisis intervention, and program management, ensuring Veterans receive the highest quality care.

Prior to her work with the Veterans Affairs, Deanna held the position of Supervisor of Social Services at Kootenai Health from 2018 to 2020. There, she was responsible for performance evaluations, staff training, and educational program development, fostering a positive work environment while ensuring compliance and high-quality care delivery. Her leadership in quality assurance efforts and case management demonstrated her ability to guide teams in addressing complex patient needs.

Deanna began her career as a Medical Social Worker at Kootenai Health from 2013 to 2017, where she provided critical psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, and counseling services to patients and their families. Her work in this role highlighted her ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare teams and community agencies to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Deanna holds a Master of Social Work from Boise State University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Lewis-Clark State College. She is also certified in Motivational Interviewing, a testament to her commitment to evidence-based practices in mental health care.
With strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a passion for helping others, Deanna Brunk is an invaluable addition to the team at Northwest Specialty Hospital, where she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of her patients.

Master of Social Work: Boise State University

Bachelor of Social Work: Lewis-Clark State College

Certified: Motivational Interviewing