does anyone know a specialist in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that
deals with lymphangioma?  I have a 5 year old granddaughter that needs
surgery on her thumb for lymphangioma & we want the best dr. for her. 
Thank u.

Hi barbgram,
As a grandmother of a 5 year old granddaughter myself, I was touched
to read of your search for the best healthcare for your little
sweetie. I would, and have done the same. I have found 5 surgeons, all
board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At the
end of the answer I have listed some information on how a physician
becomes ?Board certified?.

I found the Children?s Hospitals and Clinics of Minneapolis/St. Paul
to be an excellent source for you.

This Children?s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota site has a list of
14 Children?s plastic and  surgical specialists, found on the first
link below. Dr. Allen Van Beek is the only one on this list who
specializes in plastic and children?s hand microsurgery, but others
may perform the same surgeries. I would recommend starting wtth Dr.
Beek. I selected his name, as well as Dr. Martin Lacey, and Jeffrey
Aldridge to further research. I omitted elaborating on the others, as
they either did not live in your immediate area, or their specialties
were facial or cosmetic, and not children?s hand surgery (Even though
they do perform such surgeries)
 http://www.fasthealth.com/goto.php?url=www.childrenshc.org/
CHC?s home page:
http://www.childrenshc.org/

Allen Van Beek, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery,
University of Minnesota.
Plastic Surgery Specialists 
7373 France Ave S STE 510 
Edina , MN  55435
Phone: (952) 830-1028 
Fax: (952) 830-0091
http://plasticsurgery.org/md/VANBEEK.htm

http://www.surg.umn.edu/divisions/gen/plastic/faculty.htm#av


From the American Society of Plastic Surgery website, we learn that
Dr. Van Beek served as an Army flight surgeon with the 1st Air Cavalry
Division during the Vietnam war.  ?While serving Dr. Van Beek
developed an interest in microsurgery and later completed fellowships
in hand and microsurgery at the University of Louisville School of
Medicine, Louisville, Ky. Dr. Van Beek received his board
certification from The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) in
1979.?
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news_room/press_releases/Plastic-Surgery-Education-Foundation-Names-New-President.cfm

Dr. Van Beek is president of ?Hand Surgery Quarterly?
http://www.handsurgery.org/newsletters/spring2003/AAHS_Spring2003_newsletter.pdf

A brief article about Dr. Van Beek in this ATNET journal.
http://www.atnet.org/news/atjv36-0901.html

No disciplinary action was found on the Minnesota Board of Medical
Practice for Dr. Van Beek, and he certainly has an impressive list of
credentials.
http://www.bmp.state.mn.us/main_disciplinary_actions.htm

======================================

Martin S. Lacey, MD, Assistant  Professor of Surgery, University of Minnesota
640 Jackson St 
St Paul , MN  55101
651-254-0883
http://www.healthpartners.com/App/1,1599,10314,00.html?locationid=280&page=2&providerid=26983

http://www.regionshospital.com/Regions/Menu/0,1640,6915,00.html

http://www.surg.umn.edu/divisions/gen/plastic/CVs/lacey_cv.htm


Jeffrey H Aldridge, MD 
393 N Dunlap St STE 222 
St Paul , MN  55104
651-646-2717
?Dr. Aldridge graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1979. His
general, head and neck and plastic surgery training was obtained at
the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He has been practicing in
St. Paul since 1987.

He is Board Certified and an active member of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons. Other memberships include the Minnesota Society of
Plastic Surgeons, Midwest Association of Plastic Surgery, American
Cleft Palate Association, Minnesota Medical Association, Ramsey
Medical Society. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.?

http://www.stpaulplasticsurgery.com/credentials.html


Charles Benjamin, MD.  American Board of Surgery Certification,
American Board of Plastic Surgery certified
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery
Regions Hospital
640 Jackson Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Work tel.: (651) 221-3792 
Fax: (651) 221-2808
http://www.surg.umn.edu/faculty/benjamin/benjamin_cv.htm

http://www.surg.umn.edu/faculty/benjamin/benjamin.htm
Kevin M. Strathy, specializes in hand and microsurgery.  American
Board of Plastic Surgery certified, Mircosurgery Fellowship in
Lujblana, Yugoslavia.
cosmetic, hand surgery
Midwest Plastic Surgery
Edina, 952-920-2600
Robbinsdale, 763-520-7880. 
Dr. Strathy also has an office near Fairview Southdale Hospital
6545 France Ave South, Suite 240
Edina, MN 55435
(952)920-2600 
http://www.midwestplasticsurgery.net/strathy.html
======================================

These sites may help you when considering  a physician:
http://www.abms.org/Downloads/Monthly_Articles/Selecting%20a%20Physician.pdf

http://www.newyouplasticsurgery.com/select-surgeon.htm



This site has a free plastic surgeon referral service. Simply fill out
the form and you will be sent choices of surgeons based factors
important to you, such as experience, expertise of the surgeon, fees,
financing, payment plans, etc.  To qualify as Board Certified, the
physician must:
·	they have earned a degree from an accredited medical school
·	they have completed 3 years of general surgery
·	they have completed 2-3 years of supervised residency in plastic surgery
·	they have had at least 2 years of professional practice
·	they have passed rigorous written and oral exams (only about 70% of
physicians who take the test pass it).
The ABPS is recognized and overseen by the American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) and sets high education and training standards.
http://www.smartplasticsurgery.com/findasurgeon.html 

List of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons  in Minnesota
http://www.smartplasticsurgery.com/minnesota-mississippi.html


Directory of Plastic Surgeons, St. Paul, Minnesota
http://www.directory-of-plastic-surgeons.com/plastic-surgery-saint-paul-mn.html


I hope this list helps you select the best doctor you can find for
your granddaughter. Keep in mind that the pediatrician often refers
patients to the surgeon she/he recommends; one who is in your HMO or
who accepts  your insurance plan. Talk to the pediatrician about
referrals; she/he may just recommend on one the above list!

If any part of my answer is unclear, or I have duplicated information
you already have, please request an Answer Clarification before
rating, and I will be happy to assist further, if possible.

I wish your granddaughter the best, and a speedy recovery!

Regards,
crabcakes-ga

Search Strategy:
Plastic surgeons St. Paul Minneapolis
Hand surgeons board certified Minnesota

quick info - just what I needed to know!