Our Staff
The Laser Vein Centers of Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley are state-of-the-art treatment centers for painful varicose veins.
We remain on the cutting-edge of the virtual revolution that has occurred in the field of varicose vein treatment. This represents a tremendous shift from conventional surgical treatment to the latest innovations and techniques in non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures.
Visit us at either of our Alaska locations.
Donald L. Ives, MD
Dr. Ives received his undergraduate degree cum laude from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California in 1979, majoring in psychology. He completed medical school in 1989 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Ives completed his residency in Family Practice at the Family Practice residency of Southwest Idaho in Boise, Idaho in 1992, followed by a 1 year fellowship program in Rural Training emphasizing high risk obstetrics in 1993. He then worked for 6 years at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center before working in the private sector with the Tanana Valley Clinic for 7 years.
Dr. Ives is board certified in Family Medicine and Phlebology (Vein Medicine) and is an active member of the American College of Phlebology. He has been providing vein therapy and laser treatment since 2002 and has undergone additional training in the phlebology field with some of the leading researchers in the country.
Kathryn Steer, PA-C, MS
Katie received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska, a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Union College, Nebraska and a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska. She brings experience in Rural Family Medicine and Acute Care. She is involved in Central American Medical Missions. With 30+ years of Alaska living, she enjoys moose and pheasant hunting as well as a good trap shoot.
Deb Triplehorn, PA-C
Deb graduated magna cum laude from Alderson-Broadus College 1987 with a BS degree in medical science. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She brings experience as a Physician Assistant in primary care and surgery, including subspecialties in each arena.
DeAnn Cain, Registered Vascular Technician
DeAnn received her Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in Medical Imaging from the Oregon Institute of Technology. She is registered in multiple areas of ultrasonography. Since 1991, she has been a Registered Vascular Technician and is an RDMS in OB/GYN/ABD and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer. She has worked primarily in hospital settings over the last 22 years. Alaska has been her home for 16 years and her hobby is photography.
Lorrie Shirk, Clinical Coordinator
Lorrie received her RN diploma from the Washington Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, Pa. in 1973. For the next 20 years she divided her time between family care and a variety of nursing practices. Moving to Alaska in 1991 she has worked in school nursing and in the clinic setting as a Family Practice staff nurse, FP department supervisor and Supervisor of Nursing Education.
Kathy Sauer, Nursing Staff
Kathy received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1985. She moved to Fairbanks in 1986 and has divided her time between being a mother of four, home making, and working in various fields of nursing. Kathy has been assisting Dr. Ives with laser vein procedures since the fall of 2005.
Sharon Kindell, Nursing Staff
Sharon began her nursing career as an LPN in 1988 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2000. The main focus of her nursing career has been in Emergency Nursing, where she received Board Certification as an Emergency Nurse, through the Emergency Nurse’s Association. She has taught in a nursing program and mostly recently as the Clinical Coordinator in a hospital and Sharon says, “Nursing allows you to enter a person’s life at a time of uncertainty, and intervene in that time of need, nursing has blessed my life”.
Linsey Klingel, PRN Nursing Staff
Linsey received her RN diploma from B.G. Alexander College of Nursing in Johannesburg, South Africa and received training in midwifery at Addington Hospital, Durban, South Africa. After working in a private hospital in South Africa, she immigrated to the USA and has spent the next 25+ years in the nursing profession. She currently assists one day a week and whenever we need a helping hand.
Rhonda Casey, Reception/Billing
Rhonda has worked in the health field since 1974 and brings a broad range of experience to our practice. She received certification for ward clerk from the University of Texas, El Paso. Ophthalmology Technician and Contact Lens Technician certification from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Gastrointestinal Technician certification from the Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses Association and Emergency Medical Technician certification from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Marcia Ives, Bookkeeper
Marcia received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1988. She enjoyed the nursing profession but dedicated the past several years to homemaking and family life. Marcia’s medical background is an asset to bookkeeping in our medical practice.
