Ten Northern Michigan Surgeons on Innovation, Leadership, and Life Beyond the Mask

By Craig Manning

March 2026

On any given day in northern Michigan, they could be responsible for saving your life, or the life of someone you love. From oncological procedures that diagnose and remove cancerous growths to catastrophic emergencies, northern Michigan’s top surgeons have been the difference between survival and death for many local residents. But who are these local medical superstars, and what brought them to the operating rooms of Traverse City? The TCBN sat down with 10 area surgeons to learn more about the people behind the surgical masks.

The Rebuilder: Ryan S. Burke, MD, 38

Surgical specialty: Plastic and reconstructive surgery

Education: Though he’s Indiana born and bred, Burke did his undergraduate degree and his medical schooling at Michigan State University. From there, it was off to Atlanta, Georgia for a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Emory University School of Medicine, where Burke says he “had the privilege of working with many world-renowned plastic surgeons in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.” Burke has been a board-certified plastic surgeon since 2022.

My journey here: Burke’s family relocated to the Traverse City area after he graduated from high school. Even before that, he had fond memories of the area thanks to family summer vacations in northern Michigan, as well as frequent ski trips to Crystal Mountain. All those things instilled a lifelong love for the region in Burke, who says he made it his goal “to return to Traverse City after completing my medical training.” He even spent his medical school years right here in Traverse City, studying at the local campus of the MSU College of Human Medicine. It all set the stage for Burke’s return to the area just last fall, when he joined the team at Munson Healthcare’s Great Lakes Plastic Surgery and Skin Center.

Most critical surgical skill: Burke identifies versatility as his greatest strength – not to mention the best thing about the plastic surgery field. “Most people are not aware of the full scope of plastic surgery,” he explained. “The field encompasses everything from elective cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructive operations … My practice includes breast cancer reconstruction, facial and body cosmetic surgery, treatment and reconstruction of skin malignancies, post-weight loss body contouring, facial trauma management, medical brow lift and lower extremity reconstruction.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: “When I moved to Traverse City, I recognized a prevailing perception that patients needed to travel downstate to receive state-of-the-art plastic surgical care,” Burke said. “By remaining current with surgical advances, medical literature and emerging techniques, I am able to provide a high level of comprehensive plastic surgery locally. Examples of advanced procedures offered in my practice include deep plane facelift, preservation breast augmentation and direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.”

Outside of the OR: “Spending quality time with my wife and two sons, serving as an assistant hockey coach during the winter; and enjoying time on the lake during the summer,” Burke said. Burke’s coaching roles come as part of the Traverse City North Stars hockey program, where he leads both the eight-and-under team and the introductory program for five-year-olds.

The 30-Year Veteran: Roche J. Featherstone, MD, 61

Surgical specialty: General surgery

Education: Featherstone did his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, then traded East Lansing for Detroit for medical school at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at St. John Hospital in Detroit in 1996.

My journey here: After completing his residency, Featherstone returned to his hometown of Traverse City and started his career at Munson in 1996. He will celebrate three decades with the healthcare system this coming July – extending an even longer legacy of the Featherstone family working in the local healthcare field. “My family has been part of Munson for six decades,” he said. “I feel fortunate to have been able to return to my hometown and care for the people of my community for the last 30 years.”

Most critical surgical skill: While surgery involves plenty of technical skill, Featherstone points to a not-so-scientific attribute as the key foundation for his career: relationship-building. “I learned from my mother, who was a nurse at Munson in the ‘70s and ‘80s, to listen and relate to my patients and treat them as human beings,” he said.

How I’m pioneering in my role: Recent years have significantly expanded northern Michigan’s medical capabilities in everything from stroke care to lung cancer removal. As Featherstone tells the story, though, he was bringing new treatment options to the area long before those advancements. “I started laparoscopic hernia repairs here in 1996, and started Munson’s bariatric [weight loss] surgery program in 2003,” he said. Featherstone was also Munson Medical Center’s trauma director from 2005 to 2008, the period in which the hospital first achieved accreditation by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Trauma Center, and served as chief of surgery from 2017 to 2023.

Outside of the OR: When he’s not operating on people, you might find Dr. Featherstone operating on cars; the doctor is also an ardent collector of classic automobiles. In the near-future, Featherstone might not have nearly as much time to spend out in the garage. His first grandchild is due this month.

The Engineer: Emily Levin, MD, 47

Surgical specialty: Neurosurgery

Education: With the amount of schooling necessary to become a brain surgeon, it stands to reason that most neurosurgeons would have had their mind set on that career path from a young age. Not so with Dr. Levin, whose passion for learning how things work initially had her eyeing a career in engineering. Eventually, Levin landed on neurosurgery as the right path, and the rest was history. That path has taken this New Orleans native all over the country, from her undergraduate work at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, to her medical school years at the University of Pittsburgh, to her residency at the University of Michigan, and to her fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.

My journey here: A newcomer to northern Michigan, Levin only joined the Munson Medical Center staff last year. Previous to that, she’d spent 11 years working in Ann Arbor, both for the University of Michigan as an assistant professor of neurological surgery, and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System servicing veterans.

 Most critical surgical skill: Though she didn’t ultimately become an engineer, Levin still uses her engineering background when working with her patients, calling upon her lifelong “how things work” mindset to devise plans that optimize patient outcomes. Sometimes, she says, that means leaning on technology to improve results, whether through minimally invasive techniques or the use of state-of-the-art medical devices. Sometimes, it’s simply “knowing when surgery isn’t the right answer.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: Levin’s fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco focused in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery – innovative techniques that improve or restore function in patients with neurological movement disorders like Parkinson’s, dystonia, and epilepsy, often by using implantable devices. “I am excited to bring advanced functional neurosurgery to Traverse City, preserving quality of life for patients with neurologic diseases,” Levin said. “We are developing a program here to offer a surgery called deep-brain stimulation, which involves placing electrodes into the brain and connecting them to a pacemaker-like device. This surgery helps patients with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor to relieve shaking and improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.”

 Outside of the OR: “I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and strength training,” Levin told the TCBN.

The Brainiac: Gary B. Rajah Jr., MD, 40

Surgical specialty: Neurosurgery and neurovascular surgery

Education: After completing his undergraduate degree at Grand Valley State University, Rajah matriculated to the Wayne State Medical School, where he also completed his neurosurgery residency, in tandem with the Detroit Medical Center. He added a post-graduate fellowship in vascular neurology at the University of Buffalo and the Cannon/Toshiba Stroke Center in Buffalo, New York.

My journey here: It was a baptized-by-fire situation for Rajah, who came aboard at Munson Medical Center in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. His task? Leading Munson’s then-brand-new comprehensive stroke center. “The goal was to bring surgical management of stroke to northern Michigan for the first time ever,” he said. Previously, patients who suffered emergent large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes in northern Michigan had to be flown downstate for treatment. Rajah continues to serve as medical and surgical program director for Munson’s comprehensive stroke center.

Most critical surgical skill: When he moved to northern Michigan, Rajah brought with him a knack for performing minimally invasive, catheter-based mechanical thrombectomies for emergent LVO strokes – a procedure he describes as “the most beneficial emergent modern medical surgery a patient can have.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: Thanks in large part to Rajah, Munson is certified as a comprehensive stroke center – one of just 11 in the state of Michigan, and one of the busiest ones to boot. “Our team has also led groundbreaking work on stroke prevention, with numerous new staff members and clinics to provide preventative measures,” he said, with examples that include telestroke services and virtual appointments, cutting-edge therapeutics for stroke survivors, and access to medical trials for patients “when standard therapies fail.”

Outside of the OR: If you roll up to an endurance event in northern Michigan, you might just spot Rajah. An accomplished runner, cyclist, swimmer and skier, he’s competed multiple times in the Ironman 70.3 Michigan triathlon in Frankfort, finishing just outside the overall top 100 in both 2022 and 2023.

The Breast Cancer Bodyguard: Ashley Sachtleben, DO, 42

Surgical specialty: Breast surgery 

Education: Sachtleben earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University, advanced to medical school at the Michigan State University College of Medicine, and completed her residency at St. John Macomb Oakland Hospitals in the Detroit area.

Journey: A Traverse City native, Sachtleben says it was always in the plans for her to come back to her hometown, both to practice medicine and be near her family. She achieved that boomerang journey in 2013, after finishing her general surgery residency downstate.

Most critical surgical skill: According to the American Cancer Society, one in every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. Sachtleben is Munson’s secret weapon against those staggering numbers, and she relies on “precise technique with emphasis on oncologic safety and preserving cosmetic outcomes” when in the OR. Her success “requires a thorough understanding of anatomy and the ability to make calm, decisive choices when needed while maintaining patient safety,” she said.

How I’m pioneering in my role: “I am the director of Munson’s Breast Program Leadership Committee,” Sachtleben said, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. “As leader of this team, we have created a multidisciplinary patient center approach to care that integrates surgical excellence with coordinated oncology, radiation, imaging and survivorship care.”

Outside of the OR: When she’s off the clock, Sachtleben is a passionate outdoorswoman, with a penchant for hiking, swimming, skiing, paddleboarding and globetrotting.

The Leader: Corey Treadway, MD, 47

Job: Partner at Cass Street Ear, Nose and Throat Associates; Chair, Munson Medical Center Department of Surgery

Surgical specialty: Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat)

Education: Treadway did his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, then found his way to Michigan to spend both his medical school and residency years at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.

My journey here: After finishing his residency at Wayne State in 2009, Treadway says he and his family “developed interest in moving to northern Michigan due to family connections as well retirement plans for my parents.” Those draws were enough to prompt a move from metro Detroit to Traverse City that year, and Treadway has been practicing in the area ever since. He works alongside colleagues at the Cowell Family Cancer Center “to advance the level of care for patients affected by head and neck cancer” in northern Michigan. “Through an expansion of both surgical and nonsurgical treatment, I believe we have been able to successfully allow more patients to receive care here, closer to home, and avoid travel downstate,” he said.

Most critical surgical skill: Many types of doctors deal with only certain types of patients – just those in specific age demographics, for instance, or only those who are dealing with serious, life-threatening medical issues. For Treadway, the most important thing is being able to navigate a much broader spectrum of cases. “The field of otolaryngology provides access to a wide variety of patients,” he explained. “I have the pleasure of treating all age ranges, from newborns to elderly, both healthy and sick. Being able to provide both surgical and medical treatment to such a variety of patients is a truly rewarding part of my practice.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: For the past three years, Treadway has served as the chair of the surgery department at Munson Medical Center. He’s also a long-time board member at the Copper Ridge Surgery Center, where the surgeons are part owners alongside Munson Healthcare. “I firmly believe that active participation is key to shaping the future success of local medical care,” he said of those leadership positions. “As Munson continues to grow as a healthcare system, expansion of our surgical services is critical, and I hope to provide beneficial insight to guide that process.”

Outside of the OR: These days, Treadway is spending a lot of time in the stands at local school sporting events, rooting for his kids. His son, Kade, plays varsity hockey at Traverse City Central, and his daughter, Sloane, is an up-and-coming hockey player in her own right. Beyond playing the role of supportive dad, Treadway lists cooking and boating among his top hobbies.

The Hockey Star: Michael J. VanWagner, DO, 40

Surgical specialty: Adult hip and knee reconstruction

Education: A 2010 alumnus of Michigan Technological University, VanWagner advanced to the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. He stayed with MSU for his residency in orthopedic surgery at McLaren Health Care in Macomb, and then completed his fellowship in adult hip and knee reconstruction at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

My journey here: For some surgeons, the craft is a generational inheritance, and such is the case with VanWagner. “My late father, Jim VanWagner, was an orthopedic surgeon in Traverse City, and as a young child I would follow him through the halls of Munson Medical Center,” he said. “Performing my first joint replacement surgery at Munson was deeply meaningful, and represented years of hard work and a lifelong goal of returning home to serve this community.” VanWagner has been practicing in northern Michigan since finishing his fellowship in 2021, and joined the Munson Orthopedic Institute the following year. He’s now the medical director for orthopedics for the entire Munson system.

Most critical surgical skill: “Manual dexterity matters, but the most critical skill is maintaining control of the situation at all times, regardless of pressure,” VanWagner said. “That means situational awareness, clear communication, leadership, emotional regulation, and the ability to make quick decisions, sometimes without all the information.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: When VanWagner joined the Munson Orthopedic Institute in 2022, it was a fledgling group made up of just three surgeons. “With the support of incredible surgeon partners, nurses, clinical team members, and Munson Healthcare leadership,” VanWagner has helped grow the institute into a team of 12 surgeons, 17 advanced practice providers, 12 registered nurses and “an outstanding group of radiology techs, medical assistants, and support staff,” he said. VanWagner has also been key in bringing robotic-assisted total joint surgery to Munson Medical Center, Munson Grayling Hospital, and Copper Ridge Surgery Center, “with plans to expand further” in the near future.

Outside of the OR: Before he was a surgeon, VanWagner was an elite athlete. A standout hockey player in his youth, he donned the black and gold for Traverse City Central as a freshman before leaving TC – and his family and friends – to join Honeybaked Hockey, a AAA organization in Detroit. Later, he played for the Chicago Steel, a junior hockey team in the United States Hockey League. Pro sports seemed to beckoning – and to be fair, VanWagner had that talent in his blood: His dad, Jim, had been a top football player at Michigan Tech before advancing to the NFL. Injury issues ended his hockey career, but also reaffirmed his commitment to orthopedics. Nowadays, VanWagner keeps his recreation spirit alive by using northern Michigan as a “playground” for himself and his family. “We love road cycling, boating, hiking, downhill skiing and staying active outdoors,” he said.

Mr. Robot: Brandon M. Wojcik, MD, 41

Surgical specialty: Cardiothoracic surgery

Education: Not many people can claim to have been a Michigan Wolverine for longer than Wojcik. He did both his undergraduate schooling and his medical school years at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, finishing those programs in 2007 and 2012, respectively. Wojcik finished his training outside the Mitten, though – first in Boston for a general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, then in Denver for a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Colorado.

My journey here: Wojcik finished his fellowship in 2022, then returned to his home state of Michigan looking for the job “that allowed me to make the most impact.” That search led to Traverse City, and to his role with the Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Grand Traverse, based at Munson Medical Center. “Munson Healthcare serves an exceptionally large geographic area, and being able to provide care to this population is extremely rewarding,” he said. Wojcik felt that impact acutely last summer when he was part of the surgical response team that helped care for victims – and save lives – following the mass stabbing event at the Traverse City Walmart.

Most critical surgical skill: An underrated and under-discussed skill in the world of surgery, Wojcik says, is simple discretion. “Surgeons must know when to operate, and equally as important, when not to operate,” he said.

How I’m pioneering in my role: You may have read about Dr. Wojcik last July in our sister publication, the Traverse City Ticker. That month, Wojcik and a team of other Munson Medical Center surgeons used the hospital’s Ion Robotic Surgical Assistant to perform Munson’s first-ever “single-anesthetic event” for lung cancer treatment. The surgeons were able to perform a cancer biopsy and then surgically remove the cancerous tissue just a few hours later, all while the patient was asleep under a single sedation. The surgery represented a key milestone for Munson’s robotic navigational bronchoscopy program, given that single-anesthetic events can reduce mortality risk and are more convenient for all involved parties.

Wojcik is also an innovator on the cardiac side, advancing Munson’s “utilization of multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting, which is a technique associated with improved outcomes in carefully selected patients with coronary artery disease,” he said.

Outside of the OR: “Outside of work, I most enjoy experiencing the four seasons of northern Michigan with my wife and children,” Wojcik said. “My hobbies include snowboarding, jogging, cycling, pickleball, cooking, and reading.” Recently, he even joined a men’s book club to keep himself “accountable” to reading goals.

The Quality-Of-Life Saver: Diane B. Young, MD, 53

Surgical specialty: Urology, with an emphasis in female pelvic floor disorders.

Education: After getting her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, Young enrolled at Louisiana State University, Shreveport for medical school. From there, she took a fellowship at the University of Texas Health Services Center in San Antonio, focused on female urology and the treatment of urological conditions like neurogenic bladder (the term for nervous system conditions that affect the function of the bladder) and voiding dysfunction (a broader term for individuals who “can’t completely empty their bladder when they use the bathroom,” according to the Cleveland Clinic). Young has been a board-certified urologist for a decade.

My journey here: Though she’s neither a Michigan native nor an alumna of a Michigan-based school, Young made her way north after completing her fellowship and took her first full-time healthcare job a hospital system in Marquette. She moved to Traverse City six years ago “after needing a job change,” and put down roots as part of the Munson urology department.

Most critical surgical skill: According to the National Institute of Health, “between one quarter and one half of all women may experience pelvic floor issues, yet many accept it as a fact of life or feel embarrassed about seeking help.” Young’s skillset enables her to be an agent of change for these women and their quality of life, and she points to those abilities as her most important assets as a surgeon. “For female patients I would say being able to approach repair of pelvic organ prolapse through either a robotic or vaginal approach [is my greatest surgical skill],” Young said. “Sometimes, one approach is preferable for a specific patient, so it’s nice to be able to offer both. Occasionally you may start robotically and once inside the abdomen, the amount of scar tissue makes the procedure too risky; in this case, I’m able to switch gears and convert to a vaginal approach.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: Beyond her uniquely versatile skillset in women’s urology, Young is also actively working to make the local healthcare system better through dual roles on Munson’s surgical improvement committee and peer review committee.

Outside the OR: In the wintertime, Young loves to immerse herself in historical fiction books. In the summer, she and her husband “are avid sailors” and enjoy taking to the Great Lakes aboard their sailboat. “I’m the first mate,” she said of those excursions.

The Navy Man: Jack Zuckerman, MD, 42

Surgical specialty: Urology

Education: Zuckerman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, then went on to Eastern Virginia Medical School. He has an extensive resume of post-graduate training, including a urology residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, a Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS) fellowship in male and female pelvis reconstruction, and a general surgery internship at the Wake Forest University Medical School in North Carolina.

My journey here: Prior to joining the Munson staff five years ago, Zuckerman spent 12 years with the United States Navy, working as a urologist in San Diego, California and Virginia Beach, Virginia, plus “a short tour through Asia.” He was drawn to Traverse City not just for the hospital system, but also “to enjoy the beauty of northern Michigan and raise a family in this great community.”

Most critical surgical skill: For Zuckerman, the most pivotal attribute for a surgeon to have isn’t some fancy technical ability, but simple attention to detail. “This starts prior to scheduling surgery and continues well beyond the completion of the surgical procedure,” he said. “It inspires a culture of excellence and helps the team to perform at the same high standard that you hold for yourself.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: “I am currently leading the Munson system as the chair of the medical executive committee, and later this year will be transitioning to the chief of the medical staff,” Zuckerman said. “These roles allow me to give a voice to the medical staff on hospital policy and strategic development.”

Outside of the OR: Zuckerman is trying not to forget or take for granted what most drew him to northern Michigan in the first place. “I love doing anything outdoors when I am not in the hospital,” he said. “In the summer, that includes waterskiing, biking, and hiking. In the winter, I love skiing with my family and doing anything and everything in the snow.”