SIMPLICITY HEALTH - Key Persons
Amanda is our Referral Coordinator. Her educational and work experience includes being a prior Dental Assistant, Nursing Assistant and Medical Billing specialist. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her children, cooking, and traveling. ×
Barry joins the Simplicity Health team as a Physician Assistant licensed in Minnesota, and has practiced Family Medicine since graduating in 1975. Barry was previously employed at Health Partners in Central Minnesota until 2020. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Barry was a Medical Technologist and Nuclear Medical Technologist at the Saint Cloud Hospital. In addition to Family Medicine, Barry's special interests include surgery and office procedures. Barry says, "The practice of medicine has been a privilege for most of my adult life and I look forward to meeting new patients at Simplicity Health".
Outside of the clinic, Barry is married to his wife Linda and they have 2 children. Barry enjoys cooking, running and reading with his dog on his lap.
Brad Rutten joins the Simplicity Health team with over 32 years of experience as a Physician Assistant. Brad attended NDSU for his undergraduate in Athletic Training and Corporate Fitness. He attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for his Physician Assistant schooling. Brad enjoys full spectrum family medicine with special interests in sports medicine, chronic disease management and in-office surgical procedures. Brad enjoys working in a team based approach and strives for patient improvement in a collaborative setting. Brad strongly believes in being committed to his patients health care and appreciates the opportunity to be a part of his patients journey. Outside of the clinic, Brad's hobbies include golf, water sports, downhill skiing, and hiking.
Dr. Julie Johnson joins Simplicity Health with over 25 years of experience providing cradle to grave care. Through thousands of conversations with patients, she has learned that sometimes just listening can be the best medicine and the path to healing. Julie is passionate about the transformation of health care and seeing it change to meet the needs of the patient as well as the caregivers.
Dr. Johnson spends her time outside of work being a "horse mom" to her two daughters that ride and train in dressage, scuba diving, reading, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.
Dr. Peterson joins Simplicity Health with over 20 years of clinical experience. Originally from Minneapolis, Jane attended the University of MN Medical School and completed her Family Medicine residency at North Memorial Hospital. She sees patients of all ages, but has a special interest in women's health, dermatology, mental illness and office based procedures. Everyone has a unique story, and it is important for Dr. Peterson to listen to these stories in order to formulate a care plan that meets individual needs.
Outside of the clinic, Jane and her husband, Ted, have raised three children in the St. Cloud area and are well connected to the community. Jane leads a very active lifestyle that includes running, swimming and participating in triathlons. She also enjoys reading to help her rest and recover between events and work.
Originally from Berthoud, Colorado, Julie graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Environmental Chemistry and then attended the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed her training at the U of MN Rural Family Medicine Residency Program in Mankato. Since completing her training, Julie has been an active member in the American Academy of Family Physicians, holding many appointments, and recently serving as the MN Chapter President. Nationally, she serves as a MN Delegate to the AAFP and is a member of the Commission on Governmental Advocacy. She also serves as Vice President of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. Closer to home, Dr. Anderson has been involved with Project Brainsafe, a community based initiative to improve awareness and management of concussions. Most recently, she has been working with her local city council to raise the purchase age of tobacco to 21. Dr. Anderson was recognized by the city of Saint Cloud in 2013 with the 5 Under 40 Award and has been acknowledged as the "Best of Central Minnesota Family Physician" this year!
Dr. Anderson regularly trains medical students and speaks to family medicine residents across the state on advocacy. She also enjoys lecturing to local high schools and staff about concussion prevention and media impact on health. She regularly contributes to her local paper on health related topics and speaks at community events on a wide range of health issues. In addition to caring for the health needs of patients of all ages, she has specialized training in dermatologic procedures and concussions. She started Simplicity Health in order to provide efficient, price transparent, and high quality primary care services to her patients.
When Julie is not seeing patients, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her two sons and dog Daisy.
Dr. Zwiener joins the Simplicity team with nearly 30 years of experience and
Kacey is 24 years old and grew up in St. Cloud. She currently lives in Foley, MN with her husband, 2 cats, and a dog. When Kacey is not working, she loves to bake and craft. She also loves to travel, watch movies, and spend time with her family. ×
Dr. Bradford was born in Bossier City, Louisiana, and graduated from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and concentration in Psychology and English. She then attended Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and completed her training at the University of Minnesota - St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. Following her three years of training in Saint Cloud, Dr. Bradford joined St Cloud Medical Group, where she has practiced full spectrum Family Medicine with Obstetrics for the last eleven years.
Dr. Bradford strives to offer patient centered care. She enjoys caring for the health needs of patients of all ages, and has had extensive experience in her practice with dermatologic procedures, joint injections, prenatal and newborn care, gynecology, and psychiatric/mental health care. Throughout the pandemic, she noted a rise in the need for psychiatric care in adolescents and those patients of childbearing age, particularly surrounding pregnancy, and decided to fill this dearth of available care. She is currently completing her 24th year of education through a yearlong fellowship at University of California Irvine, TNT Psychiatry for Primary Care. She is passionately working to destigmatize mental health concerns and provide up to date psychiatric care to the St. Cloud community. Dr. Bradford is also an active member of the North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology (NASPOG).
Outside of the office, Dr. Bradford enjoys traveling, cooking, boating and really enjoys all activities involving the lake or ocean, and spending time with her sons, Ollie and Charlie, and spending time with her friends and family.
Kristen received her graduate degree for Nurse Practitioner from the University of South Alabama. She has spent most of her career in labor and delivery. Kristen strives to provide patient care that is centered around individuality. She believes in building relationships with her patients that are collaborative and supportive of their healthcare goals, to allow them to live their happiest and healthiest lives. Kristen's special clinical interests include women's health, pediatrics and family medicine. Kristen says, "The best part about my work is learning about people and their stories and building relationships with my patients. I come from a family of healthcare providers and saw the impact that they were able to provide. Caring for people and families allows me to use my passion to create positive change and build relationships in the community that support health and happiness" Outside of the clinic, Kristen enjoys hiking, traveling, baking, board games, and 90's music! ×
Laurie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Saint Benedict. She brings over 25 years of management experience to our clinic. She is a strong advocate of our patient-centered values and is committed to making sure we deliver the best care and experience to our patients.
When she is not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law (and their pup and hedgehog)! Laurie likes to spend time outdoors, reading, watching sporting events, and biking. A year is not complete without at least one trip to the North Shore in MN-it is her happy place!
Dr. Dorle joins Simplicity Health as a General Surgeon. Dr. Dorle has been practicing in St Cloud since 1999 and has found that as his career has progressed, he has found passion in general surgery. Some of the areas he specializes in are hernias, gallbladders, endoscopy, breast cancer and colon cancer. Dr. Dorle strives for his patients to have the least amount of pain and suffering as possible as well as an uncomplicated and quick recovery. Dr. Dorle is very active and passionate about mission work. He currently travels annually to Honduras and is involved in a new non-profit in Eastern Kenya.
Aside from caring for his patients, Mike has been married for 31 years and has 5 kids. He loves being outdoors going hunting, fishing, camping and downhill skiing.
Ms. Carol Brinkman, FNP-BC joins Simplicity Health as a passionate 18 1/2 year veteran Nurse Practitioner. Her diverse nursing background includes experience in direct patient care, health education, assessment, counseling, and program development.
Ms. Brinkman Masters in education from St Mary's Winona, Masters in Nursing from College of St Scholastica and BSN from College of St Catherine. She also has certifications from the American Nurse's Credentialing Center (2003), Institute of Functional Medicine Certified (2007), and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (2011.) She has been a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2003, and also maintains memberships in the American Nurse's Association, National Holistic Nurses Association and the Minnesota Nurse's Association. She is certified as Family Practice Nurse Practitioner.
In 2016, Ms Brinkman started the first privately owned nurse practitioner owned clinic in Minnesota. Her history includes experience in both public and private settings. She has spent a combined total of 39 years as a Public Health Nurse and then as a Licensed School Nurse. She remains passionate about education.
Carol continues to set and achieve new goals as a Family Nurse Practitioner. They currently include; Becoming the go-to provider for women in Minnesota for a natural approach to health and wellness; Providing both men and women the opportunity to discuss important and sensitive health issues in an atmosphere that is respectful and knowledgeable; Providing a clinic setting that understands both men's and women's health issues especially as it relates to hormonal balance, providing a variety of complimentary and alternative medicine opportunities to patients seeking ultimate health and wellness, and providing primary care to individuals throughout their lifespan including both children and the elderly.
Ms. Brinkman is very excited about joining Simplicity Health's seasoned group of doctors and practitioners to give Central Minnesota a choice in their healthcare.
RN. Jill attained her Master's in Nursing from St Scholastica Duluth. Jill is