ST JOSEPH'S - Key Persons

Dr. Sobba-Higley grew up in Puyallup, Washington. She attended the Western Washington University, graduating with a BS in Biochemistry. Her pursuit of medicine then took her to Creighton University Medical School, where she graduated cum laude and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She then completed an Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery residency with University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is an otolaryngology head and neck surgery specialist, with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Sobba-Higley joined St. Joseph's Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy in 2024 to serve the community in the Coeur d'Alene-Post Falls area and be close to family. Apart from medicine, she enjoys being in the great outdoors, skiing, running, cycling and hiking with her two dogs, as well as spending time with her husband and three adult children.

Dr. Gilbert grew up in La Grande and Salem, Oregon. He attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, graduating magna cum laude with honors in History and a minor in Spanish. His undergraduate medical training was taken at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. He graduated cum laude and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He then completed one year of General Surgery training at the University of Utah, followed by four years of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery specialty training, also at the University of Utah. Dr. Gilbert is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Gilbert joined St. Joseph's Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in 2004. He regularly attends continuing education courses, and is committed to providing you with complete compassionate, state-of-the-art treatment for ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders. Away from the office, he enjoys any form of outdoor activity, particularly skiing, running, backpacking, mountaineering, and spending time with his wife and four children.

Dr. Gardner was raised in Hayden, Idaho. After graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School, he attended Montana State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, graduating with Highest Honors. He was then accepted to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Science, where he received his medical degree in 2015. Residency training in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery was then completed at University of Texas Health - San Antonio in 2020. After completing his training, Dr. Gardner returned to North Idaho to serve his community through his work at St. Joseph's Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, as well as at Kootenai Health where he is an active medical staff member. When he's not at work, Dr. Gardner loves spending time with his family and enjoys hiking, biking and fishing.