Robert A. Swendiman

David E. Skarda, M.D., M.B.A., is a leader in pediatric surgical care, dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for your child (baby, toddler, school-age, or teen). His unique qualifications include specialized training in minimally invasive surgical techniques and being the sole DaVinci robot-certified and credentialed pediatric surgeon in the Intermountain West. Dr. Skarda specializes in the following elective conditions through the clinic: Inguinal hernia Umbilical hernia Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) G Tube (both placement and removal of a stomach tube) Reflux (Nissan fundoplication and redo fundoplications for recurrent reflux, robotic) Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS, robotic) Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA, robotic) Gastroparesis Paraesophageal hernia (robotic) Hiatal Hernia (robotic) Vascular access Chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum) Pneumothorax Urachal and omphalomesenteric remnants Dr. Skarda specializes in the following emergent and urgent: Appendectomy (removal of the appendix) Intestinal obstructions Intestinal atresias Esophageal atresia Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Volvulus Malrotation As a board-certified pediatric surgeon in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Primary Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Skarda is committed to providing leading-edge compassionate surgical care promptly. He places a strong emphasis on patient education, ensuring that you fully understand the procedures, options, risks, and benefits. He is available for new patient consultations at his clinics at Primary Children’s Hospitals (Salt Lake City and Lehi, Utah) and St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana. Dr. Skarda has specific clinical experience and expertise in surgically managing chronic nausea and abdominal pain syndromes in children and teenagers, including median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA), gastroparesis, biliary dyskinesia (pain from a gallbladder that does not work well), and symptomatic cholelithiasis (pain from gallstones). Notably, Dr. Skarda works as part of an organized multidisciplinary team to correctly diagnose and treat these conditions. He is happy to see patients via telemedicine technology (such as Zoom) for most conditions. An in-person visit may be necessary for some conditions where direct examination is critical. Our clinic nurses can help you know if a face-to-face visit is needed or helpful. He speaks Spanish. He will talk to you and/or your child’s doctor. In his free time, Dr. Skarda likes spending time with his wife Paula, their adult children, and their grandchild at home, traveling and outdoors. Additionally, Dr. Skarda is a pilot and enjoys learning new skills.

Brian T. Bucher, MD, MS is a board-certified Pediatric Surgeon in the Division of Pediatric General Surgery with specialized training for surgical treatment for infants, children, and teenagers. He is also an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University Of Utah School Of Medicine. Dr. Bucher specializes in the following conditions: inguinal hernia umbilical hernia undescended testicle hydrocele cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) gastrostomy (placement of a stomach tube) appendectomy (removal of the appendix) vascular access (ports and central lines) ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease gastroesophageal reflux disease chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum) pediatric endocrine surgery (thyroid and adrenal tumors/pancreas surgery) He will be happy to speak with you and/or your child’s physician for any questions or concerns.

Katie W. Russell, MD is a pediatric surgeon with strong interests in pediatric trauma, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), chest wall deformity, fetal consultation, minimally invasive surgery, and global surgery. Dr. Russell’s clinical interests include pediatric surgical problems such as: pectus excavatum inguinal hernias hydroceles appendicitis vascular access feeding access gallbladder disease childhood cancers She has a particular interest in treating neonatal and pediatric conditions using minimally invasive techniques. She is leading a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the treatment of children with pulmonary hypoplasia related to congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital lung lesions, and giant omphalocele. Dr. Russell is a leader at Primary Children’s Hospital serving as both the Trauma Medical Director, and the Surgical Director of the ECMO program. She is leading telehealth initiatives to lower cost for families related to travel in both the outpatient and inpatient setting. She is involved in a multi-institutional research collaborative, The Western Pediatric Research Consortium, to push the forefront of rigorous research in pediatric surgical conditions. Dr. Russell has also been active in the field of global surgery. In 2017 she spent two months in the South Sudan with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). She has completed multiple surgical missions in Haiti, Guatemala and Tanzania. She was also on a surgical team that responded in Nepal after the 2015 Earthquake. She intends to continue her efforts in global surgery throughout her career. Dr. Russell earned a B.A. degree in visual art at Brown University and earned her M.D. at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California where she was elected AOA. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Utah including a 1-year research fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Scaife. During her research fellowship they completed a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect on patient decision making on cost containment in pediatric appendectomy. She also participated in wilderness medicine research and has continued to teach for the Alaska Mountaineering School and the National Park Service. During her residency she received the Chassin Award for the professionalism in surgery. Dr. Russell completed her fellowship in pediatric surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In her free time, Dr. Russell likes spending time with her husband Dave and their daughter Wild. They love the mountains and skiing and snowboarding.