Our dedicated surgeons, physicians and treatment staff
Dr. Susanne Fix received her Doctorate of Medicine from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. She completed her residency with the University of Louisville affiliated hospitals and her fellowship with the Leatherman Spine Institute.
Dr. Fix is board-certified with the American Board of Neurologic Surgeons and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, The Congress of Neurological Surgeons, SOLAS- the Society of Lateral Access Surgery, and the Alaska State Medical Association.
Dr. Fix is the Surgery Chair and Neurosurgery Sub-Section Chair at Providence Alaska Medical Center, and affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital, Alaska Surgery Center, Geneva Woods Surgery Center, Alaska CyberKnife Center, and Alaska Gamma Knife Center and St. Elias Rehab Hospital. She is also a mentor with the Gifted Mentorship program through the Alaska School District.
Dr. Perrin received his Doctorate of Medicine from the Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He completed his residency at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Perrin completed two fellowships in Neuro-Oncology and Complex Spine from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He also has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Perrin has served as the Chief of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Perrin is board-certified with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He is also a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Perrin is credentialed at Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center. Richard Perrin, M.D., FAANS, FACS, FRCSC, MBA
Dr. Waller received his Doctorate of Medicine from Georgetown University, School of Medicine. He completed his residency also at University of Colorado. Dr. Waller completed his fellowship in NeuroCritical Care from the University of Colorado.
Dr. Waller is board-certified with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Waller is credentialed at Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Dr. Scot Hines received his Doctorate of Medicine from Marshall University School of Medicine. He completed his residency with the Indiana University School of Medicine. His fellowship focused on epilepsy and neurophysiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Hines is board-certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with added qualifications in clinical neurophysiology; and the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Alaska State Medical Association, and is affiliated with the Alaska Native Medical Center.
Dr Aaron Tauer received his Doctorate of Medicine from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas Texas. He completed his residency in Neurology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Before coming to Coastal Neurology, he served 4 years in the Air Force as a staff neurologist at the JBER Hospital’s Neurology Clinic. Dr. Tauer’s academic interests include headaches, traumatic brain injury, and persistent post-concussion syndrome.
Mr. Poggi is a certified physician assistant. Prior to joining Coastal Neurology and Neurosurgery, Stephen worked as a PA at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center where he was responsible for providing coverage in a primary care environment. Stephen also has worked with a local orthopedic group.
He has over 24 years of medical experience as a paramedic and EMS Battalion Chief with Anchorage Fire Department. He has extensive experience managing major medical incidents including cardiac arrests, multi-vehicle incidents, and major traumas.
Mr. Poggi is highly skilled at communicating effectively with patients and families experiencing medical or traumatic events in highly stressful situations, and working with other providers to manage complex medical issues.
Mr. Poggi is a longtime Alaska resident and enjoys fly fishing, skiing, rafting, camping and hiking with his family. In 2015, Mr. Poggi earned his PA-C from the University of Washington MEDEX Northwest program.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Health Services (2015)
University of Washington MEDEX Northwest, Seattle, Washington
Advanced Paramedic Training Program (1986)
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting (1982)
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Licensures/Certifications
Licensed Physician Assistant
Licensed Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic
AHA ACLS Provider
Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support
Health Care Provider (CPR)
Memberships
Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants
Aaron Thrasher received his Master of Health in Physician Assistant Studies from South College in Knoxville Tennessee in 2014. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Montana State University in 2007 where he graduated with honors. He has been employed as a neurosurgical PA since completion of his training in 2014. He is a board-certified physician assistant and is a member of the NCCPA. He has privileges at Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Susan Hartmann is a Certified Physician Assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Boston College in 2011 and graduated from the Idaho State University Physician Assistant program in 2022. Susan is credentialed at Alaska Regional and Providence Hospitals. Originally from Massachusetts, she lived in Montana, Idaho and Arizona prior to moving to Alaska in 2018. An avid skier, biker, and mountain runner, Susan can often be found adventuring in the mountains around Anchorage.
Kris received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY in 2020, graduating with honors. She began her career as a certified Physician Assistant at the Level 1 trauma center at University of New Mexico caring for neurosurgery patients overnight. This provided her extensive experience in caring for neurotrauma patients as well as tumor, stroke, and other neurosurgical diagnoses. She is well-versed in communication with patients, families, and other medical team members in crisis situations.
She has a passion for all things neurosurgery and loves providing patient education and collaborating with all members of the medical care team to provide exceptional care.
She is an active member of the American Association of Physician Assistants, Alaska Association of Physician Assistants, Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants, Neurocritical Care Society, and American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants.
Originally from Denver, CO, the outdoors is her happy place. In her free time, she enjoys whitewater rafting as well as hiking and exploring with her 3 dogs, Tyson, Edison, and Willis.
