Compassionate Care Backed by Unparalleled Expertise

Because diseases of the pancreas, liver, bile duct and gallbladder are serious diseases, they require urgent attention. Throughout our center, you will meet almost immediately with our specialists – a cancer or oncology surgeon, a medical oncologist and a physician specialist in endoscopic medicine.

Rather than schedule appointments at different times and in different locations, we strive to schedule your visit so you can see everyone at once. One call will guarantee an expedited appointment, usually within a few days.

This multi-specialty team then meets weekly to discuss your diagnosis, your treatment and your progress.

“Each of us does things which are unique or cutting-edge,”
observes Dr. Martin Freeman, “but, by consulting as a group,
we come up with solutions that are bigger than the sum of the parts.
That’s exciting for our patients and for us.”

In addition to unparalleled expertise and timely diagnoses, the Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center (MPLC) offers you much more.

• Data show that good patient outcomes are achieved in high-volume centers of excellence, such as the MPLC.
• We treat more pancreatic disorders than any other program in the region.
• MPLC is part of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center which is one of only 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the U. S. designated by the National Cancer Institute.
• All of our surgeons received specialized fellowship training in oncology and surgery.
• Because we work as a team, our physicians and staff carefully explore every option, looking at your case from every angle, before agreeing on what’s best for you.
• Our endoscopy facilities are the best in the country, featuring state-of-the-art equipment.
• Our endoscopy specialists have trained other physicians throughout the country in complex endoscopy.
• Complex endoscopy tests such as ERCP and EUS (tests in which a lighted tube is placed through the mouth and into the stomach) are performed under anesthesia allowing us to be safe and efficient.
• We offer you the opportunity to take part in clinical research trials and some basic research trials -  the only facility in the area doing both.
• We stay with you, from initial diagnosis and treatment right through any follow-up care you may require.

No patient’s case is too simple or complex. We have taken patients who have been told there’s no diagnosis, and we find one. Some have been told there’s no treatment, and we discover a way.