OUR PHYSICIANS & PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Our practice philosophy is to offer:
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The region’s highest level of care with empathy, dignity and compassion.
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A partnership between the patient, referring physician and surgeon in order to provide individualized and informed care.
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The least invasive method of appropriate treatment to promote faster recovery.
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A comprehensive team of specialists including the Physician, Advanced Practice Nurses, Registered Nurses and Registered Vascular Sonographers.
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Regional access - Our physicians are on staff at multiple hospitals throughout the region and offer office appointments at convenient locations.
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Commitment to promoting health and wellness in the community.

DR. ROBERT CARTER
Robert R. Carter, MD, FSVS, FACS, RPVI earned his medical degree at the University of California at Davis Medical School. He then moved to Kansas City to complete his residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in general surgery. After subsequently completing a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the University of Kentucky, he and his family returned to Kansas City to join the Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute (formerly Kansas City Vascular) team in 2011.
He is board certified in both general and vascular surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). His extensive training provides him with the skill set needed to treat even the most advanced vascular problems. He specializes in both open and endovascular techniques and has additional specialty training in wound care and varicose veins.
Dr. Carter strives to be a leader in the local and nation medical communities. He has numerous publications in distinguished journals such as Current Problems in Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and The European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. He co-authored a chapter in the most recent 5th edition of the book Current Therapy in Vascular Surgery. As an associate professor at Kansas City University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Dr. Carter enjoys working with residents and passing on his medical knowledge to future generations of surgeons.
Dr. Carter is married and has two children. While at home, he enjoys spending time with his family and experiencing all the activities that the Kansas City area has to offer.

DR. MICHAEL DEIPARINE
While he is a native of Wisconsin, Michael K. Deiparine, MD, FSVS, FACS has made the Kansas City metro area his home for the past 20 years. He is Board Certified in both Vascular Surgery and General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He is also recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Deiparine graduated from the University of Wisconsin with distinction earning a degree in molecular biology in 1985 and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1989. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency. He did his Vascular Surgical Residency in California at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Dr. Deiparine served from 1989 to 2005 in the United States Navy Reserve Medical Corps achieving the rank of Commander.
In addition to his busy vascular surgery practice, Dr. Deiparine has an affinity for ongoing medical education and serves as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Kansas City University and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. His professional affiliations include the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery, Midwest Vascular Surgical Society, the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Deiparine has a wide variety of personal interests including spending time with family, travel, golf, woodworking and cheering on the Packers and Badgers sports teams. He and his wife, Kimberly, have four children.

DR. PETER LAU
Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute welcomes Peter J. Lau, MD, RPVI as the newest member of its surgical team. Dr. Lau is a Kansas native and is pleased to be returning to Kansas City-ready for the opportunity to serve its community.
Dr. Lau completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota, and a general surgery residency at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine -Tulsa. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Midwestern Vascular Surgery Society. He holds many certifications including robotic, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. Dr. Lau is a published author and has presented at numerous academic society conferences. Throughout his training, he has served on multiple hospital and training program committees.
Dr. Lau is a very compassionate vascular surgeon with a broad surgical education in complex procedures. He has trained under many influential surgeons in the vascular community and has a special interest in the areas of aortic dissection, open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, and vascular access for hemodialysis. When caring for patients, Dr. Lau truly believes in treating patients as if they were his own family members.
Away from patient care, Dr. Lau enjoys spending time with family and friends, food and cooking, hunting, fishing, camping, and automotive mechanics.

DR. KARL STARK
Karl R. Stark, MD, FSVS, FACS is a broadly recognized vascular surgeon whose leadership in open and endovascular surgical techniques, as well as treatment of chronic wounds, has spanned three decades. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery with additional certification in vascular surgery.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Dr. Stark is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at Truman Medical Center and a fellowship in vascular surgery at Middlesex General University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
An innovative leader, Dr. Stark was the instigator of the Wound Healing Center at North Kansas City Hospital and has served as Director of Wound Care since the Center’s inception. He also serves as the Chief of Wound Care at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. Dr. Stark has been involved in the development of advanced techniques for critical limb ischemia and is routinely sought out as an expert in severe arterial disease and wound treatment. He is respected nationally for his extensive research experience. He has been involved in multiple autologous stem cell and gene therapy treatment studies, and is also the principal investigator for Life Cells, a study of the use of autologous stem cells for non-reconstructable peripheral arterial disease.
Dr. Stark is frequently invited to deliver presentations for medical colleagues. His tenures as president of the Kansas City Surgical Society, Chief of Vascular Surgery at the Truman Medical Center School of Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and memberships on multiple committees of North Kansas City Hospital and the Society for Vascular Surgery all attest to his commitment to collaborative academic development. Dr. Stark has a special gift of connecting with residents and medical students, as well as providing outstanding clinical guidance. His dedication to passing on his knowledge and skill was recognized when he was awarded the Ralph Ringo Coffey Award for Clinical Excellence which is presented annually to just one faculty member at Truman Medical Center.
Dr. Stark's roots are in rural Missouri. His patients know him as a man who is grounded in respect for them and for commitment to providing his patients with the best possible medical service. Dr. Stark, his wife, family and dogs enjoy time together on their farm. His orchard is another source of enjoyment as is being outdoors.

DR. AUSTIN WAGNER
Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute was delighted when Austin J. Wagner, DO, FSVS, RPVI, joined its team in 2015. Following his residency and fellowship, he was pleased to return to his hometown to work with surgeons who inspire him in his chosen profession of vascular surgery.
Dr. Wagner completed his vascular surgery fellowship at the highly respected Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. His general surgery residency was at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, and he finished his internship at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Wagner earned his medical degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2008 after graduating magna cum laude with a degree in biochemistry at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.
As Medical Director of MAVI’s Vascular Lab, Dr. Wagner led the journey to achievement of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Kansas City University and Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.
A member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and Society for Vascular Surgery, Dr. Wagner is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. He has delivered presentations to his colleagues at annual meetings and has gained the respect of referring physicians. Dr. Wagner is a Kansas City metro native who possesses the clinical and communication skills that patients need, along with the bedside manner that quickly builds trust.
At home, Dr. Wagner enjoys time with his wife and three children, and when he can get away for some leisurely activity, he enjoys golf, lacrosse and camping.

DR. JONATHAN WILSON
Jonathan E. Wilson, DO, FACOS, FSVS, RPVI returned to the Kansas City area as a member of the vascular surgery team at Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute. Having grown up in Independence, on the acreage of the Fort Osage Christmas Tree Farm, and graduated from Fort Osage High School, Dr. Wilson developed an early affinity for the people and places of the Midwest.
His early scholarship was evident as he graduated summa cum laude with multiple honors from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, focusing on biochemistry with an emphasis in molecular genetics. His graduate studies led him to the University of North Texas, Columbia Hospital and Palms West Hospital in Florida, and finally to the University of Missouri where he completed his general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship.
Dr. Wilson’s professional leadership has continued as Chief of Vascular Surgery at Truman Medical Center. He has co-authored several publications and has been an invited guest lecturer at conferences in Canada, India and Egypt. He is an associate professor at the Kansas City University, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Department of Surgery, a Fellow Member of the Society of Vascular Surgery, member of The American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
As a board-certified vascular surgeon, he specializes in all aspects of vascular surgery, including thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, carotid stenting, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and wound healing, with a special interest in dialysis access.
During his time away from the office and hospitals, Dr. Wilson enjoys spending time at home with his wife. He is an avid fisherman and devotes time to medical missions, including a mission endeavor in Guatemala, where he had time to employ his Spanish speaking skills. Dr. Wilson is a personable, skilled and respected member of the MAVI team.