John Baccus, MD

While taking part in biomedical engineering research during high school at the local university, Drew M. Donnell, MD, initially elected to study business and sports administration. He then transitioned to studying applied mathematics in the context of health care. Ultimately, he decided there wasn’t enough interpersonal contact with patients. “I did not choose medicine until I firsthand experienced transformations in quality of life from various high-intensity surgeries during graduate school, prior to matriculating into medicine,” he says. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science at University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. This was followed by a Master of Science degree in Biostatistics from University of Pittsburgh. It was here that he also graduated from the university’s School of Medicine as an MD. He completed a General Surgery Internship and Anesthesiology Residency at Ohio State University, and a Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship at Northwestern University. Dr. Donnell is the first medical doctor in his family, although his mother is a clinical psychologist. He chose the field of anesthesiology because of its complexity and frequent utilization of advanced technology. “I’ve administered anesthesia for everything from liver transplants to simple ankle reductions, but ultimately it all comes down to protecting the patient and their physiology.” In addition, he practices interventional pain management, to improve the quality of life for individuals affected long term by serious discomfort. “Pain management is a natural extension of anesthesiology that offers more face time with patients and an array of rapidly evolving interventions,” he says. Dr. Donnell delivers care to help patients be more comfortable and he works to enable them to be able to do more of the activities that give their lives meaning. Through the years his patients have taught him that complex problems often have simple solutions, but the opposite also holds true, he says. “Medicine is one of the toughest jobs around, but is unmatched in its ability to affect others,” he says. In his own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My mother, without hesitation – single, working mother raising four children. She will forever be my role model and exemplifies pinnacle unselfishness. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I began working in janitorial services at a local hockey rink in the summers. Occasionally they would let me run the concession stand and it was a blast. What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite food – sushi, enchiladas, various Thai dishes Movie/ TV show – Man on Fire, Peaky Blinders If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My maternal grandfather. He was blue collar factory worker who worked hard and loved his family harder. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Unpopular opinion in South Bend, but I am an unwavering fan of University of Michigan athletics. What are your hobbies, interests? Hobbies include reading about historical origins of spirits and medicine. What is something most people don’t know about you? While in graduate school before entering medicine, I helped develop and improve the national algorithms responsible for the allocation of liver transplants to both adults and children. I am also board certified in public health.

The team at Beacon Medical Group Gastroenterology Elkhart looks forward to providing you with the highest quality gastroenterological care and endoscopic services utilizing state-of-the-art technologies. We offer innovative, comprehensive and compassionate care to each and every one of our patients.

About Dr. Rapciak Dr. Maria Rapciak’s philosophy of care is based on making her patients feel heard. “I take great pride in providing patient-centered care as I work with my patients to decide on a treatment plan tailored to their needs and goals.” Dr. Rapciak said, “Patient empowerment, compassion, and education are crucial to a trusting healthcare partnership and successful treatment plan.” Dr. Rapciak decided on a career in medicine during her senior year of high school, while working as a nursing aide in an assisted living facility. Today, she is an experienced general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery and treats general surgical conditions including gallbladder problems, breast cancer, hernias, and disorders of the intestines, including colon cancer. “I am passionate about general surgery as it allows me to provide definitive treatment and surgical care while integrating the latest medical advancements and technology so my patients may quickly return to doing what they love most.” Dr. Rapciak is specially trained on the Da Vinci® robotic surgical system for hernia repairs and colorectal surgery. She is also passionate about women’s health and enjoys collaborating with a team of multidisciplinary health care professionals to fight breast cancer. As a breast surgeon she has experience working at centers that earned the designation of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Dr. Rapciak uses the latest technology for breast tumor localization, lymph node mapping, and has experience with intraoperative radiation therapy. Dr. Rapciak earned her medical degree from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed general surgery residency at Franciscan Alliance St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois. She is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. She is an active member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Polish-American Medical Society. Prior to joining Beacon Health, Dr. Rapciak practiced in Illinois and Michigan, with a focus on minimally invasive general surgery as well as breast surgery. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My mother who taught me great work ethic, perseverance and compassion. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I worked at a gardening center where I learned a lot about plants and to this day enjoy gardening. What is your favorite food? Movie? What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Ice cream and chocolate are in a tie. My favorite movie is Parasite. I loved math in school and struggled with Physics. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a champion for women’s rights and worker rights. She moved mountains and inspired so many people to do better. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests? I love listening to music, attending concerts with my husband. I enjoy gardening, reading and spending time with my family. What is something most people don’t know about you? I love traveling and medical missions. Some of my fondest memories come from my trips to Tanzania and Ecuador.