About Us
MEET Brian Heeringa, M.D., Board Certified Surgeon
Brian Heeringa, M.D., is a vein doctor that serves Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in Cadillac, MI, and Traverse City, MI. He is a Board Certified General Surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. He graduated valedictorian from Ross University School of Medicine in 1999 and completed his General Surgery Residency at the MSU/Synergy Medical Education Alliance Campus in Saginaw, Michigan in 2005. During his residency, Dr. Heeringa received awards for Outstanding Junior Resident and teaching, and served as Chief Resident during his last year there. After, Dr. Heeringa practiced general surgery in Cadillac, Michigan where he was the first physician in the area to offer minimally invasive venous care.
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Since 2008, he’s witnessed a growing number of venous disorders, and in 2016 he decided to dedicate 100% of his care to treating venous and lymphatic disorders. He started a practice with two locations: Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in Cadillac, MI and Traverse City, MI. He is a member of both the American Venous Forum and of the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. Dr. Heeringa lives in Traverse City with his two sons, Jacob and George. In his free time, he enjoys endurance sports such as ultra running and competing in triathlons, and can be found exercising outdoors year around.
Vein doctor Brian Heeringa proudly serves patients at Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in Traverse City, Cadillac, Manistee, Big Rapids, Houghton Lake, Grayling, Sault Ste. Marie MI, and surrounding areas. Call (231) 936-2068 or click here to complete an online Contact Form and make an appointment with Dr. Heeringa for relief from vein problems today.
Why Dr. Heeringa Is North Michigan’s Choice for Vein Care
Dr. Heeringa is passionate about vein care. Traditional medical education devoted very limited time and energy to the venous system outside of DVT and pulmonary embolism, and therefore venous disorders are often under or misdiagnosed. While venous disorders rarely present with the threat of loss of life or limb as arterial disorders can, venous disorders are 10 times more common. Patients with a venous disease are often not getting the treatment they need. As a vein specialist, Dr. Heeringa continues to seek out additional training so that he is always up to date with the latest techniques and information. He was one of the first vein doctors in Northern Michigan to offer minimally invasive techniques such as the non-thermal, non-tumescent vein ablations.
Dr. Heeringa’s Approach to Care
Brian Heeringa, M.D., dedicates his practice to providing compassionate care for patients with vein problems. Patient outcome and satisfaction are essential to his practice, so Dr. Heeringa always seeks out new surgical innovations that increase effectiveness, comfort, and safety. Dr. Heeringa also speaks two languages – English and Spanish. As a highly respected vein doctor, Dr. Heeringa provides the most effective and up-to-date, safest, and least invasive care possible for all his patients at Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in Traverse City and Cadillac, MI. He also offers straightforward answers, and all the education patients need to make informed decisions.
“The entire staff makes you feel welcomed and the doctor is professional and knowledgeable. I’ve had one procedure so far but wouldn’t go anywhere else now!”
– Emily N.
Dr. Brian Heeringa’s Guide to Varicose Vein & Spider Vein Treatments
If you’re among the many Americans who suffer from achy, painful, swollen legs at the end of the day due to bulging varicose veins or unsightly spider veins, this treatment guide is for you.
Get to Know Our Team!
Diana Seehase, BSN, RN Sclerotherapist
Diana has worked in the critical care setting of a hospital for 38 years. Her experiences include ICU, ER, Recovery Room, PICC Nurse, Safety/Infection Control, Risk, and Management. She was trained in Cosmetic Sclerotherapy under the supervision and direction of Brian Heeringa, M.D. She joined Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in 2016 as the office’s Practice Manager and Sclerotherapy Nurse. At Northern Michigan Vein Specialists, she loves that she can contribute her vast clinical knowledge to the venous field of medicine.
Licensure
- Registered Nurse, State of Michigan
Education / Training
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor MI
- Associate Degree in Nursing- Kirtland Community College, Roscommon MI
- Diploma in Practical Nursing-Muskegon Community College, Muskegon MI
- Cosmetic Sclerotherapy – Brian Heeringa MD
Professional Association
- A member of The American Vein and Lymphatic Society
Kali Vanstee, PA Certified Physician Assistant
Kali VanStee is a certified Physician Assistant with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Central Michigan University. During her time at Central Michigan University, she served as a member of the founding committee for Central Michigan University’s Medical School.
Kali is a highly respected and passionate physician assistant that serves Northern Michigan Vein Specialists in Traverse City, MI and Cadillac, MI. Her background in family medicine has given her knowledge on the signs/symptoms and disease process of venous insufficiency. She also brings her extensive experience in Emergency Medicine in both Northern Michigan and New York City that contributed to her continuous learning of the pathology of venous disease.
Under the training and continued direction of Dr. Brian Heeringa MD FACS RPhS she has expanded her medical practice focus on Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.
Why Did You Choose Vein Care?
I chose to join this specialty of vein care after working in collaboration with Brian Heeringa, M.D., during my several years in Emergency and Family Medicine. I witnessed Dr. Heeringa’s dedication to patient-centered vein care. Through his surgical skill, compassion, and extensive knowledge, he works to improve the health and quality of life of every patient we treat. I was excited by the opportunity to join this specialized practice and to work with him together in providing our patients with the best possible vein care outcomes that will lead to a significant improvement and a life of better health for each one of them.
Our Mission & Core Values
At Northern Michigan Vein Specialists our mission is to improve health and quality of life through better venous care and education.
Venous pathology is more than a cosmetic disorder. Proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to significant improvement in quality of life and treating venous pathology can often be the first positive step that starts the journey to better health.
Venous and lymphatic medicine is complex enough to warrant full-time practice and deserves recognition as a specialty by the ABMS.
We believe in venous education. Our job is not just to treat venous pathology but to educate physicians and the public about venous disease.
We treat people how they want to be treated, offering the best customer service in the industry.
We are a team. Not one of us can do all the above on our own. We work together to provide a fun work environment and to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes and overall experience.
