Orange City Area Health System Welcomes General Surgeon Seth Petersen, MD

Advanced minimally invasive surgical care continues to grow with addition of fellowship-trained surgeon

ORANGE CITY, IA — Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) is pleased to announce that Seth Petersen, MD, will join its surgical team in August 2026, further expanding access to advanced minimally invasive procedures for patients across Northwest Iowa.

Dr. Petersen brings specialized training in minimally invasive surgery, including fellowship experience focused on advanced techniques that promote smaller incisions, reduced pain, and faster recovery times. He will utilize OCAHS’s state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot, enhancing the health system’s ability to deliver cutting-edge surgical care close to home.

“After spending the greater part of the past decade living, working, and training in the NYC metro area, I’m delighted to be returning to America’s Heartland,” said Dr. Petersen. “I grew up in small-town Nebraska, and from the moment I first set foot in Orange City, it felt like home. I’m thrilled to be working with my new partners and the rest of the Orange City Area Health System staff. And because OCAHS offers modern facilities and truly state-of-the-art medical instruments, I have everything I need to provide advanced minimally invasive general surgery right here in Northwestern Iowa.”

The addition of Dr. Petersen builds on OCAHS’s recent investment in robotic-assisted surgery technology. The da Vinci 5 system, introduced in fall 2025, allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision and control, resulting in improved patient outcomes and shorter recovery times.

“Bringing Dr. Petersen to our team reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in both advanced technology and exceptional people,” said Marty Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System. “His expertise in minimally invasive surgery, combined with our da Vinci 5 system, ensures patients in our region can receive highly specialized care without leaving Northwest Iowa.”

Dr. Petersen will begin seeing patients in August, with more information about scheduling and services to be announced in the coming months.