About the Practice
My Team
John C. Tanner, MD
Dr. John C. Tanner grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. He worked as an engineer designing surgical tools for five years, which led to his interest in medicine and surgery. Dr. Tanner attended the University of Southern California for medical school, then returned to the Midwest for residency at Michigan State University. Orthopedic surgery was a natural fit with his engineering background and after completing his orthopedic Foot and Ankle Fellowship, he practiced in Michigan before moving to Minnesota to be closer to his wife’s family.
Dr. Tanner has been with Twin Cities Orthopedics for over 10 years, and is proud to be part of such a high-quality organization. His clinical practice focuses on the lower leg, with specialty care for the foot and ankle. Dr. Tanner is faculty for the TCO Foot and Ankle Fellowship and the Team Doctor for Park Center High School. He has over 12 years of experience taking Level 1 trauma call.
In Dr. Tanner’s time away from work, he enjoys being a husband and father. His wife, Elena, is also a physician, working as an OB/GYN at Abbott hospital. They have two sets of twins, so their family is extremely busy but blessed with an amazingly supportive extended family to make it all work. In addition to spending time with his wife and kids, he enjoys singing, cooking, playing guitar, coaching soccer for Kickers FC, racquetball, golf, and snowboarding.
Clinical Interest
Ankle care, including trauma, ankle instability, sports injuries, Achilles injuries, ankle arthritis, ankle replacement, and revision ankle replacement
Foot care, including trauma, complex deformity correction, bunions, minimally invasive surgery, flat feet, and toe abnormalities
Knee care, including trauma, arthritis care, arthroscopy, and knee replacement
Education.
Certification
Board Certified, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship
Fellowship in Foot and Ankle at Michigan International Foot and Ankle Center, Pontiac, MI
Residency
Michigan State University Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids, MI
Medical Degree
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Hospital & Surgery Center Affiliations
Allina Health – Mercy Hospital
Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center
North Memorial Ambulatory Surgery Center
North Memorial Health – Maple Grove and Robbinsdale
Plymouth Orthopedic Surgery Center
Ridgeview – Orthopedic Institute
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
Achievements & Awards
Top Doctor Rising Star: Voted an Orthopedic Rising Star by his peers in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (2020 – 2021)
What's New
Dr. Tanner was interviewed for a KMSP-TV FOX 9 story about a TCO patient who suffered a severe ankle injury after her car was struck by a runaway trailer. He talks about the potential complications with such an injury, including arthritis. Watch the video at the link or below.
Staff
Christopher Romanowicz, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Board Certified
About
Christopher Romanowicz, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant who has been working with Dr. Tanner at Twin Cities Orthopedics since 2018. His responsibilities include clinical evaluation and treatment, patient education, performing injections, and assisting in the operating room.
Chris grew up in the Chicagoland area and currently resides in Twin Cities with his wife and children. His passions include travel, cycling, backpacking, and golf.
Education
Certification
Board Certified, National Commission on Certifications of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Medical Education
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Des Moines University
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Iowa
Rachael G.
Care Coordinator
Rachael provides administrative and patient care services to Dr. Tanner. She travels with him to each of his clinics to provide one on one care for patient’s when scheduling surgical procedures or diagnostic tests. She has 15 years of health care experience clinically and administratively. Rachael keeps Dr. Tanner’s schedule up to date and is available to educate patients about their pre-op and post-op surgical needs, per his protocol and decisions. When not in clinic, Rachael can be found at her desk working on patient’s paperwork, answering or returning calls and making appointments. Rachael’s goal is making sure each patient is provided with a great experience.
In her free time away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys. She supports her husband who coaches the boys in hockey and takes on the role of hockey mom traveling with them each season. She enjoys watching professional sports on television and rooting on the home teams!
