Physician & Staff

	Dr. Patrick Hurlbut Dr. Hurlbut is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon. He completed his residency at the University of Vermont in 1993, and a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery in 1994 at the University of Minnesota. He subsequently earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Hurlbut was recently admitted to that American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), an elite professional society of hand surgeons. Prairie Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Center is Lincoln’s only orthopaedic medical clinic solely dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of the upper extremity. Dr. Hurlbut’s team, which includes a full-time physical therapist, uses the most advanced treatment options for recovery of maximum mobility, strength, and return of function. We look forward to providing you with orthopaedic excellence for the upper extremity. Read more...
	Erica Heiman, MPT, OCS, MSA Erica Heiman is the Physical Therapist at Prairie Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Center. Erica was born and raised in North Central Nebraska and went to undergraduate at Chadron State College in Western Nebraska. Erica received her Master’s in Physical Therapy from University of Nebraska Medical Center and her Master’s in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. Erica also has an advanced certification in Woman’s Health Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Erica worked in the rural setting for 8 years prior to joining Prairie Shoulder, Elbow and Hand Center. There she treated a wide variety of clientele including out-patient orthopaedics, in-patient acute care, nursing home, and home health patients. However, her primary emphasize and the majority of her caseload was always out-patient orthopaedic patients. Read more...
	Lygia Plioplis, MPAS, PA-C Lygia is a Nebraska Certified Physician Assistant at Prairie Shoulder, Elbow & Hand Center and has been with the practice for 3 years. Lygia was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and moved to Nebraska after graduating from high school.  She graduated from Union College with her Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies. She is married and has two handsome boys. Lygia is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants
	Shannon Bertsche, MPAS, PA-C Shannon is a Nebraska Certified Physician Assistant at Prairie Shoulder, Elbow & Hand Center. She was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota and ventured to Nebraska in pursuit of her Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies. After graduating from Union College, she joined the team at Prairie Shoulder, Elbow & Hand Center with an interest in upper extremity orthopaedic care. Shannon is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants.
	Erin Rosales, RT(R) Erin is a Nebraska Certified Radiologic Technologist at Prairie Shoulder, Elbow & Hand Center.  She graduated from Southeast Community College in June of 2009. She has experience in several different areas in the radiology field and enjoys working in an Orthopaedic clinic. She is a member of American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and American Society of Radiologic Technologists and ensures high quality patient care in Radiologic technology.

Jill, Office Manager

Janice, Clinic Asst./ Transcription

Kathy, Surgery Scheduling Coordinator

Katy, Front Office Administrator

Gretchen, Front Office Administrator

Audrey, Front Office Administrator