Dr. Terrence Rager, MD
General Surgery ·
Male ·
Age 39
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Dr. Terrence Rager, MD is a general surgery specialist in Pocatello, ID and has been practicing for 1 years. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in 2010 and specializes in general surgery, surgical oncology, and more.Read his story
Portneuf Surgical Specialists
777 Hospital Way Ste 201
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 239-2620
Insurance Accepted
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- First Choice Health
- Humana
- Idaho Physicians Network (IPN)
- Medicaid
- Medicaid of Idaho
- Medicare
- + 3 More
*Please verify this information when scheduling an appointment.
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Dr. Rager's bio
This content was provided by Dr. Rager "Dr. Terry Rager was raised in a small rural Pennsylvania town of 700 people. During his high school years, he spent a lot of time outdoors year-round both recreationally and as a member of his local Civil Air Patrol's search and rescue unit, and in the wintertime, he skied as much as he could as a National Ski Patroller. After high school, Terry also volunteered as an EMT while earning his BS in Science from Penn State University in State College, PA. He went on to earn his MS in Anatomy and his MD degrees from Penn State University Medical Center in Hershey, PA, and enjoyed the challenge of learning to fly fish the various trout streams of central and eastern PA. Columbus, Ohio became Terry's home for the next 7 years, where he completed General Surgery Residency, earned a second MS degree in Medical Science, and completed a formal training certification course in the principles of robotic surgery at The Ohio State University Medical Center, and where he completed a two-year research fellowship in Pediatric Surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital. As he was completing his surgical and research training, he met Kristin, and they were married two years later. Together they raised a wonderful Boxer puppy named Buster, and shortly thereafter they welcomed their first son, Daniel into the world. Nearing the end of his training, he interviewed for, and enthusiastically accepted, a position as a General and Trauma Surgeon at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. Dr. Rager and his family are greatly enjoying the people, climate, and beauty of the Pocatello area and feel very fortunate to call this community home. Terry is excited to be able to raise his son, Daniel, in the same small town environment he knew as a child and to do so surrounded by beautiful topography, great weather, and amazing recreation opportunities much of which far exceeds what was available to him growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania. When not spending time with his family or enjoying the great outdoors, Dr. Rager is focused on providing his patients with the highest quality care for diseases (including cancer) of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, stomach, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, colon, rectum, and skin. Additionally, he has particular interests in robotic general surgery and in all types of hernias. Terry strives to foster a relationship with his patients that could be described as professionalism without pretense, and he greatly enjoys seeing their lives improved as a result of the surgical treatment he provides. Although Dr. Rager's education and training positioned him well for a career at a large academic medical center, his upbringing, personality, values and interests called him to plant his family's roots in a smaller community- one that prioritizes family, friendliness, good-citizenship, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. In addition to finding this in Pocatello, he also found that he was well-aligned with the high standards for clinical excellence set by his new partners at Portneuf Surgical Specialists."
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Care Philosophy
This content was provided by Dr. Rager "I strive to provide the same quality of surgical care I would want my own family members and closest friends to receive.
Because of my rural upbringing and powerful experiences having both my mother and grandmother undergo major operations, I interact with patients in a direct, yet approachable, down-to-earth, and caring way.
I chose to dedicate most waking hours since 2006 studying medicine, caring for surgical patients, and obtaining excellent surgical training.
My patients have not.
For my patients and their family, undergoing surgery is a journey into "the unknown" - it is scary. I have found that a good education greatly reduces this fear and anxiety, and one of my jobs is to be an educational resource. I discuss in detail what their problem is. If surgery is recommended, I explain in detail what the surgery and recovery will entail, associated risks and benefits, any alternatives that exist, and I take time to answer any questions that arise along the way."
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20 Specialties
- General Surgery
- Acute Care Surgery
- Burn Surgery
- Colon & Rectal Surgery
- Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Dermatologic Oncology
- Dermatologic Surgery
- Endocrine Surgery
- Gastroenterological Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Head & Neck Surgical Oncology
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Oncoplastic Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Robotic Surgery
- Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
1 Board Certifications
- General SurgeryAccredited by: American Board of Surgery*
70 Conditions Treated
- Abdominal Hernia
- Achalasia
- Acid Peptic Diseases
- Acute Appendicitis
- Acute Diverticulitis
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms
- Adrenal Incidentaloma
- Anal and Rectal Cancer
- Anal Cancer
- Appendicitis
- Appendix Cancer
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Benign Peptic Ulcer
- Burn Injuries
- Cholecystitis
- Cholecystitis and Gallstones
- Cholelithiasis
- Chronic Appendicitis
- Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Mass
- Colon Stricture
- Colonic Volvulus
- Colorectal Cancer
- Diaphragmatic and-or Hiatal Hernia
- Diverticulitis
- Endocrine Cancer
- Gallbladder Diseases
- Gallbladder Infections
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Hernia
- Hiatal Hernia
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Incisional Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Intussusception
- Lipomas
- Liver Tumor
- Malignant Peptic Ulcer
- Melanoma
- Neoplasm of Stomach
- Pancreas Tumor
- Parathyroid (Gland) Disease
- Parathyroid (Gland) Tumor: Other than Malignant
- Parathyroid Adenoma
- Parathyroid Cancer
- Parathyroid Hyperplasia
- Pediatric Hernia
- Peptic Ulcer
- Pilonidal Cyst
- Pyloric Stenosis
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Prolapse
- Recurrent Pneumothorax
- Sigmoid Diverticulitis
- Skin Cancer
- Spleen Disorders
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Familial Type
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Third-Degree Burns
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Disease
- Thyroid Nodule
- Traumatic Hernia
- Ulcer Perforation
- Umbilical Hernia
- Ventral Hernia
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71 Procedures
- Abdominal Mass Biopsy
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Appendectomy, Laparoscopic
- Cancer Surgery
- Cancer Surgery, Robotic-Assisted
- Colectomy
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Colon Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery, Robotic-Assisted
- Excision of Benign Skin Lesion
- Excision of Lipoma
- Excision of Neck Mass
- Excision of Rectal Tumor
- Excision of Skin Cancer
- Excision of Skin Lesion
- Excision of Soft Tissue Lesion
- Excision of Stomach Tumor
- Excisional Biopsy
- Gallbladder Removal
- Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy), Laparoscopic
- Gastrectomy
- Gastrectomy With Robotic Assistance
- Hemorrhoid Removal
- Hemorrhoidectomy or Excision of Anal Tags
- Hernia and Hydrocele Repair
- Hernia Repair
- Inguinal Hernia Repair, Laparoscopic
- Inguinal Hernia Repair, Open
- Inguinal Hernia Surgery
- Intestinal Biopsy
- Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery
- Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
- Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery
- Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
- Laparoscopic Liver Resection
- Laparoscopic Oncology Procedure
- Laparoscopic Rectal Surgery
- Laparoscopic Surgical Procedure
- Lipomas Sebacious Cyst Removal
- Liver Biopsy
- Lung Surgery
- Lymph Node Biopsy or Excision
- Melanoma Removal
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Muscle Biopsy
- Open Incisional and-or Ventral Hernia Repair
- Pediatric Surgical Procedures
- Pleural Biopsy
- Port Placements or Replacements
- Pyloromyotomy, Laparoscopic
- Pyloromyotomy, Open
- Rectal Surgery
- Robotic Assisted Procedure
- Robotic Heller Myotomy for the Treatment of Achalasia
- Robotic-Assisted Liver Resection
- Robotic-Assisted Pancreas Resection
- Sarcoma Removals
- Skin Biopsy
- Skin Cancer Removal
- Skin Cancer Tumor Treatment
- Skin Grafts
- Skin Lesion Biopsy
- Skin Lesion Removal
- Skin Surgery
- Soft Tissue Mass Biopsy
- Stomach Cancer Surgery
- Stomach Surgery
- Surgical Biopsy
- Temporal Artery Biopsy
- Tumor Resection
- Tumor Surgery
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Background Check
Malpractice Claims not available
Healthgrades does not collect malpractice information for Idaho.
0 Sanctions
No sanctions history found for the years that Healthgrades collects data.
0 Board Actions
No board actions found for the years that Healthgrades collects data.
Education
- Pennsylvania State UniversityUndergraduate School | Graduated 2002
- The Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterMedical School | Graduated 2010
- The Ohio State University Medical CenterInternship Hospital | Completed 2011
- The Ohio State University Medical CenterResidency Hospital | Completed 2017
- Nationwide Children's HospitalOther Education | Completed 2015
- The Ohio State UniversityOther Education | Completed 2015
- The Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterOther Education | Completed 2006
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Honors
- Healthgrades Honor Roll
Media & Publications
- https://www.localnews8.com/news/pocatello/doctors-calling-burley-teenager-a-miracle-after-he-survives-a-long-night-of-close-calls/745979249,
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6jZLwUSgE4,
Languages Spoken
- English
Memberships & Professional Affiliations
Dr. Rager does not have any memberships or affiliations listed. If you are Dr. Rager and would like to add memberships or affiliations, please update your profile.
Visit Dr. Rager
Now Accepting New Patients
Dr. Rager accepts 12 insurance carriers
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- First Choice Health
- Humana
- Idaho Physicians Network (IPN)
- Medicaid
- Medicaid of Idaho
- Medicare
- MultiPlan
- Tricare
- UnitedHealthCareUnited Healthcare
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*Please verify this information when scheduling an appointment.
Patient Comments (26)
Thanks! It was very nice to meet you both. Happy to be able to help!
My pleasure!
Judy, thanks for your kind words. Happy to help!