Providers
Clare Heidtke, MD, graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1979 and completed her four year internship and residency at St.Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.
She is Board Certified in obstetrics and gynecology, is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a member of the Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Heidtke has been active on the staff of Northern Michigan Hospitals for 25 years and recently added Charlevoix Area Hospital as a location for her surgical patients.
In over 25 years of practice, Dr. Heidtke has been a leader in bringing advances in the ever evolving field of gynecology to the women of Northern Michigan – advances that have improved treatment options, minimized post-operative pain and shortened surgical recovery times - from laparoscopic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques, to urogynecologic outpatient surgeries, and advanced infertility treatments including IVF. She offers new treatment options that replace more invasive surgical procedures requiring hospital stays, allowing patients to have a brief and minor treatment in the comfortable setting of her office, and virtually eliminating recovery time.
Dr. Heidtke and her husband David have two wonderful daughters and a new grandson. Clare enjoys the outdoors, music, reading and playing her violin, and considers Petoskey “heaven on earth”.
Karen D. Sussman, RN, WHNP, received her BSN and MSN in nursing from Northern Michigan University. She is a Registered Nurse in Michigan, a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Health and a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health.
Karen has advanced training and experience in delivering primary care to women. In her current position at Petoskey Gynecology & Infertility, she provides yearly exams including breast, pap, and pelvic exams, as well as age appropriate screening for general health issues. Not only does she emphasize health maintenance, but can also evaluate and treat a numerous gynecologic disorders, such as menstrual problems, infections, and hormonal issues.
Karen’s past health care experience is diverse ranging from surgical and intensive care work at Northern Michigan Hospital to work with local practitioners in Family Practice, Pediatrics, and Cardiology. She has served as Nurse Practitioner for Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency in the Reproductive Health Clinic and Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. She
has also served on the faculty of North Central Michigan College’s Nursing Department, and since 2003, has been a First Lieutenant in the US Army Nurse Corp. Reserves.
Karen is currently a volunteer Nurse Practitioner for the Community Free Clinic in Petoskey, providing free health services for those patients with little or no health insurance. She is also on staff at Northern Michigan Hospital, caring for patients in the surgical department.
In her free time Karen likes walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and spending time with her family.