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Hege Johnsen, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, providing complete surgical care to patients in Wildomar, Temecula, Hemet, and Menifee, California.

Dr. Johnsen studied at Albert Szent-Gyorgi Medical University in Szeged, Hungary, earning her medical degree. She then moved to the United States and completed a residency in general surgery.

Dr. Johnsen brings more than 20 years of experience to the practice. She specializes in general surgery but has a special interest in breast surgery and inguinal hernia repair without mesh (shouldice procedure).

Outside of Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, Dr. Johnsen holds appointments at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, California; Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, California; Menifee Valley Hospital in Menifee, California; and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California; and Loma Linda University Medical Center. 

Dr. Johnsen is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She speaks English and Norwegian fluently, allowing her to serve the practice’s diverse clientele. 

Dr. Johnsen welcomes anyone needing general, breast surgery, hernia repair or cholecystectomy to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today. 

I am a triple-board certified surgeon with expertise in general, colorectal and trauma/ critical care surgery. Born and and raised in Brazil, I completed my medical education at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).

In high school, my passion for Biology, Math and Physics led me to pursue medicine for its challenging and exciting nature. Working in the operating room, I take great satisfation in promptly addressing my patient's concerns through surgical interventions.

My frequent surgical procedures involve colorectal cancer removal, anorectal surgery (including hemorrhoids and fistulas), and hernia repair. With over two decades of surgical experience in Murrieta and Temecula, I am committed to providing patients with top-notch care and a positive treatment experience. As a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS), I continuously strive to integrate new technologies into my practice. 

Beyond my medical pursuits, I enjoy traveling with my family, watching movies, reading, operating my drone, and capturing aerial photographs.

 

Greetings!  I am a board certified general surgeon with over two decades of clinical practice since completing my doctorate and surgical residency at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.  I treat the full spectrum of general surgical problems including hernias, gallbladder disease, breast cancer and benign conditions, with special interest in melanoma and trauma.  I grew up in this area, and spent my youth in extensive manual labor which has contributed to both my dexterity and efficiency of movement.     I decided to become a physician during high school because I wanted to use my talents to help people.  What I like most is being able to treat the whole person, resolving their health problems, and saving lives.  I chose Surgery because it best fit my aptitudes, trained me to handle emergencies, and was adaptable for mission service.  I’ve enjoyed volunteering during my teens at Inland Valley Medical Center, rotating in Kenya during medical school, and service trips to Peru, to China teaching Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and to India to teach Laparoscopic Surgery.  I enjoy people and helping them survive and thrive, through operations or non-operative management.     I serve my community on our hospital's Ethics Committee, as the trauma director of our regional trauma center, and lead our Surgery Residency trainging the next generation of well qualified surgeons.   I enjoy outings with my family, horticulture, learning every day, exercising/hiking/camping/surfing, and playing the bagpipes.

Olivia Mac, MD, is double board certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. 

Dr. Mac grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles County and attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. After medical school, she returned to California to complete her general surgery residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente Fontana and then a surgical critical care fellowship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. 

Dr. Mac became a surgeon so that she could use her skills to help others, as surgeons in the past have helped those in her family. 

In her free time outside of the office, Dr. Mac enjoys baking, playing the piano, and playing with her cats.

She looks forward to welcoming both new and returning patients to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.

Francis Essien, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Essien's zeal for the art and science of medicine and surgery began as a teenager at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

An interest in providing excellent patient care brought Dr. Essien to the United States to pursue a natural calling in the surgical specialty.

Passionate about cutting-edge, advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical technology, Dr. Essien’s knowledge and expertise give patients the advantage of a faster recovery. 

The surgeon’s more cosmetic approach also offers less pain and a quicker return to a happier and more productive lifestyle.

Dr. Essien is highly skilled in various procedures, most frequently performing laparoscopic surgery for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, laparoscopic hernia repairs, hiatal hernia repairs, minimally invasive endocrine surgery, laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and laparoscopic colon resections for benign and malignant conditions.

Dr. Essien also performs laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and revision bariatric procedures.

With a passion for Bariatric surgery, Dr. Essien helps patients achieve their goals of a healthier weight while eliminating the medical illnesses associated with excessive weight and enjoying a better quality of life.

Dr. Essien believes in an individualized and holistic approach to improving the health and wellness of patients.

Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Essien enjoys spending time with family at home, cooking, traveling, cycling, and playing golf.

Book an appointment with Dr. Essien, MD here.

I am a board-certified general and vascular surgeon affiliated with Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates. Raised in Brazil, I'm fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. My passion for science, teaching and helping others led me to medicine, and I discovered my calling in surgery during anatomy class.

After graduating from the Federal University os Santa Catarina in Brazil, I continued my education in New York, completing residency in general surgery and a vascular surgery fellowship on the East Coast. Opting for warmer climate of California, I've been treating vascular diseases for over two decades, cherishing the connection with my patients. I prioritize lasting cardiovascular health beyond surgical interventions. Recently, I joined the faculty at the UHS General Surgery Residency program, where I stay updated on vascular surgery developments while enjoying teaching.

Outside of work, I endulge in cooking, hiking and tennis with family and friends.