Dr. Chris Little is a 2010 graduate of Falls High School and went on to attend the University of Minnesota Medical School, graduating in 2021. He then served as a resident physician at the St. John’s Family Medicine Program in St. Paul until he completed his training in June. He spent time at RLMC as a summer intern in 2015, as well as intermittently between 2017-2018 as a medical student for the Rural Medical Scholars Program. Dr. Little joined the Rainy Lake Clinic team in 2024. 

Darci Pelland, NP-C, received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2002, and her Master of Science for nurse practitioner in 2011, both from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Pelland’s primary role will be based in the specialty clinic, where she will care for her patients. Additionally, she will work closely with Dr. Scott Johnson, OB/GYN, to enhance and expand women’s health services at RLMC. Pelland joined the Rainy Lake Clinic team in 2023. 

Shailynn Shipley, MSN, APRN, CNP, attended Minnesota State University Mankato for her Master of Science in nursing and family nurse practitioner degrees. Shipley serves as a hospitalist for Rainy Lake Medical Center inpatients, but also sees patients at Rainy Lake Clinic. Shipley joined the team in 2023.

Elizabeth Lessard, DNP, FNP, obtained her license of practical nursing from Rainy River Community College in 2001, and graduated from Hibbing Community with a registered nurse, associates of science degree in 2003. Elizabeth went on to further her education at Bemidji State University, graduating with a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree in 2010. She then obtained a doctorate in nursing practice from St. Scholastica in 2014, and has been working as a nurse practitioner ever since. Elizabeth joined the Rainy Lake Clinic team in 2023.

Nicole Busch is a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at Rainy Lake Clinic, where she treats patients of all ages. Most of her 21-year career has been with the Littlefork Medical Center, mainly in geriatrics, and as Assistant Director of Nursing from 1999-2011. She received her FNP from the University of North Dakota in 2013.

Amber Biondich is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) with an
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license earned in 2015. She holds a
master’s degree and a Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN) degree, and has worked as a Registered Nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Cardiovascular Telemetry as well as in the Birthing Center, and at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis on a surgical floor. She will be working in the RLMC Clinics and urgent care, and assisting in the ER when needed.

Dr. David Moyer has been a board-certified family medicine practitioner for over 20
years and has overseen the RLMC Hospitalist program since its inception. He graduated medical school from the University of Minnesota and completed his residency at the University of North Dakota. He is a native to the Iron Range area and most recently worked at CMH in Cloquet, MN as a hospitalist.

Nancy Burmeister is a board-certified nurse practitioner in family practice. She provides a holistic approach for health promotion and disease prevention, as well as the assessment and management of common acute and chronic illnesses and injuries occurring throughout a patient’s life. Nancy earned her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2003, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2006 and a Master of Arts in Nursing at The College of Saint Scholastica in 2009. She’s worked for Falls Memorial Hospital from 2000-2009 as a nurse and was a primary care provider in both Littlefork and Nett Lake. Nancy has experience in providing urgent care in International Falls, Roseau, and Virginia, as well working as an ER/Hospitalist in Baudette.

Dr. Jay Knaak is board-certified in family medicine and earned his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College with dual majors in chemistry and psychology. He graduated from the University of MN Duluth/Minneapolis School of Medicine in 1990, after which he served as the chief family medicine resident in Marquette, Michigan. He has worked in primary care in International Falls, Nett Lake and briefly in South Australia serving the indigenous Aboriginals and has practiced emergency medicine at Rainy Lake Medical Center for 8 years. Since 2014 he has practiced family medicine at the Rainy Lake Clinic.