Meet our Physicians
We are passionate about helping our patients live healthy, happy lives
Thomas deTar
Dr. deTar’s Certifications, Training, And Background
Specialty: Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 1993
Doctorate of Medicine: University of Southern California, 1982-1986
Residency: Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center – General Surgery, 1986-1988
Residency: Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center – Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 1988-1992
Professional Societies:
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Fellow, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Member, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
Diplomate American Board of Otolaryngology
American Rhinologic Association
Kootenai-Benewah Medical Society
Dr. deTar was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. He received his medical degree from the University of Southern California in 1986. He then completed two years of general surgical residency, followed by four years of specialization in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Southern California, is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
From 1992 to 1996 he worked with the United States Air Force and as Associate Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Louisiana State University-Shreveport.
He, his wife and nine children moved to Idaho in 1996. His hobbies include music, woodworking, skiing, tennis and farming.
M. Erik Gilbert
Dr. Gilbert’s Certifications, Training, And Background
Specialty: Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2005
Doctorate of Medicine: Oregon Health Sciences University, 1995-1999
Internship: University of Utah Medical Center – General Surgery, 1999-2000
Residency: University of Utah Medical Center – Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 2000-2004
Professional Societies:
Diplomat, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
American Medical Association
Kootenai-Benewah Medical Society
Dr. Gilbert grew up in La Grande and Salem, Oregon. He attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, graduating magna cum laude with honors in History and a minor in Spanish. His undergraduate medical training was taken at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. He graduated cum laude and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He then completed one year of General Surgery training at the University of Utah, followed by four years of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery specialty training, also at the University of Utah. Dr. Gilbert is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Gilbert joined St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in 2004. He regularly attends continuing education courses, and is committed to providing you with complete compassionate, state-of-the-art treatment for ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders.
Away from the office, he enjoys any form of outdoor activity, particularly skiing, running, backpacking, mountaineering, and spending time with his wife and four children.
Chad McCormick
Dr.McCormick’s Certifications, Training, And Background
Specialty: Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery; Allergy
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 2005; Recertification 2014 (valid through 2025)
Fellow: American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, 2009
Doctorate of Medicine: University of Utah School of Medicine, 1995-1999
Internship: Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio – General Surgery, 1999-2000
Residency: The Ohio State University Medical Center – Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, 2000-2004
Professional Societies:
Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology
American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (Fellow)
Idaho Medical Association
Kootenai/Benewah Medical Association
Leadership:
Chair, Kootenai Health Department of Surgery, 2013 and 2014
Physician Leadership Course, University of Washington, 2015
Medical Director, Kootenai Outpatient Surgery 2015 to 2019
Dr. McCormick was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho. After graduation from Sandpoint High School, he attended Washington State University where he earned an honors degree in Biology, graduating summa cum laude. He was then accepted to the University Of Utah School Of Medicine, graduating in 1999. Residency training in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery was completed at The Ohio State University in 2004.
Dr. McCormick is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Due to interest in helping people with environmental allergies and through additional training, he has also achieved Fellow status through the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. Full spectrum allergy testing and immunotherapy (allergy shots and allergy drops) are offered.
Dr. McCormick strives for clinical excellence and compassionate care with every patient encounter. The importance of appropriately weighing the risks and benefits of any medical or surgical intervention is of high priority. Given the current state of health care, he is an advocate for the use of evidence based medicine and encourages shared decision making with patients. Annual continuing medical education (CME) participation is vitally important in this regard.
In spare time, family is priority, but bow hunting, fly-fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and Spartan races are areas of interest.
Philip Gardner
Dr. Gardner’s Certifications, Training, And Background
Specialty: Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2021
Doctorate of Medicine: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2011 – 2015
Internship: University of Texas Health San Antonio – Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, 2015 – 2016
Residency: University of Texas Health San Antonio – Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, 2016 – 2020
Professional Societies:
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Gardner was raised in Hayden, Idaho. After graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School, he attended Montana State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, graduating with Highest Honors.
He was then accepted to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Science, where he received his medical degree in 2015. Residency training in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery was then completed at University of Texas Health – San Antonio in 2020.
After completing his training, Dr. Gardner returned to North Idaho to serve his community through his work at St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy, as well as at Kootenai Health where he is an active medical staff member.
When he’s not at work, Dr. Gardner loves spending time with his family and enjoys hiking, biking and fishing.
Anne Sobba -Higley
Dr. Sobba- Higley Certifications, Training, And Background
Specialty: Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Doctorate of Medicine: Creighton University School of Medicine, 1990
Internship: Creighton University, General Surgery, 1990-1991
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, General Surgery, 1991-1992
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Otolaryngology, 1992-1996
Professional Societies:
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Sobba-Higley grew up in Puyallup, Washington. She attended the Western Washington University, graduating with a BS in Biochemistry. Her pursuit of medicine then took her to Creighton University Medical School, where she graduated cum laude and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She then completed an Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery residency with University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is an otolaryngology head and neck surgery specialist, with over 25 years of experience in the medical field.
Dr. Sobba-Higley joined St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy in 2024 to serve the community in the Coeur d’Alene-Post Falls area and be close to family.
Apart from medicine, she enjoys being in the great outdoors, skiing, running, cycling and hiking with her two dogs, as well as spending time with her husband and three adult children.