Gastroenterology, The Center for Liver and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Mercy Medical CenterCirrhosis, Gastroenterology, Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, Hepatology, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant, Viral Hepatitis
Anurag Maheshwari, M.D., specializes in liver disease at The Center for Liver and Hepatobiliary Diseases, part of The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland. His expertise helps patients seeking focused care for medical conditions of the liver. Dr. Anurag Maheshwari provides experience in treating a range of concerns involving the liver including hepatitis, liver cancer, cirrhosis and bile duct conditions. Dr. Maheshwari cares for patients in need of liver transplants and assists in pre- and post-operative transplant medical care, providing each patient individualized attention, coordination with liver transplant centers, and understanding as they progress toward recovery. Working with international authority Dr. Paul Thuluvath, Dr. Anurag Maheshwari is one of the physicians of The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy leading the way in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. Dr. Anurag Maheshwari works collaboratively with the specialists of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy, The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mercy, The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy, The Lung Center at Mercy, and the Division of Interventional Radiology. This comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract diseases and the expertise of our doctors makes The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy one of the best in Baltimore and the Mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Maheshwari has been named a "Top Doctor" in Gastroenterology/Liver Disease by Baltimore magazine. Dr. Anurag Maheshwari is active in advanced research projects in liver diseases. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on issues in liver disease. Dr. Anurag Maheshwari is an active speaker and has appeared at conferences and hospital grand rounds around the country. He has been published in: American Journal of Gastroenterology Digestive Diseases and Sciences Gastroenterology Hepatology Lancet Liver Transplantation Shakelford鈥檚 Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
Medical Doctor, The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy
Mercy Medical CenterDigestive Disease, Gastroenterology, Hepatitis, Liver Cancer, Liver Disease
Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D., Chief, Division of Gastroenterology at Mercy Medical Center, and Medical Director for The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy leads a top rated physician team of gastroenterology specialists in Baltimore, Maryland, who help patients find the best treatment options for digestive diseases and liver conditions. As the leader of The Center for Liver and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Dr. Paul Thuluvath provides patients with pioneering treatments and advanced technology to help them manage their illness. He is a recognized national and international authority in liver and biliary diseases and dedicated to medical research and clinical trials that are advancing treatment possibilities for patients. While his patients respect his expertise, they value his bedside concern, empathy and personal care that keeps them encouraged. He welcomes patient questions and family involvement, and is devoted to patient education in the healing process. Dr. Thuluvath and his team of gastroenterology specialists provide expertise, comprehensive care, advanced facilities for endoscopy procedures and leading edge technology, treatment and pioneering medical research. Dr. Paul Thuluvath coordinates patient care, when needed, working in collaboration with the specialists of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy, The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mercy, The Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy, The Lung Center at Mercy, and the Division of Interventional Radiology. This comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of digestive health and liver disease and the expertise of our doctors makes The Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy a leader in the Mid-Atlantic region. Authority in Liver and Biliary Diseases Dr. Paul Thuluvath is a known authority in liver and biliary diseases and pre-and post-liver transplant management. He serves on the Editorial Board for: Hepatology, Liver Transplant, and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at national and international meetings on issues in liver and biliary diseases and has addressed medical groups in China, Germany, India, London, Oman, Philippines, Singapore and the United States.
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Research Division
Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterColon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Digestive Disease, Gastroenterology, Health Disparities, Racial Disparities, structural racism
Dr. Rachel Issaka is a gastroenterologist and clinical researcher focused on decreasing the mortality associated with colorectal cancer, with a special focus on medically underserved populations. Dr. Issaka鈥檚 research includes identifying, measuring and recommending new and improved approaches to screening and follow-up both in Seattle and across the U.S. The roots of Dr. Issaka鈥檚 research lie in a tale of two clinics. The first was at Northwestern University鈥檚 McGaw Medical Center, a few blocks from Chicago鈥檚 glittering 鈥淢agnificent Mile鈥 commercial district. The second was at a federally qualified health center on the city鈥檚 South Side, several miles and another world away. Issaka worked at both clinics early in her medical career. She soon noticed a striking difference between the two. Her mostly white, middle- to upper-class patients at Northwestern faithfully followed whatever the doctor ordered. That included getting screened for colorectal cancer, the second-deadliest cancer in the U.S. But it was different on the South Side. Her mostly African-American and Latino patients there, when encouraged to schedule screening for colorectal cancer, often declined. Why? Issaka has never stopped asking why disparities exist and how to achieve health equity in colorectal cancer screening. The questions aren鈥檛 academic. Screening can prevent colorectal cancer by detecting and simultaneously removing precancerous polyps, small lesions that over time can grow and become cancerous. But despite clear evidence that screening for colorectal cancer saves lives, rates aren鈥檛 where they should be. The screening goal for the U.S. population, according to the American Cancer Society and National Colorectal Cancer Round Table, is 80 percent. The actual rate is about 63 percent across all populations, with even lower rates among racial minorities and those of lower socioeconomic status. Closing that gap, Issaka noted, could save 200,000 lives over the next 20 years. And it could lessen the socioeconomic inequalities that linger 鈥 or stubbornly grow 鈥 in cancer care and mortality. 鈥淪creening is a way to not only prevent disease but reduce racial and economic disparities,鈥 said Issaka, who is on the faculty of the Hutch鈥檚 Clinical Research Division and the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, which is based in the Public Health Sciences Division. 鈥淲e need to close that gap so that every citizen can benefit from the advances in cancer care and prevention.鈥
Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)Gastroenterology, IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sunanda Kane, MD, MSPH, FACG, is Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She has expertise in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases, where she is engaged in patient care, research, and education at the level of the medical school, residency, and fellowship. She is currently the Assistant Chair of Patient Safety and Experience within the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, where she is responsible for quality improvement within the clinical and inpatient hospital services, issues regarding patient safety, and patient satisfaction. In addition, she is the Chair of the Quality Fellowship Program Subcommittee within the Mayo Clinic Quality Academy. She is active on many national committees and organizations, including having served on the Board of Trustees of the ACG as an Officer (President 2018-19) and previously on the Patient Education Committee of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. In addition, she has served on multiple editorial boards, including as the first female Associate Editor for Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Section Editor for IBD for UptoDate. Included in her bibliography is a Pocket Guide to IBD and two editions of her book on the self-management of IBD for patients, with the third edition due out in late summer 2022.
Cancer Prevention, Gastroenterology, IBD, Viral Hepatitis
Aldo Russo, MD, is a board certified and fellowship trained gastroenterologist at Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He also serves as medical director for the Ochsner Baton Rouge region. His expertise includes the prevention of colorectal cancer, treatment of viral hepatitis, management of inflammatory bowel disease and treating gastrointestinal emergencies.
Dr. Russo earned a medical degree from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He completed an internship and residency at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut, and a fellowship in gastroenterology at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He is a frequent participant in health forums and other events for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Internal Medicine, Liver Cancer, Physician Burnout, physician wellbeing
Nigel Girgrah, MD, is chief wellness officer at Ochsner Health in New Orleans. He leads the Office of Professional Well-Being, which is charged with improving the professional fulfillment of Ochsner physicians and staff. The office focuses on enhanced practice efficiency, as well as personal and team resilience, and building an organizational culture that promotes provider well-being. He has given numerous media on the subject.
Dr. Girgrah received both his medical degree and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. He has specialist certification in both gastroenterology and internal medicine with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is a practicing transplant hepatologist and serves as Ochsner's medical director of liver transplantation.