General Surgery near Wilmington, DE

Biography: Dr. Santoro is a native Delawarean. He is a graduate of St. Mark's High School ('99) here in Delaware as well as the University of Delaware. He attended St. George's University School of Medicine where he graduated magna cum laude in 2009. He continued his training at Christiana Care completing his residency in 2014, also serving as Chief resident from 2013-2014. In addition, since finishing his residency, Dr. Santoro has completed advanced training in robotic and single site robotic surgery. Dr. Santoro is a board certified General Surgeon and specializes in advanced laparoscopic/robotic and minimally invasive techniques. He is particularly interested in complex abdominal wall hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction, has begun performing these complicated operations using the daVinci robot, and was the first surgeon in the state of Delaware to perform an Abdominal Wall Reconstruction robotically. His interests also include surgical oncology and breast surgery, surgical dermatology, endoscopy, and colorectal surgery.

Biography: James I. Tikellis, M.D., joined Christiana Care as a general surgeon most recently from a private practice at Christiana Care Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. Dr. Tikellis is board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of General Surgery. Dr. Tikellis earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He completed his residency in general surgery and fellowship in trauma and critical care medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He is a member of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Biography: William Egan, M.D., is a surgeon at ChristianaCare specializing in general surgery. He joined ChristianaCare most recently from a general surgery practice in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Egan is board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Egan earned his medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Health Science Center at Syracuse. Dr. Egan is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Biography: Jeffry T. Zern, M.D.,FACS,currently serves as Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery for General Surgery at ChristianaCare. He completed a Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship in 1997 and has been practicing at ChristianaCare for the past23 years. His areas of expertise include foregut surgery, particularly surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal herniation and achalasia. He also performs biliary surgery, hernia procedures, robotic surgery as well as colon surgery. His practice is currently based at Wilmington Hospital. He has been awarded Top Doctor distinction on nine occasions and has received the teaching award for education of surgical residents. He has presented locally and nationally on Minimally Invasive Surgery topics with recent efforts in Robotic surgical training.

Care Philosophy: As a general surgeon who also specializes in Endoscopy, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Colo/Rectal Surgery, Advanced Wound Care, and Breast Disease, I believe that every patients case is unique and is treated as such. I believe in listening first to the concerns of each and every one of my patients.

Biography: Dr. Rubino is Divison Head for Surgical Services at ChristianaCare, and Clinical Director for Surgical Services for the Medical Group of ChristianaCare. He practices at Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals and his elective general surgery practice is based out of the Wilmington Health Center. Dr. Rubino is board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He specializes in general and minimally invasive surgery, including gallbladder removal, hernia repair, bowel and colon surgery, peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, skin and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Rubino earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and holds a faculty appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He completed his general surgery residency at ChristianaCare, and has been in practice in Delaware since graduating. He is an active leader in surgical education and currently serves as the Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Residency Program. Dr. Rubino is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, New Castle County Representative and a member of the Delaware Chapter of the ACS, and a member of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery.

Care Philosophy: Patient safety and quality of care is at the center of my personal philosophy. I believe in creating an individualized care plan for every patient based on sound evidence-based research. I value a strong collegial team of dedicated healthcare professionals. With utilization of a team approach, patients receive the best possible care with optimal outcomes. Additionally, I have a special interest in medical education. I enjoy teaching and mentoring at all levels, from high school students to residents. I have a true love and passion for my career and I eagerly share that enthusiasm with my students.