BiliaryTractCancer near Midlothian, VA

Biography: David Bettinger, MD, is a general surgeon with Surgical Associates of Richmond. He was born in upstate New York and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and then continued with a Masters in Biology, receiving the Phi Sigma Research Scholarship and working as a graduate teaching assistant. During Dr. Bettinger's medical school tenure at VCU Health's Medical College of Virginia, he received the Carnation Scholarship, and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Sigma Chi Honorary Leadership Society, Sigma Zeta Honorary Science Society, and performed basic science research. Some of his research is represented by numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, and the Journal of Burn Care. Dr. Bettinger has presented before the Surgical Forum of the American College of Surgeons, the Virginia Academy of Science, the American Burn Association, and the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He was President of the Virginia Surgical Society in 2008. Dr. Bettinger is also a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, having served with the US Army Medical Units. When he joined SAR in 1996, he brought advanced laparoscopic training and ability, and he has been a proponent of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for acid reflux disease and laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Dr. Bettinger and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Bettinger, have three wonderful children. When not at work, he enjoys snow skiing, woodworking, and duck hunting.

Care Philosophy: Becoming a surgeon is often a difficult path, but for me, I chose to become a surgeon because of the ability to help patients feel better. As a surgeon we can often have an immediate impact on having patients feel better. My philosophy of care is to take individualized approach to each patient. I believe the key to a good physician and patient relationship is both education and communication. I strive for both with each patient and success will often follow. Outside of work my family and I enjoy the beach and relaxing at home. Having three girls shopping, movies, and extracurricular activities take up a lot of our down time.