Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia near Clemmons, NC

Biography: I first developed an interest in medicine when I was in high school because I had a lot of sports-related injuries, which required surgery. When I observed how the surgical team, nursing staff, and physical therapist took care of me through my long rehabilitation, I immediately knew I wanted to become a doctor and help others in the same way. I grew up doing carpentry, home remodeling, and other woodworking, which made surgery the obvious choice for specialty once I began medical school. I was drawn to surgery because I love working with my hands, problem-solving, the evolving technology of surgery, and the ability to fix something that is broken. As a general surgeon, it is my duty to stay up to date with the most current technological advances in order to provide my patients with the best possible care. Through the extensive robotic and complex laparoscopic surgery techniques that I learned during my residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, I can offer my patients minimally invasive surgical options, which result in less pain and a quicker and smoother recovery.\n During my training and career, I have been awarded the administrative chief resident position and Wendell M. Levi Jr MD Award for Surgical Leadership. I have also been honored as an ESPN Academic All-American Nominee while I was playing Quarterback at Catawba College during my undergraduate years. In my free time, I am a family man first and foremost.\n I enjoy spending time with my wife, Faith, and my 3 young children Madelyn, Charlotte, and Miller. Our children keep us quite busy with swimming, gymnastics, and soccer practices. As a native of Durham, I am an avid Duke fan. I also enjoy supporting Catawba College in nearby Salisbury, where I played football as an undergrad. My family and I love the beach, especially Charleston, SC where we spent 5 years during my residency training.

Biography: Even in my early teens, I knew I wanted to be a physician. I was fascinated by anatomy, loved science and was precise at dissection. Surgery was definitely my calling. \n Being the child of first-generation immigrants meant several messages were ingrained in my siblings and me. Our parents expected us to work hard, finish what we started, push to succeed and never complain. \n I had a wonderful mentor during my residency who shared with me his surgical mantra: "Treat every patient like they are your mother." I took it to heart and adopted it as my mantra, too. I believe this wholeheartedly and continue to operate with this thought in mind. \n When it comes to robotic surgery, I was an early adopter. I have performed more than 1,500 robotic procedures. I even test other surgeons on their robotics skills once they have completed training. In my role as a robotic proctor, I travel the country and evaluate and "sign off" on surgeons who have completed robotics training. \n I have founded two bariatric centers and built them into established Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE). The BSCOE designation helps patients identify surgeons who provide the safest and most effective treatments. The robotic center in High Point I founded was awarded the first robotic epicenter in North Carolina by the Intuitive Surgical group in 2019. \n I'm a member of the American Board of Surgery and SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) and am a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. \n My hobbies include coaching and helping with my kids' travel sports, playing golf and tennis, cooking, painting and woodworking. I most enjoy traveling - and just hanging out - with my wife.

Biography: I was drawn to becoming a physician because a career in medicine offers the unique combination of science, problem-solving and helping others. I chose to focus on surgery because it can resolve illnesses. This is particularly true with bariatric (weight loss) surgery, which can cure or prevent complications from diseases like diabetes. Long-term studies have proven that bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable weight loss treatment, but each patient must be prepared to actively participate in a multidisciplinary program. This includes nutrition, behavioral and exercise counseling. Therefore, my team and I carefully screen each patient. Then we discuss your unique health situation and all the options with you so that we can make the best weight management decisions together. I have trained extensively to become a bariatric surgeon, including completing a fellowship in metabolic & bariatric surgery in 2022, after graduating from general surgery residency in 2021. However, learning is a lifelong journey, so I am continuously training in the latest techniques for minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic and bariatric surgery. I am certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Medicine and recognized as a fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS). I serve as the metabolic & bariatric surgery director at Forsyth Medical Center and co-founded its bariatric program. In addition to bariatric surgery, I also perform minimally invasive general surgery such as hernia, appendix, gallbladder and colon surgeries. I am an active member of Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) and American College of Surgeons. During my general surgery residency, I was recognized as the surgery intern of the year in 2017, surgery resident of the year in 2018 and chief resident of the year in 2021. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, pickleball and traveling with my wife and our 2 daughters.