The majority of my practice focuses on abdominal wall surgery and the repair of ventral, incisional, and inguinal (groin) hernias. I chose to specialize in minimally invasive surgery because I saw the incredible benefits that these procedures provide for patients. By performing complex surgeries using either laparoscopic or robotic instruments, I am able to get patients back to their normal daily activities much faster and with significantly less pain. Whether I am repairing a hernia, performing surgery for weight loss, or helping to treat reflux, I will always try to offer a minimally invasive approach first and foremost. When I get the chance to meet you in the clinic we will discuss all of the possible treatment options for your condition and we will work as a team to pick which is the best choice for you. I feel incredibly fortunate to practice at Duke Health where we have incredible resources to take care of you no matter what problem you may have. I look forward to working with you and caring for you and your family. Dr. Greenberg is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Obesity, Gastric Bypass, and Endoscopy.

I specialize in treating patients with complex abdominal wall hernias and foregut conditions, such as acid reflux, hiatal hernias, and swallowing disorders. I am passionate about helping people return to the activities and quality of life they enjoy. By using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, I am able to repair complex problems in a way that often leads to less pain and a quicker recovery. I understand that surgery can feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. I believe in listening closely to each patient’s goals and working together to create a treatment plan that fits their needs and values. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, and staying active on the golf course. I look forward to caring for you and your family. Dr. Kushner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Choledocholithiasis, Hiatal Hernia, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

Elisabeth Tracy is a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Tracy is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Appendicitis, Gangrene, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Appendectomy, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Tracy is currently accepting new patients.

I’m a general surgeon that specializes in operating on the upper abdomen as well as treating complicated abdominal wall problems like large hernias. The benefits of getting treatment at Duke are the extensive resources available that providers like myself can use. When necessary, we collaborate with other specialists and research experts at Duke in a seamless way, so the patient will get the benefit of all that we have to offer. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our three daughters. Dr. Pappas is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET), Umbilical Hernia, Appendectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

As an abdominal transplant surgeon, I perform transplants of the liver, kidney, pancreas and small bowels. I also do general abdominal procedures like hernia repairs. The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction and happiness I get when I see my patients’ faces after their transplant. I don’t want transplant patients to feel like we are putting them in a bubble. We expect them to live normal, happy lives, and enjoy the new organ once it’s given to them. Each patient comes to us with a unique challenge, but the best part of my job is the way the patient comes through obstacles and recovers. I decided to focus my training in abdominal transplant surgery after practicing general surgery in India and desiring a new challenge. I came to the U.S. to complete my surgical fellowship at Duke. Dr. Rege is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Kidney Transplant, and Liver Transplant.

Sandhya Lagoo is a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Lagoo has been practicing medicine for over 44 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Gallstones, Choledocholithiasis, and Hernia Surgery.

I am a general surgeon with a focus on abdominal disorders, such as peptic ulcer disease, gallbladder disease, and hernias. I use minimally-invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and robotics, to help speed up recovery for my patients. I believe in working closely with my patients to make sure they understand their health issues and treatment options to figure out the best plan for them as an individual. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife who is a pediatrician and our son. We like cooking, exercising, and getting to see friends. Dr. Michaels is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Hiatal Hernia, Gallbladder Removal, and Endoscopy.

I went into medicine with a desire to care for individuals of all backgrounds and to help address disparities in health care. Being a surgeon gives me the opportunity to diagnose and treat the individual while my background in public health helps me to focus on preventative care for my patients. I am a general surgeon who cares for emergency and elective general surgery patients. My training in minimally invasive surgery and surgical endoscopy allows me to care for my patients in the least invasive manner possible in order to minimize patient discomfort and improve patient recovery. I aim to perform procedures laparoscopically (with small incisions) or endoscopically (without any incisions). As a surgeon, I aim to provide an open and inclusive clinical environment by listening to and caring for patients of all different races, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. Dr. Fathalizadeh is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroparesis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Ileostomy, and Gastrectomy.

Many years ago, I came across a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Since that time, those words have guided my professional life from the field I chose to how I care for my patients who experience discomfort from acid reflux, hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia. With every individual and their families, I make sure that they appreciate my understanding of how their health issues provide them with new stresses that may leave them confused and scared. As a result, I pride myself on reassuring my patients and making sure that by the time they leave their clinic visit they know that I have their best interests at heart. Personally, my wife and I are the proud parents of three boys. Consequently, I like to spend my free time making use of their unlimited energy by running them around at all the great parks in the local area. Dr. Klapper is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Fibrosing Mediastinitis, Esophageal Perforation, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Lung Transplant, and Thymectomy.

Phillip Shadduck is a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Shadduck has been practicing medicine for over 39 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Juvenile Angiofibroma, Gallbladder Removal, and Endoscopy.

The impact I have on my patients is what I enjoy most about being a weight loss surgeon. It is amazing that we can do an operation that not only helps a patient lose weight, but also fixes their diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, along with giving them a better quality of life. There are a lot of options these days for people who are considering weight loss surgery. It’s important for patients to take into account each institution and what resources they have available. Duke is fully equipped to take care of complex cases in a safe manner. We have a multi-institutional team that’s been around the Triangle the longest and has the most experience. Almost every patient comes back after surgery and we see some of their previous medical conditions go away. That’s a good definition of success. Dr. Portenier is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

I came to Duke from Nebraska, where I was a medical director for two weight loss surgery programs. I decided to become a weight loss surgeon because it gives me the chance to establish a long-term relationship with my patients. For many patients, weight loss surgery often feels like a fresh start, since they are able to get rid of some of the health problems they may have acquired due to their weight and do certain activities they couldn’t do before. I get a thrill out of being able help patients start this “new life.” My approach to care involves listening to what the patient wants out of the surgery, educating them about various treatment options and performing a full evaluation. Then, I work with the patient to come up with a treatment plan that meets their physical and mental health needs. Dr. Sudan is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gastric Bypass, and Gallbladder Removal.

My clinical interests include minimally invasive and open approaches to advanced upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, with a focus on weight loss surgery and minimally invasive general surgery, with a specialization in complex hernias. I currently serve as co-director of the Duke Hernia Center at Duke Regional Hospital. I started at Duke in 2002 as a general surgery resident. I graduated in 2009 and went on to become a fellow in the Duke Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Program. I joined the surgical staff in 2010. I am a Virginian at heart, as it is where I grew up before moving to North Carolina to start my career at Duke. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my wife and three kids. Dr. Yoo is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, Gallbladder Disease, Endoscopy, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

My clinical interests include gastrointestinal surgery, with a focus on gallbladder and gastric disease, reflux disease, and hernias. Additionally, I enjoy working with patients to decide the best treatment for weight loss that will resolve diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. The most satisfying part of my job is when patients are proud of their success and recognize their ability to accomplish their goals. I was raised in upstate NY, attended Boston College, and spent three years working in Colorado prior to starting medical school in Arizona. I received advanced specialty training in weight loss surgery and endoscopic treatment of reflux disease at Duke in 2014. I enjoy spending my spare time outdoors. Dr. Seymour is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Gallbladder Removal, and Gastric Bypass.

I am from Rockford, IL and I'm a general surgeon. I always thought I would be a cancer doctor but never a surgeon. It turns out I enjoyed operating. I enjoy the immediate gratification of surgical treatment whether it's removing an appendix, or fixing an incarcerated hernia. I love Durham, NC as does my wife and two children. We look forward to staying here for a very long time and being a part of this community. Dr. Fong is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gallbladder Removal, and Hernia Surgery.

I am a surgical oncologist and researcher whose primary areas of focus are cancers of the liver and pancreas. As a surgeon, I believe in using minimally-invasive techniques, when possible, to speed up a patient’s recovery and get them to other avenues of care faster. My research is focused on clinical practice and clinical outcomes. I became interested in surgical oncology, because I enjoy the opportunity to restore hope to patients who may feel despair after their initial cancer diagnosis. I aim to restore hope by connecting with patients individually and providing them with options for treatment when they might feel they have none. I also work closely with my radiology oncology and medical oncology colleagues in crafting a treatment and care plan. Working together as a team often allows us to come up with a much better treatment plan than any of us could by ourselves. Dr. Zani is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, I grew up mostly on the east coast of the United States. I went to college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and medical school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I did my post-graduate training in New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, and Madison, Wisconsin. I took my first academic position at Boston University and the Boston Medical Center during which I rose to the position of Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Critical Care. I was recruited back to the University of Wisconsin in 2012 where I became Division Chief of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care. My wife, three daughters, and I are happy to meet the friendly people of the area and explore everything that North Carolina has to offer. Dr. Agarwal is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Colostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

Cory Joseph is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Joseph has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Fasciitis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Gastrostomy, and Colostomy.

Deepak Vikraman is a Pediatrics specialist and a Transplant Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Vikraman has been practicing medicine for over 27 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplant, and Kidney Transplant.

I am an Acute Care Surgeon who specializes in trauma surgery, emergency general surgery, critical care, hernia surgery, and the treatment of rib fractures. My approach to patient care is simple: I strive to treat patients like family. I take pride in listening to my patients, communicating clearly, and offering truly exceptional care before, during, and after surgery. I am passionate about surgical education and enjoy working with students and trainees. One of my favorite things to do is create innovative and exciting surgical education content for Behind the Knife, which is a surgery podcast and education platform. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, exercising, traveling, listening to music, and watching college football. Dr. Georgoff is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Delirium, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Subdural Hematoma.