Dr. Russ R. Arjal

My approach to patient care is based on an individualized care plan which provides distinctive advanced medical and procedural therapy yet also meeting the unique emotional needs of each patient. I pride myself on utilizing both the cognitive and procedural aspects of my Advanced Therapeutic and Gastroenterologic training in providing cutting edge and evidence based care to my patients. Dr. Melitas earned his Medical degree from Spartan Health Sciences University and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.He completed an Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship at University of Illinois at Chicago and a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Michigan State University.As an advanced therapeutic endoscopist, Dr. Melitas has been trained to manage many complex gastrointestinal, pancreatic, biliary, and liver diseases endoscopically.Dr. Melitas is active in several Medical Associations including the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association. Dr. Melitas is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Jaundice, Bile Duct Obstruction, Cholangitis, Acute Pancreatitis, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Keval Shah is board certified in Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Internal Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at St. John Providence Health System in Detroit, Michigan. Following residency, he completed his Gastroenterology & Hepatology fellowship at Beaumont Health System in Detroit, Michigan. During his fellowship, he received special training in both Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Hepatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was also selected as a fellow under the American Neurogastroenterology Motility Society where he received advanced clinical training in Motility at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Shah's interests include nutrition and weight loss, esophageal disorders, reflux disease and management, colorectal cancer screening, and providing patients with a holistic approach to their gastrointestinal care.Dr. Keval Shah was born and raised in California. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Human Biology from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. He studied abroad in Costa Rica and Nicaragua where he spent time working in Emergency Medicine and became fluent in Spanish. He played tennis while in Claremont and was chosen as an NCAA Scholar-Athlete. He then attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences/COMP in Pomona, CA. Upon medical school graduation, he was awarded the prestigious San Miguel Scholarship.When not practicing Gastroenterology, Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful children. He enjoys playing basketball and tennis during his free time. Other hobbies include martial arts. Dr. Shah competed in the 1996 Junior Olympics and has both a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do as well as a first-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate.Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.— Hippocrates. Dr. Shah is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Indigestion, Gastric Dysmotility, Childhood Volvulus, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

We understand that visiting the gastroenterologist may be a new experience for you and that you may be in pain or worried about your health. That?s why all the staff at the Santa Maria Digestive Diagnostic Center and Santa Maria Gastroenterology focus on making you feel comfortable and confident in our care. Our physicians and our medical team take extra care to listen to your concerns, answer all your questions and thoroughly explain your condition and treatment options. Dr. Vachhani is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Gardner Syndrome, Turcot Syndrome, Gastrectomy, and Colonoscopy.