I have a clinical practice that focuses on the evaluation and management of patients with esophageal and swallowing disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), Barrett’s esophagus and achalasia. Also, I have a strong academic and professional interest in health outcomes and quality of care. I am excited to be a part of Duke Health, where I can utilize revolutionary technologies like high resolution esophageal manometry and radiofrequency ablation to improve the care of my patients. Dr. Leiman is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Swallowing Difficulty, Esophagitis, Abdominal Wall Surgery, and Endoscopy.

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 Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Fibrosing Mediastinitis, Esophageal Perforation, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Lung Transplant, and Thymectomy.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroparesis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Ileostomy, and Gastrectomy.

I care for a wide variety of general gastrointestinal disorders and routinely performs upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Additionally, I have a specific interest in small bowel diseases, such as celiac sprue and gastrointestinal bleeding, and regularly perform double balloon enteroscopy and video capsule endoscopy to diagnosis and manage these problems. Dr. Wild is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, Watermelon Stomach, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.

I am thrilled to return to Duke Health after my recent retirement to provide much-needed part-time endoscopy services and improve access to colon cancer screening and surveillance. I first came to Duke from Kansas in 1989 and loved the pine trees and people so much that I never went back. I was the first female gastroenterologist (and 20 weeks pregnant) when I started private practice in Raleigh in 1994. After nearly 30 years of uninterrupted service to my beloved patients in central North Carolina, I retired in January 2024. It was difficult to give up my passion for gastroenterology, colonoscopy, and patient interaction. I am eager to return with a schedule that allows me to travel more with my husband. I enjoy meeting patients and easing their anxiety through rapport and detailed explanations. A little humor and hand-holding also help. I love safely removing large polyps.I have two grown children; my daughter is a physical rehabilitation PA in RDU, and my son is a game quality control specialist in Austin, Texas. My passions include crosswords, concerts, Broadway shows, sporting events, and traveling. Dr. Hutzenbuhler is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Diverticular Disease, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy.

As a gastroenterologist, I specialize in digestive disorders that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, and pancreas. In addition to seeing patients, I perform upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy. I was drawn to Gastroenterology as a specialty because digestive disorders come in many different forms and affect patients of all backgrounds and ages. My practice focuses on patient-centered care and shared decision making, and I enjoy working with patients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific problems. I believe patients should feel empowered to participate in their medical care. Outside of the office, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my wife and children and music, especially playing the guitar. Dr. Lloyd is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Colitis, Viral Gastroenteritis, Chronic Erosive Gastritis, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Hiatal Hernia, Gallbladder Removal, and Endoscopy.

I am a general gastroenterologist, and I perform a wide range of procedures including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. In the office, I see patients with small bowel, stomach, and esophageal and colonic digestive diseases. I have a particular interest in treating small bowel diseases, such as celiac and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. I also perform procedures for specialized evaluation of the small bowel, such as capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy, including double balloon enteroscopy. I enjoy getting to know my patients and practice a collaborative approach to care and medical decision-making. Dr. Vance is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Watermelon Stomach, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.

I’m a general gastroenterologist and treat a wide range of GI problems, but my area of specialty is in esophageal disorders. I see patients who may have swallowing disorders, hard-to-control acid reflux disease, or disorders or problems with the muscles of their esophagus. I also see patients with Barrett's esophagus, which is a gastroesophageal reflux disease where the lining of the esophagus may change over long periods of time. We need to treat it to prevent patients from getting esophageal cancer. It is important to establish a level of trust and have compassion for patients, making sure they feel that I’m completely invested in what’s important for them, doing everything to get to the right answers of what’s causing their symptoms, and coming up with a plan that works best to treat their problem. Dr. Wood is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Benign Esophageal Stricture, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Swallowing Difficulty, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.

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 an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET), Umbilical Hernia, Appendectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

My practice focuses on surgical treatments for both benign and malignant disorders of the lung and esophagus. From thoracic oncology to foregut disorders such as paraesophageal hernia, surgery requires passion and dedication. My job is to provide my patients with quality and comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring that their needs are met in a way that is tailored to each specific individual. The art of medicine is in patient care and that is always at the forefront of my practice. Dr. Viet is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. Her top areas of expertise are Esophageal Perforation, Lung Nodules, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Thymic Epithelial Tumor, and Thymectomy.

As a general pediatric surgeon, I take care of children with many different conditions of the chest or abdomen. These conditions can include birth defects, cancers, injuries caused by accidents and more. I also serve as chief of the division of pediatric surgery at Duke. When a child needs surgical care, it is one of the most challenging times in a family’s life. We are surrounded by a great team at Duke, which gives families the peace of mind that their child is in the best hands possible. I enjoy my role, because I not only get to work with families during times of challenge and happiness, but with staff members who are dedicated to keeping children healthy. I also relish my role in training young surgeons who are dedicated to helping children grow up as healthy as possible. Dr. Rice is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hereditary Spherocytosis, Atresia of Small Intestine, Umbilical Hernia, Splenectomy, and Thrombectomy.

"I was born and raised in New York, graduating from Duke University in 1989 and then the Yale University School of Medicine in 1993, where I served as class president and was named a Farr Scholar for ""superior performance… leadership, integrity and intellectual honesty in pursuit of medical knowledge at Yale.” Following residency and fellowship training in the Harvard system, I joined the gastroenterology faculty at Duke University Medical Center in 1999 and was honored in 2003 with the Paul G. Killenberg Fellow Teaching Award in Gastroenterology. I have authored numerous journal articles and book chapters in the fields of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and was named one of “America’s Top Physicians” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. I am an active member of the American Gastroenterology Association and the American College of Gastroenterology. I am married to Dr. Susan Spratt and am blessed with three wonderful children.". Dr. Tendler is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Cronkhite-Canada Disease, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome, and Colitis.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Obesity, Gastric Bypass, 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Choledocholithiasis, Hiatal Hernia, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, Gallbladder Disease, Endoscopy, 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gastric Bypass, and Gallbladder Removal.

"Internship is the first year after medical school. That year, I was a real doctor, but still was supervised by the attending staff. My first attending had an international reputation but believed ferociously that the art of medicine was grounded in what he called ""the story."" Most critically, he taught me, you had to know the main character of that story -- your patient. Over years of practice, I've provided care for death row prisoners, Fortune 500 CEOs, and NFL players. Each story is unique, as should be my approach. Daily, I work on capturing the details, and I try to teach our trainees to do the same.". Dr. Geneczko is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiatal Hernia. His top areas of expertise are Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Cronkhite-Canada Disease, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.