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 Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Colostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

Amy Rezak is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Rezak has been practicing medicine for over 25 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Ogilvie Syndrome, Gastrointestinal Perforation, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Gallbladder Removal, and Colostomy.

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 Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gallbladder Removal, and Hernia Surgery.

Steven Vaslef is a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Vaslef is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Ogilvie Syndrome, Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, Gastrostomy, and Colostomy. Dr. Vaslef is currently accepting new patients.

Cory Joseph is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Joseph has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Fasciitis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Gastrostomy, and Colostomy.

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 Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroparesis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Ileostomy, and Gastrectomy.

Bradley Collins is a Pediatrics specialist and a Transplant Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Collins has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplant.

Joseph Fernandez is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Fernandez has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Subdural Hematoma, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Ogilvie Syndrome, Delirium, and Bladder Reconstruction.

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 Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET), Umbilical Hernia, Appendectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, I grew up there until attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, for college. I returned to Puerto Rico for medical school at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. I completed my postgraduate training at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, where I also earned a Ph.D. with Distinction in Biomedical Sciences, majoring in physiology. I then completed my fellowship in trauma, critical care, and emergency surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Martinez is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Fasciitis, Gastrointestinal Perforation, Spinal Shock, Fasciotomy, and Liver Embolization.

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 Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Delirium, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Subdural Hematoma.

Kevin Naresh is a General Surgeon and a Surgical Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Naresh has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Ampullary Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Pancreatectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

I’m a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist who specializes in the surgical management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies—including soft tissue sarcomas and pancreas, colorectal and gastric cancers. Many of my patients have advanced malignancies and I am always amazed at their resilience. Their determination to fight inspires me to aggressively pursue every surgical option and to study novel techniques to improve surgical outcomes. One of the most important reasons for patients to be treated at Duke is the emphasis on a team-oriented approach to every patient. Nearly every surgical cancer patient is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor conference in order to assure state of the art care. When I am not in the hospital, my wife and I can be found chasing our two young children or running with our dog. Dr. Blazer is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

I specialize in the surgical management of benign and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract. Specifically trained in laparoscopic resection of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, I perform the full range of colorectal operations, including reconstructive operations, such as ileal pouches. My clinical, research, and administrative efforts are all focused on implementing perioperative care practices that ensure best patient outcomes. Bridging specialties to best care for GI surgery patients, I particularly enjoy combined cases. For instance, I regularly operate with the pediatric surgery team on younger patients with IBD or pelvic cancer. Until my exposure to surgery in medical school, I thought I wanted the patient-doctor relationship well-known to primary care. With experience, however, I realized this relationship was possible in the practice of surgery. Colorectal surgery allows me the privilege of long-term relationships with a great variety of patients; close relationships with my colleagues; and administrative positions that promote the best care. Dr. Marosky is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Hernia Surgery, and Hemorrhoidectomy.

I find the endocrine organs and hormones fascinating and am forever learning new things from my patients. I cherish the overwhelming success in helping control and normalize hormone processes surgically. The hugs, handshakes or tears of joy from my patients at their follow up are the reason I became an endocrine surgeon. In addition to the treatment of aberrant endocrine gland function, I also evaluate any tumor process of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and endocrine pancreas. The unfortunate reality is that many of these tumors are cancerous. My own family has dealt with thyroid cancer. The experiences of my wife and mother-in-law in dealing with the diagnosis of cancer, the surgery, the treatment, the challenge of hormone regulation, the follow up and the reality of cancer recurrence is something that is a part of me and reflected in how I relate to my cancer patients. Dr. Stang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Hyperparathyroidism, Thyroid Nodule, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroidectomy, and Parathyroidectomy.

I am a board certified, Assistant Professor of colon and rectal surgery at Duke Raleigh Hospital. My clinical expertise includes management of both malignant and benign colorectal diseases. These include colon cancer, rectal cancer, hereditary polyposis and anal cancer; inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; benign colon and rectal disorders such as diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, anal fistulae and rectal prolapse. I have experience in laparoscopic and robotic approaches to treat colorectal diseases. My goal is to provide exceptional care, using the latest surgical techniques, with compassion and commitment. Dr. Louise is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Colorectal Cancer, Rectal Prolapse, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Hernia Surgery, and Ureteroscopy.

The majority of my practice is focused on treating patients with the disease obesity. I am a general surgeon who completed a fellowship in advanced minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, so that I can offer obesity care using advanced endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches. I am also board certified in obesity medicine and my hope is to approach patients comprehensively. Obesity is a chronic disease that needs lifelong follow up. This approach takes a team and here at Duke Health, we have a fantastic team. A true multidisciplinary approach helps us meet all the needs of our patients. With my training, I also treat gallbladder disease, stomach diseases, acid reflux, and hernias. With my laparoscopic and robotic training, I can offer the safest and best approaches for your general surgery needs. When I meet you in clinic, we will talk through all the treatments options for your condition so we make the best and safest decision for you and your family. My goal is to offer you the care that I would want for my family. Dr. Eckhouse is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Obesity, Obesity in Children, Hernia, 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gastric Bypass, and Gallbladder Removal.

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 Ogilvie Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastric Bypass, 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ogilvie Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Gallbladder Removal, and Gastric Bypass.