The 20 Best Painful Swallowing Doctors Near Me in Ann Arbor, MI
Find the Top Painful Swallowing Experts and Specialists
Taubman Center
Dr. Joan Chen received her Bachelor’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and her Medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at Northwestern University. After her general GI fellowship, she completed an additional Esophageal fellowship at Northwestern University. She earned a master’s degree in clinical investigation (MSCI) at the Northwestern School of Public Health. Dr. Chen joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2013, where she is the Director of Esophageal Motility since 2017. Her clinical and research interests include swallowing disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and esophageal motility disorders. Dr. Chen works closely with her UM colleagues in the Thoracic Surgery, Ear Nose and Throat, Speech Pathology, Rheumatology, Dermatology Departments, as well as the Behavioral Psychologists and Dietitians in the GI Department. Dr. Chen’s method to patient care often relies on collaborative, multidisciplinary, and patient-centered approaches.Outside of the Institution, Dr. Chen has been invited to speak at national and international conferences. She is an active member of several professional GI organizations including the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Foregut Society, the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society, the Rome Foundation, and the American College of Gastroenterology. She is a regular contributor to peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and she has participated in the development of several recent guidelines for management of esophageal diseases. Dr. Chen enjoys running, cycling, traveling, and reading outside of work. In addition to English, she is fluent in Mandarin, Chinese. Dr. Chen is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Achalasia, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Chen is board certified in Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Mary Takami is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Takami is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Achalasia, Swallowing Difficulty, Painful Swallowing, Colonoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Taubman Center
Robbi Kupfer is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Kupfer is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Perichondritis, Laryngectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Kupfer is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
University Hospital
Ammar Hassan is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Hassan is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Visceromegaly, Enlarged Liver, Cirrhosis, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Taubman Center
Eric D. Shah MD MBA FACG is an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Shah is director of the Michigan Medicine GI Physiology Laboratories. Dr. Shah is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bowel Incontinence, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Shah is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Dr. Mark Prince earned his medical degree at Dalhousie University Medical School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then served with the Canadian Armed Forces as a medical officer, receiving specialized training in hyperbaric and diving medicine. Dr. Prince returned to Dalhousie University and completed a residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery, followed by a two-year fellowship in advanced head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2000, and is actively involved in resident and medical student education, serving as his department's residency program director. Dr. Prince served as the chief of the section of otolaryngology at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center until 2009, he continues to serve there as an active staff member. His research laboratory published the first report of the identification of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell cancer, and continues to conduct research in this exciting field. Dr. Prince is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Laryngeal Cancer, Throat Cancer, Acinic Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Glands, Salivary Gland Tumors, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Prince is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Taubman Center
Shanti Eswaran is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Eswaran is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 36 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diarrhea, Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Eswaran is board certified in Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Joel Rubenstein, M.D., M.Sc. is Director of the Barrett's Esophagus Program and Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan. He is also a Research Scientist at the Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Clinical Management Research.Dr. Rubenstein earned a Bachelors of Science from the University of Michigan, majoring in biophysics. He then earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. After completing his residency training in internal medicine at the University of Chicago, Dr. Rubenstein returned to the University of Michigan, where he completed fellowship training in gastroenterology, earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis, and then joined the faculty of the Division of Gastroenterology in 2004.Dr. Rubenstein is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous lesion associated with esophageal cancer. His research aims to develop efficient management strategies for identifying Barrett's esophagus and preventing death from esophageal cancer. Dr. Rubenstein's research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, and other sources. In addition to Barrett's esophagus, Dr. Rubenstein has clinical expertise in other esophageal disoders, including achalasia and eosinophilic esophagitis.Dr. Rubenstein is the former Chair of the Clinical Practice Section of the American Gastroenterology Association, and current Associated Editor of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Dr. Rubenstein is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Barrett Esophagus, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Esophageal Cancer, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Rubenstein is board certified in Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Keith Casper is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Casper is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Tongue Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Glossectomy. Dr. Casper is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Taubman Center
"Matthew J. DiMagno, MD, AGAF, received his bachelor's degree from Macalester College, a medical degree from the University of Minnesota and training in internal medicine from the University of Michigan. He went on to complete both a fellowship in gastroenterology and a post-doctoral fellowship in experimental pancreatitis at the University of Michigan. After completing fellowship training, Dr. DiMagno joined the faculty 2001 at Michigan, where he is Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology. He serves as a medical pancreatologist, director of the Comprehensive Pancreas Program (2018-) and the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Center of Excellence for pancreatitis (2022-), GI director of the adult cystic fibrosis program (2014-), and recent director for the general gastroenterology clinic (2014-2022).Dr. DiMagno has an active clinical research program which has received funding from the federal government to support research in acute and chronic pancreatitis.Dr. DiMagno has coauthored 76 peer-reviewed manuscripts, reviews and book chapters. He serves on several editorial boards.Dr. DiMagno has served as Medical Director, The National Pancreas Foundation State Chapter of Michigan (2016-2022), Chair of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Council Pancreatic Disorders Section Committee (2014-16), and Chair of the nominating committee for the AGA Institute Council Pancreatic Disorders Section Committee (2016-19).Dr. DiMagno has participated in and directed numerous national and international continuing medical education programs in gastroenterology. He has also directed local, annual educational events for patients and caregivers (2016-2021), focused on pancreatic disorders. His clinical expertise is recognized by election to the University of Michigan (UofM) Department of Internal Medicine Clinical Excellence Society, entitled, Academiae Laureati Medici (2018), election to the roster of ""Best Doctors"" since 2015, and recognition as one of 10 Gastroenterologists focused on pancreatic disorders & diseases by Becker’s Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Review in 2014.". Dr. Dimagno is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 33 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Colonoscopy, and Gastrectomy. Dr. Dimagno is board certified in Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Andrew Read is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Read is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Tenesmus, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.
Taubman Center
John Del Valle is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Del Valle is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Hemorrhagic Proctocolitis, Colitis, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Del Valle is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.
Taubman Center
Dr. Hogikyan is Professor and Associate Chairman of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the University of Michigan Medical School, and Professor of Music in the U-M School of Music, Theatre and Dance. He serves as Chief of the Division of Laryngology and General Otolaryngology (LaRGO), and Director of the University of Michigan Vocal Health Center. He is a subspecialist in Laryngology and Clinical Medical Ethics.Dr. Hogikyan received his bachelor of science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1982. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School cum laude, alpha omega alpha, and with distinction in research in 1988. While in medical school he received a prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute-National Institutes of Health research fellowship and spent a year doing molecular genetics research at NIH. His residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, and his fellowship in Laryngology was under Dr. Robert Bastian at Loyola University of Chicago. Dr. Hogikyan joined the University of Michigan faculty in 1995. He more recently undertook a fellowship in Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, from where he graduated in 2019. Areas of InterestDr. Hogikyan’s clinical interests include all types of voice disorders, as well as airway and swallowing problems. He founded the University of Michigan Vocal Health Center in 1996, including a multidisciplinary clinic for occupational and professional voice users. He also serves as faculty with the Michigan Medicine Clinical Ethics Program.His laryngologic research interests include measurement of voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL), laryngeal paralysis, subglottic stenosis, and respiratory papillomatosis. His ethics-related research interests include the doctor-patient relationship, trust in the surgeon-patient relationship, and ethical considerations for patients with communication disorders.Honors and AwardsDr. Hogikyan has received numerous awards over the course of his career, with notable recent awards including:University of Michigan Medical School: Otolaryngology Teacher of the Year (2004), Dean’s Award for Community Service (2012), Resident Mentorship Award (2015, 2017), Esteemed Clinical Faculty Award (2015), LarGO Division Teaching Award (2018)American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Honor Award (2009), Jerome C. Goldstein Public Service Award (2018)Triological Society: Triological Thesis Honorable Mention Award for Basic Science Research (2011)American Laryngological Association: Presidential Citation (2017). Dr. Hogikyan is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Laryngectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Hogikyan is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Taubman Center
Jeffrey Stanley is an Otolaryngologist and a Sleep Medicine provider practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Stanley is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sialadenitis, Salivary Duct Stones, and Autonomic Neuropathy.
Briarwood Health Associates
Andrea Todisco is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Todisco is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Painful Swallowing, Swallowing Difficulty, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Colonoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Briarwood Health Associates
Darashana Punglia is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Gastroenterologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Punglia is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Gas Bloat Syndrome, Diarrhea, Trichohepatoenteric Syndrome, Gastrectomy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Punglia is board certified in Gastroenterology.
University Hospital
Dr. Powell is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan. She completed internal medicine internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital (Urban Health track) and hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at the NIH Clinical Center. Clinically, she practices inpatient and outpatient palliative medicine at the LTC Charles Kettles VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Powell is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. Her clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Pain, Opioid Use Disorder, Acute Pain, and Fibromyalgia. Dr. Powell is board certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice And Palliative Medicine.
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
Dr. Grace Jennifer (Jenny) Lee was born and raised in Maryland and earned her medical degree at the Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Lee has a special clinical and research interest in celiac disease. As a member of the Celiac Disease Program at the University of Michigan, her goal is to improve the quality of care provided to celiac disease patients in their diagnosis and management. Dr. Lee is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. She is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Celiac Disease, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Delayed Growth, Crohn's Disease, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Lee is board certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology.
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
My clinical practice concentrates on complex pediatric airway, hearing & language development, and care of the child with a congenital syndrome. Dr. Green is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 32 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Tracheobronchomalacia, Acquired Tracheomalacia, CHARGE Syndrome, Adenoidectomy, and Myringotomy. Dr. Green is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
Terrence Pleasant is an Otolaryngologist and a Pediatric Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Pleasant is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Swallowing. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Laryngomalacia, Enlarged Adenoids, Choanal Atresia, Branchial Cleft Cyst, and Adenoidectomy. Dr. Pleasant is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Last Updated: 04/28/2026



















