I treat patients with benign and cancerous conditions of the bile duct and pancreas. I specialize in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic stenting and the removal of large, complex colon polyps. I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of performing these procedures. However, the most gratifying parts of my work are interacting with patients, relating to them on a personal level and providing compassionate care. Dr. Burbridge is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Choledocholithiasis, Bile Duct Stricture, Cholestasis, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

After completing a general gastroenterology fellowship as well as an additional advanced endoscopy fellowship at Duke, I joined the talented faculty. This opportunity allows me to continue my clinical focus on caring for patients with complicated pancreas and biliary tree disorders. Outside of the hospital I enjoy spending time with my wife and young daughter. Dr. Spaete is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Pancreatitis, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

My specialty focuses on diseases of the pancreas, diseases of the bile duct, as well as therapeutic endoscopy procedures for complicated GI problems that may not be provided in the community such as treatment of malignant obstruction, Zenker’s diverticula, fistulae or endoscopic removal of premalignant or malign lesions of the GI tract. I’ve been at Duke for over 25 years, and the thing that has kept me here all these years has been the opportunity to provide care for patients that need these advanced services and the wonderful people I work with. I very much enjoy working with colleagues who want to provide the best possible care for our patients and the opportunity to train the future leaders in gastroenterology. We have a great facility, great technology, but most importantly my colleagues and the people I work with share the same vision and values. You take this for granted until you go somewhere else. I wouldn’t be able to provide what I hope is excellent care without the assistance of great nurses, physicians and staff at Duke. I hope you will have this same experience when you come to Duke University Health System. Dr. Stanley is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Bile Duct Stricture, Cholestasis, Bile Duct Obstruction, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

As a pancreatologist, I primarily focus on pancreatic disorders such as acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and pancreatic cysts as well as see patients who are at high risk for pancreatic cancer in clinic. My primary goal is to provide you with a comprehensive evaluation and build a therapeutic relationship to improve your quality of life in a multidisciplinary fashion. As your doctor, I value your opinion and am committed to advocating for you. Dr. Kothari is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Hereditary Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.

Kevin Naresh is a General Surgeon and a Surgical Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Naresh has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Ampullary Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Pancreatectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

My interest in digestive and gastrointestinal disease began as a medical student and only grew over the subsequent years. I have trained at Duke Health within the field of gastroenterology and have a focus in advanced endoscopic techniques and pancreatic and biliary disorders, benign and malignant conditions. I enjoy providing care for all patients within the clinical setting as well as at the time of procedure in order to ensure delivery of the best quality care. I hope to provide a partnership with my patients by getting to know each individual and their family and by serving as an advocate for their care. Last, but not least, I enjoy working with and learning from all of my colleagues at Duke Health. Each member of the Duke team enriches my day at work and also provide continuous opportunities for learning. Dr. Johnson is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Cholestasis, Bile Duct Stricture, Bile Duct Obstruction, Endoscopy, and Pancreatectomy.

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

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 Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gallbladder Disease, Colostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

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 Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Diverticular Disease, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy.

I am a researcher and heart transplant specialist who also serves as medical director for the heart transplant program at Duke. From the time I was a child, I have been fascinated by how the human body works, specifically by how blood travels around the body. I became especially interested in how the heart behaves when it is normal and how it adapts when it is damaged. As a transplant cardiologist, I get to combine these interests with cutting-edge medicine to help people to live longer and feel better, even when hearts fail. I enjoy getting to know patients and their loved ones as they go through their transplant journey at Duke. I am also fortunate to be part of an experienced team that has been together for over a decade taking care of heart transplant patients. Dr. Patel is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, Pulmonary Edema, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, and Endoscopy.

I specialize in gastroenterology, specifically adult inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. I also see patients with a variety of digestive issues including fecal transplant for C. diff. colitis. I became a physician because I truly enjoy interacting with people and helping them feel better in whatever way I can. I like to emphasize good communication between providers and patients. It is important to work together with each patient to provide education and a personalized treatment plan that we both agree upon. Listening and understanding what each patient needs is vital to our success. Before working at Duke Health, I practiced as a gastroenterologist in the greater Boston area at the Lahey Clinic for 12 years. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, reading fiction novels, and practicing yoga. Dr. Barto is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Pseudomembranous Colitis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.

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 Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Benign Esophageal Stricture, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Swallowing Difficulty, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.

I am a cancer surgeon who specializes in treating patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, stomach, and adrenal glands. I initially trained and practiced at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. During this time, I served one year on a forward surgical team in Iraq. Following this service, I practiced for 13 years as a surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. In 2018, I joined the faculty at Duke University and now serve as the chief of surgical oncology for Duke Health. I enjoy getting to know my patients and delivering the highest quality of cancer care. I am dedicated not only to treating and curing your cancer, but also providing you with the highest quality of life. Operations for cancers within the abdomen are a serious undertaking, and I am committed to making sure that they are performed with the highest level of expertise. Dr. Allen is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatoblastoma, Small Bowel Resection, and Pancreatectomy.

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 Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

Paul Jowell is a Gastroenterologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Jowell is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Choledocholithiasis, Bile Duct Stricture, Pancreatic Cancer, Endoscopy, and Pancreatectomy. Dr. Jowell is currently accepting new patients.

I am the Chief of Hospital Medicine programs at Duke University Hospital. Our team includes hospital medicine faculty physicians, advanced practice providers, and administrative staff at all three Duke hospitals. Our team's focus is on inpatient hospital medicine. We strive to provide the high-quality Duke experience to all patients that we help care for. This experience includes seamless integration of excellent patient care, research, and education. Dr. Gallagher is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Acute Pancreatitis and Childhood Pancreatitis.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. 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 Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. His top areas of expertise are Ogilvie Syndrome, Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, Gastrostomy, and Colostomy. Dr. Vaslef is currently accepting new patients.

Mingwei Chen is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Chen has been practicing medicine for over 31 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Pancreatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Sepsis, Peptic Ulcer, Necrosis, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.