I perform upper endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, and help evaluate GI disorders. I have special interests in the esophagus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and esophageal motor disorders, such as achalasia. I am passionate about clinical care, education and mentorship, guideline development, and clinical investigation. At Duke, I have been awarded the Paul Killenberg Faculty Teaching and Malcolm Tyor Faculty Scholar Awards. Dr. Patel is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Painful Swallowing, Swallowing Difficulty, Rathke Cleft Cyst, and Esophageal Varices.

I am a stroke-trained neurologist and neurohospitalist. I mainly manage acute neurological conditions in the hospital setting, and help direct Duke Regional Hospital's stellar acute stroke program, where we are recognized by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. I am very interested in how we, as health care providers, deliver neurologic care in the hospital, and how we can improve that care and resulting health outcomes. I also see patients in clinic with cerebrovascular diseases, stroke, and aneurysms and manage these diseases long-term. When I am away from the hospital I enjoy spending time with my wife and our young daughter, and participate in auto racing and high performance driving events. Dr. Ehrlich is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, Thrombectomy, and Transmyocardial Revascularization.

I went into medicine because I enjoy helping people, teaching, and problem-solving. The endocrinology field allows me to fulfill my passion given I can help patients with many different complex chronic diseases. My clinical interests include diabetes, lipid disorders, and post-bariatric surgery endocrine disorders. I also have an interest in thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, and hyperparathyroidism. For patients with long-term complex or unstable endocrine conditions, I work with a team of providers, including endocrine-trained nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical pharmacists, to help manage your care. I have a mature endocrine practice and believe in an interdisciplinary team-based approach to care. For patients with endocrine conditions that have stabilized, my team can also provide consultative guidance to help your primary care manage your endocrine condition. Dr. Rowell is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Thyroid Nodule, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Hypothalamic Tumor, and Triple A Syndrome.

Endocrinology has captured my heart because it combines medical science with unique challenges. My passion for solving puzzles drives my deep interest in pituitary disease, the most complex area of endocrinology. As a pituitary specialist and director of the Duke Pituitary Program, I take pride in my role as a knowledgeable physician who strives for thoroughness in every aspect to ensure my patients receive the highest standard of care. I believe the doctor-patient relationship is built on communication, empathy, and trust. Dr. Shahla is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Addison's Disease, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Isolated ACTH Deficiency, and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency.

Nicole Jelesoff is an Endocrinologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Jelesoff has been practicing medicine for over 34 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH).

I was inspired to be a doctor by my grandfather, a classic “black bag” physician, who practiced family medicine with grace, compassion, and enthusiasm I strive to emulate. I became interested in the treatment of neurologic illness in college, and I pursued a specialization in the minimally invasive treatment of brain tumors and skull base tumors. When a patient has a brain disorder, they bring to me not just an organ to be fixed, but also their senses, perceptions, and mechanisms that allow them to interact with their world. My goal is to help my patients understand these frightening and disorienting problems and to create with them a custom treatment strategy to overcome the difficulties. I use the latest advances in minimally invasive neurosurgery to hopefully return them to the activities they most enjoy. Through my research, I hope to devise even better ways to approach these problems in the future. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my amazing daughter and son, as well as my two miniature schnauzers. Dr. Codd is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Prolactinoma, Pituitary Tumor, Encephalocele, Awake Craniotomy, and Mastoidectomy.

I am a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of patients with skin cancer. I am part of a team of surgical oncologists, dermatologists, and radiation oncologists who all work together to determine the best treatment approach for each patient. My focus is on treating patients with advanced melanoma, as well as melanoma that is at high risk for recurrence after surgery. We also treat patients with merkel cell carcinoma and advanced basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. We also have a number of clinical trial options available, allowing our patients access to the newest therapies available. Dr. Salama is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Melanoma, Melanoma of the Eye, Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, and Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET).

What we specialize in at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center is compassionate care – we take care of our patients. It’s complete care. The patients don’t have to go out and find a radiologist. We have the radiation oncologist, the chemotherapy, the surgery, the radiology, we have all kinds of nursing people as well as help getting physical therapy and getting in-the-home assistance. Patients also can expect cutting-edge care because we run such a terrific science program here. I really like working with the patients. No question about it. It’s not that I’m doing some trivial procedure six times a day. When someone comes in with a brain tumor, there’s usually some bonding, and instead of running away from that, I really enjoy it. Dr. Friedman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioma, Glioblastoma, Awake Craniotomy, and Laminectomy.

My interest in medicine began as a child watching my physician grandfather care for his patients. When I went to college, I became an EMT to further my own interest in medicine. I was introduced to endocrinology during medical school by a physician who I consider a friend and mentor. I enjoy endocrinology because it explores and explains the complexities of the human body. I consider it a privilege to take care of patients every day. I value the opportunity I get to develop long-lasting, trusting relationships with them. As a specialist in thyroid cancer, I understand that the diagnosis of cancer is life-changing. I invest my time by listening to patients to understand their questions and concerns. My job is to provide them with the necessary information and tools to make decisions regarding their care. Then, we can work together as a team to develop a treatment plan which is most beneficial to them. The greatest reward is when patients trust me and indicate the positive difference this approach has made in their lives. Dr. Frieze is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, and Thyroid Cancer.

Nursing is the only thing I have seriously thought of doing. It is a privilege to work with patients and families at a vulnerable time in their life. I am driven to help them in any capacity that I can. Outside of work, my husband Chad and kids, Hunter and Libby, motivate me to be the best I can. They are the light of my life. I enjoy cooking, the beach, watching football, and hosting weekend get together with friends. Go Hawkeyes!. Ms. Lally is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Hydrocephalus, and Pituitary Tumor.

I'm a radiation oncologist, and I specialize in treating brain, base of skull and spine tumors, as well as tumors that arise in the body but go to the brain or the spine, as in certain cases of lung, breast and kidney cancer and melanoma. When I meet with a patient, it’s important for me to introduce them and their family to our team of doctors, therapists, nurses and treatment planners. The patient and their family will also become members of this team – truly the most important part - so we can work together to tailor care based on their wants and needs. At Duke, we’ve developed techniques to precisely and accurately treat small, complex lesions and tumors. We can minimize the amount of radiation that goes into normal tissues and at the same time maximize the amount of radiation where it is needed. Our team is geared to delivering every treatment to each patient exactly as planned, especially in complicated and difficult situations. As a patient or a physician, I think there’s no better place to be than Duke. I love my work, feel honored that my patients place their trust in our team and me and work hard to earn that trust. Dr. Kirkpatrick is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Brain Tumor, Meningioma, Glioma, Astrocytoma, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

I was attracted to neurosurgery because of the intense patient-doctor relationships that form when the functions that are so vital to our humanity, such as the ability to communicate with a loved one, are at stake. I was fortunate to do my neurosurgical training at the busiest brain tumor center in the country where I also pursued advanced training in minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, I devoted time to specialize in critical care medicine in order to provide more comprehensive care to our sickest patients. I draw upon these experiences to care for patients with brain tumors and those that have suffered severe brain trauma. I take great pride in being a surgeon and work hard to listen to my patients and their families so as a group we can develop a compassionate and evidence-based plan aligned with their goals and wishes. I grew up in a beach community on the South Shore of Long Island in New York but came to Duke University for college when I was 18 years old and never left. Dr. Komisarow is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Traumatic Brain Injury, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Thrombectomy, and Awake Craniotomy.

David D'alessio is an Endocrinologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. D'alessio is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Duke Children’s offers the full spectrum of services for children, and pediatric neurosurgery is very strong here. I have an excellent group of people working with me, and we really strive to take excellent care of these children and their families. We work hard to build up a trust, because this is a very stressful and strained time in people’s lives when their children are ill. We work to build that trust and to maintain it on a daily basis. The whole team works together for the good of the child and the family. My favorite part of my job is seeing children who came in with a very serious health issue – and after getting them through the surgery and recovery – when they come back to clinic and we see that they have returned to their normal lives, that they’re doing better, that they’re enjoying all the things kids should be enjoying and really getting on with their lives. It’s really rewarding to think I played a role in that child going on to have a healthy and productive life. Dr. Fuchs is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Chiari Malformation Type 1, Chiari Malformation, Hydrocephalus, Cerebellum Agenesis Hydrocephaly, and Posterior Fossa Decompression.

I am the chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Duke Children's Hospital. I treat a wide variety of conditions affecting the brain and spine in children, including tumors, hydrocephalus, trauma, and craniosynostosis. I consider it a real privilege to earn a family's trust with their child's health. I enjoy building relationships with the family unit and understanding the specific details of their situation that need consideration in their child's care to ensure a smooth hospitalization experience. Our team leverages the expertise available at Duke Children's Hospital to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient. Witnessing a child return to a normal or improved life after intervention is incredibly gratifying, and seeing them thrive years later is one of the most special aspects of pediatric neurosurgery. Dr. Greene is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Myelomeningocele, Chiari Malformation Type 2, Syringomyelia, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Craniectomy.

Christopher Lascola is a Neuroradiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Lascola has been practicing medicine for over 27 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma (pLGG), Meningioma, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Hydrocephalus.

I am an ophthalmologist specializing in both pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology. My expertise is in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of neurological conditions affecting the eyes of both adults and children. My clinical interests include pediatric and adult nystagmus, strabismus, brain tumors, autoimmune demyelinating diseases, spina bifida, craniosynostoses, hydrocephalus, neonatal hypoxic ischemic injury, spina bifida, cortical visual impairment, papilledema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) and all optic neuropathies. The large majority of my patients are children with/or at risk for neurologic disease or adults with developmental delay. My clinic visits often include ancillary testing ​such as visual fields and optical coherence tomography, which help me assess if there is a risk for vision loss. I like to try to avoid invasive testing and procedures or testing that requires anesthesia or sedation when possible. In my pediatric clinic, I like to collect and use old fashioned mechanical toys to test eye movements, which younger children usually enjoy. I will often have small prizes for younger (and older) children at the end of the visit. Dr. El is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Papilledema, Increased Intracranial Pressure, Optic Nerve Atrophy, Strabismus, and Trabeculectomy.

I have been an internist for many years, having first worked in upstate New York in my own private practice. My family and I moved to North Carolina in 2005. In addition to caring for my own panel of patients, I am involved in administrative work as well as teaching at the medical center and at Duke Primary Care Pickett Road. I especially enjoy internal medicine because of the problem solving that is often required to diagnose adult illnesses, and I savor the long-term relationships that I have with many of my patients. On a personal note, I have three wonderful teenage children, a black lab puppy, and my wife is a vascular surgeon. All keep me busy at home, but in my small amount of free time, I also enjoy road biking and have participated in a number of sprint and Olympic-length triathlons over the last 10 years. "". Dr. Peyser is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young.

James Carter is a Physician Assistant in Durham, North Carolina. Mr. Carter is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma (pLGG) and Rathke Cleft Cyst. Mr. Carter is currently accepting new patients.

Alicia Provenzano is a Physician Assistant in Durham, North Carolina. Ms. Provenzano is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rathke Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Arteriovenous Malformation, Vertebral Artery Dissection, and Rathke Cleft Cyst.