. Dr. Hodge is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Cholecystitis, Colostomy, and Gastrostomy.

. Dr. Lee is highly rated in 19 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Fibrolamellar Carcinoma, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatectomy, and Small Bowel Resection.

Benjamin Scharfstein, MD, finds his greatest joy in witnessing the positive outcomes his patients achieve. “I love seeing my patients return after surgery, feeling much better and ready to get back to their lives and families,” he says. Inspired by his grandfather, an ophthalmologist, Dr. Scharfstein grew up in Johnson City and is thrilled to practice medicine and raise his family in the Appalachian Highlands. He has a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and community spirit of the region. Outside of his work, Dr. Scharfstein stays active in his church and enjoys spending time outdoors. Dr. Scharfstein is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Gastrostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

. Dr. Cutshall is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Thrombophlebitis, Bladder Reconstruction, and Hernia Surgery.

. Dr. Bulawa is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Choledocholithiasis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Cellulitis, Colostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

"Sidney Collins, MD, FACS, has a simple philosophy when it comes to treating patients, ""Faith, hope and love,"" he says. ""Everyone has a story to tell. If you listen closely and read between the lines, you can uncover it."" A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Collins spent 20 years in the United States Army before moving to the Appalachian Highlands to complete his general surgery residency. When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Collins enjoys spending time with his kids. “Whatever they like to do is always fun for me.”". Dr. Collins is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Varicose Veins, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Familial Colorectal Cancer, Hernia Surgery, and Gastrostomy.

. Dr. Lawson is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Intraductal Papilloma, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

. Dr. Bridges is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Hemorrhoids, Lung Nodules, Hernia Surgery, and Small Bowel Resection.

. Dr. Stanski is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Intraductal Papilloma, and Lymphadenectomy.

. Dr. Robertson is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Venous Insufficiency, Peripheral Artery Disease, Bladder Reconstruction, and Ureteroscopy.

Paige Furrow, MD, believes in treating every patient “the way you or your family would want to be treated.” Originally from Horsepasture, Virginia, she was drawn to medicine after volunteering at a free clinic where she says she fell in love with helping people. Dr. Furrow enjoys getting to know her patients and listening to their stories, always striving to understand where they’re coming from. Dr. Furrow enjoys living and working in the Appalachian Highlands, where the outdoor activities, mountains and people feel like home. When she’s not in the operating room, you’ll likely find her outside, training for triathlons or volunteering in the community. Dr. Furrow is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Gastrostomy, and Hemorrhoidectomy.

. Dr. Floresguerra is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Familial Colorectal Cancer, Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Bladder Reconstruction, and Hernia Surgery.

"G. Darby Pope, MD, FACS, developed an interest in medicine during his childhood while living overseas as the son of Christian missionaries. For him, medicine became a way to demonstrate God's love and compassion by helping those in need at their most vulnerable moments. ""The grace of God gave me the skill and opportunity to become a doctor,"" Dr. Pope says. ""I became a surgeon because I loved helping eliminate problems in patients' lives and seeing them return to a full life."" When Dr. Pope is not working, he enjoys coaching and playing sports, staying active in his church, and exploring the Appalachian Highlands with his wife and their 7 children.". Dr. Pope is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Advanced Bronchoscopy.

. Dr. Mcclintic is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Disease, Gallstones, Choledocholithiasis, Gastrostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

. Dr. Jackson is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Gallbladder Disease, Gallstones, and Colostomy.

Dr. Gray is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the stomach, small bowel, gallbladder and hernias. He is passionate about bariatric and metabolic surgery – sometimes called “weight loss surgery” – and is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery to help his patients get back to living their lives quicker. Dr. Gray originally moved to East Tennessee to complete his general surgery residency at ETSU. After completing his advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University, he was excited to return to the area and bring his special skill set to East Tennessee. Dr. Gray is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, Hernia, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastric Bypass.

Bariatric surgeon Dr. Andrew Kramer had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery himself in 2004. This personal experience as a bariatric patient puts him in a unique position to relate to other weight-loss patients. And since incorporating bariatric surgery into his practice a few years before that, he has performed more than 1,300 bariatric surgeries at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. Dr. Kramer also serves as the bariatric program medical director for the hospital’s Comprehensive Weight Management Center . He is recognized by MBSAQIP as a Verified Surgeon, was a founding member of the Virginia Bariatric Society and is a member of the Tennessee Bariatric Society. He received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1987 and completed his residency at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stratford, N.J. Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery in General Surgery, a Fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Kramer is a physician at Surgical Associates of Kingsport . Dr. Kramer is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Disease, Hernia, Gastrointestinal Fistula, Hernia Surgery, and Colostomy.

. Dr. Vance is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Varicose Veins, Gastrostomy, and Hernia Surgery.

. Dr. Cobble is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Delirium, Vertebroplasty, and Bone Graft.

Dr. Oggero is available at Ballad Health Medical Associates General Surgery of Big Stone Gap on Tuesdays only. Dr. Oggero treats: at Holston Valley Medical Center. Dr. Oggero is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Disease, Gallstones, Choledocholithiasis, Hemorrhoidectomy, and Colostomy.

I grew up in North Carolina and went to college in Chattanooga, Tenn. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I moved to Johnson City and received my medical degree from Quillen College of Medicine where I also completed my residency and laboratory fellowship. My husband and I love this area and are still here after 19 years. We enjoy outdoor activities such as biking and waterskiing. The small town atmosphere of Northeast Tennessee has proven to be a safe and active place to raise our kids. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a doctor. I’ve had many mentors throughout my residency, but my greatest mentor is my father, who is also a surgeon. In medical school, I tried other specialties, but I realized there just wasn’t any specialty I enjoyed more than surgery. Meeting new and interesting people along with the professional interaction with my colleagues are some of the things I enjoy most about being a surgeon. My personal philosophy for treating patients is that physicians were put on earth to serve others. I believe God created us to be His hands and feet, which is a great privilege and responsibility. I listen closely to my patients because I find that they often will tell me their diagnosis before I even ask. My husband, Mark, is in long-term care administration. We have been married for 19 years and have three children, Abbie, Andrew, and Megan who are all in elementary school and keep us constantly busy. One of my favorite hobbies is playing racquetball. I also enjoy biking, waterskiing, reading and baking with my oldest daughter. I am involved in the children's ministries at my church, and I serve on the school board at Living Springs Christian Academy in Gray, TN. Dr. Defluiter is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Angiosarcoma, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

. Dr. Northrop is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Diverticular Disease, Varicose Veins, Hernia, Bladder Reconstruction, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

After growing up in Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, I decided that I wanted to practice in a small town in the mountains. I came to Johnson City for training and have loved this area since the day I arrived. I was attracted to surgery as a teenager, and I love the diversity of practice in general surgery. My interest in medicine was cultivated by various surgeons who took me under their wings as I was growing up. My personal philosophy for treating patients is that we must work together as patient and provider to improve their health. I also believe that it is equally important to take care of the heart, soul, mind and body. I am married to a pediatrician in Elizabethton, Rebecca Powers, and we have three daughters. We are members of First United Methodist Church. To relax, I love to fly remote control airplanes and helicopters. Dr. Digby is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Gallbladder Disease, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

. Dr. Ramos is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Pseudocyst, Gallbladder Disease, Choledocholithiasis, Pyogenic Liver Abscess, and Gallbladder Removal.

. Dr. Scott is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Giant Mammary Hamartoma, Lymphadenectomy, and Hernia Surgery.