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- Meet the Team
The Foregut (Esophagus & Stomach) Program at Hoag offers a patient-centered, integrated team approach to the care of esophageal and stomach conditions. Hoag offers advanced medical management and surgical techniques for esophageal and stomach disorders.
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Contact usDiseases and conditions treated through the Foregut (Esophagus & Stomach) Program include:
Achalasia
The term achalasia means “failure to relax” and refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to open and let food/liquids pass into the stomach.
Barrett’s Esophogus
This condition can occur when the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid for an extended period...
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a malignancy in the esophagus, often linked to smoking, alcohol use, and acid reflux. It can cause difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and weight loss.
Esophageal Diverticulum
An esophageal diverticulum is a pouch or sac that forms in the lining of the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Gastric Cancer
We provide multidisciplinary care combining advanced diagnostics and innovative therapies to deliver superior outcomes.
Gastric Ulcer
Gastric ulcers (A.K.A. stomach ulcers) are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach.
Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, which can cause the stomach lining to be red, swollen and painful.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, often referred to as delayed gastric emptying, is a chronic medical condition in which the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine is slowed or stopped altogether.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder in which stomach acid frequently flows back into your esophagus, the long, muscular tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs), are a rare type of cancer that can form in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm, which...
Procedures offered through the Foregut (Esophagus & Stomach) Program include:
Abdominal Ultrasound
Barium swallow X-ray
Capsule study
Esophageal Bravo pH Monitoring
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Enterra Therapy
Esophageal Manometry (EM)
Gastric emptying test (GET)
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Single Balloon Enteroscopy
Video esophagram
EsoGuard
Treatments offered through the Foregut (Esophagus & Stomach) Program include:
LINX: Anti-Reflux Surgery
Nissen Fundoplication: Anti-Reflux Surgery
Toupet Fundoplication: Anti-Reflux Surgery
Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF): Anti-Reflux Procedure
Meet Our Foregut Program Team
Foregut Specialists

Christy M. Dunst, MD
Division Chief, Foregut Surgery

Katherine S. Blevins, MD
Foregut Surgery, Bariatric and General Surgery
Melissa L. DeSouza, MD
Foregut Surgery, Bariatric and General Surgery

Adrian B. Dobrowolsky, MD
Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Program

Nisha Joseph, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Endoscopy

Kenneth J. Chang, MD
James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute, Gastroenterology

Jennifer Phan, MD
Medical Director, Hoag Irvine Advanced Endoscopy, Director of Bariatric Endoscopy, Gastroenterology

Ravi J. Kankotia, MD
Gastroenterology

Paul J. Korc, MD
Medical Director Hoag GI Lab, Gastroenterology

Phuong T. Nguyen, MD
Medical Director of Hoag Advanced Endoscopy Center, Gastroenterology

Hali Pham, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Pathology

David R. Braxton, MD
Medical Director, Hoag Molecular Pathology
Medical Oncology

Carlos R. Becerra, MD
Margaret Givan Larkin Endowed Chair in Developmental Cancer Therapeutics

Tara E. Seery, MD
Medical Director, Hepatobiliary Cancer
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