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Dr. Kent Aje is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist with advanced fellowship training in clinical nutrition. A Maryland native from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, he earned his B.S. in Forensic Science with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating with honors. He received his medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr. Aje completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Loyola University Medical Center, followed by a Clinical Nutrition Fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.

He has served as a Hospitalist at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and has made significant contributions to both research and medical education. Dr. Aje has presented at national and international gastroenterology conferences and has co-authored various publications, including case reports and textbook chapters. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the ACG, AGA, ASGE, and the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists.

Dr. Aje is deeply committed to patient-centered care, academic excellence, and addressing health disparities. His clinical interests include colorectal cancer screening and prevention, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver conditions, intestinal failure, and the intersection of nutrition and gastrointestinal health.
Outside of work, Dr. Aje enjoys spending quality time with his growing family, weightlifting, playing guitar, reading science fiction, and cooking.

Board certified in gastroenterology, David S. Jencks, MD, is proud to provide personalized care to patients at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Pasadena, Maryland. He has a particular interest in the prevention of esophageal and colon cancers and the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Jencks completed medical school at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He then completed his internship and residency at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Jencks then returned to The George Washington University to complete his fellowship training.

At Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, Dr. Jencks is passionate about helping patients achieve optimal health. He strives to educate patients about their conditions and ensure their questions are answered.

Dr. Jencks is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to partnering with them on their health care journey. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jencks by calling the office or booking a consultation online today.

Praveena G. Velamati, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and Odenton, Maryland.

Dr. Velamati completed an accelerated bachelor's and medical degree program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, followed by her internal medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

She then pursued her gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as chief fellow during her final year and received the Service Excellence Award for outstanding patient care and compassion. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Velamati also published scientific papers in the fields of digestive diseases and hepatology. 

Dr. Velamati specializes in general gastroenterology with a focus on women’s health issues. Board certified in gastroenterology, she was voted Top Docs from 2015-2016 for gastroenterology by What’s Up? Magazine – Annapolis by area physicians.

Dr. Velamati has lived in the area for over 10 years with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and football.

Thomas L. Simcox, MD, is proud to provide comprehensive gastroenterology care at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Kent Island, Maryland. Board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Simcox's areas of interest include acid reflux, gastrointestinal malignancies, and liver disorders.

Born and raised in northern California, Dr. Simcox graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2002 and subsequently spent 18 months in a genetics research lab. He moved to Virginia to attend Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. 

Dr. Simcox completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He then completed his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship training with the University of Maryland and the National Institutes of Health Scholars program. Dr. Simcox has presented his research in gastrointestinal disorders at the nation's largest gastroenterology conferences. 

He lives in Annapolis with his wife, who is a pediatrician at Annapolis Pediatrics. He enjoys travel, snow and water sports, and running.

Mark Flasar, MD, MS, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Pasadena, Maryland. Dr. Flasar advocates using patient education to inform shared decision-making and has a special interest in inflammatory bowel diseases, small intestine disorders, and general gastroenterology. 

A local Marylander, Dr. Flasar graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1996. A committed Terrapin, he earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

Dr. Flasar completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University before returning to the University of Maryland in 2004 for his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship. While there, he obtained a master’s degree in clinical research and completed an externship in inflammatory bowel diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

At the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Flasar has been a faculty member in addition to serving as the associate director of the inflammatory bowel disease program and a fellowship training director in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He has held national leadership positions within the American Gastroenterology Association and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. He also serves as a review and section editor for several scientific journals. 

Dr. Flasar found his calling in medicine and narrowly escaped attending art school. In his free time, he is passionate about local sports.

Raza Hasan, MD, is a highly skilled gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. He is proud to provide compassionate, dedicated care to patients living in and around the Pasadena, Maryland, area. Dr. Hasan's particular areas of interest include gastrointestinal motility disorders, esophageal disease, and colon cancer prevention. 

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Hasan attended an accelerated six-year combined bachelor and medical degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and subsequently graduated magna cum laude.

Dr. Hasan completed his internship and residency at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

In his free time, Dr. Hasan loves to travel abroad and has a checklist of trying to swim in every large body of water in the world.

Dr. Hasan is currently accepting new patients and welcomes new patients to Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. Schedule an appointment by calling or booking a consultation online today.

Melanie L. Jackson, MD, FACG, is a gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and Bowie, Maryland.

Dr. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia and graduated cum laude from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

Dr. Jackson served her residency in internal medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York and completed her gastroenterology fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Her additional postgraduate training included a hepatology research program at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. 

She is affiliated with the American Gastroenterology Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and National Medical Association. Dr. Jackson is board certified in gastroenterology and a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG). She has published several papers regarding digestive care and has appeared on local television and radio as a digestive health expert. 

Dr. Jackson has special interests in colon cancer awareness, nutrition, and liver disease. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Suresh Kumar Misra, MD, is the newest member of Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., seeing patients from the offices in Bowie and Greenbelt, Maryland. He identifies with the pronouns he/his and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. 

Inspired by his grandfather’s dedication to medicine in India, Dr. Misra is passionate about listening to his patients with the goal of improving their health and quality of life. He strives to be a knowledgeable and accessible expert resource, both to his patients and to the community he serves. 

After completing his undergraduate degree at Tulane University, Dr. Misra received a Doctorate of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. He continued his training at Temple University Hospital to provide much-needed quality care to the economically distressed area of North Philadelphia. 

After obtaining his Internal Medicine Board Certification, Dr. Misra practiced as an internist for six years. The highlight of his post-graduate career was serving the diverse community of Astoria, Queens, as an ICU hospitalist and completing a one-year Hepatitis Fellowship at the Institute of Liver Medicine in the Mount Sinai Health System. The fellowship focused on hepatitis and general hepatology. Dr. Misra’s practice in New York inspired him to pursue a Gastroenterology Fellowship, which he completed at the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

His research has included the pulmonary complications of cirrhosis and the predictors of liver cancer. He has published multiple reviews on Hepatitis C and presented the results at national conferences. 

Dr. Misra values diversity, equality, integrity, and caring for others. He is currently taking new patients and is excited to serve the community of Annapolis and the Maryland area.

Board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Christopher A. Olenec, MD, serves patients at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Olenec's areas of interest include gastrointestinal malignancies and advanced endoscopic procedures including endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP, and endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s esophagus.

Dr. Olenec graduated from Northwestern University and the Notre Dame Law School. After law school, he worked in Washington, DC, in health care policy prior to attending medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois. 

After medical school, Dr. Olenec completed his internship and internal medicine residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He returned to Rush University Medical Center for his gastroenterology fellowship, where he received specialized training in interventional procedures, including endoscopic ultrasound. 

Dr. Olenec worked as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin and in private practice at Sarasota Memorial Hospital prior to joining Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Olenec played water polo in college, has competed in marathons, and has completed an Ironman triathlon.

Michael Ashamalla, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who proudly serves the patients of Syosset, Long Island, New York, at Long Island Gastro. Specializing in gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, Dr. Ashamalla offers expert care for a wide range of digestive health concerns—from acid reflux and abdominal pain to liver disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Dr. Ashamalla began his medical career through the prestigious combined BA/MD program at Siena College and Albany Medical College, graduating magna cum laude. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at North Shore/LIJ (now Northwell Health), where he served as Chief Medical Resident. He went on to complete his fellowship in Gastroenterology at NYU Langone Health, one of the nation's top-ranked programs for GI care.

With a reputation for thorough and compassionate care, Dr. Ashamalla is dedicated to listening closely to his patients and developing personalized treatment plans. His approach combines clinical excellence with a deep commitment to patient well-being, ensuring each individual receives the attentive care they deserve.

If you're seeking a trusted gastroenterologist in Syosset, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ashamalla today to take the first step toward better digestive health.

Faisal Sheikh, DO is a Gastroenterology specialist in Syosset, New York. Dr. Sheikh is affiliated with Northwell Health and multiple hospitals in the area. He received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

After graduating, Dr. Sheikh completed his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He then went on to become double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Dr. Sheikh joined Long Island Gastro in 2014 and has been serving the Syosset community ever since. He is fluent in both English and Urdu.

In his free time away from the practice, Dr. Sheikh enjoys spending time with his family.

Curriculum Vitae

Board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Leonard Weinstock, MD, provides compassionate care to patients at Specialists in Gastroenterology in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Dr. Weinstock was born and raised in New York and moved to St. Louis in 1985. He received his medical training in Rochester, New York, and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. 

He has a clinical teaching appointment as an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Weinstock’s lectures and research on diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon have been presented at national and international conferences. He is actively researching the connection of the gut and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) with several medical problems, including restless legs syndrome and chronic pelvic pain syndromes. He presented several lectures in Oregon at the first SIBO symposium and in France at the international rosacea study group.

Dr. Weinstock provides individualized care to all adult patients with gastrointestinal disorders. His clinical practice emphasizes colon cancer screening, therapeutic videoendoscopy, motility disorders, management of irritable bowel syndrome, and comprehensive management of inflammatory bowel disease. His experience in treating IBS patients who have SIBO dates back to 2000. He has expertise in the use of low-dose naltrexone, which is one of the few modalities that promote the reduction of inflammation by increasing endorphins.

Dr. Weinstock is married and has twin daughters.

Aman Singh, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. At Specialists in Gastroenterology, she provides unparalleled care to patients in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Singh was born in India and moved to St. Louis as a child. She received her medical training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Then, she completed her internal medicine residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas. In 2009, Dr. Singh returned to St. Louis to be closer to her extended family after four years of working at a private gastroenterology practice in Wisconsin.

Treating patients with a vast array of gastrointestinal issues is an important endeavor. Dr. Singh is a strong advocate for colon cancer screening and overall good digestive health. She has a special interest in working with patients with reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver diseases. Ailments of the digestive tract can be difficult to pinpoint at times, and she works closely with her patients to listen to their concerns and find the most accurate assessment of their gastrointestinal problems.

As a woman of Indian descent who was raised in America, Dr. Singh is very sensitive to the gastrointestinal challenges associated with men and women from all walks of life, covering the spectrum of ethnically diverse and multi-cultural backgrounds. When evaluating and recommending a treatment plan, Dr. Singh considers factors including heredity, diet, physical examination, lab results, and other medically proven diagnostic methods.

Above all, Dr. Singh believes that being an empathetic listener and understanding her patients' delicate needs and issues are critical components for a successful physician-patient relationship.

Dr. Singh is married and is the mother of two children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and bicycle rides with her family.

Nikhil Banerjee, MD, is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. He is committed to providing comprehensive care to patients at Specialists in Gastroenterology in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Dr. Banerjee was born in Los Angeles, California, and did his undergraduate work at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He is a graduate of the University of Utah School of Medicine and completed his residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, and a general gastroenterology fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. 

Dr. Banerjee spent an additional year of interventional training in endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resection, Barrett’s ablation, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is an active member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and currently serves on the Education Products Committee.

He cares for adults with all gastrointestinal disorders with an emphasis on colon cancer screening, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, all liver diseases (including hepatitis C and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), and inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). His special interests include foregut tumors and pancreaticobiliary disorders (including pancreatic cyst diagnosis/management as well as acute and chronic pancreatitis).

Dr. Banerjee has started a minimally invasive hemorrhoid banding practice within the office that requires no anesthesia and minimal downtime. This procedure reduced symptoms from internal hemorrhoids by over 90% and has a robust effect.

He is married and has two young children. Dr. Banerjee’s leisure time activities include trying new restaurants, traveling, spending time with family, biking, and hiking.

Steven E. Fern, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Specialists in Gastroenterology in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Dr. Fern was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and did his undergraduate work at the University of Dayton in Ohio. He is a graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Fern is a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and is active in the teaching programs of several medical schools. He has lectured extensively on several GI topics locally, nationally, and abroad. He remains passionate about teaching other physicians and health care providers about colon cancer, colon cancer screening, performance of a quality colonoscopy, and wireless capsule endoscopy. 

He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Dr. Fern is the President of the Saint Louis Capsule Endoscopy Club.

Dr. Fern cares for adults with gastrointestinal disorders with an emphasis on colon cancer screening, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease). His special interests include liver disease (including the treatment of patients with hepatitis C), and esophageal motility disorders. He has expertise in wireless capsule endoscopy, an endoscopic examination of the small intestine, as well as SmartPill™ Motility Testing.

Dr. Fern is married with three children. His leisure time activities include golf, reading, and attending sporting and cultural events. Although hardly a chef, his most favorite TV shows include shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Masterchef, and Top Chef. He has rediscovered his love for running and competes in marathons and half-marathon races around the country.

Board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology, Erik Thyssen, MD, currently sees patients at Specialists in Gastroenterology. He is dedicated to providing high-quality care to those living in and around St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Thyssen was born and raised in Denmark. After completing his medical degree, his desire to further his education led him to relocate to the United States and complete his internal medicine training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He then completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

At Specialists in Gastroenterology, Dr. Thyssen sees adults with gastrointestinal disorders and uses endoscopic techniques in early detection and treatment. In addition, he has a voluntary teaching appointment in the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine. 

Dr. Thyssen and his wife, Carin, have three sons. Outside of work, he enjoys playing tennis and watching his wife perform on stage.

Benjamin Root, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and sees patients at Specialists in Gastroenterology in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Root was born and raised in St. Louis and attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for his undergraduate studies. He obtained his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before completing his internal medicine residency at New York University and his gastroenterology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Dr. Root cares for adults with a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders, with a particular emphasis on screening and surveillance of colorectal cancer, GERD/Barrett’s esophagus, functional GI disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome and function dyspepsia), and inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and a variety of liver diseases).

He is an active member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American College of Gastroenterology, as well as in the American Gastroenterological Association.

After 15 years away, Dr. Root returned home to his beloved St. Louis, Missouri, to grow his GI practice. He is an avid Cardinals, Blues, and University of Michigan sports fan and continues to play ice hockey in his free time. He enjoys discovering new restaurants, attending concerts, going to the theater, and expanding his record collection.

Dr. Alisa Farokhian, MD, specializes in internal medicine and is completing her fellowship in Advanced IBD GI.

Dr. Alisa Farokhian prides herself in her dedication to providing patients with exceptional care, respect, and support. She is completing her advanced IBD program at the prestigious Columbia University Hospital, while additionally working on her GI fellowship.  

Additionally, Dr. Alisa Farokhian has received countless awards and recognition for her participation in research and publications. She continues her education by attending and speaking at numerous top GI conferences to learn the most technological advances in medicine.