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Jeffery Novak, MD, FACG, is a gastroenterologist and partner at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island (GISLI) located in Wantagh and Malverne, New York. He is also a founding member of the Endoscopy Center of Long Island in Garden City, New York. He has been serving patients in the area since 1998. 

Dr. Novak earned his Bachelor of Science in biology from Trinity College, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and received several academic honors. 

Dr. Novak attended medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he earned honors in gastroenterology, infectious disease, and other specialties.

After graduation, Dr. Novak completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He then completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at Jackson Memorial Hospital Center in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Novak brings over 25 years of experience to his patients at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island. He diagnoses and treats all gastrointestinal conditions, with his ultimate goal being to ensure that each patient feels comfortable and valued under his care. 

Dr. Novak is a Diplomate of the American Board of Gastroenterology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the New York Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, and the Nassau County Medical Society.

Dr. Mamunes, MD, is one of the skilled gastroenterologists practicing at Gastro Center of Maryland, which has locations in Columbia, Annapolis, Olney, Riverdale, and Lutherville, Maryland. 

Dr. Mamunes grew up in Maryland, attending the University of Maryland, College Park and subsequently completing his medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. There he graduated summa cum laude and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During this time, he contributed to multiple research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals, spanning topics from endoscopic practices to inflammatory bowel disease. He is currently a member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

Dr. Mamunes treats a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, acid reflux, fatty liver disease, colon cancer screening, celiac disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis. He is skilled in endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and video capsule endoscopy.

In his free time, Dr. Mamunes enjoys hiking, music, and spending time with his wife and dog

Dr. Monica Passi, MD is a double board-certified physician specializing in Gastroenterology/Hepatology and Internal Medicine. She is currently accepting new patients.

As an advanced endoscopist, Dr. Passi has particular expertise in pancreatobiliary disorders and the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.  Her clinical interests include early detection and management of a wide range of GI and liver conditions, such as acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eosinophilic esophagitis, gastritis, and celiac disease, colon cancer screening and GI malignancies. Along with routine endoscopic procedures, Dr. Passi is skilled in performing the complex and technically demanding procedures of advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Passi is committed to delivering care that places the patient at the center of every decision and believes in shared decision making. She takes a holistic view of each person, developing personalized treatment strategies that reflect their individual needs and values. By fostering open dialogue and building trust, she works to establish meaningful relationships with her patients—ones rooted in compassion and mutual respect. Her mission is to provide the education and support patients need to make informed, confident choices about their health.

A native of the D.C. metropolitan area, Dr. Passi earned her medical degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwell Health in Queens, NY. She then pursued a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Maryland and the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. To further specialize in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and pancreatobiliary disease, she completed a dedicated fellowship in advanced endoscopy at Northwell Health.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Passi is passionate about contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge. She has presented her research at national and international conferences and authored numerous publications in respected, peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Passi enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.

Dr. Passi provides expert, personalized care for a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, combining clinical excellence with a compassionate approach. Whether you're managing a chronic condition or seeking answers to new symptoms, Dr. Passi is here to guide you every step on your path to better health.

Dr. Rushi Talati is a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist with a passion for delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to patients with digestive and liver disorders.

Dr. Talati is delighted to be practicing in his hometown. A native of Howard County, he ventured west for undergraduate studies at Stanford University. At Stanford, Dr. Talati did his undergraduate work in mechanical engineering, where he graduated with Honors distinction and developed courses around innovation in medicine. He received his M.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Northwestern University.

Dr. Talati completed his medical training at NYU, which has been consistently named one of the top 5 hospitals in the United States for gastroenterology by U.S. News and World Report. Here he completed his residency in Internal Medicine and was named Chief Resident where he helped teach and mentor junior physicians. After completing his residency and chief residency, he stayed at NYU for additional specialized training in gastroenterology and hepatology.

He is actively involved in gastroenterology professional societies and serves on several national committees including the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) Technology and Innovation Committee, Legislative and Public Policy Council, and CPT Review Committee. He was named to the Forbes Magazine ‘30 Under 30’ list in Law and Policy.

By incorporating the latest techniques and research, Dr. Talati aims to provide the best medical care possible for his patients.

Farzin Rashti, MD, FACP, is Board Certified in Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Internal Medicine and is dedicated to offering his patients superior personalized care in a respectful and supportive environment. He sees his patients at Gastro Center of Maryland’s office in Riverdale, Maryland.

Dr. Rashti works toward developing a partnership with his patients and forms a unique connection, which allows for a more individualized and targeted treatment plan.

Dr. Rashti received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine. He completed an internship year at the Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center and completed his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Rashti has authored numerous scholarly articles and book chapters and has presented his research at national gastroenterology medical conferences. He has helped design and establish protocols for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium Difficile infections. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is a member of the American Medical Association, American Gastroenterological Association, and American College of Gastroenterology.

He treats patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), acid reflux and GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, liver disease, biliopancreatic disorders, Celiac Disease, and Clostridium Difficile infections, in addition to many other ailments. Dr. Rashti specializes in performing advanced endoscopic procedures including Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP), Single Balloon Enteroscopy, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), Overstitch (endoscopic suturing), and the removal of advanced lesions.

Dr. Thi Khuc, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Gastro Center of Maryland's location in Riverdale, Maryland. Trained with expertise in evidence-based medicine and clinical research by national and international authorities in the field, Dr. Khuc is committed to providing quality, personalized patient care. Dr. Khuc values her patients’ opinions in the medical decision-making process.

Dr. Khuc completed her medical degree at the University of Virginia, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Loma Linda University in California. Thereafter, she completed her Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship under the Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Maryland and Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She was elected as a 2023 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Innovations Fellow for the Center for GI Innovation and Technology and is currently a member of the AGA and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

Dr. Khuc is skilled in colonoscopy, endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy and esophageal manometry and breath testing interpretation. She treats a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including colorectal cancer screening, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, microscopic colitis, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), constipation, infectious diarrheal disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

In her spare time, Dr. Khuc enjoys painting, traveling, and trying new ice cream flavors with her family and friends.

Dr Urooj Ahmed is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over twenty years of experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. He is available to see patients now at Gastro Center of Maryland at their Columbia, Olney and Annapolis locations.

Dr Ahmed completed Internal Medicine Residency from St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University, New York and gastroenterology & hepatology fellowship from Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. He participated in a number of research studied and completed additional advance fellowship training.

Dr Ahmed is committed to providing personalized and compassionate care to his patients. He specializes in managing a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions including peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, pancreaticobiliary disorders, constipation, Celiac disease, GI bleeding, liver disease as well as colorectal cancer screening and more according to the latest medical advancements. He performs various endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures and tries to ensure that his patients receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Dr Ahmed is a member of American College of Gastroenterology. He regularly attends national as well as international meetings to keep himself up to date with the latest advances in gastrointestinal and liver disease management to be available for his patients. His patient-first approach ensures that each individual receives a thoughtful, evidence -based personalized care to achieve optimal digestive health and better quality of life.

Ernest Ribera, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with more than 30 years of experience. He heads the team at his private practice, Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology, in Burlingame, California. His fellowship in Gastroenterology included training at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, UCSD, and UCSF. He also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Stanford University Medical School for over ten years.

Dr. Ribera graduated from the University of Notre Dame and participated in track and cross country. He attended medical school at the College of Human Medicine of Michigan State University. While there, he was awarded the Armed Forces Health Professions scholarship.

Dr. Ribera is currently on the professional staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospitals and has previously served as Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. He has served as the gastroenterologist for the Samaritan House Clinic since its inception and also supports Operation Access patients. He also served as the Medical Director for Mid-Peninsula Endoscopy Center for six years.

Dr. Ribera is the past president of the Northern California Society for Clinical Gastroenterology. He is also a retired Captain in the Medical Corps of the United States Navy.

Most of the upper endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures performed by Dr. Ribera are done at the Mid-Peninsula Endoscopy Center, which is located on the same floor as his office in Burlingame. This endoscopy center is recognized for quality and safety by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. MPEC is the first endoscopy center in the Bay Area to provide the Medtronic AI technology for colonoscopy. 

Dr. Ribera and his wife Maria are the proud parents of four children and four grandchildren.

Sara Sameshima is a board-certified Physician Assistant (PA) with experience in Emergency Medicine and now Gastroenterology. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Sara left the islands for the University of Southern California(USC) in Los Angeles.

After graduating as a cum laude Renaissance Scholar from USC in 2012, Sara taught English in southern Japan for a year before returning to the states to pursue her career in medicine.

She also has experience working in clinical research with the University of Hawaii Cancer Center studying the relationships between ethnicity, body fat distribution, diet, and cancer risk as well as with allergy & asthma clinical trials.

She graduated from the Keck School of Medicine of USC's PA Program in 2018 after being inducted into the prestigious Pi Alpha Honor Society and joined Dr. Ribera's practice in July 2018.

Sara is passionate about preventative health practices in gastrointestinal health and approaching the patient as a whole to determine the best course of treatment. In her spare time, Sara enjoys traveling, trying new foods, watching USC Trojan football, and exploring the Bay Area with her husband and daughter.

Negar Yaghooti, M.D. is a board-certified gastroenterologist joining the team at Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She brings extensive experience from her previous role at Kaiser Permanente, where she specialized in managing patients with complex Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Dr. Yaghooti grew up in Los Angeles and graduated magna cum laude in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley. She earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland. She completed her residency at the University of Southern California and her fellowship at the University of New Mexico. She has received additional training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at both the University of Chicago and at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.  She has taken on leadership positions at every step in her career path.

In addition to her advanced training through the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society, Dr. Yaghooti is passionate about the full spectrum of gastroenterology and hepatology which is consistent with our practice mission.  She is committed to providing personalized, patient-centered care, and we are excited to welcome her to our practice

After earning his medical degree at Damascus University School of Medicine in Damascus, Syria, Dr. Alnounou completed his gastroenterology residency at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago.

He also completed fellowship training in clinical gastroenterology at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis and advanced therapeutic endoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Additionally, Dr. Alnounou finished a fellowship in transplant hepatology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Digestive Health Clinic is fully equipped with advanced endoscopic ultrasound and upper endoscopy technologies. Dr. Alnounou also provides colonoscopy services for diagnostic evaluations and as part of his preventive colon cancer screenings. He performs many diagnostic procedures and surgical treatments on an outpatient basis.

The Digestive Health Clinic staff provides a welcoming environment with flexible scheduling for initial appointments and follow-up visits. Dr. Alnounou enjoys working with people from all walks of life and providing the resources they need to live well.

At his practice in Kingston, New York, board certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Hal Buch, combines state-of-the-art technology with gentle and compassionate care to give patients the best endoscopic and digestive health services in the area. In his state of the art, AAAA certified, in-office endoscopy facility, Dr. Buch is committed to ensuring his patients’ experience is relaxed and worry-free. Having completed thousands of procedures over the years, he’s an expert in his field, using cutting-edge tests such as Bravo™, SmartPill™, capsule enteroscopy, and colon capsules.

Dr. Buch has over 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients with gastrointestinal disorders – such as digestive system cancers, gastritis, acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease amongst others. In addition, the practice is also focused on the prevention of digestive diseases and cancers and digestive health and wellness. He has consistently used the latest advancements in endoscopic techniques as well as other cutting edge diagnostic tests and procedures, proudly bringing University-level care to the Hudson Valley for the past twenty years. As a result, he has been recognized by his peers as one of the Top Doctors in Hudson Valley Magazine.

Dr. Buch graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University in New York City, Dr. Buch graduated from East Carolina University School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina. He completed his residency in primary care medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where he was named Resident of the Year. He completed his training with a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.

Dr. Buch maintains his advanced credentialing to stay up-to-date with ever-changing innovation in Gastroenterology. He is board-certified in Gastroenterology, a diplomate of the National Board of Medicine, and a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

He has published numerous research papers in prestigious medical journals, such as the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Dr. Buch is deeply involved in his Hudson Valley community, and he and his team treat patients like family. He is currently accepting new patients.

Ronnie Cyzner, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist practicing at Carolina Digestive Health Associates, PA, with 15 locations in the greater Charlotte area, including: Belmont, Charlotte, Uptown, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, University, and Pineville, North Carolina. He sees adult patients starting at age 17 at the Matthews office and the Pineville office. Dr. Cyzner specializes in adult gastroenterology, hepatology, and pancreatic and biliary disease. He’s also involved in research studies.

Before moving to Charlotte to join the Carolina Digestive Health Associates team in 1999, Dr. Cyzner earned his medical degree at the New York Medical College in Valhalla and an internal medicine residency at the Westchester University Medical Center, also in Valhalla. Finally, Dr. Cyzner completed a gastroenterology fellowship at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York.

When he’s not at work, Dr. Cyzner enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He enjoys golfing, tennis, racquetball, and health and fitness.

Geovanna Deese, FNP-BC, is an esteemed and board-certified family nurse practitioner at Carolina Digestive Health Associates, with 15 locations in the cities of Charlotte, Belmont, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, and Pineville, North Carolina.

Originally from Central Florida, Geovanna graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1997 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She completed her nurse practitioner training at Winston-Salem State University in 2007. 

Her interest in gastroenterology dates back to her work in endoscopy as a registered nurse with the float pool at University Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. She worked with the University Hospital team for over seven years and brings unmatched experience to those she treats at Carolina Digestive Health Associates.  

Geovanna enjoys taking care of patients and helping them feel better – the key reason she pursued her career in healthcare. Her previous provider experience has touched on family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, and urgent care. When not treating patients, Geovanna enjoys travel, movies, and family activities. 

Jimmy Gnecco, D.O., is a skilled board-certified physician at Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA, which has 15 locations throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, University, and Pineville, North Carolina.

Dr. Gnecco is a native of New Jersey. He completed his undergraduate studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey, where he graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian. He then completed his medical school at Midwestern University in Arizona. From there, he went on to complete his internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. His career interests include, but are not limited to, colorectal cancer prevention, esophageal and stomach disorders, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s), hemorrhoid disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. His interests outside of medicine include golf, baseball, and spending time with his wife and daughter. He loves Star Wars and the Yankees and is also an avid video gamer.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gnecco or the team at Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA, call the office or request one online today.

Meredith Walker Oliver, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant at Carolina Digestive Health Associates, with 15 locations in the cities of Charlotte, Belmont, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, and Pineville, North Carolina. 

Meredith graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She then continued her studies at Wingate University near Charlotte, North Carolina, earning her master’s in physician assistant studies. 

Meredith completed a gastroenterology rotation with Carolina Digestive Health Associates during physician assistant school. Meredith discovered her joy in helping patients with their various gastroenterological conditions through this rotation and eventually joined the CDHA team full-time. She is an invaluable member of the team.

Meredith is licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board and certified in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. When not treating patients, Meredith enjoys riding her horses and spending time with her family and friends. 

Jennifer Swearingen, PA-C, is a skilled, certified physician assistant at Caroline Digestive Health Associates, with 15 locations in the cities of Charlotte, Belmont, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, and Pineville, North Carolina. 

Jennifer began her undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She then moved to Savannah, Georgia, and completed her graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies at South University. Jennifer graduated Magna Cum Laude with her master’s degree. 

A proud member of the Carolina Digestive Health Associates team since 2003, Jennifer has treated patients for numerous conditions. She brings a wealth of experience, treating each patient with the individualized care they need. 

Jennifer is licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board and certified in basic cardiac life support, advanced cardiac life support, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She looks forward to welcoming new and returning patients to the practice. Call the office or request an appointment online today. 

Garrett Greenan, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Carolina Digestive Health Associates, PA, with 15 locations in the greater Charlotte area, including: Belmont Uptown, Concord, Davidson, Denver, Matthews, Monroe, Huntersville, University, and Pineville, North Carolina. Dr. Greenan sees adult patients at Davidson/Lake Norman office, the University office, Carolina Digestive Endoscopy Center in Charlotte, Carolina Endoscopy Center in Huntersville, and Carolina Endoscopy Center in University.

Dr. Greenan is from Maryland, with an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Greenan completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, Texas. He then completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine/Barnes Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Greenan's practice is focused on treating patients with a wide range of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, celiac disease, and chronic liver diseases. His endoscopic practice emphasizes the prevention of colon cancer.  Dr. Greenan also performs both InterStim (for fecal incontinence) and in-office hemorrhoid banding.

Dr. Greenan is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

In his free time, Dr. Greenan enjoys exploring Charlotte with his wife and spending time with his family, friends, and pets. He is an avid runner, and he likes playing tennis and golf as well.