Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Allen Blosser, MD, is a dedicated board-certified physician who specializes in gastroenterology, and modern bariatric surgical procedures. He welcomes patients to Endoscopic Wellness Center of America, located in Reston, Virginia.
Dr. Blosser attained his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia. During his tenure, he excelled in athletics and academics. He was honored as an ACC Honor Roll Student-Athlete in 1980-81 and graduated with distinction from the University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry/Biochemistry in 1984.
He attended Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, where he graduated in 1988. He was honored with an Osler Internship at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in 1983. He performed his Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Gastroenterology/Hepatology at Georgetown University Medical Center from 1988-1993. He was honored as the IMA Georgetown Resident of the Year in 1991 at the conclusion of his residency program.
He has served the DC and Northern Virginia communities in his current role as President of Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates and the Gastroenterology Center of Virginia since 1993.
Khadijat Balogun, MD, is a gastroenterologist at GI Associates of Maryland. She offers compassionate and effective care to patients at the Waldorf, Maryland, office.
Dr. Balogun obtained her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She completed her internal medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a three-year fellowship program at Albany Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Balogun is board-certified in internal medicine as well as gastroenterology. She is a professional member of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Dr. Balogun cares for patients with a wide range of issues, including colon cancer screening, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, liver disease, women’s health, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
Dr. Balogun aims to provide the highest medical care to all her patients in a safe and friendly environment.
Gowri Kularatna, MD, specializes in gastroenterology at GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Maryland. She has years of experience in the medical field and uses her knowledge to diagnose and treat patients.
Dr. Kularatna attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in biology. She then received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Dr. Kularatna completed her internal medicine residency at Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts and a gastroenterology fellowship at The Barnes-Jewish Hospital through Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Kularatna is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. She is also a professional member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterology Association.
At GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Dr. Kularatna works closely with patients to ensure she provides expert care. She has a comfortable office setting and takes an evidence-based approach to treat her patients.
Lornette Mills, MD, is a respected gastroenterologist serving patients at GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Maryland. She specializes in internal medicine and gastroenterology and enjoys working closely with her patients to ensure optimal health.
In 1993, Dr. Mills received her medical degree from the Jacobs School Of Medicine And Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. In 1996, she completed her internal medicine residency program at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. She then finished her gastroenterology fellowship program at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn in 1999.
Before joining her current practice, Dr. Mills practiced for two years in Prince Frederick, Maryland. This experience makes her an excellent addition to the GI Associates of Maryland team.
At the practice, Dr. Mills provides compassionate and effective care. She takes the time to listen to her patients and doesn't rush through her appointments. You're in good hands with Dr. Mills.
Gowri Kularatna, MD, specializes in gastroenterology at GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Maryland. She has years of experience in the medical field and uses her knowledge to diagnose and treat patients.
Dr. Kularatna attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in biology. She then received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Dr. Kularatna completed her internal medicine residency at Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts and a gastroenterology fellowship at The Barnes-Jewish Hospital through Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Kularatna is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. She is also a professional member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterology Association.
At GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Dr. Kularatna works closely with patients to ensure she provides expert care. She has a comfortable office setting and takes an evidence-based approach to treat her patients.
Lornette Mills, MD, is a respected gastroenterologist serving patients at GI Associates of Maryland in Waldorf, Maryland. She specializes in internal medicine and gastroenterology and enjoys working closely with her patients to ensure optimal health.
In 1993, Dr. Mills received her medical degree from the Jacobs School Of Medicine And Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. In 1996, she completed her internal medicine residency program at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. She then finished her gastroenterology fellowship program at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn in 1999.
Before joining her current practice, Dr. Mills practiced for two years in Prince Frederick, Maryland. This experience makes her an excellent addition to the GI Associates of Maryland team.
At the practice, Dr. Mills provides compassionate and effective care. She takes the time to listen to her patients and doesn't rush through her appointments. You're in good hands with Dr. Mills.
Khadijat Balogun, MD, is a gastroenterologist at GI Associates of Maryland. She offers compassionate and effective care to patients at the Waldorf, Maryland, office.
Dr. Balogun obtained her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She completed her internal medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a three-year fellowship program at Albany Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Balogun is board-certified in internal medicine as well as gastroenterology. She is a professional member of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Dr. Balogun cares for patients with a wide range of issues, including colon cancer screening, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, liver disease, women’s health, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
Dr. Balogun aims to provide the highest medical care to all her patients in a safe and friendly environment.
Dr. Mohit Jindal, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Jindal sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Dr. Jindal was born in Punjab, India, and grew up in New Delhi. He attended Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, where he won the “Best Medical Student of the Year” award multiple times.
Dr. Jindal moved to New York City to earn his medical degree at the State University of New York (SUNY). He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in gastroenterology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
During the fellowship, he presented research articles and many interesting case studies at the Annual Scientific Meetings held by the American College of Gastroenterology. During his final year, his peers elected him to serve as the Chief Fellow of the program.
After completing his intensive medical and specialized GI training, Dr. Jindal worked briefly in Pennsylvania before relocating to Terre Haute, Indiana.
In addition to his busy GI practice in Indiana, Dr. Jindal remained involved in teaching medical students and residents. He served as an affiliate faculty member at Indiana State University and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Jindal joined Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in April 2018.
He evaluates and treats adult patients with multiple gastrointestinal medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), swallowing disorders, liver diseases, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dr. Jindal performs preventive and diagnostic endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, feeding tube placements, and hemorrhoid banding. He is passionate about GI health because he feels convinced that we can make a difference in the health and well-being of our patients by working together.
“I want my patients to know that I will listen to their full story, and I am always on their side. I will keep them involved in their care and do everything I can to help them feel better.”
Dr. Jindal is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM).
Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Jindal enjoys swimming, tennis, traveling, and watching movies. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. He is married and has two sons, and he is delighted to call Richmond his new home.
Matthew J. Fasullo, DO is a board-certified Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Fasullo sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, VA.
Dr. Fasullo earned his medical degree in New York City, New York, in 2016. Upon graduating, he completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), followed by his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he was elected to serve as the chief fellow in his final year. He earned multiple awards during his clinical training, including ‘Researcher of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Fellow Scholar.’
Following his general gastroenterology fellowship at VCU, Dr. Fasullo spent an additional year at the forefront of interventional endoscopy, completing a fellowship in advanced endoscopy at New York University (NYU), helmed by world-renowned physician Dr. Gregory Haber. He is adept in many complex and innovative techniques, including endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), peroral endoscopy myotomy (POEM), endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR), endo-bariatrics, interventional EUS, ERCP, palliative stenting, pancreatic tumor ablation, and more.
Dr. Fasullo is passionate about gastrointestinal cancer prevention through early screening programs. While working with NYU’s Pancreatic Cancer Center team, he published a blueprint detailing the model for creating a pancreatic cancer screening center. This is an area Dr. Fasullo promptly wishes to develop in the Richmond area. He is an avid proponent of integrative gastroenterology and tries to incorporate psychosocial support, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and healthy eating habits, into his patient’s treatment plans.
He is a distinguished researcher having published more than 50 journal peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He has presented his research at both the national and international levels. He continues to work on several topics including pancreatic cancer, technology development, and novel innovative endoscopic techniques. He plans to support the development of a comprehensive research program at RGA.
He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the New York Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (NYSGE).
In his spare time, Dr. Fasullo enjoys running, hiking, cooking, and traveling.
Sachit Sharma, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Sharma sees patients at the Midlothian office in N. Chesterfield, Virginia.
Dr. Sharma's medical career began with an MBBS degree from Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Nepal, where he graduated with honors in 2013, supported by a full scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Government of Nepal. His clinical acumen was further honed during his Internal Medicine Residency at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, IL, followed by a tenure as Chief Resident at the University of Toledo, OH. Dr. Sharma then worked as a Hospitalist at Promedica Toledo Hospital before completing his Fellowship in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Virginia Commonwealth University in July 2024.
His contributions to the field are substantial, with numerous peer-reviewed publications that address diverse topics such as the efficacy of endoscopic techniques, prognostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma, and the impact of various interventions on gastrointestinal outcomes. Noteworthy publications include systematic reviews and meta-analyses on endoscopic treatments and prognostic factors, reflecting his expertise and ongoing research efforts.
Dr. Sharma's professional affiliations include memberships in the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). His commitment to the field is also evidenced by his ABIM Board Certification in Internal Medicine and his active involvement in various national and international medical societies.
Fluent in English, Nepali, Hindi, and Urdu, he brings a diverse linguistic and cultural perspective to his practice. Dr. Sharma's dedication to both clinical excellence and research makes him a valuable asset to the gastroenterology community, continuously working towards improving patient outcomes and advancing medical knowledge.
Dr. Sharma resides in the suburbs of Richmond, VA with his family.
Puneet Basi, MD, FACG, AGAF, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist, dedicated to providing comprehensive care at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his MBBS at Dayanand Medical College in Punjab, India, and later completed his internal medicine internship and residency at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where he served as chief resident during his final year.
Dr. Basi pursued advanced training through a hepatology fellowship at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2008. He then completed a prestigious gastroenterology fellowship at the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System in Brooklyn, New York, where he refined his expertise in digestive health and liver disease.
As an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), Dr. Basi remains at the forefront of the latest advancements in gastroenterology.
In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Basi enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and playing cricket. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, allowing him to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population.
Dr. Basi is committed to delivering personalized, high-quality care to each patient he sees at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates.
Robert S. Flynn, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Flynn sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Dr. Flynn earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University (SUNY) in Syracuse, New York. He then moved to Richmond and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in gastroenterology at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While at VCU, he was active in research and received the American Gastroenterology Resident Research Award in 2006.
Dr. Flynn treats all gastrointestinal and liver diseases and has a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer screening and prevention.
Dr. Flynn is highly proficient in performing endoscopic procedures, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and polyp removal. Additionally, he performs radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus.
Patients like his bedside manner and appreciate his thorough approach. The readers of OurHealth magazine have recognized him as a “Best Bedside Manner” winner for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
“Growing up, my parents taught me the importance and value of hard work. I believe these core values allow me to connect easily with my patients. I believe in a team-based approach with the patient and working together to defeat the problem.”
“Every patient has a story to tell, and it is my job to listen. You will never feel rushed. I make every effort to personally call patients with test, pathology, and lab results.”
He is the first author of several publications related to Crohn’s disease and co-author of a book chapter in the Handbook of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
He has given numerous presentations at both the regional and national levels. Dr. Flynn remains active in the community as a speaker on topics that have included gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), screening colonoscopy, and inflammatory bowel disease.
He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV). He serves on the Board of the Richmond Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Dr. Flynn is married and has two daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, music, and rooting for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
W. Colin Gallahan, MD is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Gallahan sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, Virginia.
He received his undergraduate degree and medical degree from the University of Virginia (UVA). After graduating from medical school, Dr. Gallahan completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFU).
After completing his GI fellowship, he was selected to stay on at WFU to complete an additional year of specialty training in Advanced Endoscopy, with a primary focus on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). He was fortunate to train with instructors who are nationally recognized experts in Advanced Endoscopy.
Because of his advanced training in endoscopic ultrasound, Dr. Gallahan has a special interest in diagnosing and staging GI cancers and managing pancreas diseases. He also cares for patients with a variety of GI disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, swallowing disorders, liver disease, and biliary and gallbladder disorders.
Dr. Gallahan is a strong advocate for colon cancer screening. He is skilled in performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), colonoscopy, colon polyp removal, upper endoscopy, and ERCP.
He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). He also serves the community as a member of the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM).
“Taking care of patients is a great privilege and responsibility. I always try to be as thorough as possible, and my goal is to communicate openly and honestly with my patients. I believe patients will ultimately do better if they understand their illness and treatment plan.”
Dr. Gallahan grew up in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He attended Woodberry Forest School before his time in Charlottesville. Dr. Gallahan is married to a native Richmonder and has three children. He and his family regularly attend Hope Church.
Dr. Gallahan is a huge fan of all sports and avidly follows the Washington Commanders and UVA athletics. He enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and likes to sneak away to the golf course whenever he can.
Drew Simmelink, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Simmelink sees patients primarily at the practice’s Hanover office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, but also takes appointments at the West Creek office in Henrico.
Dr. Simmelink received his Bachelor of Science Honors Program degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Richmond (U of R) in Virginia, achieving Dean’s Honor List all four years of his undergraduate career. He went to Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) to earn his medical doctorate, receiving honors marks in internal medicine training.
Dr. Simmelink completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was selected to stay for his three-year Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
During the fellowship, Dr. Simmelink gained extensive experience managing complex liver and inflammatory bowel diseases through the CMC liver transplant and inflammatory bowel disease programs. Additionally, he gained insightful experience in motility issues, earning certification from the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS).
While in his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship, Dr. Simmelink exhibited an interest in improving patient safety. He also championed increasing population-wide colorectal cancer and hepatitis-C screening rates through quality improvement projects.
Dr. Simmelink is clinically interested in managing a wide variety of digestive diseases, including, but not limited to, inflammatory bowel disease and immune-mediated bowel disorders, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Celiac disease, medication-induced conditions, liver disease (alcohol and obesity-induced liver disease), Wilson’s disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, viral hepatitis, disorders of the gut-brain interaction, IBS, dyspepsia, heartburn and GERD, peptic ulcer disease, constipation, diarrhea, and Barrett’s esophagus.
He is skilled in many GI procedures, including upper endoscopy (EGD), esophageal dilation, Barrett’s esophagus ablation & management, colonoscopy, colorectal cancer screening, colon polyp removal, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease, enteral access (PEG tube placement), and video capsule endoscopy.
He is a member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Serving his community has always been an integral part of his life, exemplified in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, joining the Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity in college, to helping out with local support groups for Huntington’s disease and aiding underserved patients through Beyond Clinic Walls during his medical school career.
In his spare time, Dr. Simmelink enjoys landscaping and remodeling homes, playing the piano, enjoying water sports, including swimming & kayaking, experimenting with new recipes from different cultures, and mastering the grill.
Dr. Bimaljit S. Sandhu is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Sandhu sees patients primarily at the Bremo Road office in Richmond, Virginia, but he also takes appointments at the West Creek office in Henrico.
He cares for patients suffering from gastroenterological disorders, including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, GI cancer, and pancreatic disease. He has vast experience performing colonoscopy, EGD, complex therapeutic endoscopic procedures, and managing patients with GI cancer and pancreaticobiliary disorders.
After his medical school training, Dr. Sandhu completed additional fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He then joined the VCU Medical Center faculty in the Gastroenterology Division. During the next nine years at VCU, he served as Director of Pancreatic Disorders and actively participated in pancreatic research.
Dr. Sandhu’s patients benefit from his experience with the most recent advancements in gastroenterology. He is among the first in the country to use endoscopic Glue Injection for treating patients with bleeding gastric varices. He is also skilled in the use of Cellvizio®, which enables him to diagnose cancer much more rapidly. Most recently he completed specialty training to perform Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), one of only a few physicians in Virginia to offer this procedure for the treatment of GERD.
Dr. Sandhu has received several honors and awards, including the Outstanding Clinician Award and the Best Plenary Session Paper Award. He is an active member of the North American Pancreatitis Study consortium. He has authored and co-authored several articles in medical journals and books, including the Gastroenterology journal.
He has also contributed to the American Gastroenterological Association’s Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program (DDSEP) and served on the training committee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).
Dr. Sandhu has been a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins, the University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and the University of Virginia. Dr. Sandhu is a “2017 Top Doc” winner in Richmond Magazine’s annual survey of medical professionals.
Dr. Sandhu enjoys spending time with his wife, Ramnita, and their three children. He has organized several blood donation drives and food services at local nursing homes and schools on behalf of his Sikh temple in Richmond. He enjoys tennis, jogging, music, and yard work.
Michael S. Manetas, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Manetas sees patients primarily at the Hanover office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, but also takes appointments at the West Creek office in Henrico.
Dr. Manetas received his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary (WM) in Williamsburg. He completed his Master of Science in Anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) at Virginia Commonwealth University, and during this time, he made the important decision to become a physician. He stayed at MCV / VCU to earn his medical degree, and complete his internship and residency in internal medicine.
He was then selected for a competitive Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship at the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. He received state-of-the-art training in treating patients with digestive and liver diseases, and performing endoscopic procedures.
Dr. Manetas joined Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in 2005. He cares for patients suffering from general gastroenterology disorders. He has vast experience and a special interest in treating patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, GERD, swallowing disorders, IBS or bowel irregularities, and pancreatic & gallbladder disorders.
He is also skilled in performing endoscopic GI procedures, including colonoscopy and colon polyp removal, upper endoscopy (EGD), and ERCP.
“I chose a specialty in gastroenterology because it offers me a unique opportunity to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of conditions. I am reminded daily of the variety of ways in which gastroenterological (GI) conditions can affect the quality of life of my patients, and I am pleased to be an active partner in improving their GI health.”
Dr. Manetas has achieved significant milestones in his medical career. He was named a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGAF) in 2015. Most recently, he was elected President of Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in 2022.
Dr. Manetas grew up in Northern New Jersey and is now happy to make Richmond his home. He met his wife, Anne, while at the College of William and Mary, and they have two children. Dr. Manetas enjoys spending time with his family, cycling, tennis, traveling, and watching baseball in his spare time. He is also an active member of the Richmond Greek Orthodox Church.
Puneet Kumar, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. He sees patients primarily at the Bremo Road office in Richmond, Virginia, but he also takes appointments at the West Creek office in Henrico.
Dr. Kumar earned his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, India. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Georgetown University Medical Center and the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
During his residency he served as Chief Resident. He was then selected for a competitive fellowship in Gastroenterology at Georgetown University Medical School. He continued his fellowship training in Therapeutic ERCP at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dr. Kumar treats adult patients with a variety of gastroenterology conditions and concerns. He has special expertise and interest in colon cancer screening and caring for patients with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), Barrett’s esophagus, inflammatory bowel disease, GI bleeding, and hepatobiliary & pancreatic malignancies.
He is skilled in performing simple and complex endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), ERCP, radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus, endoscopic mucosal resection, biliary manometry, and also therapeutic stenting (biliary, esophageal and enteral).
“I am interested in improving long-term survival and quality of life for my patients with GI cancers and inflammatory bowel disease.”
Dr. Kumar is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM), and the Medical Society of Virginia.
He has presented and published several research studies and authored chapters in major journals, including the American Journal of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Clinics of North America.
Dr. Kumar volunteers for Access Now to provide care to patients who lack access to healthcare due to a lack of insurance. He is fluent in many languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, and is currently learning Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys playing squash, tennis, golf, and hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains with his family.