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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Puneet Kumar, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. He sees patients at the West Creek office in Henrico, VA.
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.
Harmeet Singh Mashiana, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Mashiana sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in 2014 from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College in India, then completing his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Medicine in 2018, Dr. Mashiana continued to The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, Nebraska, from 2018 to 2022.
In 2022, Dr. Mashiana adeptly completed his Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at UNMC.
Dr. Mashiana’s clinical experience includes Internal Medicine Moonlighting at CHI Health Center in Omaha, a Gastroenterology Fellowship at UNMC, an Internal Medicine Residency at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine (UNLV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a Gastroenterology Fellowship Externship at Southside Community Hospital in Farmville, Virginia.
In addition, Dr. Mashiana completed an Internal Medicine Nephrology Observership at North Edison Family Practice in New Jersey, a Radiology Observership at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and an Internal Medicine Externship at Humboldt Park Health (formerly Norwegian American Hospital) in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Mashiana regularly contributes to extensive research and studies, such as Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Gastrointestinal Tract Lesions, Biliary Dilatation in Narcotic Users, Guided Ablation of Pancreatic Lesions, and Pancreatoscopy for Pancreatic Duct Stones as seen in the World Journal of Gastroenterology (September 2020) to name a few.
Awarded Poster of Excellence at the United European Gastroenterology Meeting in 2019 and Young Achiever Honor at the ACP National Meeting in 2017 and 2018, Dr. Mashiana is exceptionally bright and innovative, knowledgeable in many conditions, including GERD, diabetes, fatty liver disease, pancreatic lesions, and tumors.
In his spare time, Dr. Mashiana enjoys playing cricket and traveling. He is trilingual and speaks English, Punjabi, and Hindi fluently. He and his wife, who is also a practicing physician in the Chesterfield area, are excited to make Richmond home.
W. Colin Gallahan, MD is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Gallahan sees patients at the Westchester office in Midlothian, 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 diseases of the pancreas. He also cares for patients with a variety of GI disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 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 (EGD), 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.
Dr. Mohit Jindal is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Jindal sees patients at the Westchester office in Midlothian, 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. He then moved to New York City to earn his medical degree at the State University of New York (SUNY). He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
During GI fellowship, he presented research articles and many interesting case studies at the annual meetings held by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). 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 practiced GI in Indiana for 7 years. In addition to his busy practice in Indiana, he 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 GI conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), swallowing disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Dr. Jindal is skilled in preventive and diagnostic endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy (EGD). 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 listening to them patiently and caring for them with compassion and dedication.
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 tennis, traveling, and movies. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. He is married and has two sons, and he's delighted to call Richmond his home.
Dr. Bimaljit S. Sandhu is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Sandhu sees patients at the West Creek office in Short Pump.
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.
Parth Maheshwari, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in Richmond, Virginia. Joining RGA in August 2024, Dr. Maheshwari sees patients at the Midlothian office in N. Chesterfield, Virginia.
Dr. Maheshwari earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia in 2014, and went on to complete his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in 2018.
Following medical school, Dr. Maheshwari completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 2021. He then pursued specialized training through a competitive Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and is an active member of several professional medical organizations.
Dr. Maheshwari has authored several peer-reviewed publications in esteemed journals, including the Annals of Gastroenterology and the International Journal of Colorectal Disease. His work often explores the intersection of clinical practice and research, aiming to improve patient outcomes in gastroenterology.
Dr. Maheshwari speaks Hindi and Urdu fluently, allowing him to connect with a diverse patient population. Outside of medicine, he enjoys dancing, reading, watching movies, and trivia. His diverse interests reflect his well-rounded approach to both his personal and professional endeavors, making him a dedicated and multifaceted physician.
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.
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.
Christopher Lyons, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Lyons sees patients at the Midlothian Center office in Chesterfield, Virginia. He is currently on sabbatical and plans to return to practice later in 2026.
Dr. Christopher Lyons is a Virginia native who joined Richmond Gastroenterology Associates upon completion of his medical training, in 2005.
Dr. Lyons attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for undergraduate school and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) at VCU. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and was then selected for a competitive fellowship in gastroenterology and liver disease, at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). This training allowed him three years of experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, colonoscopy screening, and caring for patients with digestive and liver diseases.
His residency colleagues selected Dr. Lyons to serve as Chief Resident during his specialty training. This honor was repeated a few years later, during fellowship, when the faculty selected him to serve as Chief GI Fellow.
Dr. Lyons is particularly interested in colon cancer prevention because of his family’s personal experience with the disease. He has completed thousands of colonoscopy procedures for patients to remove polyps and screen for colon cancer.
He treats many digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), bile duct disease, liver disease, and cirrhosis. He utilizes lifestyle changes, medications, and endoscopy to improve digestive health.
“My grandfather was fortunate in his day in that his colon cancer was discovered and removed early. Because of his history, my mother was wise to have herself screened early with colonoscopy and had several polyps removed so that she never developed colon cancer.”
“I work very hard to help my patients understand the importance of screening for colon cancer and removing polyps to prevent them from getting colon cancer.”
Dr. Lyons performs endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). On average, he performs more than 50 endoscopic procedures weekly and has completed more than 30,000 endoscopic procedures in his career.
He enjoys learning the evolving roles that endoscopy can provide in patients' care. He recently discovered and began offering intraductal endoscopy during ERCP for laser lithotripsy of large bile duct stones. He is a member of the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).
Dr. Lyons recognizes the importance of strong communication and patient education. He has been selected to lecture his colleagues at grand rounds and speak to nursing organizations about digestive disease and management. He frequently presents an educational program called “GI Jeopardy” to engage his audience and help teach about gastroenterology.
Native to Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Lyons moved to Richmond to attend college at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he met his wife. They now have five children. Dr. Lyons was a competitive swimmer in his youth. He serves as a referee at his children’s recreational league swim meets in the summer.
Michael Patrone, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist with advanced training in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), giving him specialized expertise in the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. He joined Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in July 2025 and sees patients at the West Creek office in Short Pump, Virginia.
Dr. Patrone earned his undergraduate degree with Highest Distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his internal medicine residency, gastroenterology fellowship, and an additional fellowship in IBD at Virginia Commonwealth University.
In addition to treating the full spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders, Dr. Patrone has a strong clinical interest in iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. He is particularly passionate about uncovering the underlying causes of iron deficiency and providing effective treatment, including IV iron therapy when appropriate.
Dr. Patrone takes pride in truly listening to his patients and making sure they feel heard. "I love being able to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by diagnosing and treating conditions that can be highly disruptive to daily living. I take time to listen to my patients and ensure they feel heard, as I believe trust and understanding are essential to the healing process. I find it deeply rewarding to help patients regain control, comfort, and confidence in their everyday routines," he says.
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 Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM).
Outside of medicine, Dr. Patrone has played the violin for nearly 30 years. He's passionate about cars and motorsports, having previously competed in amateur club racing and serving as an in-car instructor for teen driver safety programs. At home, he enjoys trying new recipes and exploring Richmond’s vibrant dining scene with his family.
Dr. S. Mubashir A. Shah is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. He sees patients primarily at the Hanover office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, but he also takes appointments at the West Creek office in Henrico.
Dr. Shah earned his medical degree from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan, where he graduated in the top 1% of his class. Relocating to the United States, he pre-matched in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and graduated as the Medical Resident of the Year in 2003.
Dr. Shah had the privilege of working another year as Chief Medical Resident at UCONN and was awarded the Chief Medical Resident of the Year Award in 2004. He completed an intensive three-year Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Prior to joining Richmond Gastroenterology Associates in February 2011, Dr. Shah was in private practice with Rome Gastroenterology Associates in Georgia. He was also a GI and Hepatology lecturer to the residents and interns enrolled in the Floyd Family Practice Residency Program in Rome, Georgia.
Dr. Shah treats adult patients with gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary conditions. His patients benefit from conservative treatments and the endoscopic procedures he performs.
He is highly skilled and experienced with the most up-to-date endoscopic techniques, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and ERCP. He also performs painless hemorrhoid banding using the CRH O’ Regan System, for patients suffering from hemorrhoid-related issues.
Dr. Shah is an active member of several professional societies, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM). He has presented at national and local meetings and published extensively in various medical journals.
Dr. Shah enjoys staying physically fit and likes lifting weights, tennis, and soccer. Additional interests include spending time with his family, traveling, and world politics. He is an ardent fan of the game of cricket. He and his wife Ghuncha, a psychologist, have three children and are pleased to call Richmond home.
He is fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Pashto and has a working knowledge of Punjabi and Hindko.
