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.
Dabo Xu, MD, is a board-certified physician in gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine at the Gastro Center of Maryland, with locations in Annapolis, Columbia, Olney, Riverdale, Timonium and Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Dr. Xu treats a wide variety of conditions at the practice, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon cancer, liver disease, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
Dr. Xu completed his medical residency at St. Agnes Hospital, as well as a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan. He has conducted clinical and translational research on several topics, such as GERD, intestinal inflammation, liver diseases and cancers, and gastrointestinal pharmacology.His works were published in the most prestigious gastroenterology journals and presented at national and international medical conferences.
He has more than 20 years of clinical experience in gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Xu has a special interest in preventive care, often working alongside patients to prevent disease and improve their quality of life through precise and effective personalized treatments.
With a passion and dedication to patient experiences, Dr. Xu believes it’s important to build relationships with those in his care and enjoys helping patients find better health and wellness.
Eduardo Castillo, MD, is a board-certified physician, with specialties in both gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Castillo is committed to treating his patients with an exemplary level of care in a family atmosphere and is proud to offer his skills at the Gastro Center of Maryland located in Columbia and Olney, Maryland.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Dr. Castillo received his medical degree from Lima’s prestigious Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. He then traveled to Detroit, Michigan, for an internship, residency, and fellowship at the Henry Ford Hospital, where he served as chief medical resident of internal medicine and chief fellow for gastroenterology.
Dr. Castillo has conducted a wide range of research on digestive issues, as well as liver cancer, cirrhosis, microscopic colitis, and peptic ulcer disease. In addition to being widely published, Dr. Castillo has presented his findings at national medical conferences. He’s also a member of the American Medical Association, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American College of Gastroenterology, and is board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology.
Dr. Castillo has a special interest in treating and preventing colon cancer, as well as treating hepatitis C, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, and clostridium difficile infection.
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.
Pia Prakash, MD, is a leading physician at the Gastro Center of Maryland in Columbia and Olney, Maryland. She is board certified in both gastroenterology and hepatology and is passionate about offering her patients personalized, compassionate care that meets their treatment goals.
Dr. Prakash studied medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. After graduating, she completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology, both at George Washington University. Dr. Prakash has also participated in a number of research studies, primarily focusing on colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), women’s health, and the impacts of celiac disease.
Now at the Gastro Center of Maryland, Dr. Prakash treats a wide variety of conditions, including acid reflux, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and constipation. She also specializes in the placement of Orbera intragastric balloon for weight loss. Additionally, she frequently treats acute and chronic liver disease. Dr. Prakash specializes in the use of capsule endoscopy in diagnosis, also known as PillCam®.
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 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.
Dr. Rai is considered a national thought leader and expert in the field of Gastroenterology and liver disease. He was named a Baltimore Magazine top doctor in 2016, 2017 and 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and a Washingtonian Magazine top doctor in 2018 and 2020.
Dr. Rai currently serves as the medical director at the gastro center of Maryland. He has served on the medical faculty at Johns Hopkins University in the division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology for more than 12 years, where he served as Medical Director of adult liver transplantation. He is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, with over 22 years of experience. He completed his Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in 1996 and completed an additional year of Advanced Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Rai presents regularly at national and regional meetings and has received many awards including Excellence in Clinical Research Award from the American College of Gastroenterology, Passano Clinician Scientist Award from Johns Hopkins University, Industry Research Scholar Award & Astra-Merck Award from the American Digestive Health Foundation, among others. He has published dozens of scholarly articles in peer reviewed journals and authored many chapters for medical textbooks. He has performed over 100,000 procedures in this field and pioneered new and innovative medical techniques.
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.
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.
Melanie L. Jackson, MD, FACG, is a gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and Bowie, Maryland.
Dr. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia and graduated cum laude from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Dr. Jackson served her residency in internal medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York and completed her gastroenterology fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Her additional postgraduate training included a hepatology research program at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.
She is affiliated with the American Gastroenterology Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and National Medical Association. Dr. Jackson is board certified in gastroenterology and a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG). She has published several papers regarding digestive care and has appeared on local television and radio as a digestive health expert.
Dr. Jackson has special interests in colon cancer awareness, nutrition, and liver disease. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Raja Taunk, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He provides a wide range of gastroenterology care at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Bowie, Maryland.
Raised in New Jersey, Dr. Taunk graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where he competed on the crew team. He then earned his medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Dr. Taunk completed his internal medicine residency at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, followed by fellowship training in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. He has authored scientific papers and book chapters, conducted research, and lectured in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. He was also featured and invited to speak on the Dr. Oz television show.
Dr. Taunk holds a national leadership position on the ethics committee of the American Gastroenterological Association. His areas of interest include inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer screening, acid reflux, and complex polypectomy.
Dr. Taunk is an avid traveler and has run with the bulls in Spain. He is a certified scuba diver, a novice golfer, and an avid sports fan.
Patryk Madrid, DNP, FNP-C, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and surrounding areas.
Dr. Madrid completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and at Warner Pacific University in Nursing. He received his nurse practitioner doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Madrid has worked in several healthcare roles for over 15 years including endoscopy, oncology, education, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, and military healthcare administration. Dr. Madrid is a member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Most recently, Dr. Madrid held a faculty position with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing teaching gastroenterology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and other nursing education.
Dr. Madrid strives to deliver high-quality healthcare that is empathetic, comprehensive, and equitable. His clinical approach is integrative with an understanding that treatment plans are uniquely tailored to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Madrid enjoys reading comics, indoor cycling, being outside, and spending time with his husband, dogs, and cats.
Dr. Kent Aje is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist with advanced fellowship training in clinical nutrition. A Maryland native from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, he earned his B.S. in Forensic Science with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating with honors. He received his medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Dr. Aje completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Loyola University Medical Center, followed by a Clinical Nutrition Fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.
He has served as a Hospitalist at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and has made significant contributions to both research and medical education. Dr. Aje has presented at national and international gastroenterology conferences and has co-authored various publications, including case reports and textbook chapters. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the ACG, AGA, ASGE, and the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists.
Dr. Aje is deeply committed to patient-centered care, academic excellence, and addressing health disparities. His clinical interests include colorectal cancer screening and prevention, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver conditions, intestinal failure, and the intersection of nutrition and gastrointestinal health. Outside of work, Dr. Aje enjoys spending quality time with his growing family, weightlifting, playing guitar, reading science fiction, and cooking.
Praveena G. Velamati, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and Odenton, Maryland.
Dr. Velamati completed an accelerated bachelor's and medical degree program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, followed by her internal medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She then pursued her gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as chief fellow during her final year and received the Service Excellence Award for outstanding patient care and compassion. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Velamati also published scientific papers in the fields of digestive diseases and hepatology.
Dr. Velamati specializes in general gastroenterology with a focus on women’s health issues. Board certified in gastroenterology, she was voted Top Docs from 2015-2016 for gastroenterology by What’s Up? Magazine – Annapolis by area physicians.
Dr. Velamati has lived in the area for over 10 years with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and football.
Patryk Madrid, DNP, FNP-C, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and surrounding areas.
Dr. Madrid completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and at Warner Pacific University in Nursing. He received his nurse practitioner doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Madrid has worked in several healthcare roles for over 15 years including endoscopy, oncology, education, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, and military healthcare administration. Dr. Madrid is a member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Most recently, Dr. Madrid held a faculty position with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing teaching gastroenterology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and other nursing education.
Dr. Madrid strives to deliver high-quality healthcare that is empathetic, comprehensive, and equitable. His clinical approach is integrative with an understanding that treatment plans are uniquely tailored to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Madrid enjoys reading comics, indoor cycling, being outside, and spending time with his husband, dogs, and cats.
living in and around Annapolis, Odenton, and Greenbelt, Maryland.
Raza Hasan, MD, is a highly skilled gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. He is proud to provide compassionate, dedicated care to patients living in and around the Pasadena, Maryland, area. Dr. Hasan's particular areas of interest include gastrointestinal motility disorders, esophageal disease, and colon cancer prevention.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Hasan attended an accelerated six-year combined bachelor and medical degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and subsequently graduated magna cum laude.
Dr. Hasan completed his internship and residency at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
In his free time, Dr. Hasan loves to travel abroad and has a checklist of trying to swim in every large body of water in the world.
Dr. Hasan is currently accepting new patients and welcomes new patients to Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. Schedule an appointment by calling or booking a consultation online today.
Patryk Madrid, DNP, FNP-C, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and surrounding areas.
Dr. Madrid completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and at Warner Pacific University in Nursing. He received his nurse practitioner doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Madrid has worked in several healthcare roles for over 15 years including endoscopy, oncology, education, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, and military healthcare administration. Dr. Madrid is a member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Most recently, Dr. Madrid held a faculty position with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing teaching gastroenterology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and other nursing education.
Dr. Madrid strives to deliver high-quality healthcare that is empathetic, comprehensive, and equitable. His clinical approach is integrative with an understanding that treatment plans are uniquely tailored to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Madrid enjoys reading comics, indoor cycling, being outside, and spending time with his husband, dogs, and cats.
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