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Hitesh Patel, MD, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He practices at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland, and is affiliated with Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Patel graduated Magna Cum Laude in just three years from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He went on to receive his Medical Degree from the University of Maryland Medical School.

He completed his internal medicine residency and subsequently a Cardiology Fellowship at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a focus on general cardiology.

Dr. Patel has advanced expertise in Pacemaker and Defibrillator placement and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC). Known for his patient-first approach, Dr. Patel is committed to delivering compassionate, comprehensive, and cutting-edge cardiac care.

His clinical approach emphasizes patient-centered care, cutting-edge diagnostics, and individualized treatment plans designed to optimize long-term heart health.

Samir Ahuja, MD, is a skilled cardiologist who has achieved board certification in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and vascular ultrasonography (RPVI/ARDMS). Dr. Ahuja sees patients at  Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. He is also affiliated with Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Ahuja graduated from the accelerated/combined six-year BS/MD program completing two years at Pennsylvania State University and then four years at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He went on to complete his internal medicine residency and a one-year advanced fellowship in cardiomyopathy and heart failure at Boston University Medical Center.

Dr. Ahuja then fulfilled his general cardiology fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-University Hospital. He then completed his cardiac and peripheral interventional fellowship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is proud to bring his expertise to his practice at Cardiology Associates of Frederick and is passionate about helping patients improve their cardiovascular health.

Swapna Kanuri, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. She’s board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular ultrasonography.

After graduating from Shri B.M. Patil Medical College and Hospital Research Center in Vijayapura, Karnataka, India, Dr. Kanuri relocated to the United States to complete her internal medicine residency at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She remained in Omaha for her fellowship training in cardiology with a specialization in noninvasive cardiology.  

With more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Kanuri specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and acute coronary syndrome. She also provides expert care for conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Dr. Kanuri is affiliated with Frederick Health Hospital, previously known as Frederick Memorial Hospital. To provide excellent health care to the diverse community. 

At Cardiology Associates of Frederick, Dr. Kunari takes a patient-centered approach to care. She spends time talking to her patients and educating them about their diagnosis and her treatment recommendations so they can take a proactive role in their care and personal health.

Sultana Afrooz, DO, is a holistic and integrative medicine physician at Be The Change Health & Wellness, located in Columbia, Maryland. Dr. Afrooz specializes in diagnosing and treating highly complex health challenges confronting many patients and providing them with the in-depth, compassionate, and individualized care they deserve.

Dr. Afrooz has practiced osteopathic medicine since receiving her doctorate from Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2002. Her training included an osteopathic internship and family practice residency at the Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Afrooz was board certified in family practice from 2005 to 2014 and is currently board-eligible. She has successfully completed the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners NBOME Part I, II, III Boards, the State Osteopathic Licensing Examination, and is licensed to practice medicine in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Dr. Afrooz is committed to evaluating and treating the individual while improving their physical health and spiritual well-being. She is well-versed in testing and discovering environmental, genetic, and infectious factors connected to chronic health issues. Dr. Afrooz utilizes the best available integrative laboratory evaluations to get to the root cause of disease and help patients regain their health. Dr. Afrooz brings to her practice of medicine a history of continued excellence in her training and education, an intellectual curiosity that's motivated by compassion, and a life-long commitment to learning. Dr. Sultana Afrooz specializes in treating patients who have been chronically ill from the effects of tick-borne infection, mold toxicity, and environmental toxicity.

Dr. Afrooz uses an integrative approach to treatment using prescription antimicrobials, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements. She has an exceptional knowledge of mind-body medicine, food as medicine, and other integrative functional approaches to health and healing. Dr. Afrooz is dedicated to helping her patients achieve wellness and healing in all aspects of their lives. She believes that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself and that it is her goal as a practitioner to guide patients in their journey to healing. Dr. Afrooz has had extensive training in the treatment of tick-borne infections and has attended annual ILADS conferences to keep up to date on the latest research and treatments in tick-borne infections and Multiple Infectious Disease Syndrome. With this training, she has become extremely involved in learning about the systemic effects of mold toxicity and treating the chronic systemic effects of mold illness. Dr. Afrooz has also spent years studying the various methods of persistence in chronic infections.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Patricia G. Gao, MD specializes in primary care at her private practice in Glen Burnie, Maryland. She started the practice in 2004, affiliating with Baltimore Washington Medical Center also in Glen Burnie. Dr. Gao’s mission is to diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases, and to help patients understand and maintain good health and make better lifestyle choices. Dr. Gao believes in the power of preventive medicine. She obtained certifications for dermatologic procedures at the National Procedures Institute, Austin, Texas in 2003 and at the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine, Las Vegas in 2011. Dr. Gao is highly experienced at meeting a variety of dermatological needs including removal of skin tags, moles, cysts, and performing skin biopsies. She also has unique skills in Botox®  and filler injections.

Dr. Gao has seventeen years of experience practicing internal medicine as a primary care physician. After graduating from Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangdong, China, Dr. Gao came to the United States where she performed cancer research at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston. She received a master’s degree in molecular biology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Texas, Houston. She began her internship at Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Gao completed her internal medicine residency and worked as a hospitalist and teaching physician at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.