Find a Top Surgeon Near Me in Gainesville, GA – Book an Appointment Instantly

 Hoyt Wayborn Gazaway, M.D, F.A.C.S.

Bostock Family Medicine Gwinnett Medical Group

771 Old Norcross Rd, Suite 255

Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Tel: (404)901-4075 Fax: (770)339-4585

Email: [email protected]

Clinical Training & Certification:

CITI program for the protection of research participants training (Health Information Privacy and Security) (Biomedical Research)

Good Clinical Practices (GCP) trained

Work Experience: 

Clinical Research Primary and Sub-Investigator at One Health Research Clinic, Inc. Feb, 2017 -Present

Clinical Research Sub-Investigator at Perimeter Institute for Clinical Research, Inc 2014 - 2017

William Bostock & Associates Family Medicine (Pediatrics and Adults) Oct, 2011 - Present

 Buford  Complete  Health  and Wellness Center Mar, 2006 - Oct 2011

Clinical  Director of Truth's Community  Clinic,  providing  medical, dental and pharmacy needs to the poor 2003 - Present

Southern Surgical Associates 1992 - Mar, 2006

Carraway Methodist Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama (Internship/Residency - General Surgery) 1987 -1992

Education:

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia M.D Academic Achievement: Summa cum Laude 1987

Professional Certification:

American Board of Surgery, Board Certified 1993

Fellow of the American College of Surgeons 1995 

Professional Society Memberships:

American Medical Association 1992

Gwinnett/Forsyth County Medical Society 1992

American Board of Surgery, Diplomate 1993

Fellow of the American College of Surgeons 1995

Professional Honors:

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society 1986

Clinical Research Trial Expirience: 

BAY98-7106/14725: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study of nifedipine GITS and candesartan in fixed-dose combination in adult subjects with moderate to severe essential hypertension who are naYve to any anti-hypertensive drug treatment (Bayer); 2013.

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase m Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of JNJ-27018966 in the Treatment of Patients With Diarrhea­ Predominant Irritable Bowel syndrome; Study# 270189661B83002; Furiex Pharmaceuticals; 2013

A Phase ill Clinical Trial to Study the Safety and Efficacy ofMK-1293 Compared to Lantus in Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Merck Sharp & Dahme Corporation, Principal Investigator, 2013-2016 

A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes After Treatment with Exenatide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Duke University/ Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Principal Investigator, 6/2013- 2016.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Active-Control, Phase 3B Study to Evaluate the Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Subjects with Gout and Cardiovascular Comorbidities. Takeda, 2014.

Effect of Liraglutide on Body Weight in Non-Diabetic Obese Subjects or Overweight Subjects with Co-Morbidities. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group, Multi­ Centre, Multinational Trial with Stratification of Subject to either 56 or 160 Weeks of Treatment Based on pre-Diabetes Status at Randomization. Novo Nordisk, 7/2014.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study Assessing the Impact of Additional LDL-Cholesterol Reduction on Major Cardiovascular Events When AMG 145 is Used in Combination With Statin Therapy in Patients with Clinically Evident  Cardiovascular Disease. Amgen, Inc., 7/2014.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of JNJ-27018966 in the Treatment of Patients With Diarrhea­ Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Sub-Investigator, 11/2012- 8/2014.

A Multicenter Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Effect of Febuxostat versus Placebo on Renal Function in Hyperuricemia and Moderate to Severe Renal Impairment. Takeda, 2014.

AMG 20120138: A Multicenter, Controlled, Open-label Extension (OLE) Study to assess the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of AMO 145 (Amgen); 2013-2016.

AMO 20110116: A Double-blind, Randomized, Multicenter Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of AMO 145, Compared With Ezetimibe, in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects Unable to Tolerate an Effective Dose of a HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Amgen); 2013- 2016.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study Assessing the Impact of Additional LDL-Cholesterol Reduction on Major Cardiovascular Events When AMO 145 is Used in Combination With Statin Therapy in Patients with Clinically Evident Cardiovascular Disease. Amgen, Inc, 2014- 2016.

Phase III Trial to Confirm the Anti-angina! Effect of T89 in Patients with Stable Angina (CAESA Study), Tasly Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Principal Investigator, 7/2014-2016.

A Phase 2, Randomized , Double-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Febuxostat 40 mg XR, 80 mg XR, 40 mg IR and 80 mg IR in Subjects with Gout and Moderate Renal Impairment, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc, Principal Investigator, 8/2014-2016.

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Ertugliflozin (MK-8835/PF-04971729) with Sitagliptin Compared with Ertugliflozin Alone and Sitagliptin Alone, in the Treatment of Subjects with T2DM With Inadequate Glycemic Control on Metformin Monotherapy, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation, Principal Investigator, 12/2014- 2016.

A Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multi-center Phase IIb study to assess the efficacy and safety of different dose combinations of an aromatase inhibitor and a progestin in an intravaginal ring versus placebo and leuprorelin/ leuprolide acetate in women with symptomatic endometriosis over a 12 week  treatment period;   Bayer HealthCare AG; Study Number:    Bay 98-7196 I 15832; 2015

"A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Group Multi-Center Study To Evaluate The Efficacy and Safety ofTTP273 Following of 12 Weeks Administration In Subject With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus On a Stable Dose of Metformin"; Sponsor: vTv Therapeutics; Protocol#; TTP273-201; 5/ 2016-2017

A Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Elagolix in Combination with Estradiol/Norethindrone Acetate for the Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Associated with Uterine Fibroids in Premenopausal Women; Protocol#: M12-815; Sponsor: AbbVie; 4/2016-2017

A Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Elagolix in Combination with Estradiol/Norethindrone Acetate in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Endometriosis Associated Pain; Protocol#: M12-702; Sponsor: AbbVie; 4/2016- 2017

A Phase 3 Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability ofNKTR-181 in Opioid Naive Subjects with Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain; Nektar Therapeutics; Protocol Number: 14-181-07; 3/2016

A Phase 3 Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability ofNKTR-181 in Opioid Naive Subjects with Moderate to Severe Chronic Noncancer Pain; Nektar Therapeutics; Protocol Number: 14-181-08; 3/ 2016

A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled, Multicenter Study of The Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Of Subcutaneous administration Of Tanezumab In Subjects With Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Or Knee; Sponsor: Pfizer; Protocol#: A4091058; 3/2016

A Phase 3, Multicenter, Long-Term Observational Study of Subjects From Tanezumab Studies Who Undergo a Total Knee, Hip or Shoulder Replacement; Sponsor: Pfizer; Protocol #: A4091064; 3/ 2016.

A Phase 2 Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled, Ascending Dose Study Assessing Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy of Topical NVNIOOO in Subjects with External Genital Warts and Perianal Warts; Sponsor: Novan, Inc.; Protocol#: NI-WA201; 5/2016.

A Phase 3 Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled study to  assess  the efficacy,  safety,  and tolerability ofNKTR-181 in Opioid Naive Subjects with Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain; Nektar Therapeutics; Protocol Number: 14-181-07; 2016.

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b dose ranging study to assess the efficacy and safety of OBE2l 09 in subject with endometriosis associated pain.

A Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating the efficacy and safety of daily oral administration of OBE2109 alone and in combination with add­ back therapy for management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal woman.

Liberty 2: An International Phase 3 Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Efficiancy and Safety study to Evaluate Relugolix Co-Administered with and ,without Low-Dose Estradiol and Norethindrone Acetate in Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Associated with Uterine Fibroids.

Spitit l: An International Phase 3 Randomized, Double -blind, Placebo-Controlled Efficacy and Safety Study to Evaluate Relugolis Administered with and sithout Low-Dose Estrodiol and Norc1hindrone Acetate in Women with Endometriosis-Associated Pain.

A 26 week, Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double Blind, Parallel Group, Phase 3 Trial with a 26 week Safety Extention Period Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Dapagliflozin 5 and 10 mg, and Saxagliptin 2.5 and 5 mg in Pediatric Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who are between 10 and below 18 years of age

A Phase 3, Open-lable, Multicenter, 12 month Safety and Tolerability Study of SHP465 in Children Aged 4 to 12 Years Diagnosed with Attention-deficit/Hyperactiveity Disorder.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Placebo-controlled, Fixed-Dose, Efficacy, and Sfery Study ofSHP465 in Children Aged 6-12 years with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder(ADHD) 

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Testicular

Safety of Filgotinib in Adult Males with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis

A Randomized, Double blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Testicular Safety of  Filgotinib in Adult Males with Moderately to Severely to Severely Active Inflamatory Bowl Disease.

The Surgeon

Aliu Sanni, MD, FACS, is a Bariatric and General Surgeon at Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery, located in Snellville, Georgia.  He commenced his medical training at Newcastle upon Tyne in England before relocating to the United States. He completed his Residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in New York and his Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Aliu Sanni is the Medical Director at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center for Comprehensive Weight Loss Surgery where he prides himself on providing high-quality care and enhancing the well-being of his patients.  Aliu’s vision became a reality with the establishment of Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery.  The practice is committed to transforming lives through comprehensive bariatric care in Snellville.   Patients are made aware of and empowered towards a lifestyle and prioritizing individual needs through counseling, corrective surgery, and innovative procedures.

Aliu Sanni alongside his committed staff and colleagues, is devoted to guiding each patient towards success on their weight loss journey, fostering a supportive environment where personal health takes center stage.  He is also deeply committed to education and serves as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia/Augusta University. Responding to the need for hands-on learning, Dr. Sanni has initiated his own internship program.

As a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Sanni remains at the forefront of his field, continuously integrating the latest advancements into his practice.

Outside of medicine, he cherishes his roles as a devoted husband and father, finding joy in playing tennis and soccer in his leisure time. Dr. Sanni's multifaceted involvement in the medical community reflects his unwavering dedication to patient-centered healthcare.

Dr. Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA is the President and Chief Medical Officer of Intensive Outpatient Services at Hightop Health.  Until June, 2023 he served as Chief Strategy Officer and before that, the Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail, an Atlanta, Georgia-based nationally acclaimed private, nonprofit residential and day treatment organization for adults and adolescents with mental illnesses. Kotwicki also held leadership positions as the Medical Director of Community Outreach Services at Grady Health System as well as Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine

Kotwicki trained as a Department of Energy Fellow and was a Medical Scholar at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School, the Boston University School of Medicine, and Emory University, where he earned a Master in Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management. He remains a full professor on the adjunctive faculty at both the Emory University School of Medicine as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. Kotwicki has presented more than 425 invited lectures, symposia, and seminars to thousands of attendees. He is recognized as a trusted national expert and renowned speaker on current issues in psychiatry, mental health, professionalism, and wellness.  

Kotwicki is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Past President of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians’ Association. He currently serves as Vice President of the Executive Council of the Southern Psychiatric Association.  Kotwicki was a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2011 and served as President of the Board of Directors of Positive Impact, the Southeast’s premiere HIV mental health program for three years. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lovett School until 2022 and was elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 2019. Throughout his career, Dr. Kotwicki has received numerous distinctions, including Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association’s 2019-2020 Psychiatrist of the Year award, Emory University’s most prestigious Dean’s “Golden Apple” Teaching Award, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Mental Health America and Eli Lilly’s “Heroes in Fight” Clinical Team Award, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. Kotwicki received the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University’s “Distinguished Achievement Alumnus Award” in 2017.   

Dr. Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA is the President and Chief Medical Officer of Intensive Outpatient Services at Hightop Health.  Until June, 2023 he served as Chief Strategy Officer and before that, the Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail, an Atlanta, Georgia-based nationally acclaimed private, nonprofit residential and day treatment organization for adults and adolescents with mental illnesses. Kotwicki also held leadership positions as the Medical Director of Community Outreach Services at Grady Health System as well as Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine

Kotwicki trained as a Department of Energy Fellow and was a Medical Scholar at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School, the Boston University School of Medicine, and Emory University, where he earned a Master in Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management. He remains a full professor on the adjunctive faculty at both the Emory University School of Medicine as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. Kotwicki has presented more than 425 invited lectures, symposia, and seminars to thousands of attendees. He is recognized as a trusted national expert and renowned speaker on current issues in psychiatry, mental health, professionalism, and wellness.  

Kotwicki is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Past President of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians’ Association. He currently serves as Vice President of the Executive Council of the Southern Psychiatric Association.  Kotwicki was a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2011 and served as President of the Board of Directors of Positive Impact, the Southeast’s premiere HIV mental health program for three years. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lovett School until 2022 and was elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 2019. Throughout his career, Dr. Kotwicki has received numerous distinctions, including Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association’s 2019-2020 Psychiatrist of the Year award, Emory University’s most prestigious Dean’s “Golden Apple” Teaching Award, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Mental Health America and Eli Lilly’s “Heroes in Fight” Clinical Team Award, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. Kotwicki received the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University’s “Distinguished Achievement Alumnus Award” in 2017.   

Vascular surgeon Brian Freeman, MD, joined the University Vascular team in Watkinsville, Georgia, in 2018.

Dr. Freeman is from Knoxville, Tennessee. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and then attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia.

He completed general surgical training at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. He was awarded the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Award for Teaching during his residency, which was followed by a vascular surgery fellowship at Greenville Health Systems in Greenville, South Carolina.

His clinical practice encompasses all aspects of arterial and venous disease, including peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, and varicose veins. Dr. Freeman is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, and the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Freeman enjoys spending time with his wife and sons and is active in his church. He enjoys sports and is an avid Georgia football fan.

Jeffrey Pearce, MD, is a vascular surgeon at University Vascular in Watkinsville, Georgia. His practice interests include complex aortic and peripheral vascular reconstruction for aneurysm and occlusive disease, carotid disease, varicose vein disease, and hemodialysis access.

Dr. Pearce earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Florida in Gainesville and completed his surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Dr. Pearce has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and numerous invited presentations. He maintains a strong interest in teaching and working with the Medical College of Georgia Physician Assistant program and the Georgia Health Sciences University Medical Partnership. He works with local nephrologists to improve the care of kidney failure patients and is a regular volunteer at the Mercy Health Center, providing surgical care to the indigent and less fortunate members of the Athens community.

Dr. Pearce is affiliated with Athens Regional Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital. He is an active member in many leading medical organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Society for Vascular Surgery, Society for Vascular Ultrasound, and the Southeastern Surgical Congress.

Christopher (Topher) Everett, MD, is a vascular surgeon at University Vascular, serving patients in Watkinsville, Georgia. He joined University Vascular in 2011 and is board certified in vascular surgery and general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Everett is from Fort Worth, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Austin College and then attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He completed general surgical training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, followed by a vascular surgery fellowship at Greenville Health System in South Carolina.

He is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgeons, the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, and the Georgia Vascular Society.

Dr. Everett’s clinical practice encompasses all aspects of arterial and venous disease, including peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, and varicose veins.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, running, and traveling with his wife, Sarah.

David Sailors, MD, is an experienced vascular surgeon at University Vascular, serving patients living in and around Watkinsville, Georgia.

Dr. Sailors is originally from Athens, Georgia. He received his undergraduate education at the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the track team. He received his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and his general surgery training at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. He then completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Arkansas under Dr. Robert Barnes. After practicing in Chattanooga for two years, he joined Dr. Costantino in practice in 1998. 

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member in the Southeastern Surgical Society, Society of Vascular Surgery, and the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society. Although he is interested in all aspects of vascular surgery, he specializes in the field of endovascular surgery.

University Vascular treats a comprehensive range of vascular conditions at their state-of-the-art office in Watkinsville, Georgia. The board-certified vascular surgeons help patients feel better while avoiding the need for hospitalization. This saves our patient’s time and effort, minimizes the cost of care, and eliminates the risks hospitalization.

The physicians, staff, and technologists at University Vascular have years of experience and focus exclusively on vascular disorders. Patients can be sure they're receiving the best possible care for conditions such as varicose veins, peripheral vascular disease (PAD), aneurysms, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and carotid artery disease. All procedures take place in an endovascular suite, a special sterile environment where the practice's highly skilled surgeons use moving X-ray technology and ultrasound to ensure pinpoint accuracy.

Office based procedures University Vascular performs include the treatment of varicose veins using radio-frequency ablation, phlebectomy and sclerotherapy as well as the endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease.

To benefit from University Vascular’ s exceptional skill and receive personalized care and treatment, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.

Jonathan Woody, MD, is board-certified in vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He sees patients at University Vascular in Watkinsville, Georgia.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Woody graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. He then attended the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree in 1993. Upon graduating, Dr. Woody completed his internship and surgical residency at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was followed by a fellowship in vascular surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

He spent the first portion of his professional career on the medical school faculty in the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was involved in all aspects of tertiary level patient care, the education of medical students, surgical residents, and vascular surgery fellowship trainees, as well as clinical research. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and been an invited speaker at local, regional, and national meetings.

Dr. Woody relocated to Athens, Georgia, when he joined Athens Vascular Surgery in 2005. The practice has continued to grow and has evolved into University Vascular, which employs six vascular surgeons and eight physician extenders. Dr. Woody also has an appointment to the Faculty of Medical Sciences as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia. He has served in numerous leadership roles within the Athens medical community.
He is an active member of many professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, among others, and he is a charter member of the Georgia Vascular Society.

Dr. Elaine Carelus is a native New Yorker born and raised in Freeport, NY. She earned her combined BS/MS degree in Biological Sciences from St. John's University, Queens NY. She earned an additional master's degree in Biomedical Sciences from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. She then completed medical school earning an MD at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. There she developed a love and passion for surgery. She completed her general surgery residency training at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, NY. She is now excited to further her surgical career as a Bariatric Surgery Fellow here at Peachtree Surgical and Bariatrics.  

Titus Duncan, MD, is a general and bariatric surgeon and the president and CEO of Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics, located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also a GERD/reflux specialist who is board certified in general surgery and has extensive training in weight loss surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and revision bariatric surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Duncan holds clinical status at Morehouse School of Medicine as an Associate Professor of Surgery and is Director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Morehouse and Atlanta Medical Center. He currently serves on the Executive Council of the ASMBS (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery).

Dr. Duncan has published extensively in the field of minimally invasive weight loss and general surgery. He is regarded as a pioneer in the field and has taught and lectured extensively around the world about minimally invasive and bariatric surgical techniques. He is Director of a Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Fellowship specializing in training other surgeons to perform these delicate procedures.

Dr. Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA is the President and Chief Medical Officer of Intensive Outpatient Services at Hightop Health.  Until June, 2023 he served as Chief Strategy Officer and before that, the Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail, an Atlanta, Georgia-based nationally acclaimed private, nonprofit residential and day treatment organization for adults and adolescents with mental illnesses. Kotwicki also held leadership positions as the Medical Director of Community Outreach Services at Grady Health System as well as Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine

Kotwicki trained as a Department of Energy Fellow and was a Medical Scholar at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School, the Boston University School of Medicine, and Emory University, where he earned a Master in Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management. He remains a full professor on the adjunctive faculty at both the Emory University School of Medicine as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. Kotwicki has presented more than 425 invited lectures, symposia, and seminars to thousands of attendees. He is recognized as a trusted national expert and renowned speaker on current issues in psychiatry, mental health, professionalism, and wellness.  

Kotwicki is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Past President of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians’ Association. He currently serves as Vice President of the Executive Council of the Southern Psychiatric Association.  Kotwicki was a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2011 and served as President of the Board of Directors of Positive Impact, the Southeast’s premiere HIV mental health program for three years. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lovett School until 2022 and was elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 2019. Throughout his career, Dr. Kotwicki has received numerous distinctions, including Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association’s 2019-2020 Psychiatrist of the Year award, Emory University’s most prestigious Dean’s “Golden Apple” Teaching Award, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Mental Health America and Eli Lilly’s “Heroes in Fight” Clinical Team Award, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. Kotwicki received the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University’s “Distinguished Achievement Alumnus Award” in 2017.