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Meet Dr. Yavrouian

Dr. Robert Yavrouian, MD, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in colon and rectal surgery.  Dr. Yavrouian has been serving the Southern California area for over a decade with offices  in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles and Glendale, California.

 Dr. Yavrouian is a Southern California native who attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering. He earned his medical degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia and completed his general surgery training at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, CA. He then returned to USC to complete his fellowship specializing in colon and rectal surgery.

He is trained to treat all aspects of colorectal health, including both benign and malignant conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus. Dr. Yavrouian’s clinical interests include hemorrhoids, proctology, colonoscopy, anal abscess and fistula, anal fissure, pilonidal disease, diverticular disease, rectal prolapse, colon and rectal cancer, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

He is an attending surgeon at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and White Memorial Medical Center.  Dr. Yavrouian is a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, and Armenian American Medical Society.

Dr. Yavrouian knows that visiting a surgeon for a colorectal problem can be both frightening and embarrassing.  He and his staff are committed to providing patients with the best possible care in a warm, caring, and compassionate environment.  Schedule an appointment by calling the nearest office or booking online today.

My goal is to educate my patients and help them understand risks, benefits, and alternatives in order to make an informed decision regarding their healthcare. My philosophy is to discuss each patient's diagnosis and go over all treatment options (non-surgical and surgical), answer any questions, and address each patient’s individual concerns. Everyone is different and surgery should be considered a last resort. I encourage my patients to explore and understand all of their options and seek a second opinion before deciding to have surgery.

Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Specializing in Foot and Ankle Disorders & Hip and Knee Replacements

 

Medical Degree

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Sarah Graham Kenan Scholarship
John B. Graham Research Society

Internship

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Orthopedic Residency

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Orthopedic Fellowship

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

Research Presentations

• Clinical and radiographic results of 227 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties using a femoral component with proximal and distal precoating and built-on centralizers. Found significant association between initial cement mantle radiographic grade and mechanical loosening. Presentation at the 1999 North Carolina Orthopaedic Association Conference and at the 2000 John B. Graham Student Research Day.
• Effect of barium sulfate particle size on production of IL-1, IL-6. and TNF-alpha. Found no difference in cytokine production between micro- and nano-sized particles exposed to mouse macrophages. 2003. Presentation at 2003 MCV Resident's Day.
• Short term outcomes after tibial shaft fractures: a retrospective study at MCV hospital. Found that institutional data correlates with similar outcome studies in the trauma literature which included a low complication rate and a functional deficiencies in a majority of patients. 2005. Presentation at 2005 MCV Resident's Day.
• Open reduction and internal fixation of the symptomatic type II accessory navicular. Found no significant difference between excision and ORIF of symptomatic accessory navicular bones. 2006. Video poster presentation at 2006 Summer AOFAS meeting. Presentation at 2006 North Carolina Orthopaedic Society Meeting. Poster presentation at 2007 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Publications

• Scott A, Sabesan V, Saluta JR, Easley ME. Open reduction and internal fixation of the symptomatic type II accessory navicular. Foot Ankle Int. in press 2008.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Chapter: Percutaneous open reduction and internal fixation of fifth metatarsal base fractures. MIS Techniques in Orthopaedics. Springer. 2009. In press.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Ankle injuries in athletes. The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. 23:195-201; 2006.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Foot and ankle rehabilitation success hinges on screening accuracy: Biomechanics. June, 2006.

Lectures

• Grand Rounds: Five foot and ankle problems every doctor should know. Good Samaritan Hospital 4/05/2007. California Hospital Medical Center 4/08. St. Vincent Medical Center 5/08.
• Grand Rounds: My Experience with Hip, Knee, and Ankle Arthritis. Good Samaritan Hospital. 1/16/2008.
• Foot and Ankle Injuries in Running. Speaker at McDonalds Expo. Los Angeles Marathon. 2/29/08 and 3/01/08.
• Advancements In Orthopaedics: Hip, Knee, and Ankle Technologies. Speaker. Stryker International. 3/19/08

Media

• Care of the Foot and Ankle. Radio Manila. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Health segment of one hour international radio talk show. Dec 2006.
• Governor Schwarzenegger recovering from surgery. KABC-TV Los Angeles evening news. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dec 2006.
• What Happens Next: When a Bone Breaks. Banner Caswell Productions. Television documentary. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Veria channel, Dish network. Dec 2007.

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
• Piedmont Orthopaedic Society
• California Orthopaedic Association

Community

• 2008-2010 Official Medical Team Los Angeles Marathon
• 2008-2010 National Youth Leadership Forum Volunteer Speaker
• January 2010 Medical Mission at California Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
• 2006 Member of Orthopaedic Trauma Team at California Hospital, Level 2 Trauma Center

Xiujie Wang, MD, FACS, RPVI, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.

Dr. Wang studied at Shanxi Medical University in Jinzhong, China, earning her medical degree. After graduation, she moved to the United States and completed a surgical residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut. She also completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Dr. Wang brings more than 20 years of vascular surgery experience to the practice. She treats a wide array of conditions but has a special interest in treating peripheral artery disease (PAD), varicose veins, and aneurysms. 

Outside of the office, Dr. Wang holds appointments at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center; Rancho Springs Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center; and Temecula Valley Hospital.

Dr. Wang is board-certified in general and vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery. She’s also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum.

Dr. Wang welcomes anyone in need of vascular surgery to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today. 

Bolaji Nafiu, MD, FACS, is a double-board-certified vascular surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates. 

Dr. Nafiu studied at the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria, earning his medical degree. After graduation, he moved to the United States. He completed a general surgery residency at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Willowbrook, California, and a vascular surgery fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.

As a general and vascular surgeon, Dr. Nafiu treats various medical conditions, including blood clots, carotid artery disease, and chronic venous insufficiency. He also treats aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease.

He holds privileges at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, California; Rancho Springs Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta in Murrieta, California; and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California.

Dr. Nafiu is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. He welcomes anyone needing vascular or general surgery to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today.

I am a board-certified general and vascular surgeon affiliated with Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates. Raised in Brazil, I'm fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. My passion for science, teaching and helping others led me to medicine, and I discovered my calling in surgery during anatomy class.

After graduating from the Federal University os Santa Catarina in Brazil, I continued my education in New York, completing residency in general surgery and a vascular surgery fellowship on the East Coast. Opting for warmer climate of California, I've been treating vascular diseases for over two decades, cherishing the connection with my patients. I prioritize lasting cardiovascular health beyond surgical interventions. Recently, I joined the faculty at the UHS General Surgery Residency program, where I stay updated on vascular surgery developments while enjoying teaching.

Outside of work, I endulge in cooking, hiking and tennis with family and friends.

 

 

 

Hege Johnsen, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, providing complete surgical care to patients in Wildomar, Temecula, Hemet, and Menifee, California.

Dr. Johnsen studied at Albert Szent-Gyorgi Medical University in Szeged, Hungary, earning her medical degree. She then moved to the United States and completed a residency in general surgery.

Dr. Johnsen brings more than 20 years of experience to the practice. She specializes in general surgery but has a special interest in breast surgery and inguinal hernia repair without mesh (shouldice procedure).

Outside of Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, Dr. Johnsen holds appointments at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, California; Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, California; Menifee Valley Hospital in Menifee, California; and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California; and Loma Linda University Medical Center. 

Dr. Johnsen is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She speaks English and Norwegian fluently, allowing her to serve the practice’s diverse clientele. 

Dr. Johnsen welcomes anyone needing general, breast surgery, hernia repair or cholecystectomy to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today. 

Craig Owens, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.

Dr. Owens studied at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, earning his medical degree. Then, he completed a transitional year internship at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Massachusetts.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Owens completed a general surgery residency at the Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium in Loma Linda, California, receiving extensive training in all aspects of surgical care. 

Dr. Owens is knowledgeable in various surgical techniques and specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. 

He holds privileges at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center; Rancho Springs Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta; Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California; and Menifee Valley Hospital.

When he isn’t meeting with patients or performing operations, Dr. Owens enjoys golfing and car racing. He also believes in continuing education and stays abreast of advances in surgical techniques and technologies.

Dr. Owens is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He welcomes anyone needing general surgery to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today.

Greetings!  I am a board certified general surgeon with over two decades of clinical practice since completing my doctorate and surgical residency at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.  I treat the full spectrum of general surgical problems including hernias, gallbladder disease, breast cancer and benign conditions, with special interest in melanoma and trauma.  I grew up in this area, and spent my youth in extensive manual labor which has contributed to both my dexterity and efficiency of movement.     I decided to become a physician during high school because I wanted to use my talents to help people.  What I like most is being able to treat the whole person, resolving their health problems, and saving lives.  I chose Surgery because it best fit my aptitudes, trained me to handle emergencies, and was adaptable for mission service.  I’ve enjoyed volunteering during my teens at Inland Valley Medical Center, rotating in Kenya during medical school, and service trips to Peru, to China teaching Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and to India to teach Laparoscopic Surgery.  I enjoy people and helping them survive and thrive, through operations or non-operative management.     I serve my community on our hospital's Ethics Committee, as the trauma director of our regional trauma center, and lead our Surgery Residency trainging the next generation of well qualified surgeons.   I enjoy outings with my family, horticulture, learning every day, exercising/hiking/camping/surfing, and playing the bagpipes.

Francis Essien, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Essien's zeal for the art and science of medicine and surgery began as a teenager at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

An interest in providing excellent patient care brought Dr. Essien to the United States to pursue a natural calling in the surgical specialty.

Passionate about cutting-edge, advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical technology, Dr. Essien’s knowledge and expertise give patients the advantage of a faster recovery. 

The surgeon’s more cosmetic approach also offers less pain and a quicker return to a happier and more productive lifestyle.

Dr. Essien is highly skilled in various procedures, most frequently performing laparoscopic surgery for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, laparoscopic hernia repairs, hiatal hernia repairs, minimally invasive endocrine surgery, laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and laparoscopic colon resections for benign and malignant conditions.

Dr. Essien also performs laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and revision bariatric procedures.

With a passion for Bariatric surgery, Dr. Essien helps patients achieve their goals of a healthier weight while eliminating the medical illnesses associated with excessive weight and enjoying a better quality of life.

Dr. Essien believes in an individualized and holistic approach to improving the health and wellness of patients.

Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Essien enjoys spending time with family at home, cooking, traveling, cycling, and playing golf.

Book an appointment with Dr. Essien, MD here.