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John Tillou, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. He has wanted to be a surgeon since undergoing an operation in high school.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Tillou received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he made the Dean’s List, coached high school baseball, worked in a pathology lab, and volunteered at a free medical clinic. 

During his undergraduate studies, he earned the Bioscience Undergraduate Research Mini-grant and received the Comprehensive Chemistry Award and Undergraduate Research Scholar award.

Dr. Tillou eventually returned home to attend medical school at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he received the Dr. Graham Clark Scholarship and the Charles & Bernice McKay Scholarship.

After graduation, Dr. Tillou completed his general surgery residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed an additional colorectal surgery fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

While completing his training, Dr. Tillou co-authored several book chapters and papers. He also received the highest score on the annual colorectal training exam.

Dr. Tillou has undergone advanced training in minimally invasive, robotic, and transanal colon and rectal surgery techniques. He has a particular interest in the treatment and management of colon cancer, anal pain, and anal cancer.

In addition, Dr. Tillou holds many professional affiliations, including the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Medical Society of Virginia, and Chesapeake Colorectal Society.

Outside of work, Dr. Tillou enjoys hiking, skiing, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.

Rebekah Kim, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Raised in the greater New York City area, Dr. Kim’s interest in surgery began when she watched her sister undergo multiple procedures as a child. Her family’s trust in the surgeon that cared for her sister was the catalyst that pushed Dr. Kim into medicine. A longtime cellist and pianist, Dr. Kim’s discipline and attention to detail have made her an excellent colorectal surgeon.

After graduating magna cum laude from the College of New Jersey in Ewing Township, New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Dr. Kim earned her medical doctorate from the prestigious Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire. 

Dr. Kim later completed her surgical residency at Columbia University, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, in New York City, which drew her toward minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery. Her interests include the surgical intervention of anal cancer, rectal cancer, anal pain, and other conditions that affect the digestive tract.

Dr. Kim is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. She is also a member of the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) and has helped train surgeons in Africa. She currently serves on the executive board of the Korean-American Medical Society of D.C. Maryland, and Virginia.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Korean, Dr. Kim capably serves patients from all backgrounds. In her spare time, she still enjoys playing the piano and the cello.

Caroline Sanchez, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Sanchez knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was a little girl. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended the renowned Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria.

During high school, Dr. Sanchez spent summers working in a laboratory at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. That experience enabled her to enroll in medical school directly after graduation as part of a combined seven-year BA/MD program at George Washington University in Washington, District of Columbia. 

Dr. Sanchez thrived in the program, earning her Bachelor of Science in biology and graduating magna cum laude. Afterward, Dr. Sanchez remained at George Washington University, earning her Doctor of Medicine with distinction in 2004.

Before joining the team at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC, Dr. Sanchez completed a general surgery residency at George Washington University, and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery, at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  

Dr. Sanchez proudly holds membership in several professional organizations, including the Chesapeake Colorectal Society, the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Professionally, Dr. Sanchez has special interests in minimally invasive procedures and new technologies.

When she isn’t meeting with patients or contributing to medical journals, Dr. Sanchez enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.

Kimberly Matzie, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Matzie was born and raised in Granby, Connecticut. She decided to pursue a career in medicine after undergoing an operation in her freshman year of college. The procedure went well, but the surgeon didn’t have the best bedside manner, and no one on the surgical team explained the process or what to expect during recovery.

Dr. Matzie left the hospital inspired and committed to making interactions with her patients both positive and informative. After earning her undergraduate degree at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Matzie enrolled at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

There, she earned her Doctor of Medicine before completing a residency in general surgery at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. While there, Dr. Matzie also completed fellowships in clinical research, surgical care, and critical care.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Matzie completed fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. She received extensive tutelage in advanced laparoscopy for small bowel, colon, and rectal surgeries.

As a colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Matzie has special interests in Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM), a minimally invasive approach to removing large rectal polyps and early cancers not responsive to colonoscopy excision or other traditional techniques.

When she isn’t at work, Dr. Matzie enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters.

Katherine Khalifeh, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Khalifeh was born and raised in Minnesota. She comes from a family of physicians and knew she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather by pursuing a career in surgery.

Dr. Khalifeh began her professional pursuits at Boston College, earning her Bachelor of Science. After graduation, Dr. Khalifeh earned her Master of Science from Georgetown University in Washington, District of Columbia, and her Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Khalifeh completed general surgery training at Johns Hopkins and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (formerly Washington Center Hospital) in Washington, DC.

Dr. Khalifeh has specialized training in diagnosing and treating a wide range of disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, fecal incontinence, and hemorrhoids. 

When she isn’t performing surgery or meeting with patients, Dr. Khalifeh enjoys contributing to professional medical journals. She’s also presented papers at conferences for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Khalifeh is a member of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Marwan, their two young daughters, and their dog, Bisou.

Timothy Plerhoples, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Plerhoples began his professional education at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earning his undergraduate degree. After graduation, he stayed in Massachusetts, obtaining his Master of Public Health from Boston University. 

Dr. Plerhoples earned his Doctor of Medicine from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. Then, he moved west to pursue surgical training at Stanford University in Stanford, California. During that time, Dr. Plerhoples authored several journal publications about improving surgical techniques and patient care.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Plerhoples completed a surgical residency at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Annandale, Virginia, and a colorectal surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

When he isn’t in the operating suite or developing custom treatment plans, Dr. Plerhoples enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He’s also an avid guitar player, hiker, fisherman, and grill master.

Sees Patients At: Columbia, Ellicott City, Pikesville, and Westminster MD

Yi Zhou, MD, FACS, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Pikesville, Maryland,. Dr. Zhou aims to provide high-quality and individualized care to his patients.

Born and raised in China, Dr. Zhou moved to the United States to pursue his education. He completed his college education in Kentucky.

Dr. Zhou obtained his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. Followed by general surgery residency training at Albany Medical Center (Albany Med) in Albany, New York. He then pursued a two-year vascular surgery fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

During his residency and fellowship training, Dr. Zhou has given several national and regional presentations on aneurysm disease and mesenteric disease. He has also co-authored multiple clinical papers in the field of vascular surgery. Following his fellowship Dr. Zhou was on staff at the Wellspan Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, for four years.

Dr. Zhou is double board-certified in general surgery and vascular surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and holds a certificate as a Registered Provider in Vascular Interpretation.

Apart from taking care of his patients, Dr. Zhou enjoys classical music and watching motor racing.

Sees Patients At: Bel Air and Towson-SJMC, MD and Newark, DE

Andre Biuckians, MD, FACS, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC. He provides a variety of vascular services to patients in Bel Air and Towson-SJMC, Maryland and Newark, Delaware.

Dr. Biuckians joined the team at Vascular Surgery Associates in 2008 and is a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He received a Master of Public Health from Boston University in Massachusetts and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. He completed his surgical residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, and he pursued a vascular fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. 

Dr. Biuckians has co-authored several publications related to the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and angioplasty for lower extremity claudication. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He currently serves as the director of the vascular lab at VSA and the division chief of vascular surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.

Sees Patients At: Elkton, Towson-GBMC, and Belair, MD 

Clinton Protack, MD, PhD, is a board-certified vascular surgeon who joined Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, in 2019. He is proud to provide exceptional care to patients in Baltimore, Ellicott City, Pikesville, Towson-GBMC, and Westminster, Maryland.

He completed his undergraduate work at Lehigh University and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York. His surgical residency was completed at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. At Yale University, Dr. Protack earned his PhD while investigating AV fistula maturation in the vascular biology and therapeutics program. He then proceeded to complete a vascular surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.  

Dr. Protack holds the Registered Provider in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) certificate and is board certified in surgery.

Dr. Protack is currently accepting new patients and is excited to partner with them in their health care journey. He welcomes them to Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, and encourages them to schedule an appointment.

 Sees Patients At: Bel Air, Elkton, and Towson-SJMC, MD and Newark, DE

Donald Hahn, MD, is a board-certified vascular surgeon who joined Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, in 2019. He provides a wide range of vascular services to patients in Bel Air, Elkton,  and Towson-SJMC, Maryland and Newark, Delaware.

A Baltimore native, Dr. Hahn completed his undergraduate degree in microbiology at the University of Maryland, College Park, before obtaining his medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. He completed his general surgery residency at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, followed by two years of a vascular surgery fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Dr. Hahn has given several national presentations on complex aortic and carotid artery disease. In addition to his vascular surgery specialization, Dr. Hahn is board certified in general surgery and holds a certificate as a Registered Provider in Vascular Interpretation. He is thrilled to return to his hometown and provide excellent care in all aspects of vascular surgery to the people and community with whom he grew up.

Sees Patients At: Pikesville, Towson-SJMC, and Westminster, MD

Tammer Elmarsafi, DPM, is a fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, in Pikesville, Towson-SJMC, and Westminster, Maryland.

Dr. Elmarsafi completed his medical school training at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2016. After completing his residency training at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a Level 1 trauma center, he went on to complete his fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital, which afforded him the title of Assistant Professor at the Georgetown School of Medicine Department of Plastic Surgery. 

Dr. Elmarsafi specializes in treating all aspects of the foot and ankle. Having specialized training and expertise in complex lower extremity pathologies, he has given many national and international lectures on topics related to vascular and diabetes-related complications. In addition, he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored several textbooks on a myriad of foot and ankle-specific subjects. 

He is a highly skilled surgeon whose philosophy revolves around caring for all aspects of his patients, not only their lower extremity problems. Dr. Elmarsafi provides care to patients of all age groups, and complexity, and welcomes new patients and second opinions.