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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.

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.

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: Baltimore, Frederick, Pikesville, and Westminster, MD

Kristian Ulloa, MD, FACS, is a vascular surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC. He provides comprehensive and individualized care to patients in Baltimore, Frederick, Pikesville, and Westminster, Maryland.

Dr. Ulloa joined the team at Vascular Surgery Associates in 2011. After earning his undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, he returned to his home state of New Jersey, where he completed his medical school training at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) in Newark. 

He then moved to Maryland to complete his general surgery residency and vascular fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. During his training, Dr. Ulloa presented research at multiple national and regional meetings. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Ulloa has also authored chapters in vascular surgery texts on endovascular treatment of venous disease as well as the management of peripheral aneurysms.

Dr. Ulloa has been recognized for his achievements and was awarded a Top Doc Award in 2017 and 2020 by Baltimore magazine.

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

Micah Girotti, MD, FSVS, is a board-certified vascular surgeon who joined the team at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, in July 2017. He is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care to patients in Bel Air, Elkton, and Towson, Maryland and Newark, Delaware.

Dr. Girotti was born and raised in southeastern Virginia and attended college in South Carolina. He returned to Virginia for medical school and obtained his medical degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 2008. He then underwent a general surgery residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and during that time, he also completed a master’s degree in health and health care research and published original research about the quality of surgical care and hospital readmissions in vascular surgery. 

He completed his seven years of general surgery training and then went to Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, where he completed a two-year vascular surgery fellowship, specializing in all aspects of open and endovascular surgery. During his training, Dr. Girotti was recognized by medical students, residents, and faculty with multiple teaching awards. 

He looks forward to serving each and every patient at Vascular Surgery Associates with personalized medical and surgical care, customized to that individual.

Sees Patients At: Baltimore, Pikesville, and Towson-GBMC, MD

Peter Mackrell, MD, FACS, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, serving patients in Baltimore, Pikesville, and Towson-GBMC, Maryland. Dr. Mackrell joined the practice in 2003. 

He completed his undergraduate work at Princeton University in New Jersey and graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Mackrell completed his surgical residency at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and vascular surgical fellowship at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina. During his training, he was the co-investigator of four clinical trials. 

Dr. Mackrell has been voted a “Top Doctor” by Baltimore Magazine eight times, as well as the “Top Doctor” for Vascular Surgery by Castle Connolly for the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore areas. US News and World Report lists him as one of the “Top Doctors” in the United States. 

He is the Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. He is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

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: Bel Air and Elkton, MD and Newark, DE

Richard Bafford, MD, FACS, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, serving patients in Bel Air and Elkton, Maryland and Newark, Delaware. Dr. Bafford has been with the practice since 2013. 

Dr. Bafford was born and raised in the Baltimore metropolitan area. He is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans and received a Master of Science in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Afterward, he completed a doctor of medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine. His surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship were completed at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Dr. Bafford is the author of multiple scientific and clinical papers in the field of vascular surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound.