Treatment in Marbella (Spain)

In 2007 he joined the Costa del Sol Hospital and left this position when he obtained an international scholarship that would take him back to San Francisco. In 2010 he moved to Japan to complete his training in the submucosal endoscopic dissection technique that he would later on introduce in Andalusia in 2011, thus becoming one of the pioneers in the performance of this technique in Spain. In 2011 he became the first medical professional in the world to use the 15-mm AXIOS stent in pancreatic fluid collection drainage. In 2018 he began to perform gastroenteroanastomosis with luminal apposition stent in patients with pancreatic cancer and bowel obstruction, thus becoming a pioneer in Andalusia to perform such technique.

He is a coauthor of the reference guides of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy on the endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis and non-variceal gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Professional Experience

Over 24 years' experience

1999 - Degree in Medicine and Surgery. Malaga University, Spain.

2003 to 2006 - Medical Residency in the Digestive System at the Virgen Macarena Hospital in Seville, Spain.

2006 - International Scholar at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, USA.

2007 – Digestive System Specialist at the Costa del Sol Hospital, Marbella. Spain.

2008 - California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, USA.

2009 - Top Reviewer Award received from the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Journal.

2011 – Pioneer in Spain in the introduction of the submucosal endoscopic dissection technique.

2011 – First professional in the world to use the AXIOS (15mm) stent for pancreatic fluid collection drainage.

2016 - Gold Medal of the Andalusian Society for Digestive Disease (SAPD, in its Spanish abbreviation).

2017 - Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG).

2018 - Pioneer in Andalusia to perform gastroenteroanastomosis with luminal apposition stent to treat bowel obstruction.

2019 - Fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (FASGE).

The Digestive System Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital offers a patient service portfolio that includes all the clinical aspects of gastroenterology, hepatology, biliary duct and pancreatic disease, as well as the diagnostic and treatment techniques used in this speciality such as abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy and other functional tests.

Our specialists have solid professional backgrounds and the team is highly qualified for the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as conditions related to acidity (gastric ulcers, helicobacter pylori, gastroesophageal reflux disease), enteropathies (Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis; coeliac disease...), viral hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, pancreatic disease...

The Digestive System Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital is a pioneer in the implementation of a specific check-up programme for digestive disease with special attention to the diagnosis and treatment of colon precancerous lesions.

Diseases, treatments and techniques:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound

• Endoscopic resection techniques (mucosectomy/submucosal dissection)

• Submucosal or third-space endoscopy (POEM and variants)

• Bariatric endoscopy (Apollo Method)

During this time, he published the first European report on the advantages of injection snoreplasty to treat sleep respiratory disorders; and in 2006 he was the first doctor to place a soft palate in Spain. He is also the author of the first app in the world used for the treatment of sleep apnoea through telemedicine.

Dr O'Connor is the President of the Spanish Commission of the Spanish Society of Respiratory Disorders. He is also a member of the European Sleep Research, the American Otorhinolaryngology Academy, the Spanish Otorhinolaryngology Society, Ibero-American Otorhinolaryngology Society and Andalusian Otorhinolaryngology Society.

Professional Experience

• Lecturer in Otorhinolaryngology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Seville.

• Co-Director of the Otorhinolaryngology Unit of the Quironsalud Marbella Hospital and Quironsalud Campo de Gibraltar Hospital since 2006.

• First European report on the use of injection snoreplasty to treat sleep respiratory disorders in 2005.

• First soft palate implant in Spain and first publication in the country on this area of medicine (2006).

• Author of the first manuscript on the use of radiofrequency to treat hypertrophy of nasal turbinates in paediatric patients in sleep respiratory disorders.

• Author of the first lateral pharyngoplasty in Europe 2010.

• Author of the first expansion pharyngoplasty in Spain in 2010.

• First doctor in Spain to introduce myofunctional therapy in a sleep unit in order to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

• Author of the first app in the world used to treat sleep apnoea through telemedicine.

• International revisor of papers about sleep respiratory disorders in Laryngoscope, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Plos One, Nature and Science of Sleep, International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Spanish Acta ORL, Stockholm Acta ORL.

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and head and neck surgery are a medico-surgical speciality dealing with the study, diagnosis and treatment of the pathologies affecting the ear (hearing and balance), the upper airways (nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx), sense of smell, oral cavity, neck and salivary glands.

The ENT Unit of Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital comprises a team of outstanding specialists in this medical field, who are a reference at national and international level, on account of their research work, implementation and development of avant-garde techniques, as well as regular publications in highly-influential scientific journals.

His extensive training includes qualifications that award him the specialisation in endovascular techniques relating to angiology, such as the certification to manage vascular laboratories and X- ray facilities with medical purposes granted by the Medical Physics Spanish Association, as well as numerous training positions in national and international medical centres and hospitals in France, the UK and the USA.

Dr Gallardo Pedrajas combines his medical practice with his teaching position as an Assistant in the Surgery Studies of the Malaga University and the European Society of Vascular Surgery (ESVS). He is also very active as a scientific researcher and proponent, with numerous research papers and projects being published in scientific journals of international reputation, and has been involved in more than 100 medical lectures and communications within his specialisation.

Professional experience

• Medical Residency in Angiology and Vascular Surgery, A Coruña University Hospital.( 2007-12).

• Consultant Doctor in Medicine, Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Santiago de Compostela University Hospital and A Coruña San Rafael Hospital (2012-15).

• Consultant Doctor in Medicine, Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Quirónsalud Marbella-Malaga Hospitals (2015-22).

• Head of the Angiology and Vascular Surgery Unit, Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital (2022- currently).

Member of Scientific Associations:

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the following:

American Cardiology JACC Journal and a revisor of the Board of Editors of JVET.

Secretary of the Andalusian Vascular Society and a member of the Committee of Directors of the Spanish Vascular Surgery Society (SEACV, in its Spanish abbreviation).

European Society of Vascular Surgery. A Professor of the ESVS Academy and Convenor for aorta and vascular access.

Vascular Surgery Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital has a team of specialists in Angiology and Vascular Surgery, supported by a nursing team with large experience and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases and their potential complications. This healthcare multidisciplinary approach helps us offer premium quality medical assistance to our patients.

The Angiology and Vascular Surgery Unit stands out for the implementation and development of technologically-advanced techniques in the comprehensive treatment of artery and venous diseases, with special interest in minimally- invasive endovascular treatments, not only to solve varicose vein issues, but also aneurysm and obstructive artery disease.

Our healthcare professionals deal with the prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases such as artery, venous and lymphatic disease. Each patient is taken through a process of individualised rapid and coordinated assessment.

Diseases, treatments, techniques and multidisciplinary units

Artery disease: endovascular or surgical treatment of aneurism or supra-aortic trunks occlusive disease; visceral, renal, aortic and limb arteries

• Venous disease: haemodynamic surgery and sclerotherapy of varicose veins
• Treatment of venous thromboembolism
• Lymphatic disease: diagnosis and treatment
• Artery-vein malformation: diagnosis and treatment
• Our hospital is a reference in the salvage of limbs (diabetic foot and critical limb ischaemia).

*Bachelor of Medicine, University of Malaga, Spain.

*Specialist, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Torrecardenas, Almeria. Spain.

*Follow-up, University Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Malaga, Spain.

*Follow-up, University Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

*Master of Cliniсal Ophthalmology, University CEU-Cardenal Herrera.

Areas of special interest and dedication in daily clinical practice:

-Cataract surgery (monofocal, toric, premium multifocal lenses)

-Strabismus surgery (adults and children)

-Amblyopia ("lazy eye")

-Pterygium surgery ("nail" or "palm")

Diseases treated

-Amblyopia

-Central serous choroidopathy

-Pterygium

-Macular edema

-Strabismus

-Keratoconus

-Dry eye syndrome

-Dropped eyelids

-Corneal trauma

-Glaucoma

-Diabetic retinopathy

-Myopia

-Macular epiretinal membrane

-Astigmatism

-Macular degeneration spots

-Entropion

-Retinal detachment

-Corneal diseases

-Clogged nasolacrimal duct

-Presbyopia (eye strain)

-Uveitis

-Myodesopsia (floaters)

-Conjunctivitis

-Blepharitis

-Farsightedness

-Age-related macular degeneration

I am a CBT therapist with extensive experience from work in addiction, crime and mental illness since the year 2000. I have worked both in social services, correctional services, addiction treatment and as a therapist in treatment homes. With my own experience with the disease of addiction, I am today a recovering alcoholic and as part of Satori’s team I offer both group and individual treatment.

With great humility and heart, is my foundation in CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy and the 12-step program.
I have a background in behavioural science university degree, training in ACT-acceptance and commitment theory, MI-motivational interviewing, supervisor training and NADA-acupuncture. For the past 11 years, I have worked as Operations Manager within private addiction treatment for adults and in family home care for children and young people.

I feel extremely grateful to be part of the team at Satori Recovery, which exudes care, professionalism and has a collective solid experience. With elements of spirituality, and a wonderful environment, Satori is a safe place for recovery.