Best gastroenterologists: TOP 175 doctors

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)

Surgeon, oncologist, specialist in the field of digestive system surgery and breast oncology.

25 years old

• Worked in clinics in the USA and Great Britain.
• Board Certified in Gastrointestinal Surgery by Johns Hopkins Institute, USA
• Certified as a specialist in laparoscopic surgery by the Port de Choisy Medical Center, France.
• Director of the American College of Surgeons for students from Turkey.

Dr. Erdem Koçak is a gastroenterologist with international training. He is certified in advanced endoscopic and bariatric procedures from Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Hallym University (South Korea). Dr. Koçak is one of the few Turkish specialists with global accreditation in advanced endoscopic techniques.

He is known for minimally invasive treatments of early-stage gastrointestinal tumors. Dr. Koçak provides non-surgical options for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. He is also a pioneer in non-surgical obesity treatments, such as gastric balloon and stomach Botox procedures.

Dr. Koçak has published over 100 international scientific articles and contributed to three book chapters. He has presented at more than 100 medical congresses. He is recognized as a leading academic in his field. Dr. Koçak is trained in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. He works as a chief physician and specialist in major hospitals across Turkey.

He is a member of five respected medical associations, including the Turkish Society of Gastroenterology and TSGE. This ensures he stays updated with the latest medical advances.

EDUCATION AND ADVANCED TRAINING COURSES

• 1989 - received higher medical education at the Hebrew University;
• 1995 - completed residency in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the Hadassah University Hospital.
• 2001 - 2002 - Internship with Professor Scott Friedman in the Department of Liver Diseases at Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Today, Professor Rifaat Safadi is an outstanding specialist in the field of liver disease treatment, a member of the committee for the development of the somatic cell transplant center and the head of the liver disease unit at Hadassah Medical Center. The professor is a member of several international associations for the study of the liver and is the author of numerous articles in his specialty. Professor Safadi is a member of the editorial board of the scientific medical journal Clinical Science.

Rifaat Safadi is a laureate of many scientific awards. In particular, he has been repeatedly awarded the Hadassah Prize for studying the process of immune modulation of liver fibrosis using mRNA. For achievements in the same field, the professor received the Sharon Donsky and the Israeli Association of Gastroenterology and Hepatology awards.

Doctor Shimon Reif is a highly experienced pediatric gastroenterologist in Israel, and is the Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Hadassah Medical Center. He has extensive experience treating liver and gastrointestinal tract illnesses in children, and is a WHO expert in the development of protocols for diagnosing and treating these conditions. Dr. Reif is the co-author of a novel method of non-malignant disease treatment and has published over 50 research articles on the subject. He is a member of various professional organizations such as the Israeli Pediatric Association, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Prof. Eitan Scapa - Leading  gastroenterologist of Israel, a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and liver. Head of the  Gastroenterology and Liver tretment department at the Asaf-a-Rofe Medical Center.

Education and clinical experience:

•   Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University;
•   Passed internship on gastroenterology;
•   Trained in the Israeli and foreign clinics;
•   He has held various positions in  "Assaf-a-Rofe" Medical Center.

Membership in professional associations:

• American Gastroenterology Association;
• Israel Gastroenterology Association.

Professor Scapa is the author of many scientific publications and techniques, including the world famous was the so-called "video tablet" - a miniature video camera, is swallowed by the patient and allows to record images of the digestive tract.

Dr. Yoram Bujanover is a specialist in pediatric gastroenterology who has over 45 years of experience. He is a Senior Specialist at the Pediatrics Department in Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital at Sheba Medical Center and is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and the Israel Gastroenterology Association. He has a degree from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine in Tel Aviv University (Israel).

Dr. Maor Lahav is a leading Israeli gastroenterologist and head of the Department of Invasive Endoscopy (examination using an endoscope).

Maor Lahav is one of the few doctors in Israel who performs radiofrequency ablation on patients with Barrett's esophagus. The essence of the method is that the doctor destroys cancer cells in the upper layer of the mucous membrane using radio waves. Healthy cells grow in their place.

Education

• Residency in Gastroenterology at Chaim Sheba Medical Center;
• Internship and laboratory research at the University of Chicago Hospital (USA).

Membership in associations

• American Gastroenterological Society;
• Israel Gastroenterology Association.

Oncosurgeon

Dr. Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur is a highly experienced gastroenterologist with over 35 years of experience in gastrointestinal research, gut disorders, gut motility, visceral sensitivity, and intestinal gas dynamics. He has received medical degrees from the University of Valladolid and San Carlos University Hospital in Madrid, a fellowship from Mayo Clinic's Gastrointestinal Research Unit, and numerous awards for his clinical research. He is also the President of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility and a Councilor of the International Motility Group.

Professor Gerhard Prager is a highly experienced bariatric surgery specialist with over 3,000 operations for obesity treatment. He is the head of the Obesity Outpatient Clinic in Vienna General Hospital and head of the Metabolic Surgery Center in Confraternitaet Private Hospital. He is a member of several organizations such as the IFSO-European Chapter, the Austrian Obesity Association, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, the Austrian Society of Surgery, the Austrian Society of Bariatric Surgery, and the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery.

Prof. Jong Kyun Lee is a highly experienced gastroenterologist specializing in the management of pancreatic, bile duct and gallbladder cancers, pancreatitis, and gallstones. He has worked at Samsung Medical Center and holds degrees from the Seoul National University College of Medicine and the University of California. He is a member of several organizations, including The Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, The Korean Society of Gastroenterology, and The Korean Pancreatobiliary Association.

Professor Kyu Taek Lee is a top gastroenterologist from South Korea, specializing in the management of pancreatic, bile duct and gallbladder cancers. He is a Gastroenterology specialist at Samsung Medical Center and has degrees from Hanyang University College of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital. He is also a member of The Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and The Korean Society of Gastroenterology.

NUTRITION AND DIET SPECIALIST 

Ezgi Sevic graduated from Hacettepe University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic as Honor Student. During her education, she conducted studies on “'The Effect of Hedonic Eating Behavior on Obesity', 'Total Parenteral Nutrition in Children' and 'The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance and Obesity'.” During her education, she took part in the field in studies on determining the nutritional status of the society. She worked as intern dietitian in Hospitals of Hacettepe University (Oncology Hospital, Adults Hospital, İhsan Doğramacı Child Hospital), Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital and many Community Health Centres. 
She worked in Izmir Private Ekol Hospital. She successfully completed the 'Bariatric Nutrition Course' and the 'Innovations in Obesity Course'. She has participated in many training and seminar programs in her field. 

Interests: Post- Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Nutrition, the Nutrition in Chronicle Diseases, Nutrition in Individuals with Diabetes, Nutrition in Cancer, Nutrition in Congenital Metabolic Diseases, Food Intolerances, Body Weight Control, Child and Adolescent Nutrition, Nutrition in Old Age, Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation.

Dietit. Ezgi Sevic knows advanced English. 

Dr. Sebastian Schoppmann is an expert in general and visceral surgery. He specializes in upper gastrointestinal procedures. He leads the Gastroesophageal Tumor Unit at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna. He also heads the gastric and esophageal surgery team at the Medical University of Vienna.

Dr. Schoppmann has published over 240 scientific articles. He is the General Secretary of the Austrian Society of Surgical Oncology. He has served as editor or associate editor for several respected medical journals. He is known for his achievements in surgical oncology and cancer research.

Dr. Arnulf Ferlitsch is a specialist in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology. He completed his medical studies in Vienna in 1998. He continued his training at top institutions, including UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania. From 2000 to 2010, he focused on internal medicine, gastroenterology, hepatology, and intensive care.

Dr. Ferlitsch has received several research awards, such as the UEGW Best Abstract Award (2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), the Ferring Prize, and the Skoda Prize. He founded the hepatic hemodynamics laboratory and the liver cirrhosis outpatient clinic at the Medical University of Vienna. Since 2018, he has led the Department of Internal Medicine I at the Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder in Vienna.

Dr. Jumana Baryhe is a specialist in advanced aesthetic and hair restoration procedures. She performs Botox injections, non-surgical nose correction, FUE and DHI hair transplants, beard and eyebrow transplants, brow lifts, lip implants, and laser vaginal rejuvenation. Dr. Baryhe is known for her skill in minimally invasive techniques. Her patients report high satisfaction with their results.

Dr. Baryhe is dedicated to excellence in her field. She has completed hundreds of successful procedures. Her reputation is built on technical expertise and personalized care. She uses the latest methods and follows international standards in cosmetic medicine.