Erlanger Health System is opening Academic Gastroenterology, located in the Erlanger Medical Mall, Suite C-825. Specialists joining Academic Gastroenterology are Drs. Louis Lambiase, Hemchand Ramberan, and Steven Kessler.
Academic Gastroenterology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small bowel and large colon, liver, bile ducts, gastroescophageal reflux disease, colon cancer screenings and surveillance.
According to Dr.
Lambiase, Academic Gastroenterology works in partnership with physician practices to provide the highest quality of care, as well as the highest level of technical and endoscopic expertise, to patients in the Chattanooga and tri-state region.
Dr. Lambiase received his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh/Presbyterian Hospital and was fellowship trained in gastroenterology, pancreatic research and biliary endoscopy at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Before joining the Erlanger Health System, Dr. Lambiase was the Chief of Gastroenterology at Shands Jacksonville, part of the University of Florida Health System.
Dr. Lambaise specializes in a minimally invasive technique called endoscopic ultrasound – a type of ultrasound that allows for a more precise view of the digestive tract and the surrounding organs. The ability to view these images allows physicians to more accurately diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive tract. It also provides the ability to evaluate cancers of the digestive system, allowing physicians to determine the stage of cancer and whether it has spread to other areas.
In addition to his work with Academic Gastroenterology, Dr. Lambiase serves as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs and Division Chief for Gastroenterology with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.
Dr. Hemchand Ramberan received his medical degree from the University of Guyana School of Medicine, completed his residency in internal medicine at Brown University Medical School, and was fellowship trained in gastroenterology at the Yale University of School of Medicine with his final year of fellowship focused on pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. Prior to joining Erlanger Health System, Dr. Ramberan completed a fourth year, advanced fellowship, in advanced therapeutic endoscopy/ERCP from the Medical University of South Carolina Digestive Disease Center under the mentorship of Drs. Peter Cotton and Rob Hawes. During his time at the Medical University of South Carolina, he also served as clinical instructor of medicine in the department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Through his advanced fellowship training, Dr. Ramberan is able to offer patients in the tri-state region a new level of expertise and care when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract diseases. His use of therapeutic endoscopy allows him to better evaluate and treat a variety of conditions ranging from gastrointestinal bleeding, to chronic abdominal pain originating from the pancreas or bile ducts. Dr. Ramberan is able to use specialized endoscopic techniques using an ultra thin optical camera called a Spyscope, to evaluate and treat bile ducts structures and large bile duct stones. These treatment options have not been available to people in the Chattanooga area until now.
Dr. Steven Kessler received his medical degree in from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency from Westchester County Medical Center and was fellowship trained in gastroenterology at University Hospital at Stony Brook and the Veterans Affairs Hospital at East Northport. Prior to joining Erlanger Health System and Academic Gastroenterology, Dr. Kessler practiced at Sound Gastroenterology in Port Jefferson Station, New York.
According to Dr. Kessler, approximately 148,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year. With statistics that high, Dr. Kessler’s main focus is on colorectal cancer screenings. Academic Gastroenterology provides the latest technology, such as high-definition monitors, which allows Drs. Lambiase, Ramberan and Kessler to work together in preventing, as well as diagnosing, colorectal cancer at an early stage, allowing for a quicker recovery.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Academic Gastroenterology, please call 778-4830.