Colonoscopy in Orange County

Donald R. Abrahm, MD

Dr. Abrahm’s practice is located in Newport Beach, California. He specializes in all areas of procedural and cognitive Gastroenterology and Hepatology-liver disease.

Heba R. Ashraf, MD

Shahrooz Bemanian, MD

“Ever since I was a young child, I was determined to become a doctor. Helping people reach their health goals appealed to me. It was, however, after watching a close family member deal with the devastation of colon cancer that I knew without a doubt I wanted to specialize in the field of gastroenterology. Gastroenterology is one of the most multifarious and rewarding specialties. It enables me to combine cognitive and manual skills to perform minimally invasive procedures to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses.<br>“Although the field of medicine constantly faces challenges, there’s something very special about being a doctor. All physicians take the Hippocratic Oath upon graduating from medical school. We promise to help the sick, and in doing so, we shoulder a profound responsibility. As a specialist, I can perform procedures, teach and take care of patients on a long-term basis. It is truly satisfying to know I have made a significant and positive change in a person’s life. The years of education, training and hard work that led me down this path have provided the ability to focus on one goal: attending to the patient in front of me, no matter what the future of medicine holds.”<br><br><strong>Board-Certified:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology; Internal Medicine<br><strong>Fellow:</strong> American College of Physicians<br><strong>Fellowship-Trained:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Liver Transplantation, USC, Los Angeles, CA<br><strong>Residency:</strong> USC, Los Angeles, CA<br><strong>Chief Resident:</strong> Internal Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA<br><strong>MD:</strong> Chicago Medical School, N. Chicago, IL<br><strong>MS: </strong>Chicago Medical School, N. Chicago, IL<br><strong>MA:</strong> Boston University, Boston, MA<br><strong>Awards:</strong> Physicians of Excellence Award, Orange County Register and Orange County Medical Association, 2015, 2016 and 2017; USC Resident of the Year, American Liver Foundation/American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Resident Scholar Award; USC Sabina Brautbar Resident Scholar Award<br><strong>Member:</strong> American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American College of Gastroenterology, Southern California Society of Gastroenterology, Orange County Gastroenterology Association, Orange County Medical Association<br><strong>Researcher, Lecturer, Author</strong><br><br>Dr. Bemanian has special interests in colon cancer prevention, stomach and esophageal cancer detection, hemorrhoids treatment, nonsurgical weight loss treatment and advanced biliary interventional endoscopy. He incorporates the latest endoscopy technology in his procedures, diagnosing, preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders, including esophageal, gastric and colon cancer. Dr. Bemanian is native to Southern California and is fluent in Farsi/Persian. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

David Choi, DO

Lino J. DeGuzman, MD

Dr. Lino DeGuzman welcomes you to his Gastroenterology practice in Newport Beach, California. Our Newport Beach office is located across the street from the Hoag Health Center and is near Hoag Presbyterian Hospital at 1525 Superior Avenue, Suite 200 in Newport Beach. We provide basic gastroenterology and hepatology services as well as Advanced Endoscopy focusing on pancreaticobiliary disorders, ablation of Barretts Esophagus via the BARRX procedure and endoscopic mucosal resection of large polyps. He also has expertise in the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease). He has two other locations at 15775 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92618 and 19582 Beach Blvd., Suite 270, Huntington Beach, Suite 270, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.<br><br>I am joined by my very competent Certified Physician Assistant, Anne Burkel, PAC. She completed her undergraduate degree from University of California at Davis and her Masters Degree at Western University Health Sciences in Pomona, California where she graduated with a Physician Assistant degree.

Caroline Hwang, MD

Dr. Caroline Hwang is the Program Director for the Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program at Hoag. Dr. Hwang received her Doctor of Medicine from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles. She then went on to complete an internal medicine residency at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, a clinical research fellowship for the Hereditary Colon/Pancreatic Cancer Prevention Program at Columbia University and a gastroenterology fellowship at University of California San Francisco. Dr. Hwang is board certified in gastroenterology and is a recognized expert in the field of inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Hwang joined Hoag following her time at Keck Medicine of USC, where she was Medical Director of their IBD Center and served as an assistant professor of medicine, as well as a mentor for numerous physicians-in-training specializing in IBD/GI care. She has focused research on the role of nutrition in IBD outcomes and responses to therapies, as well as disparities in IBD outcomes. Dr. Hwang is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

David J. Kaufman, DO

Erik G. Kerekes, MD

Rashmi Kumar, MD

Dr. Kumar is a gastroenterologist for the Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program at the Hoag Digestive Health Institute. She is focused on digestive health with a special interest in helping patients manage inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Kumar provides individualized treatment plans and works with a team of digestive health experts to provide a comprehensive approach to wellness for each patient. Dr. Kumar completed her compulsory rotating internship at Patna Medical College in Bihar, India before her internship and residency program in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Kumar went on to complete her gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix (UACOMP) and her advanced IBD fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Prior to joining Hoag, she started and established the IBD clinic at Banner University Medical Center- Phoenix, served as a clinical assistant professor at UACOMP and mentored medical residents and GI fellows. Dr. Kumar is double board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a member of American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and the International Bowel Ultrasound Group. In addition to caring for her patients, Dr. Kumar is actively involved in research projects related to inflammatory bowel disease. She has authored numerous publications and presented at national and international conferences.

Christopher E. Lee, MD

Paul S. Lee, MD

“I am often asked, ‘How did you choose to be a gastroenterologist?’. Instead of choosing this field, I think, more accurately, it chose me. I grew up with a close family member with Crohn’s disease. At that time, there were fewer options to treat this chronic disease, and I saw how it affected not only her body but also her mind and spirit. This sparked my passion. Gastroenterology is a great field to not only treat diseases but also to prevent them. I find that incredible. I know that diseases can present in different ways because every human is unique. I seek to understand that uniqueness and use it as a tool to better one’s health. This bio-psycho-social aspect of medicine is crucial in diagnosing, maintaining and maximizing one’s GI health.<br>“The field of medicine is constantly evolving. The social, cultural and economic pressures are shaping the landscape of health in good and bad ways. Regardless, what remains constant is: I love what I do. And if patients can appreciate that, it is the right start in establishing that special connection – the doctor-patient relationship.”<br><br><strong>Board-Certified: </strong>Gastroenterology/Hepatology; Internal Medicine<br><strong>Fellowship-Trained:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology; ERCP<br><strong>Residency: </strong>University of Southern California–Los Angeles County Medical Center<br><strong>MPH: </strong>University of California School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA<br><strong>MD: </strong>George Washington University Medical School, Washington, DC<br><strong>Awards:</strong> Physicians of Excellence Award, Orange County Register and Orange County Medical Association, 2015, 2016, 2017<br><strong>Member:</strong> American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College of Physicians<br><br>Dr. Lee founded Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County in 2008. He strives to be a compassionate physician and a loving father of three children and husband to his lovely wife. His background in health food and nutrition broadens his perspective on medicine and treatment options. In addition to medicine, he regularly attends Redeemer Presbyterian Church, holds a black belt in tae kwon do and enjoys travel, fine dining and the arts.

Catherine B. Ngo, MD

Catherine Ngo, M.D. has a comprehensive background in general gastroenterology with specific interests in gastrointestinal motility and disorders of the gut-brain interaction. Dr. Ngo offers individualized patient care and works with her patients to optimize their health and wellness. She is board certified and fellowship trained in gastroenterology and hepatology, as well as skilled in endoscopic techniques and diagnostic interpretations of various motility studies. As Director of Motility for the Hoag Digestive Health Institute, providing innovation and personalized technology that improve diagnostic and prognostic capabilities in the realm of motility and functional disorders remain her priority. Dr. Ngo attended UCLA where she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. She then attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine where she received an NIH fellowship grant in translational research. She completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at UC Davis. While there, she presented in a broad range of research areas including the utility of diagnostic testing to predict patient disease progression and outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease, optimization of colonoscopy water technique to improve exam quality and patient experience, and evaluation of the efficacy of a training program for endoscopy assistants to improve physician procedural success and patient satisfaction. Dr. Ngo is an active member of the Orange County community. She has led the creation of a motility referral program, been an associate medical director for outpatient ambulatory GI services, served as hospital liaison for inpatient GI services, and acted as medical director for an outpatient endoscopy center. She looks forward to using all her experiences to create a better and brighter future for her south county community.

Matthew J. Oman, MD

“When I entered medical school, many of my classmates knew the specialty they wanted to work in; however, I had an open mind and was excited to be exposed to the various specialties of medicine. When the time came to decide, I had noticed that I was most interested and happy when encountering patients with gastroenterology and hepatology health issues. While I am fascinated with the pathophysiology and medical side of this specialty, it was the technical, hands-on, endoscopic aspect that solidified my decision. I was amazed as a medical student the first time I saw a bleeding gastric ulcer treated endoscopically. While training in fellowship, I could see how endoscopy is much more and can relieve a variety of issues and symptoms for patients, from removing a gallstone lodged in the bile duct, opening a stricture in the esophagus so a patient can swallow again or draining a cyst through endoscopic ultrasound.<br><br>“I was taught by a mentor that one of the main goals for a physician is to relieve suffering. Now, in many situations we get to see patients when they wake up from a procedure and their pain or symptom has resolved. It is a privilege to take care of patients and be a part of this challenging and incredible specialty.”<br><br><strong>Board-Certified:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Internal Medicine<br><strong>Fellowship:</strong> Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.<br><strong>Fellowship-Trained:</strong> Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)<br><strong>Residency:</strong> University of Colorado, Denver/Aurora, CO<br><strong>Medical School:</strong> University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT<br><strong>Awards:</strong> Resident Consultant of the Year (Loma Linda Family Medicine), Internal Medicine Subspecialty Fellow of the Year (Loma Linda Internal Medicine)<br><strong>Member:</strong> Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterology Association, Southern California Society of Gastroenterology<br><br>Dr. Oman has interests in colorectal cancer prevention and diagnosis, stomach and esophageal disorders, small bowel disorders, as well as pancreas and biliary disorders, which include advanced pancreatic and biliary diagnosis and intervention (ERCP, EUS). He spends his time away from work with his wife and young son but still tries to go hiking, mountain biking and indoor rock climbing.

Abhay S. Parikh, MD

Abhay S Parikh, M.D. received his medical degree from the Southwestern School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Subsequently, he did his Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is a fellow of the American Society of Gastroenterology.<br><br>Dr Parikh has held many leadership roles including being the past President of the Orange County Medical Association, member of the Executive committee of Hoag Hospital and a member of the Finance committee of Hoag Hospital. He is presently on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee and the Quality and the Clinical Quality Committee.<br><br>Dr. Parikh is an outspoken advocate for building greater awareness about good health.

Richard G. Quist, MD

“I think we learn from medicine everywhere that it is, at its heart, a human endeavor, requiring good science but also a limitless curiosity and interest in your fellow human being, and that the physician – patient relationship is key; all else follows from it.” -Abraham Verghese, MD<br><br>Doctor Richard G. Quist, MDWhen Dr. Richard G. Quist was a child, his family physician told him that he had a good understanding of the basic concepts in medicine and that he asked insightful questions. From a very early age, he was encouraged to become a physician, which shaped many of his choices in his later education. During his college years at the University of California, San Diego, he was deeply inspired by cell biology. He applied this interest to several research projects, which went on to be published in peer-reviewed journals.<br><br>In medical school, he learned the important role a physician plays in the lives of those with illnesses and illness prevention. He learned how critical thoroughness and attention to detail is when caring for others, and discovered the rewards of a trusting physician-patient relationship during that time.<br><br>In his Newport Beach gastroenterology practice, Richard G. Quist, MD believes first and foremost in patient comfort, good office access, and communication as the tools he needs to succeed. His goal is to care for the community in all aspects of gastrointestinal disease, from colon cancer screenings and acid reflux disease to complex management of inflammatory bowel disease and chronic disease of the liver and pancreas.<br><br>Dr. Richard G. Quist is dedicated to providing attentive, detailed care to all of his patients.

Patricia S. Tsai, MD

Victor T. Yu, MD

“I consider myself extremely privileged to be able to comprehensively and compassionately care for people with digestive health issues. It is humbling to have patients often confide in me their most sensitive problems, which they may not even share entirely with their closest family. Building a strong, trusting physician-patient relationship is a foundation I always strive to achieve, as I believe this is a vital step to treatment success. Treating each patient as if he or she were a member of my own family is a standard of care I uphold in my practice.”<br><br><strong>Board-Certified:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology; Internal Medicine<br><strong>Fellowship-Trained:</strong> Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Liver Diseases, USC<br><strong>Residency: </strong>Internal Medicine, Los Angeles County/USC General Hospital, Los Angeles, CA<br><strong>MD: </strong>University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine<br><strong>Award: </strong>Resident of the Year, Physician of Excellence, Orange County Medical Association, 2017<br><br>Dr. Yu specializes in medical disorders of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and hemorrhoids. His array of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques includes upper endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, small intestine deep enteroscopy and bile duct/pancreatic duct endoscopy (ERCP). He treats acute and chronic GI problems and focuses heavily on prevention of diseases such as colon and esophageal cancer.<br><br>Dr. Yu is a Southern California native, fluent in Mandarin and medical Spanish, and excited to be practicing in the area where he grew up. When not hard at work, Dr. Yu enjoys traveling, reading, golf, basketball and photography. Dr. Yu joined Drs. Paul Lee and Shahrooz Bemanian in 2010 to help provide a comfortable and friendly medical office environment to meet the needs of their patients.