Oriol Sendino, MD

Oriol Sendino from Barcelona, Spain was our 2014-2015 International Scholar. He graduated from the University of Barcelona in 2001. After completing his training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Hospital Clinic in Barcelona from 2002-2006, he pursued further endoscopic training in EUS at the same institution under the guidance of Dr. Angels Gines (Coordinator and Board Member of the European Group for Endoscopic Ultrasonography) and ERCP with Dr. Andres Cardenas (Director of Therapeutic Hepatobiliary Endoscopy). Prior to joining IES program he was a Staff Member and Senior Specialist of the Gastroenterology Division at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona since 2007. During his stay at IES, Dr. Sendino received the 2014 International GI Training Grant offered by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). His focus for the scholarship was to gain expertise and acquire the necessary skills in order to implement an Interventional Endoscopy Program at his institution. He was also very interested in therapeutic ERCP, including cholangioscopic-guided interventions. In addition he enjoyed learning other endoscopic techniques such as underwater EMR and endoscopic fistula closure. His research while at IES included two studies investigating endoscopic closure of GI defects and suture fixation of esophageal stents by means of a novel endoscopic suturing system. These studies were presented at Digestive Disease Week 2015 in Washington DC. Completing the IES scholarship program provided him with a unique skill set to provide innovative quality care to his patients upon return to Barcelona.

Bruno Ribeiro, MD

Dr. Bruno Ribeiro was our 2012-2013 International Scholar from Brazil. He did his residency in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM, graduation in 2000) and fellowship in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital in São Paulo (graduation in 2001). Prior to joining the IES Program, Bruno served as faculty in Endoscopy at the AC Camargo Cancer Hospital, Sao Paulo (2001-2003), Federal University of Espirito Santo State, University Hospital (since 2004), Pediatric State Hospital of Vila Velha – HIMABA (since 2004), and as a Director of the Endoscopic Unit of Gastro Diagnostico Clinics (since 2004), located in three private Hospitals, where he has partnership. He also took part in a special program committee of the State Medical Board of Espirito Santo, as a member (2006-2008) and Brazilian Society of Digestive Endoscopy, Espirito Santo, as a vice-president (2008-2010 and 2010- 2012).

At California Pacific’s Interventional Endoscopy Services (IES), Bruno acquired new skills in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), radio frequency ablation, EMR/ESD, double balloon enteroscopy, and endoscopic suturing, especially for treatment of post-bariatric fistulas and leaks. He refined and expanded his skills in therapeutic ERCP, including cholangioscopy-guided interventions such as lithotripsy and biopsy. He continued work in management of His main research interests were in EUS-guided interventions Dr Ribeiro will be practicing the entire spectrum of interventional endoscopy procedures after his return to Brazil. Bruno was accompanied by his wife Fernanda and his to 2 children, Victoria and Eduardo, 6 and 3 years old. Bruno’s hobbies are snowboarding and traveling.

Masayuki Kato, MD

Masayuki Kato from Japan was our 2012-2013 International Scholar. He received gastroenterology training at Jikei University followed by a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Masayuki research and clinical practice had been primarily in diagnostic imaging of the upper GI tract (including oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal sites) and lower GI tract using magnifying endoscopy and narrow band imaging (NBI), and the resection of esophago-gastrointestinal tumor with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). He performed many ESD cases in Japan and taught this technique in the animal lab at the Beth Israel Deaconess Center. The main objective of his training at IES was to strengthen skills in pancreatico-biliary endoscopy (endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP), Masayuki enjoyed traveling in the USA. Masayuki lived in SF with his wife, Yuko and two children, daughter, Shiori and son, Souichi Mark.

Rees Cameron, MD

Dr. Rees Cameron was the 2011-2012 IES Advanced Endoscopy Scholar. He graduated from the University of Auckland in 1995 and trained in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK. After several years of specialist practice in Wellington, New Zealand, he spent one year at IES to learn EUS, refine and expand his skills in ERCP, and learn new interventional procedures. Dr Cameron received the 2012 Don Wilson Cook Medical Award at DDW held in San Diego. Since returning to Wellington he has taken up the Clinical Leadership in Gastroenterology, and has introduced water-assisted colonoscopy and EMR to a growing number of endoscopists within his unit. His experience gained during his advanced training has benefited both clinical practice and research within his department. Whilst in San Francisco he was accompanied by his young family who greatly enjoyed the opportunities of the Golden Gate city, California’s sights and National Parks.

Yusuke Hashimoto, MD

Yusuke Hashimoto, MD is our 2010-2011 Interventional Endoscopy Scholar from Japan. He received his fellowship training in gastroenterology and hematology at Fujigaoka Hospital, Showa University, in Yokohama between 2005-2010. Prior to joining the IES program, Dr Hashimoto's work was focused on pancreatobiliary disease as an assistant professor of the University Hospital. Main research while at IES included EUS-guided pancreatico-biliary intervention, and treatment of gastric varices. Dr Hashimoto was received the ASGE video editing scholarship for 2012, which was presented at DDW in San Diego in May. Yusuke is a wine expert certified by Japanese sommelier associations and had enjoyed a variety of American wines. He also achieved four marathons in California. While in San Francisco, he was accompanied by his wife, Machiko and Two children, Yutaro and Rena.

Frank Weilert, MD

Dr. Frank Weilert was our 2010-11 interventional endoscopy scholar from New Zealand. He received his fellowship training in gastroenterology and hepatology in New Zealand and Australia between 1997-2001 including a 2-year fellowship at the Austin Medical Center Liver Transplant Unit, Melbourne.

Prior to joining the IES program, Dr Weilert served as Clinical Director of Gastroenterology in Hamilton from 2001-2010. He has performed ERCP since 1998, recognizing its inherent limitations. His focus for the scholarship was to further refine advanced ERCP techniques in combination with an EUS based approach. Main research interests included EUS- guided pancreatico-biliary access, pseudocyst drainage and treatment of gastric varices. He also enjoyed learning various techniques for endoscopic mucosal resections of upper and lower GI lesions. Dr Weilert was awarded the Don Wilson Cook Medical Award for 2011, which was presented at DDW in Chicago.

Completing the IES scholarship program has provided him with a unique skill set to provide innovative quality care to his patients on returning to home. While in San Francisco, he was accompanied by his wife and four children who will miss the city's many attractions.

Jin Kim, MD

Dr. Jin Kim, our 2009 – 2010 international scholar, graduated from Seoul National University Medical School, South Korea in 1990. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Gastroenterology in 2001 at the Seoul National University Hospital. Since 2001, Dr. Kim served as staff faculty in gastroenterology at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital (Wonjaryeok Hospital), Korean Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Kim’s training focused on interventional EUS, advanced ERCP, balloon- assisted deep enteroscopy, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). His IES Fellowship at CPMC provided exposure to many new modalities in advanced GI endoscopy, which will substantially improve the quality of patient care in his home country. He is the Director of endoscopy at Korea Cancer Center Hospital. While in San Francisco, Dr. Kim was accompanied by his wife Yousun and son Dongjo. His hobbies are photography & traveling.

Fernando Marson, MD

Dr. Fernando Marson, our 2009-2010 interventional endoscopy international scholar received his specialty training in general surgery in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He then completed a residency in gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Sírio Libanês Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, a well-known tertiary care institution. During Dr. Marson’s advanced interventional endoscopy training in the United States, he received the Don Wilson Cook Medical Award offered by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and was honored at the Crystal Awards event held during the 2010 Digestive Disease Week in New Orleans. At California Pacific Medical Center Dr. Marson refined his skills in ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio- pancreatography) and acquired expertise in EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography), as well as push-pull enteroscopy techniques (single and double balloon and Spirusenteroscopy). Dr. Marson’s research interests are EUS guided cholangio-pancreatography, tumor staging and palliation of biliary and pancreatic malignancies.

Thai Nguyen-Tang, MD

Thai Nguyen-Tang, MD, our 2008-2009 international scholar, graduated in 1999 from the University of Geneva, Switzerland Medical school. After a postgraduate course in biomedical engineering at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne, he underwent residency in General Surgery and Internal Medicine in Switzerland at the Geneva University Hospital. He completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship in 2007 at the Geneva University Hospital. Before beginning his training at California Pacific’s Interventional Endoscopy Services (IES), he spent nine months in the Department of Gastroenterology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA with Simon Lo, MD. Here he began his ERCP, EUS, capsule endoscopy training as well as training in the various techniques of enteroscopy. He transferred to IES in mid-2008 to continue his interventional endoscopy training. Thai’s main interest and research projects were in EUS-guided interventions, including pancreatico-biliary access and drainage, pseudocyst drainage, and gastric varices treatment. During his fellowship at IES he published several articles and reviews on these topics. He is returning to the Geneva University Hospital to join the Gastroenterology division. While in the United States, Thai was accompanied by his wife Elsa and daughter Mai Lan.

Nam Nguyen, MD

Dr. Nam Nguyen, our 2008 international visiting scholar, graduated from Adelaide University Medical School in South Australia with first class honors and University medal in 1998. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Fellowship in 2004 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he held the position of Chief Medical Resident during his senior year of fellowship. He spent the next three years to complete his Doctorate of Philosophy, evaluating the inter-relationship between disturbed gastrointestinal function and enteral nutrition in the critically ill patients. During the last two years, he was the NSW’s (New South Wales) Cancer Institute Fellow conducting funded research related to the bio-tumor makers of pancreatic cancer and the role of confocal endomicroscopy in gastroenterology. As an IES visiting scholar, he has improved his knowledge and skills in various endoscopic procedures: diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound, push and capsule enteroscopy, and therapeutic ERCP. He has published over 40 articles and book chapters on various gastrointestinal topics. The most joyful event has happened during his training at IES is the birth of his first son, Khiem Nguyen.

Mark Anthony De Lusong, MD

Dr. Mark Anthony De Lusong is our 2007 IES International Scholar. He received his training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital and was recipient of the “Most Outstanding Gastroenterology Fellow Award" by the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology for 2007. His research projects at California Pacific include advances in cholangiopancreatoscopy and endoscopic management of complications of bariatric surgery. He acquired a passion for video editing and is working on educational videos on diverse topics in interventional endoscopy. He will be returning to Manila in spring 2008 and plans to start the first interventional endoscopy referral center in the Philippines. He is married to Frannie and has two beautiful daughters Sam and Caitlyn. He enjoys computers, photography and traveling.

Patricia Cabral, MD

Dr. Cabral received her medical degree from the University of the Philippines in Manila. She completed training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital where she holds a faculty position as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine. Her interests in interventional endoscopy have brought her to the California Pacific Medical Center, where she is learning endoscopic ultrasonography and other advanced endoscopic procedures as the 2006- 2007 International IES Scholar. Her research interests focus on pancreatic and biliary disease and she is currently evaluating outcomes of EUS– guided pseudocyst drainage and debridement of organizing necroses. After completing her advanced training Dr. Cabral will return to the Philippines where she will be involved in the training of young interventional endoscopists. Her experience at CPMC will allow her to improve the quality of healthcare and endoscopic expertise in the Philippines.

Andres Sanchez Yague, MD

Dr. Sanchez Yague is our 2006 IES International Scholar visiting at California Pacific Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Malaga, Spain in 1999 and earned his doctorate Cum Laude in 2002. He is Assistant in the Department of Medicine at University of Sevilla, Spain. Dr. Sanchez Yague’s research interests have focused on emerging technologies like small bowel and esophageal capsule endoscopy. He has an avid interest in all Interventional Endoscopy techniques including endoscopic ultrasonography, advanced endoscopic imaging, mucosectomy, ERCP, and double balloon enteroscopy. Dr. Sanchez Yague is also proficient in computer and video editing. His leisure activities include debating, traveling and photography.

Cecilia Sison, MD

Dr. Sison is our 2005-2006 international visiting scholar. This aspiring young physician received her medical degree from the University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines in 1999. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology in 2005 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, where she held the position of Chief Fellow during her senior year of fellowship. At present, Dr. Sison has a Philippine board certification in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. She has conducted research investigations on various GI topics such as GI malignancy, viral hepatitis, therapeutic endoscopy and esophageal variceal ligation. Some of her studies have also been presented in different international GI conferences. As an IES visiting scholar, she is very interested in learning about endoscopic ultrasound and its therapeutic capabilities as well as mucosectomy and capsule endoscopy. Her leisure activities include sightseeing, reading novels and sketching.

Junghwan Lee, MD

Dr. Lee is our 2004-2005 international visiting scholar. He graduated from Medical College of Korea University, Korea in 1991, and has Korean board certification in Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Gastroenterology. At present he is Assistant Professor of the Gastroenterology Department at the Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital in Seoul, Korea. He has published papers in various GI journals, especially therapeutic articles including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic stenting. His main advanced interventional endoscopy interests include invasive endosonography and capsule endoscopy. Dr. Lee is visiting the United States with his wife, Hyesung and his daughter, Yejoo.

Taketo Yamaguchi, MD

Dr. Yamaguchi is our 2004 international visiting scholar at California Pacific Center. He received his medical degree at the Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan in 1981 and earned his Ph.D. in 1992. He is now an assistant professor of medicine at Chiba University School of Medicine. His interests are focused on biliary and pancreatic disease, GI endoscopy, and GI motility. He has published over 40 articles on various gastrointestinal topics. He is married to Eiko and has two sons, Hiroto and Yoshito. His leisure hobbies include reading novels and going to movies.

Dalton Marques Chaves, MD

Dr. Chaves is our 2003-04 international visiting scholar at California Pacific Center. He received his MD at the University of Uberlandia Medical School, Brazil, in 1986, did a surgical residency and went on to earn his PhD at the University of São Paulo in 2001. He is Assistant Physician at the Endoscopy Service of the University of São Paulo Medical School Hospital, specialized in digestive endoscopy, since 1990. He has published papers and books chapters on various topics of digestive endoscopy. His interests are focused on endoscopic ultrasonography and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Dr. Chaves is visiting the United States with his wife (Eliza) and two children (Filipe and Lumi).

Jeong-Seop Moon, MD

Dr. Moon was our 2002-03 international visiting scholar at California Pacific. He has a South Korean board certification in internal medicine and gastroenterology and is an assistant professor of internal medicine at the Inje University Paik Hospital in Seoul, Korea. His interests are focused on interventional endoscopic ultrasonography and therapeutic ERCP. Dr. Moon has published 26 articles on various topics in interventional endoscopy including band ligation, resection of large colonic polyps, and endoscopic mucosectomy. Dr. Moon is visiting the United States with his wife (In-Hye) and three children (Seo-Young, Seo- Jin, and Seo-Eun). His main hobby is photography.