Clinical Trials

Participating in a clinical trial gives you access to new and promising therapies.

Find an open trial

Insurance

We accept most insurance plans and work with managed care networks.

Find out more

Transfusion-Free Surgery

Learn about our specialized transfusion-free surgical care services and procedures.

Find out more

Gastrointestinal Surgery Program

Our Team

Our surgeons are dedicated to providing compassionate, individually tailored patient care while using state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques. Upper GI surgeons treat both benign and cancerous diseases of the esophagus, stomach and breast/soft tissue.

Our Approach

We have one of the highest volumes of complex esophageal and gastric surgeries in Southern California. Our Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery program has one of the best outcomes of any program in the region and has been named an Accredited Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Our minimally invasive surgical team is composed of experts in the treatment of biliary (gallbladder) disease, disorders of the spleen, small bowel tumors and emergency surgery. We also serve the community as a referral center for complex surgical issues that are not treated as often in local hospitals. At Keck Medicine of USC, we have pioneered many of the minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, gastric cancer, GERD, hiatal hernias, swallowing disorders and gastroparesis.

Clinical Trials

Participating in a clinical trial gives you access to new and promising therapies.

Find an open trial

Insurance

We accept most insurance plans and work with managed care networks.

Find out more

Transfusion-Free Surgery

Learn about our specialized transfusion-free surgical care services and procedures.

Find out more

Stuart A. Abel, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Katie Galvin, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Foregut Surgery  View more

Allen Ghlandian, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery

Caitlin C. Houghton, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more

John C. Lipham, MD

Accepting new patients
Chief, Division of Upper GI and General Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery  View more

Luke R. Putnam, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Kamran Samakar, MD

Accepting new patients
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Sharon Shiraga, MD

Accepting new patients
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Upper GI and Gen ...
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery
Specialties
Physician Assistant, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Carol J. Chow, NP-C

Accepting new patients
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
General Surgery , Gastrointestinal Surgery, Physician Assistant  View more

Latest News & Articles