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UC Irvine Healthcare’s esophageal surgery services program, led by board-certified gastrointestinal surgeons, Drs. Ninh T. Nguyen and Brian R. Smith, offers individuals in Orange County and surrounding communities the most advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and features a multidisciplinary team of experts, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, psychologists, dietitians, nurses and patient coordinators.

Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Smith are experienced in esophageal surgery, minimally invasive surgical procedures and weight loss procedures, including the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

 

 Ninh T. Nguyen, M.D.
 Surgeon

Ninh T. Nguyen, M.D., is a specialist in surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract. He is highly experienced in minimally invasive techniques. These include laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y bariatric surgeries, staging of esophageal cancer, esophagectomy, fundoplication, resection of gastric stromal tumors and photodynamic therapy. In fact, Dr. Nguyen and his colleagues published the first study directly comparing traditional open gastric bypass surgery with newer laparoscopic techniques.

Learn more about Dr. Nguyen »

 

 Brian R. Smith, MD, FACS
 Surgeon

Dr. Smith specializes in laparoscopic, robotic and open surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract, including laparoscopic and open surgical approaches for bariatric procedures. He is a comprehensive foregut surgeon who also treats all types of gastrointestinal cancers, including liver, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder and pancreatic tumors. In addition, Smith is skilled in the repair of ventral, incisional, hiatal/diaphragmatic and inguinal hernias. He also is actively investigating the use of bioabsorbable materials for repair of inguinal and also performs component separation for repair of complex incisional hernias.

Smith is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. He was named a 2011 Health Policy Scholar by the American College of Surgeons.

Learn more about Dr. Smith »

 

 Sharon So, R.N.
 Program Coordinator

With more than eight years of experience as a gastroenterology nurse, Sharon So is the program coordinator for esophageal and gastrointestinal surgery services. She facilitates monthly bariatric support groups, coordinates patient care in the clinical setting and organizes patient visitations with all postoperative patients. Sharon speaks fluent Chinese and Tagalog.

 

 Dariella Gaete, R.D.
 Dietitian

As a bariatric dietitian, Dariella provides nutrition guidance and counseling to patients in the surgical weight loss program. She assists our bariatric patients through diet phases before and after surgery and provides clinical nutrition care, assesses the nutrition status of patients, recommends appropriate nutrition intervention, educates patients and formulates nutrition care plans.

 

 Lisa Dinglasan
 Clinical Social Worker

For the bariatric surgery team, Lisa provides psychosocial assessments and crisis intervention, facilitates patient and family conferences and addresses emotional issues. She also provides consultation to the care team regarding clinical dynamics related to problems of behavior and mental disorders. In addition, she is currently involved in planning and facilitating the monthly postsurgical support groups.

 

 Jaimee Hartman
 Clinical Research Coordinator

Jaimee is the clinical research coordinator for esophageal/gastric surgery services. She coordinates research procedures, oversees research procedures and helps organize patient care for those participating in clinical trials. Jaimee received her master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and received her bachelor's degree from Villanova University.

 

 Pam Didur
 Surgery Scheduler and Authorization Coordinator

Pam Didur, surgery scheduler and authorization coordinator, registers patients and schedules appointments and surgeries. Pam is also responsible for verifying insurance coverage and obtaining authorizations for physician visits and surgeries.

 

 Erendira Rocha
 Medical Assistant

Erendira Rocha plays a vital role in a patient’s journey during their surgical procedure. She prepares patients by getting their preoperative vital signs, assists surgeons during procedures and provides postoperative care for patients. Erendira also participates in postoperative visits to patients to make sure they are doing well and educates patients on postoperative care. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.