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Hamilton Health Care System

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  • Archives for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Shalaka Akolkar, DO

Dr. Akolkar is a gastroenterologist at Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology in Dalton, Georgia. She attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and her fellowship in gastroenterology at UNC Blue Ridge.

Dr. Akolkar treats patients with Gl conditions, including GERD, abdominal pain, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver conditions including fatty liver, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and functional Gl conditions like gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome. She also performs general Gl procedures such as upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, video capsule endoscopies, and manometries.

“I enjoy making a positive impact on my patients’ lives,” says Dr. Akolkar. “I picture myself in my patient’s position or imagine they are a family member, and treat them the same way I would like to be treated.”

Larry D. Shuster, MD

Dr. Shuster is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology in Dalton, Georgia. He attended medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee, his residency at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Shuster practiced gastroenterology in Chattanooga and Cleveland for 31 years and was an assistant professor for ten years.

Dr. Shuster treats patients with GI conditions, including GERD, abdominal pain, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver conditions including fatty liver, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and functional GI conditions like gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome. He also performs general GI procedures such as upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, video capsule endoscopies, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and manometries.

“The field of gastroenterology allows me to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to treat my patients’ medical issues, says Dr. Shuster. “I believe a good physician listens and provides personalized care appropriate to their patient’s needs and values.”

Sergio F. Quijano, MD

Dr. Quijano is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology in Dalton, Georgia. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Dr. Quijano attended medical school and completed his residency training at the New York University School of Medicine in New York, New York. He also completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at the SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Quijano treats patients with GI conditions, including GERD, abdominal pain, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver conditions including fatty liver, hepatitis B, C, and functional GI conditions like gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome. He also performs general GI procedures such as upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, video capsule endoscopies, and manometries.

“I chose to work in gastroenterology because it offers me the opportunity to perform procedures that can help prolong people’s lives and the opportunity to provide ongoing care to patients with chronic GI conditions,” says Dr. Quijano.

Habla español

William Hardeman Jr., DO, MPH

Dr. Hardeman is a general surgeon at Hamilton Physician Group-General Surgery in Dalton, Georgia. He obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Public Health Administration at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, and attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus in Atlanta, Georgia. He then completed his residency training in general surgery at the OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“I realized that I wanted to be a physician when I was 10 years old,” says Dr. Hardeman. “As a young child, I watched my mother, an oncology nurse, care for her patients. That had a big impact on me.” Dr. Hardeman chose to specialize in general surgery because it often provides the opportunity for his patients to experience immediate results.

“North Georgia holds a very special place in my heart. I love the people and the natural beauty in this region. I have never felt more at home.”

Dr. Hardeman enjoys spending time with his wife and children, going to the gym, and watching college football.

Kasey Buchanan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Kasey Buchanan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an advanced practice provider at Hamilton Physician Group – Gastroenterology in Dalton, GA.

Adela Castro, MD

Dr. Adela Castro is a board-certified rheumatologist at Hamilton Physician Group-Specialty Care in Dalton, Georgia.

 

Dr. Castro attended medical school at the University of Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, completed her residency training in internal medicine at the University of Miami/ JFK Medical Center Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Florida, and her fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

 

In her spare time, Dr. Castro enjoys spending time with her husband (also a physician) and her friends. She likes to spend time outdoors and explore different types of foods and restaurants.

 

Dr. Castro treats patients with chronic rheumatic and autoimmune diseases like osteoarthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, myositis, vasculitis, etc. She chose rheumatology as her specialty because “it allows me the opportunity to serve and care for patients who have a variety of diseases and establish an ongoing relationship with them. I grew up in a family that taught me that you don’t need to do big things to help others. Even small things make a difference. I enjoy having a career as a rheumatologist because I get to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Brandee K Albert, DO

Dr. Brandee Albert is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Hamilton Physician Group – Gastroenterology in Dalton, GA. Hamilton Physician Group – Gastroenterology offers a full range of screening, diagnostics, and medical treatments for digestive diseases, including illness or injuries affecting the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and colon.