LaparoscopicUmbilicalorVentralHerniaRepair near Charlottesville, VA

Biography: Vilok Vijayanagar, DO, is a general surgeon specializing in robotic and minimally invasive surgery at TriCities Surgical Associates in Colonial Heights, Virginia. He holds surgical privileges at TriCities Hospital and additional privileges at Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals. Dr. Vijayanagar is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and fulfilled his general surgery residency with Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital located in Detroit, MI. After residency, he completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Vijayanagar also earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he graduated with highest honors.His interests are in all aspects of general surgery including: gastrointestinal, hernia, oncological, breast and soft tissue surgery with a predominantly minimally invasive focus. He is also well versed in both upper and lower endoscopy. Dr. Vijayanagar enjoys spending time with his wife and family and loves to travel. He is an avid automotive enthusiast and enjoys spending time at local car meets.

Biography: David Bettinger, MD, is a general surgeon with Surgical Associates of Richmond. He was born in upstate New York and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and then continued with a Masters in Biology, receiving the Phi Sigma Research Scholarship and working as a graduate teaching assistant. During Dr. Bettinger's medical school tenure at VCU Health's Medical College of Virginia, he received the Carnation Scholarship, and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Sigma Chi Honorary Leadership Society, Sigma Zeta Honorary Science Society, and performed basic science research. Some of his research is represented by numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, and the Journal of Burn Care. Dr. Bettinger has presented before the Surgical Forum of the American College of Surgeons, the Virginia Academy of Science, the American Burn Association, and the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He was President of the Virginia Surgical Society in 2008. Dr. Bettinger is also a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, having served with the US Army Medical Units. When he joined SAR in 1996, he brought advanced laparoscopic training and ability, and he has been a proponent of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for acid reflux disease and laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Dr. Bettinger and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Bettinger, have three wonderful children. When not at work, he enjoys snow skiing, woodworking, and duck hunting.

Biography: Dominique Dempah, MD, is a general surgeon in Salem, Virginia, specializing in the minimally-invasive treatment of benign and malignant gastrointestinal disorders. Dr. Dempah received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and completed his surgical residency at Saint John Hospital, in Detroit, Michigan. He did a surgical fellowship at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he trained in advanced gastrointestinal surgery including advanced laparoscopy, endoscopy, and hepatobiliary surgery. Most recently, Dr. Dempah gained advanced training at the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris in Paris, France. Prior to coming to Virginia, Dr. Dempah practiced as a general surgeon in Hazard, Kentucky. Dr. Dempah is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He has special interests in foregut surgery, pancreatic disease, and minimally-invasive, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries. He is fluent in French and in 1999 was the Ivory Coast Judo Junior National Champion. In his spare time, Dr. Dempah enjoys soccer, outdoor activities, and world cuisine.

Biography: Dr. Glanville was born in Puerto Rico and currently resides in Midlothian, Virginia with her husband, son, and dog. Dr. Glanville received her Bachelor's degree and a minor in Psychology from Penn State University in 2003. Joanne received monetary grants during her time at Penn State for her GPA. Dr. Glanville decided to go back home and complete her doctorate in medicine from Ponce School of Medicine in 2008. She graduated medical school with clinical honors. Joanne then moved to New Jersey to complete her general surgery internship and residency from 2008-2014. Dr. Glanville then proceeded to complete an Endocrine Surgery fellowship at The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD from 2014-2015. Dr. Glanville wanted to further her robotics training in general surgery, and so moved back to Hackensack, New Jersey to become the first robotic fellow in the United States at Hackensack University Medical Center from 2015-2016. Dr. Glanville is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery. Her practice specializes in endocrine surgery (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, and some pancreas) and robotic general surgery. She has special interest in foregut, colon, hernias, and gallbladder surgery.

Biography: Eric L. Thomas, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Premier Surgical, affiliated with Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dr. Eric Thomas has extensive expertise in robotic surgery and is the only surgeon in the region who trains fellow surgeons in the use of cutting-edge robotic surgical techniques. Dr. Thomas earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, and completed his general surgery residency at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. A distinguished veteran of the United States Navy, Dr. Thomas served as a flight surgeon with Marine Air Group 39 at Camp Pendleton, California. He also served as the general surgeon aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and at Naval Hospital Bremerton. Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Thomas specializes in advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy. With extensive experience, he treats a diverse range of conditions, including gallbladder disease, appendectomy, complex hernias, breast and gastrointestinal disorders, anti-reflux procedures, and colon/rectal surgery. Dr. Thomas actively contributes to the training and professional development of post-residency surgeons as a proctor and site for case observations with Intuitive Surgical (Da Vinci Surgical Systems). Throughout his career, he has mentored and trained medical and surgical residents. He held positions within the family practice residency program at Naval Hospital Bremerton (2006-2009), the general surgery residency program with the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance (2011-2021), and the general surgery residency program at Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital (2019-2021). In leadership roles, Dr. Thomas served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at Naval Hospital Bremerton (2006-2009) and as Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital in Peoria, Arizona (2019-2021), as well as at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona (2018-2019). Dr. Thomas is a fellow and active member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). He welcomes new patients and referrals.