LaparoscopicGallbladderRemovalCholecystectomy near Charlottesville, VA

Biography: Dr. Christine Bouchard, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in North Chesterfield, VA. She is 48 years old and has been practicing for 21 years. Dr. Christine Bouchard, MD is affiliated with Johnston-Willis Hospital and Chippenham Hospital.

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: 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. Madge Ellis, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Salem, VA. She is 60 years old and has been practicing for 34 years. Dr. Madge Ellis, MD is affiliated with Lewisgale Medical Center.

Biography: Dr. Sachse grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Pennsylvania. The son of a school teacher and a historic land preservationist, Dr. Sachse knows what it means to work the land. Working the farm from an early age has given him great respect for hard work. Though the farm was always near and dear to his heart, Dr. Sachse knew at a young age that he wanted to be a physician. Dr. Sachse excelled in school and was admitted to medical school while still in high school through a unique program with Wilkes University and MCP Hahnemann University. Dr. Sachse attended Wilkes University where he spent 7 semesters earning his undergraduate degree in Biology and his 8th semester at Robert Packer Hospital as a Guthrie Scholar performing clinical research before attending medical school at MCP Hahnemann. Following medical school, Dr. Sachse moved to Pittsburgh, PA where he spent 5 years doing a general surgery residency program at Allegheny General Hospital. There, Dr. Sachse was given the strong foundation on which to build his career. His skills stood out from the beginning as he earned distinction as the Intern of the Year. Along with hard work, it was the US Army that helped Dr. Sachse make his dreams a reality. Dr. Sachse joined the military during his senior year of college under the Health Professions Scholarship Program and served his country after finishing his surgical training. Upon completion of his surgical residency, Dr. Sachse became active duty and was stationed at Fort Belvoir. Dr. Sachse was deployed twice to Iraq, in 2007 and 2009. There, Dr. Sachse quickly became the ``go-to`` surgeon. He cared for Iraqi civilians, ally forces, US contractors and US soldiers. Dr. Sachse received a Bronze Star for his meritorious service. At the end of his military commitment, Dr. Sachse decided to stay in Northern Virginia and enter private practice.

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.