Laparoscopic Umbilical or Ventral Hernia Repair near Salem, VA

Biography: Eric C. Steen, DO, is a board-certified General Surgeon in Salem, Virginia. Dr. Steen earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also completed his internship and residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Steen in board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery.

Biography: This physician is accepting telehealth visits. Jason R. Fowlkes, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. Fowlkes earned his medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. He completed his internship at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and his residency at Carilion Clinic, both in Roanoke, Virginia. Dr. is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Fowlkes is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. His experience in general surgery includes his tenure as the Director of Trauma and the Chief of Surgery at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Biography: Even in my early teens, I knew I wanted to be a physician. I was fascinated by anatomy, loved science and was precise at dissection. Surgery was definitely my calling. \n Being the child of first-generation immigrants meant several messages were ingrained in my siblings and me. Our parents expected us to work hard, finish what we started, push to succeed and never complain. \n I had a wonderful mentor during my residency who shared with me his surgical mantra: "Treat every patient like they are your mother." I took it to heart and adopted it as my mantra, too. I believe this wholeheartedly and continue to operate with this thought in mind. \n When it comes to robotic surgery, I was an early adopter. I have performed more than 1,500 robotic procedures. I even test other surgeons on their robotics skills once they have completed training. In my role as a robotic proctor, I travel the country and evaluate and "sign off" on surgeons who have completed robotics training. \n I have founded two bariatric centers and built them into established Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE). The BSCOE designation helps patients identify surgeons who provide the safest and most effective treatments. The robotic center in High Point I founded was awarded the first robotic epicenter in North Carolina by the Intuitive Surgical group in 2019. \n I'm a member of the American Board of Surgery and SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) and am a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. \n My hobbies include coaching and helping with my kids' travel sports, playing golf and tennis, cooking, painting and woodworking. I most enjoy traveling - and just hanging out - with my wife.

Biography: Benjamin Smith, M.D., is a board-certified general surgeon with LewisGale Physicians in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. Smith earned his Medical Doctorate from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine at Hershey, and completed his residency in general surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical Center, in Norfolk. Prior to his medical studies, he graduated with highest honors from University of Mary Washington, with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Dr. Smith has over four years of general surgery practice experience and is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Dr. Smith is welcoming new patients and referrals.

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. Joshua Rickey is a board-certified general surgeon with Novant Health Salem Surgical Associates. "Josh," as he often tells his patients to call him, has been a member of Salem Surgical for six years. Originally from the coast of South Carolina, Josh completed his undergraduate studies at Clemson University in Biochemistry. He then went on to attend medical school at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina. After completing medical school in 2010, he continued into general surgery residency at MUSC. During his time at MUSC, he was known for his teaching of medical students and residents, having earned multiple teaching awards and being recognized as the Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year. Driven by an interest in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery, as well as the application of new technologies, Josh then completed a bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship at then Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He says that the possibility of helping people with surgery for a disease that can be a lifelong struggle has always intrigued him. After completion of his fellowship in Charlotte, Josh joined his family in Winston-Salem, going on to complete an additional year of training in the Transition to Practice Fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Health. \n Josh elected to stay in Winston-Salem as he felt it reminded him of his hometown with a close-knit group of people, offering a small town feel in a big city. Here they have grown to love the community and surroundings. Since joining Salem Surgical, he has been excited to offer new technologies and techniques to address the medical issues of his patients from Winston-Salem and surrounding areas. A supporter of the application of the robot in surgery, Josh has been able to help multiple patients with complex problems recover faster and with less pain as they return to their lifestyles. He feels it is important to help people get back to "normal" as quickly as they can and feels that use of the robot will allow patients that opportunity. \n His approach to medicine may be a little different, as he feels it is important to partner with the patient. Josh likes to maintain a personal relationship with the patient and work with them actively to be involved with their care and decision making. He strives to help patients understand the issues and the choices, personalizing the plan for each patient. His belief is, "education and understanding are key to good outcomes." \n Josh has been excited by bariatrics since his training and has been actively seeking to help provide that service to the people of Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas. Helping patients achieve goals they thought were not possible has always driven Josh. When approached about helping Novant Health start bariatrics at Clemmons, Josh was happy to finally be able to help provide additional services to the population. His care and planning show as he describes helping patients navigate the process of approval, evaluation and preparing for surgery. "We at Salem Surgical want to provide a seamless and smooth process for patients," Josh said. "We want them to have a pleasant experience navigating what can be a confusing situation and most importantly, we want them to know we are here for them." He is excited about being able to apply the robot to patients undergoing weight loss surgery as a method to help improve recovery and outcomes. \n When not at work, Josh spends time with his family (wife Ashley and two children). With his office littered with tiger paws and orange, it's obvious he is an ardent Clemson University fan. At any given time, you are likely to see him in some form of orange or purple, whether at the office or simply out and about. Don't be surprised during fall Fridays to catch him wearing orange (a custom in Clemson). As people around the office have heard him say, "On Fridays we wear orange." In the fall, he and his family enjoy attending football games and cheering the Tigers on to victory. Other times, he and his family enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, playing sports together, riding bikes or just spending time together.

Biography: Dr. Mark Smith II, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Thomasville, NC. He is 60 years old and has been practicing for 32 years. Dr. Mark Smith II, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.

Care Philosophy: Provide patient focused care with surgical emphasis on minimally invasive techniques

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: This physician is accepting telehealth visits. Amanda Reese, DO, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon in Blacksburg, Virginia. She is a member of the physician staff of LewisGale Physicians and the active medical staff of LewisGale Hospital Montgomery.Dr. Reese earned her medical degree from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg, Virginia. She continued her education with her residency in general surgery at Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine. During her residency, Dr. Reese served as administrative chief resident in her program and also received the Robert E. Berry Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon surgery residents.Dr. Reese is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is an active Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Immediately prior to joining LewisGale Physicians, Dr. Reese has been practicing in Bluefield, Virginia and West Virginia, specializing in robotic and laparoscopic operations including single site cholecystectomy, inguinal and ventral hernia repair, colectomy, anti-reflux surgery, and surgical endoscopy. Dr. Reese has been married to her husband for more than twelve years and is mom to two daughters, both competitive swimmers.