This panel of experts is comprised of many of the world leaders in the field of esophageal disease, specializing in the review and analysis of esophageal functional technologies and testing. MDLGI contracted with them to provide the highest level of excellence and accuracy in the analysis of esophageal diagnostic data.
A panel member analyzes all studies pertaining to high resolution esophageal manometry, ambulatory pH, and pH-impedance testing that are submitted via MDLGI. These physicians are regarded as the pre-eminent clinical authorities on esophageal testing and disorders. Many are active in helping develop current technologies in HRM and esophageal pH testing. These physicians are individually affiliated with many of the most distinguished medical facilities in the world today.
And their expertise is available to you — and your patients — exclusively through MDLGI.
Dr. William C. Dengler is an authority on the diagnosis, medical, and surgical treatment of GERD and esophageal disease, with over 20 years of experience in the field. He founded the nation's first Heartburn Treatment Center in 1995 and has developed over 50 Heartburn Treatment Centers nationally through his company, Legato Medical Systems, which was founded in 2001. Dr. Dengler was the first community physician in the U.S. to implement high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) in 2004 while serving as a consultant to Sierra Scientific Instruments during the development of the technology. Since that time, he has trained nurses, gastroenterologists, and surgeons on a national level in study technique as well as interpretation. Dr. Dengler provides HRM interpretive support to physicians at Legato Heartburn Treatment Centers. In addition, he was active in the implementation of telemetry pH testing in the community setting after its development in 2001. He has conducted several national courses for physicians on the interpretation of HRM and has co-authored numerous publications with academic luminaries concerning pH testing, high resolution manometry, and the pre-operative evaluation and patient selection for anti-reflux surgery.
Dr. John Pandolfino is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. His career has focused primarily on studying the biomechanics of bolus transport and gastrointestinal motility as it pertains to gastroesophageal reflux and swallowing disorders. He currently is funded by the NIH to study GERD and dysphagia pathogenesis, and also receives research grants from industries focused on the development of new technologies to investigate and treat gastrointestinal disorders. He maintains a strong clinical practice in the Esophageal Center at Northwestern, which is recognized as one of the nation's top referral centers for complicated esophageal diseases. Dr. Pandolfino is active in multiple professional organizations and has a strong commitment to the editorial process, serving as editor-in-chief of Diseases of the Esophagus and as a member of the editorial board of multiple high-level gastroenterology journals. Dr. Pandolfino is extensively published in all areas of esophageal disease and is recognized as one of the world's authorities on esophageal diagnostic evaluations, including high resolution esophageal manometry, pH, and pH-impedance testing.
Dr. Peter Kahrilas is the Gilbert H. Marquadt Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Feinberg School of Medicine, at Northwestern University. He received his M.D. from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed his residency in internal medicine at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. After four years of GI fellowship at Northwestern and at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Kahrilas joined the Northwestern faculty where he established himself as a pioneer in both research and clinical care of esophageal disorders. Under his leadership, the Northwestern Esophageal Center became one of the nation's leading clinical and teaching centers for esophageal disease. Throughout his distinguished career, he has published over 500 original papers and 90 book chapters on esophageal physiology and disease. His extensive knowledge and accomplishments have resulted in editorial positions at major GI journals and involvement in the major U.S. and worldwide GI societies. His particular areas of interest and expertise are in esophageal disorders, esophageal diagnostics, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and swallowing disorders. Dr. Kahrilas has been recognized as one of "America's Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly every year since 2002.
Dr. Prakash Gyawali currently holds the position of Professor of Medicine within the Division of Gastroenterology at Washington University School of Medicine, where he is also the Director of the GI Fellowship Program. Dr. Gyawali received his M.D. from the University of Calicut, South India, and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His many accolades include being elected to the "Best Doctors in America" list from 2007 - 2013, and "Teacher of the Year 2011 - 2012," Division of Gastroenterology, awarded by gastroenterology fellows. Dr. Gyawali held the position of Chair, Training Subcommittee, of the American Gastroenterological Association in 2013 - 2014; and was a 2013 representative for the American Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility for the GI Milestones project. In addition, Dr. Gyawali has been a peer review board member for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy since 1999.
