Castle Connolly Accolades recognize the top gastroenterologists in health systems, hospitals, and physician practices for their expertise and dedication to delivering exceptional patient care.

We are proud to announce we placed 5th nationally for physician practices and 1st overall in the state of North Carolina for most top GI doctors in the category gastroenterology.

In 2024, 21 of our physicians were awarded as a “Top Doc.”

Raj Dalsania, MD Since 2024

ASHISH THEKDI, MD, SINCE 2023

STEVEN A. JOSEPHSON, MD, SINCE 2023

DENNIS KOKENES, MD, SINCE 2023

ROBERT SCHMITZ, MD, SINCE 2023

SIDDHARTH SURA, MD, SINCE 2023

SHARAD NANGIA, MD, SINCE 2023

MICHAEL RYAN, MD, SINCE 2022

SRINIVAS CHERUVU, MD, MSPH, SINCE 2022

VINAYA MADDUKURI, MD, SINCE 2021

SCOTT BROTZE, MD, SINCE 2022

NICHOLAS CREWS, MD, RISING STAR SINCE 2021

SIMON PRENDIVILLE, MD, SINCE 2021

REBECCA RAWL, MD, MPH, SINCE 2021

ATUL KHANNA, SINCE 2021

JASON WILSON, MD, AGAF, FACG, SINCE 2021

VIRAL D. PATEL, MD, FACG, SINCE 2021

JEFFREY S. ZAIDMAN, MD, SINCE 2021

DEVI THANGAVELU, MD, SINCE 2020

SANJIB MOHANTY, MD, SINCE 2016

J. GARDINER RODDEY, MD, SINCE 2014

Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by their physician-led research team. These gi doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills. Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.

In 2024, 21 of our physicians were awarded as a “Top Doc.”

Raj Dalsania, MD Since 2024

ASHISH THEKDI, MD, SINCE 2023

STEVEN A. JOSEPHSON, MD, SINCE 2023

DENNIS KOKENES, MD, SINCE 2023

ROBERT SCHMITZ, MD, SINCE 2023

SIDDHARTH SURA, MD, SINCE 2023

SHARAD NANGIA, MD, SINCE 2023

MICHAEL RYAN, MD, SINCE 2022

SRINIVAS CHERUVU, MD, MSPH, SINCE 2022

VINAYA MADDUKURI, MD, SINCE 2021

SCOTT BROTZE, MD, SINCE 2022

NICHOLAS CREWS, MD, RISING STAR SINCE 2021

SIMON PRENDIVILLE, MD, SINCE 2021

REBECCA RAWL, MD, MPH, SINCE 2021

ATUL KHANNA, SINCE 2021

JASON WILSON, MD, AGAF, FACG, SINCE 2021

VIRAL D. PATEL, MD, FACG, SINCE 2021

JEFFREY S. ZAIDMAN, MD, SINCE 2021

DEVI THANGAVELU, MD, SINCE 2020

SANJIB MOHANTY, MD, SINCE 2016

J. GARDINER RODDEY, MD, SINCE 2014

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Caroline Barrett to Charlotte Gastro. Dr. Barrett specializes in adult gastroenterology and hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, women’s GI health, and colon cancer prevention.

Caroline Barrett, MD received her undergraduate and medical degree from UNC Chapel Hill, then completed her internal medicine residency in Nashville, TN, and her gastroenterology fellowship at UNC.

Dr. Barrett is married and has a young daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time on Lake Norman, exploring parks and playgrounds with her daughter, yoga, and traveling to the NC beaches and mountains.

CGH is excited to have her join our team as she will be a valued member of the Charlotte Gastro’s Huntersville and Mooresville locations.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Adam Younis to Charlotte Gastro. Dr. Younis specializes in adult gastroenterology and hepatology, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, colon cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux, autoimmune disorders and small bowel disease. 

Adam Younis, MD received his undergraduate and medical degree from West Virginia University, his residency at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, and then completed his Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Fellowships at the University of Florida. He is double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Dr. Younis is eager to provide patient-focused care to the Lake Norman community. He strives to utilize shared-decision making to help his patients meet their GI needs, while striving to deliver quality care.

CGH is excited to have him join our team as he will be a valued member of the Charlotte Gastro’s Mooresville and Huntersville offices.

(CHARLOTTE, NC)- Atul Khanna, M.D., and Raj Dalsania, M.D., of Charlotte Gastro, completed the EDGE procedure at Novant Presbyterian Hospital.

The EDGE procedure involves placing a stent to connect the patient’s gastric pouch to the excluded stomach. Through this connected passageway, endoscopists can diagnose tumors, remove gallstones, and relieve any obstructions in the bile or pancreatic duct.

Atul Khanna, M.D., of Charlotte Gastro’s advanced endoscopist team, states, “The patient presented to the emergency room with symptoms of abdominal pain and had a history of gastric bypass. They also had a history of the removal of the gallbladder. Blood work showed abnormal liver function tests and imaging studies obtained showed a large stone blocking the bile duct.”

“The procedure initially was performed in multiple stages but with the availability of larger size stent, and with newer techniques, it can now be performed in one stage,” says Atul Khanna, M.D., advanced endoscopist with Charlotte Gastro.

“The recovery is the similar to other endoscopic procedures. Patients usually go back to their daily routine the next day. So, there is minimal recovery time and no surgery required,” Raj Dalsania, M.D., advanced endoscopist at Charlotte Gastro said. “By offering the EDGE procedure, we are able to treat these conditions while significantly reducing in-patient stays, with many patients going home the same day.”

Charlotte Gastro is an independent gastroenterology practice that specializes in adult gastroenterology, gastrointestinal endoscopy, ERCP, and liver disease and comprehensively detects and treats diseases that affect the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, small and large intestines, and rectum.

Currently, Charlotte Gastro’s doctors were the first to perform the EDGE procedure at Novant in the Charlotte region.

Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These GI doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills. Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.

In 2023, 20 of our physicians were awarded as a “Top Doc.”

Ashish Thekdi, MD, Since 2023

Steven A. Josephson, MD, since 2023

Dennis Kokenes, MD, since 2023

Robert Schmitz, MD, since 2023

Siddharth Sura, MD, since 2023

Sharad Nangia, MD, since 2023

Michael Ryan, MD, since 2022

Srinivas Cheruvu, MD, MSPH, since 2022

Vinaya Maddukuri, MD, since 2021

Scott Brotze, MD, since 2022

Nicholas Crews, MD, rising star since 2021

Simon Prendiville, MD, since 2021

Rebecca Rawl, MD, MPH, since 2021

Atul Khanna, since 2021

Jason Wilson, MD, AGAF, FACG, since 2021

Viral D. Patel, MD, FACG, since 2021

Jeffrey S. Zaidman, MD, since 2021

Devi Thangavelu, MD, since 2020

Sanjib Mohanty, MD, since 2016

J. Gardiner Roddey, MD, since 2014

Charlotte Gastro has been supporting PurpleStride Charlotte since 2013 and signed on as a premier sponsor from 2013 to date. 2023 is the 10^th consecutive year that Charlotte Gastro has been a premier sponsor for PurpleStride in Charlotte.

Local action. Nationwide impact.

Pancreatic cancer survivors, families, caregivers, researchers and supporters will take steps together at 60 PurpleStride events across the nation to honor everyone affected by the disease.

Join our team at PanCAN PurpleStride Charlotte, taking place on One Big Day, Saturday, April 29, 2023

Atul Khanna, MD is a physician at Charlotte Gastro who specializes in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), advanced interventional endoscopy, and adult gastroenterology. Dr. Khanna is located at Charlotte Gastro’s Randolph Road office.

In light of pancreatic cancer awareness month, read our insightful Q&A on pancreatic cancer with Dr. Atul Khanna regarding Charlotte Gastro, cancer research, and advocacy.

What does Charlotte Gastro do for the Charlotte community to help pancreatic cancer patients?

With three advanced endoscopists and a team of gastroenterologists, Charlotte Gastro provides consultation and procedures in early diagnosis and comprehensive GI care for patients at risk or diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Are there any symptoms or criteria to know if you need to go to a doctor or get screened?

At present no screening guidelines are available for the general population.  There are certain high-risk genetic mutations and family history of pancreatic cancer in which screening guidelines is available.

MRI, MRCP, and EUS can be used to screen high-risk individuals.  If you have known family history of pancreatic cancer, seek consultation with a gastroenterologist on your next steps.

Is there anything to do to prevent this form of cancer?

One of the risk factors for pancreatitis cancer is chronic pancreatitis.  Heavy alcohol use is also associated with chronic pancreatitis and tobacco/smoking is also one of the modifiable risk factors for the disease.

How does a patient get diagnosed and what are the next steps?

Diagnosis is usually made with imaging studies.

A patient typically would present with symptoms of abdominal pain or jaundice. A CT scan is typically an initial test, noticing a pancreatic mass.  This is followed by an endoscopy ultrasound performed by a gastroenterologist to obtain biopsies from the mass and a pathological diagnosis then would be confirmed.

After confirmation, a consultation with a surgeon, oncologist, and radiation oncologist would be required.

What would you wish to say to a patient recently diagnosed?

Between available surgical options, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy treatments, these all can be individualized to minimize side effects and improve the quality of life.  Treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary approach.

I would encourage patients and their family members to stay engaged.  Ask questions from specialists, as they can guide them into making suitable choices between available treatment options.

What would you like to see happen with research or statistics in patients with pancreatic cancer?

Overall, I would like to see more research in surgical advances, endoscopy management of complications such as duodenal obstruction, and pain control with EUS-guided celiac plexus block. These all benefit the patient with management, but still, the 5-year survival is dismally low at 20%.

Early diagnosis at the surgically resectable stage before cancer is locally advanced or has metastasized would help improve survival rate in patients.

In the future, chemotherapy and newer individualized immunotherapy-directed treatments would be better tolerated and have more favorable outcomes.

Do you have a personal connection to pancreatic cancer or a special story you would like to share in light of pancreatic cancer awareness month?

I have a special connection with all my patients.

One of my patients early in my practice in medicine I remember was a mechanical engineer. He had locally advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.  The patient had a very loving and caring family.  With treatment and labs and additional support, he lived for two years.

During these two years, he required multiple endoscopy interventions as he developed obstruction of the bile duct as well as duodenal obstruction.  During my multiple interactions with the patient, he was always hopeful, but realistic regarding management options. Even towards his end of life, he was full of gratitude and showed a dignified way of living with this difficult diagnosis. It was a humbling experience taking care of the gentle soul.

Dr. Khanna states he will always remember this patient and this humbling experience.

How would you urge someone to keep hope during a diagnosis?

Treatment can be difficult along with a long recovery. It’s easy for one to lose hope and become depressed and disheartened.  Support from family members and having faith can help with these upsetting times.  Also staying engaged in activities of interest, maintaining a routine, and staying socially involved with friends and family is of utmost importance.

To read more about Dr. Khanna or Charlotte Gastro’s services, visit www.charlottegastro.com or call (704) 377-4009.

Dr. Raj Dalsania is joining Charlotte Gastro in September of 2022 taking on an active role at the Randolph Road location after completing an advanced interventional endoscopy fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

His interest in gastroenterology stems from his patient-centered approaches to care and treatment, and his desire to develop relationships with patients to help them understand complex medical concerns. His special interests include Advanced Interventional Endoscopy (EUS + ERCP), Pancreaticobiliary Diseases, Barrett’s Esophagus, Gastroparesis, GI Malignancies and Colon Cancer Screenings.

Dr. Dalsania originally grew up in South Florida. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon completion, he attended medical school at the University of Miami, and then completed his residency and advanced endoscopy fellowship at Emory University.

He is a big sports fan of the UNC Tarheels and the Miami Heat. Since living in Charlotte, he enjoys any activity outdoors, travelling, fishing, and gardening with his wife and son.