Laura Dhariwal, MD

Imo J. Akpan, M.D. graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in Chemistry. Prior to enrolling in medical school she was involved in iron biology research at the Children's Hospital Boston where she helped to describe a mouse-model for anemia of inflammation by studying the role of hepcidin in iron homeostasis. Dr. Akpan received her medical degree from The University of Illinois (UIC) at Chicago College of Medicine and received “The Michael and Kate Bárány Research Award” for research supported by the American Society of Hematology and the UIC Craig Research Award. Dr. Akpan then enrolled in the Physician-Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University/McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois where she did her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in Hematology/Oncology. Subsequently, she did an Advanced Hematology/Oncology Research fellowship as a K12 Physician Scientist Scholar at The University of Chicago Medical Center where she also worked as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Akpan’s clinical and research expertise spans several blood disorders, including anemia (any type of anemia in addition to auto immune hemolytic anemia), iron disorders (high iron levels and iron deficiency), sickle cell disease, thalassemia, PNH, platelet disorders including ITP, high hemoglobin, high platelet, white blood cell disorders and, bleeding and clotting disorders including Anti phospholipid antibody syndrome. Dr. Akpan provides consultation for patients with complex bleeding or clotting issues undergoing surgeries and blood disorders in patients with a history of bariatric surgery. She works closely with her pregnant patients and works closely with obstetricians and other members of the inter-disciplinary team. Dr. Akpan co-leads the Women’s clinic for blood disorders at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, a dedicated clinic for women experiencing blood disorders including heavy menstrual bleeding, thrombocytopenia in pregnancy, anemia in pregnancy, blood clots and anticoagulation management during pregnancy, among others. Dr. Akpan is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society, and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. She has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, and has spoken at clinical and research conferences across the country. Dr. Akpan is an avid runner and was inducted into the Swarthmore College Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame for Track and Field in 2013.

Dr. Francisco Guzman-Pruneda is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. He is the Associate Program Director for the Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship Program, and the Surgical Director for the Gastroparesis program at Columbia University. He is Board Certified in Surgery by the American Board of Surgery, and is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He completed his Medical School training in Monterrey, Mexico, his residency in General Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and a fellowship in Bariatric Surgery at Mount Sinai in New York City. In addition, Dr. Guzman-Pruneda completed two research fellowships: in Immunology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer and in Pediatric Surgery at Texas Children's Hospital (Baylor College of Medicine), and a Global Surgery Exchange Program in Sydney, Australia.Dr. Guzman’s practice focuses on minimally invasive (laparoscopic & robotic) bariatric and foregut surgery. In addition to performing first-time weight loss operations, a significant part of his practice includes revisional or corrective surgery to address problems with previous bariatric operations. From a foregut surgery perspective, he performs hiatal / paraesophageal hernia repairs and anti-reflux surgery. Additional areas of expertise include peritoneal dialysis access surgery and is leads the surgical management for advanced gastroparesis patients that fail to respond to medical therapy, including implantation of Enterra gastric stimulator device.

Dr. Kurra, Co-Director of the Columbia Adrenal Center, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University. She received her undergraduate degree in biology magna cum laude from Brown University and attended medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine as well as a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Kurra serves as Endocrinology section director for the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons medical student course, "The Body in Health and Disease". She is also a member of both the Columbia University Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Fellowship Recruitment & Selection Committees. Her clinical responsibilities include treating patients at the Columbia Adrenal Center, the New York Thyroid Center, the Metabolic Bone Diseases Program and the Columbia Hypertension Center.