Team of Experts
At the Digestive Health Clinic, our team of professionals take pride in working together to ensure all your needs are met and expectations surpassed. Our mission is to care for patients in a dignified fashion offering competent, evidence based care. We are able to do this with our greatest resource; competent professionals who care.
Each of our physicians are in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). The CPSO is a regulatory body that monitors and maintains the standards of practice in Ontario. Physicians and staff are also trained in Advanced Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support Life Support (BCLS). Sedation is provided by a team of certified Anesthetists.
Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
Medical Director
Achievements: Dr Nijhawan completed his medical school training at the University of Ottawa; Internal Medicine Internship at Yale-Norwalk, CT; and Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
At the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Nijhawan presented multiple research papers at scientific meetings and published multiple lead articles in journals and textbooks. He was awarded the Calgary Fellowship for outstanding achievements.
In 2002, Dr. Nijhawan established the Digestive Health Clinic to help bring leading edge technology to Canada.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, American Board of Gastroenterology, and American Board of Internal Medicine
Specializations: Therapeutic Endoscopy, Irritable Bowel and Celiac Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and esophageal disorders.
Dr. Nitin Sarin, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
Achievements: Dr. Sarin studied Biochemistry at McMaster University and continued studies at the University of Toronto in Medicine. He did his Postgraduate Speciality training at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto. In addition, he completed Clinical Hepatology Fellowship at University of Toronto.
Dr. Sarin has published multiple research papers and lead articles.
In addition to practicing at the Digestive Health Clinic, he is also at North York General Hospital.
Membership: Ontario Association of Gastroenterology
Specializations: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Karen Chan, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. Chan studied Medicine at the University of Western Ontario. She completed internal medicine residency training and gastroenterology residency training at the University of Ottawa.
From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Chan was the Staff Physician and Assistant Professor at the Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, University of Ottawa.
Membership: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Specializations: Irritable Bowel and Celiac Disease
Dr. Reena Bhargava, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Bhargava completed both her medical school and surgical residency at the University of Western Ontario, and her Minimally Invasive fellowship at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.
Dr. Bhargava has published multiple research papers and lead articles.
Memberships: Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and American Society of Bariatric Surgery
Specializations: Endoscopy and General Surgery
Dr. Jay Parekh, M.D., F.R.C.S.(E), F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Parekh completed his undergraduate studies in South Africa, and medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He completed his training in Kenya, England, and McMaster University, Hamilton.
Dr. Parekh previously held the role of Chief of Surgery at Guelph General and St. Joseph Hospital. He also practices at the Greenstone Clinic in Toronto.
Memberships: President of the Wellington County Medical Society, and Ontario Medical Association
Specializations: Endoscopy and Anal-rectal Surgery
Dr. Andreas Tassis, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Tassis completed general surgery residency training at the University of Toronto. He completed medical school at the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timisoara, Romania, followed by general surgery training at G. Hatzikosta General Hospital and University General Hospital of Patras, in Greece.
Dr. Tassis has published multiple research papers and lead articles.
Dr. Tassis is fluent in Greek.
Memberships: Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, Canadian Medical Association, Ontario Association of General Surgeons, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, and Hellenic Association of General Surgeons
Specializations: General surgery, and particular area of interest in Laparoendoscopic Surgery
Dr. George Tardik, B.Sc., N.D.
Naturopathic Doctor
Achievements: Dr. Tardik has a special interest in evidenced based natural therapies.
He completed his training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, and additional training in Clinical Nutrition as a registered nutritional consultant.
He has over 15 years of experience in treating patients using nutritional therapies.
Dr. Tardik received the Clinical Nutrition Award CCNM in 2008. He has been featured on CBC’s Newsworld and Marketplace and is a consultant for the Ministry of Health, Natural health product directorate.
Memberships: Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and American Association of Naturopathic Doctors
Specializations: Gastrointestinal disorders and integrative oncology
Dr. Katharina Plenk, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Internal Medicine
Achievements: Dr. Plenk completed her medical degree at the University of Vienna, Austria, and her residency in internal medicine at the University of Toronto.
She is currently a staff member of the Department of Medicine at York Central Hospital and Director of the Stroke Prevention Clinic. She is also a lecturer at the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and American Board of Internal Medicine certification
Specialization: Internal medicine, with clinical interests in Pre-Operative Medicine, Stroke and Cardiac Prevention, and Thrombosis
Dr. Larry Grossman, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Heamatologist
Achievements: Dr. Grossman studied Medicine at the University of Toronto. He completed postgraduate clinical education at Toronto Western Hospital, Wellesley Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital. He also spent a research year at Hammersmith Hospital in London, England.
Dr. Grossman has presented research papers at scientific meetings and published multiple journal articles. He has held several senior medical leadership positions and is currently a member of the Department of Medicine at York Central Hospital.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario, Canadian Haematology Society, and Canadian Society for Physician Executives
Specializations: Internal Medicine and Haematology
Dr. David Weizman, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Weizman completed both his Medical School and General Surgery Residency training at the University of Toronto. He then completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Toronto where he gained expertise in advanced laparoscopic surgery.
He is currently a staff general surgeon at York Central Hospital where he serves as Deputy Chief of Surgery and is a past president of the Medical Staff Association.
Memberships: Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, American College of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, and Ontario Association of General Surgeons
Specializations: Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Ariel Eric Klevan B.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Klevan completed medical school at the University of Toronto; Post-graduate General Surgery training at McMaster University; and clinical fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Therapeutic Endoscopy at the University of Miami. Dr. Klevan has presented research at national surgical meetings and has published multiple scientific papers and textbook chapters.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ontario Association of General Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), American College of Surgeons
Specializations: Minimally Invasive Surgery; Therapeutic Endoscopy
Dr. Kenneth Malhotra, M.D., B.Sc, F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. Malhotra completed both his medical school training and residency at the University of Toronto.
Prior to joining Digestive Health Clinic, Dr. Malhotra was with Mississauga Urgent Care, Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Ajax-Pickering Hospital and Bowmanville Hospital.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Family Physicians of Canada
Specializations: Therapeutic endoscopy, irritable bowel and celiac disease
Dr. Malek Shawesh, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gatroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. Shawesh studied medicine and surgery at the University of Alfatah. He then completed a three-year residency training at the University of Ottawa.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Specializations: Therapeutic endoscopy, irritable bowel, celiac and liver diseases
Dr. Shima Kassirian, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Kassirian completed her Master’s degree in medicine and her residency training from the University of Toronto. Then she completed a one year Clinical fellowship at North York General Hospital.
Dr. Kassirian published multiple research papers and lead articles in journals.
In addition to practicing at VEM, she is also a General Surgeon at North York General Hospital.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Specialization: General surgery
Dr. George Xeroulis, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgery
Achievements: Dr. Xeroulis completed both his medical school training and residency training at the University of Western Ontario. He obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto. In 2008, he completed a one year Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Xeroulis published multiple research papers and lead articles.
Before joining VEM, Dr. Xeroulis was a Minimally Invasive & General Surgeon at Rouge Valley Ajax- Pickering Hospital.
Memberships: American College of Surgeons, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Specializations: General surgery
Dr. Benjamin Ho, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. Ho graduated from the University of Toronto in 1988 with a medical degree. He completed his training in the field of Gastroenterology from The University of Western Ontario in 1992.
He is also fluent in Chinese.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Specializations: Gastroenterology and internal medicine
Dr. Ernest Salmon, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
General Surgeon
Achievements: Dr. Salmon graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1966 and did his residency at the Toronto General Hospital in 1968. In 1975, he obtained advanced training residency from the Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Salmon completed his Fellowship from the Northern General Hospital.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Specializations: General surgery
Dr. Gordon Bierbrier, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Gastroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. Bierbrier graduated from McGill University in 2008 with a medical degree. He completed his residency training from The University of Western Ontario in 1993.
Memberships: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Specializations: Gastroenterology and internal medicine
Dr. Jeffrey So, MD, FRCPC
Gastroenterologist
Achievements: Dr. So completed his medical school training,Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology residency, at the University of Western Ontario. He then completed his Hepatology fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. So received multiple research awards during his training in Gastroenterology. He hasalso published multiple research papers in medical journals. Dr. So currently has privileges at Credit Valley Hospital and Southlake Regional Health Centre.
Memberships: Dr. So is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and is affiliated with theOntario Association of Gastroenterology, Canadian Association for the Study of Liver, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Board of Internal Medicine.
Specializations: Gastroenterology and Hepatology.