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Best General Surgeons in San Bernardino

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated December 24, 2024

Introduction to General Surgery in San Bernardino

Overview of General Surgery

General surgery is a medical specialty that focuses on abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, as well as the thyroid gland.

General surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder removals, appendectomies, and various types of cancer surgeries.

Importance of Choosing the Right General Surgeon

Selecting the appropriate general surgeon can significantly influence the success of your procedure, your recovery time, and your overall health outcome.

Experienced surgeons often have lower complication rates and can provide more comprehensive pre- and post-operative care. In San Bernardino, we have several highly qualified general surgeons, such as Dr. Timothy Ballard and Dr. Joseph Vanderlinden, who have received positive patient ratings.


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List of General Surgeons in San Bernardino

TB

Dr. Timothy Ballard

5.0

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(909) 887-6333

Duke University (Medical School, 1995)

English

Spanish

Community Hospital of San Bernardino

General Surgery

Dr. Joseph Vanderlinden

Dr. Joseph Vanderlinden

4.4

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(909) 881-7200

Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University (Fellowship Hospital, 1999)

Loma Linda University Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1997)

University of Colorado (Internship Hospital, 1993)

University of Colorado School of Medicine (Medical School, 1992)

English

Spanish

St. Bernardine Medical Center

Lompoc Valley Medical Center

Vascular Surgery

General Surgery

Endovascular Surgery

SZ

Dr. Shaheen Zakaria

1.0

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(507) 284-2511

Mayo Grad School Med/Mayo Fndn (Residency Hospital)

English

General Surgery

LF

Dr. Lonnie Frei

N/A

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(909) 881-7605

American Board of Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN / MADISON (Medical School, 1977)

English

General Surgery

IG

Dr. Iliya Goldberg

N/A

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(949) 764-5350

American Board of Surgery

English

St. Bernardine Medical Center

General Surgery

DB

Dr. David Bernstein

N/A

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Surgery

UC San Diego (Fellowship Hospital, 2018)

Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Residency Hospital, 2017)

Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Internship Hospital, 2013)

SUNY Downstate (Medical School, 2012)

English

Riverside Community Hospital

General Surgery

SB

Dr. Simpledeep Banipal

N/A

San Bernardino, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(877) 772-8366

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT LINCOLN (Medical School, 2017)

English

Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center

General Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Finding a General Surgeon in San Bernardino

Overview of the Local Medical Landscape

General Surgery Options in San Bernardino

  • Analysis of the number of general surgeons available in the area
  • Discussion of major hospitals and medical centers offering surgical services

Prominent Healthcare Facilities

  • Community Hospital of San Bernardino
  • St. Bernardine Medical Center
  • Other notable medical facilities in the region

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Surgeon

Professional Qualifications

  • Importance of board certification (e.g., American Board of Surgery)
  • Relevance of educational background and training
  • Significance of additional specializations (e.g., vascular surgery)

Experience and Expertise

  • Years of practice in general surgery
  • Specific areas of focus within general surgery
  • Track record of successful procedures

Hospital Affiliations

  • Importance of surgeon's hospital affiliations
  • Quality of associated medical facilities
  • Access to advanced surgical technologies and support staff

Patient Feedback and Ratings

  • Significance of patient reviews and star ratings
  • Interpretation of review data (e.g., number of reviews vs. rating)
  • Balanced approach to evaluating patient feedback

Communication and Language Skills

  • Importance of clear doctor-patient communication
  • Availability of multilingual surgeons (e.g., English and Spanish speakers)
  • Cultural competence in diverse communities

Top-Ranked General Surgeons in San Bernardino

Dr. Timothy Ballard

Background and Qualifications

  • Medical degree from Duke University (1995)
  • Specializes in General Surgery
  • Fluent in English and Spanish

Practice Information

  • Affiliated with Community Hospital of San Bernardino
  • Contact: (909) 887-6333

Patient Satisfaction

  • Perfect 5.0-star rating (based on available review)
  • Note: Limited number of reviews

Dr. Joseph Vanderlinden

Educational Background

  • Medical degree from University of Colorado School of Medicine (1992)
  • Residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • Fellowship at Medical College of Virginia

Expertise

  • Specializes in General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Endovascular Surgery
  • Fluent in English and Spanish

Practice Information

  • Affiliated with St. Bernardine Medical Center
  • Contact: (909) 881-7200

Patient Feedback

  • 4.4-star rating based on 7 reviews
  • Indicates high patient satisfaction

Other Notable General Surgeons

Dr. David Bernstein

  • Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery
  • Extensive training including fellowship at UC San Diego
  • Affiliated with Riverside Community Hospital

Dr. Iliya Goldberg

  • Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery
  • Affiliated with St. Bernardine Medical Center
  • Contact: (949) 764-5350

Dr. Lonnie Frei

  • Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery
  • Graduated from University of Wisconsin / Madison (1977)
  • Extensive experience in the field

Additional Resources for Finding the Right General Surgeon in San Bernardino

Online Platforms and Directories

Healthgrades and Other Physician Review Websites

  • Utilize Healthgrades for detailed doctor profiles and patient ratings
  • Explore other reputable review sites for comprehensive information

Local Medical Society Resources

  • Check San Bernardino County Medical Society for surgeon listings
  • Use California Medical Association's physician finder tool

Consultation and Second Opinions

Importance of Meeting Potential Surgeons

  • Schedule in-person consultations with top-rated surgeons
  • Assess communication style and comfort level with the surgeon

Asking Key Questions During Consultations

  • Inquire about the surgeon's experience with specific procedures
  • Discuss potential risks and expected outcomes
  • Ask about the surgeon's approach to post-operative care

Insurance Considerations

Checking In-Network Providers

  • Contact your insurance provider for a list of in-network surgeons
  • Verify coverage with the surgeon's office before scheduling

Understanding Coverage for Surgical Procedures

  • Review your insurance policy for surgical procedure coverage
  • Discuss potential out-of-pocket costs with the surgeon's billing department