Best General Surgeons in Santa Clara
Updated September 19, 2024
Introduction to General Surgery in Santa Clara
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.
Common procedures include appendectomies, hernia repairs, gallbladder removals, and various types of minimally invasive surgeries.
Importance of Choosing the Right General Surgeon
Selecting an experienced and skilled general surgeon can significantly influence the success of the procedure, recovery time, and overall patient experience.
Key factors to consider include the surgeon's educational background, board certifications, experience, patient ratings, and communication style.
General Surgery Landscape in Santa Clara
Santa Clara boasts a diverse group of highly qualified general surgeons, many of whom have received training from prestigious institutions such as Stanford University and UCLA.
Top-rated surgeons in Santa Clara consistently receive high patient ratings, with many achieving perfect 5-star ratings. They often possess board certifications from the American Board of Surgery and offer specialized skills in areas such as cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.
What's the fastest way to connect to general surgeons?
Our clinically-backed AI will ask you questions and provide an answer specific to your unique health situation.
List of General Surgeons in Santa Clara
ET
Dr. Elaina Tsui
5.0
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
DR
Dr. Daniel Riskin
5.0
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Preventive Medicine
American Board of Surgery
Boston University (Medical School, 1999)
English
Critical Care Surgery
Hospice & Palliative Medicine
General Surgery
Clinical Informatics
EP
Dr. Erin Palm
5.0
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Stanford University (Medical School, 2010)
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
American Board of Surgery
John Wayne Canc Inst (Fellowship Hospital, 2006)
OHSU (Residency Hospital, 2004)
NCI/NIH (Fellowship Hospital, 2002)
University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (Medical School, 1997)
English
General Surgery
American Board of Ophthalmology
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (Fellowship Hospital)
Pacific Presbyterian (Residency Hospital)
Oxford University Medical School (Medical School)
University of California Los Angeles (Undergraduate School)
English
Ophthalmology
General Surgery
American Board of Surgery
Saint Louis University Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 2010)
University of North Carolina Hospital (Residency Hospital, 2009)
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (Medical School, 2006)
University of Notre Dame (Undergraduate School, 2002)
English
Spanish
General Surgery
Critical Care Medicine
Trauma Surgery
Acute Care Surgery
CC
Dr. Carla Carvalho
3.7
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
American Board of Surgery
Harvard Beth Israel Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 1970)
Ucsf Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1967)
Ucsf Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1967)
University of Illinois College of Medicine (Medical School, 1966)
English
General Surgery
American Board of Surgery
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Saint Thomas Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 1984)
Los Angeles Co Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1973)
St Vincent Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital, 1971)
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1970)
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1966)
Hebrew U-Hadassah Med, Jerusalem (Medical School, 1964)
English
Cantonese
General Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
JH
Dr. Jocelyn Ho
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Medical School, 1999)
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
RJ
Dr. Ronald Jou
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of California at San Francisco (Medical School, 2005)
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
AK
Dr. Arathi Kumar
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
TM
Dr. Tobias Muniz
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
LR
Dr. Lindsay Reilly
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
CL
Dr. Cathleen Ligman
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Augusta University Medical College of Georgia (Medical School, 2000)
English
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
SM
Dr. Sean Meshkin
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English
English
General Surgery
LT
Dr. Louis Tieu
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English, Arabic
UCSF Affil Hosp-UCSF (Residency Hospital)
Uc Riverside (Undergraduate School)
University of Ca (Medical School, 2001)
English
Arabic
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
General Surgery
WB
Dr. William Bohannan
N/A
Santa Clara, CA
Sex
Male
Languages
English
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI / KANSAS CITY CAMPUS (Medical School, 1996)
English
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
General Surgery
The Doctor Selection Process in Santa Clara
Resources for Finding General Surgeons
Online Platforms
- Healthgrades: Comprehensive database of surgeon profiles
- Patient reviews and ratings available for many surgeons
- Detailed information on education, certifications, and specialties
Local Medical Associations
- Santa Clara County Medical Association
- California Medical Association physician finder
Hospital Affiliations
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- El Camino Hospital
- Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center
Evaluating Surgeon Qualifications
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery certification common among top-rated surgeons
- Additional certifications in subspecialties (e.g., Cardiothoracic Surgery)
Educational Background
- Prestigious institutions represented (e.g., Stanford, UCLA, UCSF)
- Ongoing education and fellowships
Experience and Specializations
- Years in practice
- Focus areas within general surgery (e.g., critical care, pediatric)
Understanding Patient Feedback
Star Ratings
- Many top surgeons have 5.0 star ratings
- Consider the number of reviews (e.g., 8 reviews vs. 3 reviews)
Written Reviews
- Look for specific comments on surgical outcomes
- Patient experiences with communication and care
Balanced Perspective
- Consider both quantitative ratings and qualitative feedback
- Be aware of potential biases in online reviews
Top-Ranked General Surgeons in Santa Clara
Dr. Scott Benninghoven
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (1984)
- Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
- Years of Experience: 39+
Patient Satisfaction
- Star Rating: 5.0 out of 5
- Number of Reviews: 4
- Perfect score indicates high patient satisfaction
Contact Information
- Phone: (408) 848-3799
- Healthgrades Profile: Available for more details
Dr. Maihgan Kavanagh
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine (1997)
- Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
- Additional Training: Fellowships at John Wayne Cancer Institute and NCI/NIH
Patient Satisfaction
- Star Rating: 5.0 out of 5
- Number of Reviews: 8
- Consistently high patient ratings
Contact Information
- Phone: (408) 851-2000
- Healthgrades Profile: Available for detailed information
Dr. Amid Keshavarzi
Qualifications and Experience
- Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
- Languages: English, Persian
- Demonstrates cultural competence
Patient Satisfaction
- Star Rating: 5.0 out of 5
- Number of Reviews: 8
- High patient satisfaction across multiple reviews
Contact Information
- Phone: (408) 851-1000
- Healthgrades Profile: Available for more information
Dr. Nancy Bitar-Godfrey
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (1983)
- 40+ years of experience in the field
Patient Satisfaction
- Star Rating: 5.0 out of 5
- Number of Reviews: 4
- Perfect score indicating patient trust
Contact Information
- Phone: (408) 851-1000
- Healthgrades Profile: Available for additional details
Dr. Jong-Ping Lu
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: University of California at San Francisco (2004)
- Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
- Nearly 20 years of surgical experience
Patient Satisfaction
- Star Rating: 5.0 out of 5
- Number of Reviews: 3
- Consistent positive feedback from patients
Contact Information
- Phone: (408) 851-2000
- Healthgrades Profile: Available for more information
Additional Resources for Finding the Right General Surgeon in Santa Clara
Consultation Process
Preparing questions for potential surgeons
- Create a list of specific questions about your condition and proposed treatment
- Inquire about the surgeon's experience with your particular procedure
- Ask about potential risks and complications
Discussing surgical options and expected outcomes
- Request detailed explanations of all available treatment options
- Discuss expected recovery time and post-operative care
- Inquire about success rates for your specific procedure
Insurance Considerations
Verifying network coverage
- Contact your insurance provider to confirm in-network surgeons
- Check if the hospital or surgical center is also in-network
- Understand any referral requirements from your primary care physician
Understanding out-of-pocket costs
- Request a detailed estimate of all associated costs
- Discuss payment plans or financial assistance options if needed
- Clarify which services might not be covered by insurance
Hospital Affiliations
Researching hospital quality and safety ratings
- Review hospital ratings on reputable healthcare quality websites
- Check for any recent safety violations or concerns
- Consider the hospital's experience and reputation for your specific procedure
Considering location and accessibility
- Evaluate the distance from your home or work
- Check for parking availability and public transportation options
- Consider the convenience for follow-up appointments and post-operative care
Seeking Second Opinions
When to seek additional medical advice
- For complex or high-risk procedures
- If you're unsure about the recommended treatment plan
- When you want to explore all possible options
How to approach getting a second opinion
- Inform your current surgeon of your intention to seek a second opinion
- Request your medical records to share with the second surgeon
- Consider consulting a surgeon with a different specialty or approach