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The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy: About Our Physicians

• About Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D.
  Chief, Division of Gastroenterology
  Medical Director, The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease
• About Robert P. Akbari, M.D.
• About Anita Bhushan, M.D.
• About Michael E. Cox, M.D
• About Richard A. Desi, M.D
• About Mary L. Harris, M.D
• About Scott Huber, M.D
• About Patrick Hyatt, M.D
• About Sanjay Jagannath, M.D.
• About Lynt B. Johnson, M.D.
• About Sergey V. Kantsevoy, M.D
• About Anurag Maheshwari, M.D.
• About Lisa Pichney, M.D
• About David B. Posner, M.D.
• About Debra A. Vachon, M.D

Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D.

Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D., is Chief of Gastroenterology at Mercy as well as Medical Director of The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy. He also serves as Director for The Center for Liver and Biliary Diseases. Dr. Thuluvath received his medical degree from the St. Johns Academy of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India, and his doctorate from University of Sheffield School of Medicine, England, where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hepatology. He also completed a fellowship in Gastroenterology at Cambridge University. He is accredited by the Joint Committee for Higher Medical Education of the UK for both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

Dr. Thuluvath was a lecturer at the Charing Cross & Wesminister Medical School, University of London, specializing in Hepatology and therapeutic endoscopy, before becoming a fulltime faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, in 1992. At Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, Dr. Thuluvath served in various leadership roles including Medical Director of Liver Transplantation (1994-2002, 2005-2008) and Chief of Hepatology (2005-2008).

Considered an international authority in liver and biliary diseases and pre- and post-liver transplant management, Dr. Thuluvath has published more than 150 peer reviewed papers and book chapters; edited two textbooks in the field of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases; and serves on the editorial board of numerous prestigious journals, including Hepatology, Liver Transplant, and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. As an invited speaker, he has lectured at numerous national and international meetings. Dr. Thuluvath, a skilled therapeutic endoscopist, specializes in liver disease, liver transplantation, ERCP, liver cancer, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Robert P. Akbari, M.D.

Robert P. Akbari, M.D., received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his General Surgery residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital Clinical Campus Temple University School of Medicine, Pittsburgh. Dr. Akbari completed his Endorectal Ultrasound/Research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and his Colorectal fellowship at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.  

Board Certified in Colorectal Surgery and General Surgery Dr. Akbari has numerous abstracts, chapters, and presentations to his credit. He is a member of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons and Association of Academic Surgeons as well as a candidate member of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Anita Bhushan, M.D.

Anita Bhushan, M.D., received her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College, India and completed her Categorical Internal Medicine residency at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Bhushan's areas of interests include all aspects of inflammatory bowel disease and general gastroenterology.

Dr. Bhushan completed her fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, where she also received a Certificate in Clinical Research.

Prior to joining Mercy, Dr. Bhushan served at the Mayo Clinic as a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Bhushan has presented nationally and internationally and received numerous awards and honors.

Dr. Bhushan is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterology Association and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Michael E. Cox, M.D.

Michael E. Cox, M.D., Assistant Chief of Gastroenterology, is a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School with certifications in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. His interests include the treatment of Hepatitis C, chronic abdominal pain, and patients with unresolved gastrointestinal problems. He is a clinical assistant professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland and established and served as the first medical director of one of the largest outpatient endoscopy centers in the State of Maryland.

Dr. Cox is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, as well as Maryland Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, for which he served as president from 1997 through 1999. His fellowships include the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) and American College of Physicians (FACP). He has authored numerous papers and publications.

Richard A. Desi, M.D.

Richard A. Desi, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Maryland Department of Internal Medicine. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Desi is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and American College of Gastroenterology. Dr. Desi’s areas of interests include general gastroenterology and hepatology.

Mary L. Harris, M.D.

Mary L. Harris, M.D., is the Medical Director for The Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases at Mercy. She received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in Internal Medicine. She completed her Gastroenterology fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her interests include Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, pregnancy and IBD, general endoscopy, and diarrhea. She is a member of the American Gastroenterological Society, American College of Physicians, and a member of the physician advisory committee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

At Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, Dr. Harris served in various leadership roles including serving as the Co-Director of the Fellowship Training Program (2001-2008) and Director of the Infliximab Infusion Program (1998-2008). Dr. Harris has written many peer review manuscripts as well as book chapters. As an invited speaker, she has lectured at numerous meetings. Dr. Harris is considered to be the authority on treating inflammatory bowel diseases in conjunction with pregnancy.

Scott Huber, M.D.

Scott Huber, M.D., earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine through the University of Maryland Medical System and fellowship in Gastroenterology at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. Huber conducted research on the genetic changes seen in the progression of Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal cancer while at Brown University. Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, his interests include GERD, screening for GI cancers and ulcer disease.

Dr. Huber is a member of the board of directors of the Endoscopy Center of North Baltimore,  American Gastroenterological Association,  American College of Gastroenterology, and American Society for GI Endoscopy.

Patrick Hyatt, M.D.

Patrick Hyatt, M.D., earned his medical degree at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Hyatt is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Gastroenterology. He received advanced training in therapeutic endoscopy, including endoluminal stent placement and endoscopic mucosal resection of large, flat polyps. He has numerous clinical presentations and medical publications to his credit, addressing disorders of the GI tract as well as treatments such as chemoprevention of colon cancer. Dr. Hyatt is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American College of Gastroenterology.

Sanjay Jagannath, M.D.

Sanjay Jagannath, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he received training in therapeutic endoscopy, ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasound. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Jagannath specializes in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic and biliary disorders, all gastrointestinal malignancies, and sphincter of Oddi disease.

Dr. Jagannath previously served in the Division of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins Hospital as Assistant Professor of Medicine; Director, Endoscopic Ultrasound; Director, Pancreatitis Center; and Program Director, Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship. An experienced clinician, teacher, and researcher, Dr. Jagannath has authored numerous publications, abstracts, and book chapters; served as course director of various medical courses; and spoken internationally in his areas of expertise. Dr. Jagannath is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Pancreatic Association.

Lynt B. Johnson, M.D.

Lynt B. Johnson, M.D., Senior Surgical Consultant for The Center for Liver and Biliary Disease at Mercy,  received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and a clinical fellowship in Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery at New England Deaconess Hospital. He currently serves as Chief, Division of Transplant Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center and Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Johnson has authored numerous publications, participated in editorial review boards, received many honors and awards, and has extensive teaching experience.

Sergey V. Kantsevoy, M.D., Ph.D.

Sergey V. Kantsevoy, M.D., Ph.D., specializes in Therapeutic Endoscopy. He received his medical degree from Gorky Medical Institute, Gorky, Russia. He completed his residency at both Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY, and Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Hepatology as well as Internal Medicine, Dr. Kantsevoy specializes in interventional endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound.

After completing his fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Kantsevoy served in leadership roles including Director of Endoscopy Training and Certification (2001-2008) and Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy (2005-2008). He has completed numerous peer review articles, book chapters, and white papers. As an invited lecturer, he has presented numerous talks both nationally and internationally. Additionally, Dr. Kantsevoy has been recognized as a "Top Doctor" by Castle Connolly Media through U.S. News & World Report.

Anurag Maheshwari, M.D.

Anurag Maheshwari, M.D., completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology as well as an advanced fellowship in Transplant Hepatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  He also served as a junior faculty member in the division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Maheshwari received his medical degree from the University of Bombay, India, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Thereafter, he worked as a practicing internist for a few years before his pursuit of advanced training. 
                                                                                  
Dr. Maheshwari has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has many presentations to his credit including invited talks at various conferences and hospital grand rounds around the country. He is a member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Lisa Pichney, M.D.

Lisa Pichney, M.D., received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and her fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Maryland Hospital/Baltimore V.A. Medical Center. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Pichney currently serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine in Gastroenterology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her expertise and focus of interest is colon cancer screening and prevention. She gives many community-based lectures on the subject and works with the Baltimore County Colorectal Cancer Program bringing needed screening services to the under-insured.

Dr. Pichney serves on the Board of Governors of the Maryland Endoscopy Center, is President of the Maryland Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and is a Physician Member of Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. She is a member of various medical associations, including Med-Chi of Maryland, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy, American College of Physicians, and Baltimore County Medical Association, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians/ASIM and American College of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Pichney's primary office is located at Mercy's Lutherville Personal Physicians site at the corner of York and Ridgely Roads in Lutherville. (410-252-2273)

David B. Posner, M.D.

David B. Posner, M.D., is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Posner is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Gastroenterology. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Society, and American College of Gastroenterology as well as American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and Baltimore City Medical Society. Dr. Posner is past president of the Maryland Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. Posner has served as Mercy's Chief of Gastroenterology. For the past 20 years, Dr. Posner has taught students and residents from the University of Maryland. As Attending Physician at Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Posner teaches residents in medicine and surgery and received the Outstanding Physician-Teacher Award in 1982. He has authored numerous abstracts and publications.

Debra A. Vachon, M.D.

Debra A. Vachon, M.D., is Surgical Director for The Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases. She received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Board Certified in both general surgery and colon-rectal surgery, Dr. Vachon is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. She also is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Baltimore Academy of Surgery, Chesapeake Colon and Rectal Surgical Society, and the University of Maryland Surgical Society.

Dr. Vachon previously served as the Director of The Colon and Rectal Center at Mercy, which offered patients one of the first comprehensive, multi-disciplinary programs in the region dedicated to fighting colon and rectal disease. She has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Department of Surgery. Dr. Vachon has authored numerous articles and has lectured on various topics, including the Delorme procedure for complete rectal prolapse in severely debilitated patients and the Delorme procedure for rectal prolapse in the poor risk surgical patient.

Dr. Vachon also was named by Baltimore Magazine a "Top Doctor" in the Colon and Rectal Surgery specialty.

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