• GW Gastrointestinal Cancer Program
  • National Leader in Colon and Rectal Surgery

  • The GW Cancer Center houses the Robotic Colorectal Program has earned the distinction of being named a Colorectal Epicenter. Surgeons from throughout the nation will visit the GW Cancer Center and learn from Vincent Obias, MD, Director of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. The GW Hospital was the first in the region to use the da Vinci system for robotic colon and rectal surgery.

Program Information

Colorectal Surgery Using the da Vinci® Robot 

The use of robotic surgery has a long history at GW Hospital. It was the first in DC to have the da Vinci robot and to use it for prostate cancer surgery. In 2009, GW Hospital became the first in the region to use the da Vinci system for robotic colon and rectal surgery.

During a robotic colectomy, surgeons remove cancerous portions of the colon and rectum, as well as benign tumors and polyps. A robot-assisted approach provides surgeons with the tools to more easily connect the two ends of the colon after the cancer has been removed. The procedure can be completed with a few tiny incisions, rather than the one long incision used in traditional open colon surgery.

Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform complex rectal cancer surgery, which had been extremely challenging, in a minimally invasive manner. The robot provides improved visualization of the surgical site through 3D magnification, enhanced dexterity for manipulation and dissection of tissue, and greater precision.

Meet Our Team

Tara Biagi
Genetic Counselor
Specialty: Cancer & Blood Disorders
Interests: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Hereditary colon cancer
Marie Borum, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Director, Division of Gastroenterology
Specialty: Digestive Disorders, Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases
Interests: Colon Cancer, Ulcer Disease, Liver Disease, AIDS, GI Health for Women and Minorities, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Fred Brody headshot photo
Fredrick Brody, M.D.
Specialty: Bariatric Surgery Center, Digestive Disorders, General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery
Matthew Chandler, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Specialty: Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases
Interests: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colon Cancer Screening
Denise Johnstone, NP-BC
Clinical Director, Bariatric Surgery Program, Senior Nurse Practitioner
Specialty: Bariatric Surgery Center, General Surgery
Interests: Surgical oncology, Bariatric surgery, General surgery
George Kim, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Interests: <meta charset="utf-8" />GI Oncology - Colorectal, Pancreas, Liver and Gastric Esophagus Cancers
Anita Kumar, M.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Gastroenterology
Specialty: Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases
Interests: Preventative health, Women's gastrointestinal health, Diseases of the esophagus stomach and small bowel, Diseases of the colon
Juliet Lee, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Clerkship Director, Director, Undergraduate Surgical Education
Specialty: Bariatric Surgery Center, General Surgery, Surgery, Trauma Center
Interests: Breast Surgery, Trauma, Abdominal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Paul Lin, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, Chief, Division of General Surgery, Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Specialty: Bariatric Surgery Center, General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Trauma Center
Interests: Pancreas, Surgical Oncology, Liver, Hepatobiliary and Bariatric Surgery
Lauren Mauro, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Specialty: Breast Center, Cancer & Blood Disorders
Interests: Breast Oncology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, General Hematology
Vincent Obias, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Chair, Robotics Committee GW Hospital
Specialty: Center for Pelvic Health, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Surgery
Interests: Rectal Prolapse, Natural Orifice Surgery, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Colon & Rectal, Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hermorrhoids, Polyp Disease, Familial Polyposis Syndrome, Diverticulitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Anal Fistula & Fissure
Antoinette Saddler, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Specialty: Digestive Disorders, Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases
Interests: Short Bowel Syndrome, Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and General Gastroenterology, Gastroparesis
Elizabeth Stark, MS
Genetic Counselor
Specialty: Cancer & Blood Disorders
Interests: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
Susan Stein, M.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery
Specialty: Center for Pelvic Health, Colon & Rectal Surgery
Interests: Anorectal Surgery (Hemorrhoids, Fistulas, Fissures) Pelvic Floor Diagnosis and treatment for Fecal Incontinence, Obstructed Defecation, and Rectal Prolapse Colonoscopy and Colonic Surgery Laproscopic and Open for Benign and Malignant problems
Bindu Umapathi
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Interests: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Anorectal Disorders including:Hemorrhoids, Fissures, Pelvic Floor Disorders
Khashayar Vaziri, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery, Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Specialty: Bariatric Surgery Center, Doctors International, General Surgery, Surgery, Trauma Center
Interests: Laparoscopic Foregut and Anti-Reflux Surgery, Achalasia, Paraesophageal and Hiatal Hernias, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gastric and Bariatric Surgery, Adrenal and Splenic Disease
Steven Zeddun, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Specialty: Digestive Disorders, Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases
Interests: Biliary and Pancreatic Disorders, Interventional Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Cancers, Gastroesophageal Reflux

Info for Patients

GWCC Gastrointestinal Cancer Program
22nd & I Street, NW 3rd Floor
Washington , DC
United States

Schedule an Appointment

202-741-3333