Physicians
Dr. Ponec graduated from Stanford University and earned his Medical Degree at the University of Southern California. His Internal Medicine training was at UCLA. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1997. He specializes in advanced procedures – diagnostic and therapeutic EUS, Celiac plexus block and neurolysis, therapeutic ERCP, ERCP with Spyglass, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, luminal stenting, therapeutic colon polyp management, endoscopic mucosal resection.
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Makkalearn Em, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology
Dr. Em is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He did his residency and was chief resident in Internal Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. Em’s specialty is Gastroenterology, with emphasis on inflammatory bowel disease, therapeutic endoscopy and liver diseases.
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Patricia C. Kao, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology
Dr. Kao graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia. She completed her Internal Medicine residency training and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Vermont.
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Dr. Hoda was born and raised in the Willamette Valley, completed her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, and earned her medical degree at Oregon Health & Sciences University. Following medical school she spent six years at Oregon Health & Science University completing an Internal Medicine residency followed by a Gastroenterology fellowship. Dr. Hoda’s clinical and research interests include quality outcomes in colonoscopy, diseases of the colon including colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatic and biliary disease.
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Nabil Choueiri, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology
Dr. Nabil E. Choueiri is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He has been committed to excellence throughout his training and career. After obtaining his medical degree from the American University of Beirut, he completed both his Internal Medicine residency and General Gastroenterology fellowship at Saint Louis University, where he was recognized as Intern of the Year in 2005 and later served as Chief Medical Resident in 2007. In 2010, Dr. Choueiri pursued subspecialty training in advanced and therapeutic endoscopy at the University of Maryland, honing his expertise in complex diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), including Spyglass cholangioscopy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, luminal stenting, deep small-bowel single-balloon enteroscopy, and complex polyp management with endoscopic mucosal resection. These highly specialized skills enable him to provide state-of-the-art, minimally invasive endoscopic care to his patients.
Following a brief tenure on faculty at the University of Maryland, Dr. Choueiri assumed a clinical position at the Trinity Clinic in Tyler, Texas, a large multi-specialty clinic. During his tenure, he performed a high volume of therapeutic endoscopy alongside a colleague who also graduated from his alma mater. In 2015, Dr. Choueiri relocated to Salem, Oregon, with his family to be closer to their relatives. In Salem, he played a pivotal role in shaping the therapeutic endoscopy program at Salem Gastro to its current state.
Beyond the endoscopy suite, Dr. Choueiri’s life is characterized by the same precision and curiosity that define his medical practice. An avid cyclist and cross-training enthusiast, he believes that personal wellness contributes to professional excellence. When not engaged in cycling or experimenting with new sourdough and pizza dough recipes, he cherishes exploring the world with his family, seeking out serene moments on mountain trails, vibrant city streets, and family dinner tables. This harmonious balance of technical mastery and heartfelt connection shapes Dr. Choueiri’s approach to medicine: treating each patient with the depth of a specialist and the warmth that one would expect from family.
Falguny Bhavan, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology
Dr. Bhavan earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at University of Oregon in Eugene, and followed up at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon and a fellowship at Saint Louis University. After a stint in Gastroenterology at Trinity Clinic in Tyler Texas, she joined Salem Gastro in 2015.
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Nizar Senussi, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology
Dr. Senussi earned his medical degree from the University of Tripoli School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his Internal Medicine residency at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL. Further specializing, he underwent a series of fellowships, including Clinical Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, and Advanced/Transplant Hepatology at Swedish Medical Center – First Hill in Seattle, WA. He concluded his training with a formal fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Senussi practiced in Seattle, WA for a period before relocating to Oregon and joining Salem Gastroenterology.
Sandi Fields, M.D.
Board Certified Gastroenterology
Sandi Fields, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with a distinguished career spanning over 17 years. She completed her medical education at West Virginia University School of Medicine, followed by her Internal Medicine Residency, Chief Residency, and Gastroenterology Fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Fields has an impressive background in both medicine and military service, having served as a Task Force Surgeon and NATO Peacekeeper in Bosnia and Macedonia. She has also been a principal investigator in research on colorectal cancer screening and was featured on Fox’s House Calls for her expertise in fatty liver disease. Known for her compassionate approach to care, Dr. Fields is committed to helping patients achieve better digestive health. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, playing the ukulele, and scuba diving.
Shyam Dang, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Shyam Dang, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 20 years of medical experience, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of digestive disorders. He is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Dang completed his Internal Medicine Residency, Chief Residency, and Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He has held academic, hospital, and clinical roles throughout his career, including serving as an Assistant Professor at UAMS and practicing at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center and PeaceHealth Longview Medical Center before joining Salem Gastro. He believes in shared decision-making and ensuring patients feel informed and empowered in their digestive health. Whether through dietary and lifestyle guidance, medication management, or advanced procedures, Dr. Dang takes a personalized approach to every patient’s care. Outside of medicine, Dr. Dang enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring new cultures. He is also an avid sports fan and loves spending time with his family, especially watching games with his middle schoolers.
Charles Du, M.D.
Board Certified Internal Medicine
Charles H. Du, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who brings an academic foundation, procedural expertise, and a deeply human-centered approach to patient care. From preventing colon cancer through early detection to helping patients manage complex digestive conditions, Dr. Du is passionate about making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Dr. Du earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, graduating summa cum laude in Chemistry with a minor in Statistics. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, followed by Internal Medicine Residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Cook County Health in Chicago.
He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and conducted research in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). His training has included experience in both tertiary academic centers and community hospitals, equipping him to deliver high-quality care across diverse patient populations. Dr. Du works closely with each patient to provide clear explanations, shared decision-making, and individualized treatment plans. He is committed to improving access and building trust with all patients. Outside of medicine, Dr. Du enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and daughter, who are excited to make their home in the Pacific Northwest.
Eric Tatro, M.D.
Eric Tatro, MD, is a gastroenterologist who brings deep clinical expertise and a unique human-centered philosophy to digestive care. With a passion for prevention, education, and empowerment, Dr. Tatro believes in treating every patient with the same respect and diligence he would offer to a member of his own family.
Dr. Tatro earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Utah, followed by his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, where he also served as Chief Fellow. He has presented research at major national conferences, including Digestive Disease Week (DDW), and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications on topics such as variceal bleeding, gastric varices, and IBS.
Dr. Tatro is fluent in both English and Spanish and is committed to building meaningful relationships with patients from all backgrounds. His clinical interests include colorectal cancer screening, IBD, liver disease, and holistic gut health. Outside of work, Dr. Tatro is a self-proclaimed “gastroenterologist by day, gastronomist by night” who loves extravagant home cooking. He is also an avid outdoorsman, devoted husband and father of a young family, and lifelong learner with interests ranging from tabletop games to rockhounding.
