Re: To Carolyn + Pilligrini

[Guest guest]

I am not Carolyn, but I do know that Dr. Pilligrini is a

very well known doctor who is presently at the University

of Washington. I went to the University and found the

following information. I thought I'd post it in case there

are any lurkers out there that live in or near Seattle.

Maggie

EXPERTISE: A. Pellegrini, M.D., received his M.D. in 1971 from the University of rio Medical School in Argentina, where he also completed an internship and residency in general surgery. After coming to the United States, he completed a second surgery residency at the University of Chicago followed by a fellowship with special interest in the esophagus. Dr. Pellegrini was appointed to the surgery faculty at the University of California, San Francisco in 1979. There, he created the Center for the Study of Gastrointestinal Motility and Secretions, a clinical laboratory with a focus on foregut physiology. He became a Professor of Surgery in 1989, and was for several years Chief of the Blue Surgery Service. In 1993, Dr. Pellegrini was appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. Very soon after taking on this responsibility, and working closely with the UW Development Office, Dr. Pellegrini forged an important industry relationship for the purpose of establishing and supporting the Center for Videoendoscopic Surgery. This Center, co-directed by Dr. Mika Sinanan, serves as a training arena for residents and for physicians from all parts of the world who are interested in becoming proficient in the techniques and philosophy of video endoscopic surgery. In 1995, Dr. Pellegrini established the Swallowing Center, a state-of-the-art diagnostic facility and research arm which will further our understanding of gastroesophageal reflux disease and other disorders related to swallowing.Working in combination, these two centers have attracted a large number of patients, from both the state of Washington and beyond, who have swallowing problems and wish to be evaluated and treated using minimally invasive techniques (or other techniques if needed). As a result, over the last three years approximately 250 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and nearly 100 patients with abnormalities of motor function of the esophagus have been evaluated and operated on. The steady flow of patients has made these centers an ideal training ground for individuals willing to learn physiology, pathology and management of esophageal disorders. This large experience also provides opportunities to develop outcome studies and other research projects related to these problems.Dr. Pellegrini has recently been appointed as the Henry N. Harkins Professor and Chairman; as such, his commitment is to support new research in gastrointestinal and oncological surgery.