University of Arizona Health Sciences Center

Surgeons Specializing in Minimally Invasive
Procedures Join UA Department of Surgery

Aug. 24, 2007
Contact: Jo Marie Gellerman, (520) 626-7219

Two surgeons fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopy have joined The University of Arizona Department of Surgery and University Physicians Healthcare.
Mike M. Nguyen, MD
Mike M. Nguyen, MD, is director of Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery and assistant professor of clinical surgery in the Section of Urology. Dr. Nguyen joined the UA after completing a fellowship in advanced laparoscopy at the prestigious Glickman Urological Institute at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Dr. Nguyen received his medical degree in 2000 from the University of California at Davis School of Medicine, where he also completed his internship and residency training in urologic surgery.

A member of the Endourological Society, American Association of Clinical Urologists, and the American Urologic Association, Dr. Nguyen has published 16 articles and honors include the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Outstanding Resident Award. His clinical expertise is in performing advanced robotic-assisted and laparoscopic urologic procedures on the prostate, bladder and kidney for both malignant and benign diseases. His research interests include research on surgical outcomes and on renal cancer.

John B. Kettelle, MD John B. Kettelle, MD, assistant professor of clinical surgery in the Section of General Surgery, specializes in general and advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery for gallbladder disease, hernias, and the GI track and he has special interest in bariatric surgery.

Dr. Kettelle graduated from the University of California Davis School of Medicine in 1997, and completed his residency at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, Calif. After finishing his residency, he stayed for an additional year as a faculty member. Dr. Kettelle was in private practice in Rhode Island until his fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at The Central California Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Fresno, Calif. Prior to medical school, Dr. Kettelle spent six years in the U.S. Navy, where he served aboard the fast-attack submarine USS William H. Bates.

Dr. Kettelle is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.

Minimally invasive procedures have potential advantages over the traditional open surgery, including less blood loss. Because laparoscopic surgery requires only a few small incisions, most patients have a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. "I am delighted The University of Arizona has been able to recruit such outstanding talent to join our surgical team," says Rainer Gruessner, MD, UA Department of Surgery chairman. "They will help to build a center of excellence in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery."

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