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News Release

Media Contact:

Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 office; 530.588.4411 cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org

Enloe welcomes GI doctor/ultrasonographer Abbasi

CHICO, Calif., Aug. 2, 2010 – Enloe Medical Center is pleased to announce the arrival of gastroenterologist Uzma Abbasi, MD, who has joined the Enloe Medical Staff and the Chico-based physician practice Digestive Disease Associates. Dr. Abbasi is the first local physician to perform endoscopic ultrasonography, a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancers.

Along with performing endoscopies, Dr. Abbasi will focus on treating gastroenterological diseases as well as diseases of the liver.

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Abbasi completed both her fellowship in Gasteroenterology and residency in Internal Medicine at the Harlem Hospital Center in New York, where she was recognized as the top member of her class each year. The hospital, affiliated with Columbia University Medical Center, selected her Intern of the Year in 2005, Junior Resident of the Year in 2006, Senior Resident of the Year in 2007 and Fellow of the Year from 2008 through 2010.

Dr. Abbasi received her MD in her native country, Pakistan, from Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore, the nation’s second-largest city.

Of her decision to leave New York City for Chico, she explains, “I grew up in a small community in Pakistan, and I really like the atmosphere here.” When she and her husband visited Chico, she said, “the community felt perfect. At Enloe, I liked everyone I met.”

Recognized at Columbia for her teaching, Dr. Abbasi has made numerous speeches and presentations. “I initially thought of going into academia,” she says, “but for now I’ll stay in private practice.”

Endoscopic ultrasonography had not been offered in Chico until Dr. Abbasi’s arrival. The procedure is similar to a standard endoscopy, only the ultrasonography probe allows Dr. Abbasi to perform live ultrasounds inside the stomach and esophagus, and at the same time conduct a biopsy of lymph nodes and/or the pancreas. She says the procedure was developed in the late 1980s and “over the past two decades has really advanced.”

Dr. Abbasi performs endoscopies at Enloe Medical Center. She sees patients in her office at 251 Cohasset Road, Suite 300. Also practicing with Digestive Disease Associates are Stephen F. Pearce, MD; Richard A. Zak, MD, and Shaheen Rasheed, MD.

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Dr. Abbasi is an independent licensed practitioner who is a member of Enloe's Medical Staff and not employed by the medical center.

Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.