PIONEER VALLEY SURGICENTER - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Dr. Barry Slitzky is a Board Certified gastroenterologist. He received his B.S. degree from University of Rochester and his M.D. degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He then did an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at UCLA's Wadsworth VA Medical Center and a Fellowship in the Division of Digestive Diseases at Yale University. Dr. Slitzky is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Job Titles:

• Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine
• Member of the American Society for Surgery

Dr. Wintman has been in practice since 1998 and is currently in practice at the Hand Center of Western Massachusetts. He is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Wintman attended Wesleyan University, graduating with high honors in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. He completed his medical education at Harvard Medical School in 1991. He interned in General Surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, followed by a Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Harvard Combined Program working at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Children's Hospital in Boston. Following this training, he was an Orthopaedic Trauma Attending and Chief Resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital. In 1997, Dr. Wintman went on to complete a Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is currently licensed in Massachusetts. Dr. Wintman is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine and a Clinical Instructor of Orthopedics at Tufts University School of Medicine. He has also been a visiting lecturer at Westfield State College, presenting on sports-related hand injuries. He is currently on the full-time staff at Baystate Medical Center. Dr. Wintman has taken hand and upper extremity emergency calls for more than 10 years, giving him extensive experience with trauma, acute care and late reconstruction of hand and upper extremity injuries. At Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, he is on the surgical staff, participating in hand clinics, as well as lecturing and instructing on congenital and pediatric hand and upper extremity problems. Dr. Wintman also has privileges at Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, where the Hand Center has a part-time satellite office, as well as Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Dr. Wintman performs much of his outpatient surgery at Pioneer Valley Surgicenter. Dr. Wintman is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Hampden District Medical Society, the Massachusetts Orthopedic Association and the New England Hand Society. His interests include all topics related to the hand and upper extremity, including carpal tunnel syndrome, endoscopic carpal tunnel release, workers compensation injuries, arthritis, tendon problems, needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's Disease, distal biceps tendon repair, shoulder arthroscopy, congenital hand abnormalities, reconstruction and hand/wrist trauma. Dr. Wintman has been featured on WGBY's "Doctors on Call" program, discussing hand and upper extremity problems. Dr. Wintman has also appeared on "Comcast SportsNet" to discuss sports-related hand injuries. Dr. Wintman has done significant research in the field and has written numerous articles on hand surgery in peer reviewed journals, including such topics as carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist instability, hand trauma and Kienböck's disease. He is dedicated to care of the hand and upper extremity and is proud to serve the Western Massachusetts community.

Dr. Daniel Plosky obtained his medical degree from New Jersey School of Medicine and completed his Residency at Yale's New Haven Hospital. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and specializes in adult and pediatric head and neck surgery with a special interest in voice disorders and phonosurgery, lesions of the oral cavity and dysphagia due to Zenker's diverticulum.

David Berkman, MD, is an exceptional internist and gastroenterologist in Florence, Massachusetts. Dr. Berkman earned his medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York. He then completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, previously The New York Hospital, and Cornell Medical Center, also in New York City. Later completing a clinical fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Montefiore Medical Center Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, Dr. Berkman brings almost 30 years of experience to the Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates' team.

Job Titles:

• President of Springfield Medical Associates

David Kalman, MD, is an esteemed gastroenterologist in Florence, Massachusetts. Dr. Kalman earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, graduating with honors. His ambitions led him to medical school at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Kalman completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester after graduation. Previously the president of Springfield Medical Associates, Dr. Kalman lent his skill to the same practice for 17 years. The practice included all aspects of gastroenterology, liver disease, and biliary disorders, including ERCP. Dr. Kalman also served on numerous physician organization boards.

Dr. Lauren Busekroos received her M.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed her Residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Dr. Busekroos is Board Eligible by the American Board of Otolaryngology. She specializes in Adult and pediatric head and neck surgery, Obstructive sleep apnea, Facial trauma, Salivary gland disorders, Allergy diagnosis and treatment and Sinus disease.

Job Titles:

• Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine
• Member of the American Society for Surgery

Dr. Jeffrey Wint is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Wint attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and a minor in English. His medical education, completed in 1986, was at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing his medical school education at P & S, Dr. Wint interned in General Surgery for one year and completed a Residency in Orthopedic Surgery at UMDNJ- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. His orthopedic training included electives at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Following his Chief Residency year, he spent one year as a Fellow in Hand Surgery and Musculoskeletal Microsurgery at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine. There, his Fellowship was undertaken with physicians working at the Hand Center of Western New York. Dr. Wint is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine and a Clinical Instructor of Orthopedic Surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Dr. Wint is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and in the past served on the patient and public education committee. Recently, he was named to the Public Awareness Committee and to the Public Education Committee. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also a member of the New England Hand Society. As a member of the American Medical Society, the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Hampden District Medical Society, he served as a delegate to the Massachusetts Medical Society for several years. Previously, he was on the executive committee of the Hampden District. Dr. Wint cares for all topics related to the hand and upper extremity. He is especially interested in carpal tunnel syndrome, including endoscopic carpal tunnel release as well as peripheral nerve compression, hand fractures and wrist fractures and tendon injuries. His strong interest in workers compensation care has been demonstrated in his presentations to the Case Management Society of New England. His practice also involves post-traumatic reconstruction as well as congenital hand differences. Recently Dr. Wint was asked to participate in an online forum for families of children with congenital hand and upper extremity differences. Dr. Wint also offers selected patients needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's Disease. Dr. Wint has presented at national meetings with topics ranging from endoscopic carpal tunnel release to congenital hand problems. He has written several articles published locally and appeared on local news and radio promoting hand safety in our community, including Doctors on Call. Dr. Wint recently began a series of Hand Surgery Podcasts to better explain the role of surgery to his patients. His most popular podcast deals with endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery. These hand surgery podcasts are also available in iTunes.

Dr. Schreibstein is known regionally and nationally. He is a past Chair of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, where he serves on their Board of Directors. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Society of Otolaryngology and a Councilor of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He trained with Dr. Barry Jacobs at the highly regarded Boston University/Tufts University Combined Program. He has trained at the Lahey Clinic, The Children's Hospital, New England Medical Center, Boston City Hospital, the Head and Neck service at Boston Veterans Medical Center and the University Hospital in Boston. Dr. Schreibstein is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Rhinologic Society. His special interests include snoring and sleep disorders, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Dr. Joanna Sampson obtained her B.A. from Haverford College and her M.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed her Internship, Residency and Gastroenterology Fellowship at University of Vermont - Fletcher Allen Health Care. Dr. Sampson is Board Certified by in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Joseph Tassoni, Jr., MD, is a skilled gastroenterologist in Florence, Massachusetts. Dr. Tassoni earned his medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Weill Cornell Medical Center (previously the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center) near the Upper East Side of New York City. Dr. Tassoni then went on to complete his gastroenterology fellowship at New England Medical Center Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Tassoni is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He brings over 30 years of experience to Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates and has served as Chairman and Director of Medicine at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Michal Ganz, MD, is an excellent gastroenterologist serving patients in Florence, Massachusetts. A Western Massachusetts native, Dr. Ganz attended elementary through high school in the Amherst School System. Dr. Ganz completed her undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. During her junior year, she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, America's oldest academic honor society. Later, she earned a master's degree in toxicology from MIT before completing medical school at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She completed an internal medicine residency research pathway at UMass, in which she studied the immune and inflammatory pathways of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dr. Ganz had numerous publications and won numerous awards for her work. She then completed her gastroenterology fellowship - with a special focus in women's health - at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She treats all aspects of Gl and liver disease.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine

Dr. Paul Farkas received his B.A. from Brandeis University and his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. He then completed a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. Dr. Farkas is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Gastroenterology. Dr. Farkas is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Gastroenterology Association, and he is a member of American College of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Peter Weinstein obtained his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.D. from Columbia University. He did an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital's Cornell Medical Center, followed by a Gastroenterology Fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Weinstein is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

Dr. Allcroft is a graduate of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, cum laude, 1977. He was admitted into the Phi Sigma and Phi Beta Sigma Honor Societies. Dr. Allcroft graduated from Jefferson Medical Collegein Philadelphia with his Doctorate in Medicine in 1981. He finished his specialty surgical training in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1986.

Dr. Mason came to Western Massachusetts in 2002, bringing access to otologic procedures and technology previously only available in Worcester and Boston. After finishing his Residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Illinois, he went to the prestigious California Ear Institute at Stanford for two years to work with some of the nation's finest leaders in the treatment of ear-related disorders. Dr. Mason provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment modalities for the full breadth of otologic disorders for adults and children. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. His special interests include adult and pediatric cochlear implantation; Baha Bone Anchored Hearing System implantation; surgical and radiosurgical treatment of acoustic neuromas; medical and surgical treatment of chronic ear disease and cholesteatoma; surgical treatment of otosclerosis, including laser stapedotomy; diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus; vestibular disorders, including medical and surgical treatment of Meniere's disease; and migraine associated dizziness.

Job Titles:

• Board - Certified Gastroenterologist

Vikram Budhraja, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician in Florence, Massachusetts. Dr. Budhraja treats all types of gastrointestinal disorders at his practice, with a special focus on esophageal disease and colorectal cancer prevention through comprehensive screenings. After graduating from the American University of Antigua in Antigua, Barbuda, with his medical degree, Dr. Budhraja completed his internal medicine residency at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, New York City. He later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to complete his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services. Dr. Budhraja uses the latest diagnostic tools to accurately pinpoint the cause of potentially serious gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and colon polyps. Whether patients are experiencing rectal bleeding or difficulty swallowing, he can uncover the cause for the most effective treatment. Minimally invasive techniques ensure that Dr. Budhraja's patients receive comfortable, high-quality care at his office. He offers the WATS3D® computer-assisted brush biopsy endoscopy procedure to diagnose upper digestive disorders, as well as hemorrhoid banding to immediately restrict blood flow to painful hemorrhoids. Dr. Budhraja's commitment to providing expert care extends to his professional memberships. His affiliations include the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACA).