Department of Surgery

The Gastrointestinal Surgery team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We have extensive experience in treating diseases of the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, the gallbladder, the biliary tract, the spleen and the pancreas (the upper GI tract). The GI team emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach at the Digestive Health Care Clinic and the Markey Cancer Center.

There is a special concentration in minimally invasive surgery of the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal solid organs. Our Center for Advanced Training & Simulation (CATS) is developing and training physicians in innovative strategies for managing a host of surgical problems using minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. J. Scott Roth explains minimally invasive surgery and hernia repair on Channel 27, WKYT.

John Scott Roth, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
U.S. Surgical Corporation – Minimally Invasive Surgery Center Professorship #1
Director of Center for Advanced Training & Simulation (CATS)
Section Head, Gastrointestinal & Minimally Invasive Surgery
Phone: (859) 323-6346
E-mail: jsroth2@uky.edu

Erik Q. Ballert, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Vice Chair of VA Affairs
Chief of Surgical Services, Lexington VA Medical Center
Phone: (859) 281-4967
E-mail: eqball00@uky.edu

William Cavatassi, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Phone: (859) 323-6346
E-mail: wccava2@email.uky.edu