Course Directors
Jack Brandabur, M.D. and Kunjali T. Padhya are reuniting again to bring attendees another outstanding program this year.
Jack Brandabur, M.D., FASGE
General and Interventional GI
Prosser Memorial Health
Dr. Brandabur is currently practicing General and Interventional GI at Prosser Memorial Health. Dr. Brandabur pursued his undergraduate studies at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He attended Medical School at the University of Cincinnati. He then completed Internal Medicine residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. He subsequently trained in Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. For many years, he served as the Co Executive Director, Providence Cancer and Digestive Health Institute. He was also with the Interventional Endoscopy group at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, WA. Clinical interests include Interventional Endoscopic procedures, Inflammatory Bowel disease, GI malignancies, and esophageal disease.
Kunjali T. Padhya, M.D., FACG
Medical Director-Endoscopy
Providence Swedish Medical Center
Speakers
Blaire Burman, M.D.
UW Medical Center - Northwest Digestive Health Clinic
Blaire Burman, MD has been in practice as a clinical gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Seattle for over ten years and is currently an associate professor of medicine and gastroenterology based at UW Medical Center - Northwest.
She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine training in New York at Columbia Presbyterian, and her Gastroenterology fellowship at University of California San Francisco. She was a Section Chief of GI at Virginia Mason Medical Center before joining UW Medicine in 2025.
Dr. Burman has been a primary investigator on several hepatology clinical trials and incorporates guideline-based care with cutting-edge clinical advances to improve patient outcomes. She approaches patient care with respect and compassion, building a therapeutic partnership and empowering patients to take the lead in their own healthcare. Her clinical and research interests include viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, metabolic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and palliative medicine. In addition, she loves GI endoscopy and colon cancer screening and prevention.
Jason W. Harper M.D.
IBD Center, Swedish Health Services
Growing up in the DC metro area, Dr. Harper attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate studies, and Columbia University for medical school. He completed his internal medicine and gastroenterology training at the University of Washington, and has been in the PNW ever since. After many years at the University of Washington, where he was an associate professor running a dedicated IBD program at Harborview Medical Center, he is the current medical director of the IBD Center at Swedish. He has also completed training in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona, and in nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Informed by these various modalities, he is interested in the intersection between the use of pharmacotherapy and lifestyle changes in the management of individuals with IBD. If not working or spending time with his family, you would likely find him either on a run, in the kitchen trying something new, or hiding in his gaming cave.
Rachel Issaka, M.D., MAS
Fred Hutch / University of Washington
Dr. Rachel Issaka is a Gastroenterologist, Associate Professor, and the Kathryn Surace-Smith Endowed Chair in Health Equity Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC) and the University of Washington (UW). She is the Director of the FHCC/UW Medicine Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. Dr. Issaka’s research focuses on improving outcomes across the colorectal cancer care continuum, including equitable access to screening and follow-up of non-invasive screening tests. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the American College of Gastroenterology.
Dr. Issaka has contributed to national medical practice guidelines for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT).
Dr. Issaka completed her gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco where she also earned a master’s in clinical research. She completed her internal medicine residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she served as chief resident and obtained her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School.
Calvin Kiani, M.D.
Swedish Health Services
Dr. Kiani is transplant hepatologist at Swedish transplant center. His passion in medicine is hepatology and his favorite topic and main area of expertise in hepatology are alcohol-related liver disease and liver transplant. He has been involved in alcohol-related liver disease research for more than a decade including basic science, translational, and clinical research. He is also the lead hepatologist for the Alpha 1 foundation in the Pacific northwest to provide dedicated care to patients with A1AT deficiency.
Rajesh Krishnamoorthi, M.D.
Medical Director, Therapeutic Endoscopy
Swedish Digestive Health | Swedish Gastroenterology
Rachel Kutteruf, M.D.
Medical Director, Providence-Swedish Preadmission Clinic
Anesthesiologist, USAP-Washington
Dr. Rachel Kutteruf is the Medical Director of the Providence-Swedish Preadmission Clinic and an anesthesiologist at USAP-WA. She is originally from Idaho and obtained her undergraduate degree in Economics and Psychology from Claremont McKenna College. Prior to beginning her medical career, Dr. Kutteruf worked in business consulting. She attended medical school at George Washington University and completed her anesthesiology residency at Northwestern University. She came to Seattle for her Neuroanesthesiology fellowship at University of Washington and joined USAP-WA upon completion of her training. Dr. Kutteruf’s clinical areas of interest include anesthesia for complex spine surgery and vascular neurosurgery, and perioperative patient optimization. In her free time, she loves running, reading, and traveling with her husband and two children.
Sravanthi Parasa, M.D.
Swedish Health Services
Dr. Parasa believes that the physician/patient relationship is crucial to accomplishing best outcomes, and strives to provide patients with accurate, up-to-date information about their condition and diagnosis. As a gastroenterologist, she applies best practices and judgement, along with the latest technologies to improve patient outcomes. Her background in research, health care quality and costs, give her unique insights in disease management. Dr. Parasa is interested in understanding the natural history, epidemiology and risk factors involved in the progression of various gastrointestinal disorders, and has published several papers related to these interests.
Dr. Parasa serves as a director of ISDE (The Society for Diseases of the Esophagus). Her efforts foster the development of the next generation of esophagologists, equipping them with the skills to handle the multidisciplinary and global challenges of modern healthcare, underscored by technology and innovation.
Amarnath V. Ramakrishnan, M.D.
Swedish Health Services
Medical Director | Swedish Gastroenterology
Ballard| Edmonds | First Hill | Issaquah | Redmond
Chief of Medicine | Swedish Medical Center Issaquah
Dr. Ramakrishnan most recently received the 2024 Gastroenterology Seattle Top Doc designation and has received this award for multiple consecutive years.
Dr Ramakrishnan firmly believes that a clinician should not only possesses strong medical knowledge and skills but also actively demonstrate compassion and empathy when treating patients and prioritize their well-being with a thorough understanding of individual needs and concerns. Having more than 24 years of diverse experience in the field of gastroenterology, Dr. Ramakrishnan affiliates with all Swedish Medical Center campuses.
He was the recipient of the 2024 APC (advanced practice clinician) Physician Champion Award which serves as a testament to his outstanding leadership, collaboration, and advocacy in supporting the vital role and contributions of Advanced Practice Clinicians in healthcare delivery.
Harry L. Teicher, M.D.
Swedish Health Services
Dr. Teicher completed his residency at UW Medical Center, and Chief Residency at Seattle WA. He completed a GI/Hepatology Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and UW Medical Center. Dr. Teicher is currently a gastroenterologist at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. He is active in the community and served as President of the Pacific Northwest Gastroenterology Society for two terms, and is currently the Director of the Board. Dr. Teicher is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UW Division of Gastroenterology. He partners closely with his patients to achieve the best health care for them. His job is to be an avid listener, an up to the minute educator, to be there whenever needed, and to be as comforting a presence as possible. Being a physician is more about building trust and personal relationship than science and technology.
John C. Versnel III
Partner, Wilson Elser
Having practiced for over 37 years, John Versnel is a seasoned litigator who represents clients in a broad range of complex litigation matters. His practice focuses on defending professionals in malpractice actions and licensing matters. Additionally, John has extensive experience representing employers and businesses in employment law litigation. John advises clients throughout all stages of litigation with meticulous attention to detail, securing victories at the trial and appellate levels, as well as before regulatory boards.