Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Caroline Sanchez, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.
Dr. Sanchez knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was a little girl. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended the renowned Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria.
During high school, Dr. Sanchez spent summers working in a laboratory at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. That experience enabled her to enroll in medical school directly after graduation as part of a combined seven-year BA/MD program at George Washington University in Washington, District of Columbia.
Dr. Sanchez thrived in the program, earning her Bachelor of Science in biology and graduating magna cum laude. Afterward, Dr. Sanchez remained at George Washington University, earning her Doctor of Medicine with distinction in 2004.
Before joining the team at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC, Dr. Sanchez completed a general surgery residency at George Washington University, and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery, at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Dr. Sanchez proudly holds membership in several professional organizations, including the Chesapeake Colorectal Society, the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Professionally, Dr. Sanchez has special interests in minimally invasive procedures and new technologies.
When she isn’t meeting with patients or contributing to medical journals, Dr. Sanchez enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.
Lawrence Stern, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.
Dr. Stern knew he wanted to pursue a career in medicine since adolescence. His first job was as an emergency medical technician (EMT) at age 16. After realizing that EMTs couldn’t establish long-term relationships with their patients, he decided to become a doctor.
Dr. Stern earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville. There, Dr. Stern discovered a passion for the technical aspects of surgery and decided to pursue general surgical training.
After obtaining his medical degree, Dr. Stern completed a general surgery residency at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. He excelled in the program, earning a National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award to conduct two years of specialty research.
Dr. Stern wanted to advance his skills in colon and rectal surgery, so he sought specialized training in the field. At the end of his residency, Dr. Stern moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and completed a Colon and Rectal Surgical Fellowship at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Since joining the team at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC, the practice has grown exponentially. Outside the office, Dr. Stern enjoys spending time with his wife and their two daughters.
Christina Cheng, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.
Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Cheng’s passion for medicine began at age 12 when her father passed away from terminal cancer. Her grandfather, a general surgeon in Taiwan, inspired her interest in surgery.
Dr. Cheng obtained her bachelor of arts from Barnard College, Columbia University in New York City, before earning her medical doctorate at Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) in New Jersey. During medical school, Dr. Cheng worked as a scholar researcher at the Crohn’s and Colitis Center of New Jersey, RWJMS.
Dr. Cheng continued her general residency at RWJMS and earned multiple achievements, including the Certificate of Excellence in Teaching, the Recognition of Outstanding Accomplishment in Women’s Health award, and the 2017 Outstanding Laparoendoscopic Resident Award.
After finishing her residency, Dr. Cheng completed her Colorectal Surgery fellowship at the Swedish Colon & Rectal Clinic in Seattle, Washington, where she trained in all aspects of colon and rectal physiology and surgery, including anorectal surgery, abdominal surgery, and endoscopy.
Dr. Cheng also received extensive training in advanced laparoscopic procedures, including Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) and robotic surgery. She specializes in diagnosing and treating colon cancer, anal pain, Crohn’s disease, and other disorders affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Along with her training, Dr. Cheng has co-authored several published papers and belongs to multiple professional organizations, including the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Medical Society of Virginia, and Chesapeake Colorectal Society.
In her spare time, Dr. Cheng enjoys running, cooking, skiing, and traveling around the world.
“Dr Cheng was excellent from my first visit 10 months ago until my last consultation two days ago. She is kind, knowledgeable and sincere.
She answered all my questions before my procedure and followed up with me afterwards in detail. I highly recommend her to anyone experiencing a cancer diagnosis in their digestive system. Exemplary skill and service is what I received .
Thank You Dr. Cheng
Sincerely,
PARickert ”
Anna Kata, MD, MAS, is a board-certified general surgeon and board-eligible colorectal surgeon-October 2024 and proctologist at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. She serves patients in and around Fairfax, Gainesville, and Lansdowne, Virginia, operating out of FCRS’s Fairfax - Merrifield, Fairfax – Gainesville/Haymarket, and Lansdowne - Loudoun offices.
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Dr. Kata recognized her passion for medicine early on while volunteering in the surgical wards of her local hospital. She saw firsthand the impact a thoughtful and well-trained physician could have on the lives of their patients. With this goal in mind, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
After graduation, Dr. Kata moved and enrolled at the University of California, San Francisco’s School of Medicine. There, she cemented her desire to become a surgeon and subsequently completed her surgical training at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.
Wanting further expertise, Dr. Kata pursued a Colon and Rectal Surgical Fellowship at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. Her training included all aspects of anorectal and abdominal surgery and endoscopy.
During her clinical training, Dr. Kata developed an interest in the issues surrounding the care of older adults undergoing surgery. To further study this topic, she obtained a master’s in Clinical Research at her alma mater, the University of California, San Francisco. She has authored several publications and presented her research at national meetings.
When she isn’t at work, Dr. Kata enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and is an avid backpacker and gardener.