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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. 

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.

Katherine Khalifeh, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Khalifeh was born and raised in Minnesota. She comes from a family of physicians and knew she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather by pursuing a career in surgery.

Dr. Khalifeh began her professional pursuits at Boston College, earning her Bachelor of Science. After graduation, Dr. Khalifeh earned her Master of Science from Georgetown University in Washington, District of Columbia, and her Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Khalifeh completed general surgery training at Johns Hopkins and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (formerly Washington Center Hospital) in Washington, DC.

Dr. Khalifeh has specialized training in diagnosing and treating a wide range of disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, fecal incontinence, and hemorrhoids. 

When she isn’t performing surgery or meeting with patients, Dr. Khalifeh enjoys contributing to professional medical journals. She’s also presented papers at conferences for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Khalifeh is a member of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Marwan, their two young daughters, and their dog, Bisou.

Timothy Plerhoples, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC.

Dr. Plerhoples began his professional education at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earning his undergraduate degree. After graduation, he stayed in Massachusetts, obtaining his Master of Public Health from Boston University. 

Dr. Plerhoples earned his Doctor of Medicine from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. Then, he moved west to pursue surgical training at Stanford University in Stanford, California. During that time, Dr. Plerhoples authored several journal publications about improving surgical techniques and patient care.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Plerhoples completed a surgical residency at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Annandale, Virginia, and a colorectal surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

When he isn’t in the operating suite or developing custom treatment plans, Dr. Plerhoples enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He’s also an avid guitar player, hiker, fisherman, and grill master.

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. 

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.

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.

John Tillou, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery, PC. He has wanted to be a surgeon since undergoing an operation in high school.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Tillou received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he made the Dean’s List, coached high school baseball, worked in a pathology lab, and volunteered at a free medical clinic. 

During his undergraduate studies, he earned the Bioscience Undergraduate Research Mini-grant and received the Comprehensive Chemistry Award and Undergraduate Research Scholar award.

Dr. Tillou eventually returned home to attend medical school at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he received the Dr. Graham Clark Scholarship and the Charles & Bernice McKay Scholarship.

After graduation, Dr. Tillou completed his general surgery residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed an additional colorectal surgery fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

While completing his training, Dr. Tillou co-authored several book chapters and papers. He also received the highest score on the annual colorectal training exam.

Dr. Tillou has undergone advanced training in minimally invasive, robotic, and transanal colon and rectal surgery techniques. He has a particular interest in the treatment and management of colon cancer, anal pain, and anal cancer.

In addition, Dr. Tillou holds many professional affiliations, including the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Medical Society of Virginia, and Chesapeake Colorectal Society.

Outside of work, Dr. Tillou enjoys hiking, skiing, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.

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.