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Dhruv Lowe, MD, is an experienced, board-certified physician specializing in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Internal Medicine. He sees patients at Gastro Center of Maryland's location in Riverdale and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

With a passion for providing exceptional patient care, Dr. Lowe treats a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, such as acid-reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, gastritis, celiac disease, liver disease, and other common gastrointestinal ailments utilizing the latest advancements in the field.

Dr. Lowe approaches each patient as a unique individual, tailoring treatment plans to their specific needs. He values a patient-centered approach and strives to establish strong doctor-patient relationships built on trust, empathy, and respect. His goal is to empower patients with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Dr. Lowe earned his medical degree from Maulana Aazad Medical College in New Delhi, India, a leading medical institute in the country. Following that, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. His extensive training has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the field and a commitment to providing evidence-based medical care.

Passionate about advancing medical knowledge, Dr. Lowe has presented at national gastroenterology conferences and has authored numerous review articles and clinical research papers in esteemed peer-reviewed publications.

During his free time, Dr. Lowe enjoys playing tennis, hiking and exploring new food places with his wife and kids.

If you're seeking compassionate, personalized care for your gastrointestinal health, Dr. Lowe is ready to provide exceptional medical expertise and support on your journey to wellness.

Gastro Center of Maryland, with locations in Annapolis, Columbia, Olney, Riverdale, Timonium and Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a medical facility that offers treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal and liver disorders:

• Management of a complete range of Gastrointestinal, Liver and Pancreatic disorders, including Acid reflux/GERD, Stomach ulcers, Celiac disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, Colitis & Crohn’s Disease, Liver disease, Hemorrhoids and Constipation, Rectal bleeding etc.
• Onsite Ambulatory Surgery Centers with State of the Art HD equipment, GI Genius™GIQuiC participation, and with accreditation from the Accreditation Associates for Abulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC.)
• Innovative and cutting edge Diagnostics and Medical Treatment- including Bravo pH Testing, PillCam SB Capsule Endoscopy, STRETTA anti-reflux procedure, Orbera intragastric balloon procedure for weight loss and more.
• IBD Infusion Center for Biologic (Remicade, Entyvio, Stelara) and Injectafer infusions.

These are only a few of the many gastrointestinal conditions treated on a regular basis. Patients are offered individualized treatment plans based on state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and techniques that provide them with accurate and complete information. The professional staff at the facility have many years of experience to provide their patients with the most innovative and advanced treatments possible. The Providers focus on a comprehensive and Integrative treatment plan.

Gastro Center of Maryland is currently welcoming new patients, call or book an appointment online today!

Dabo Xu, MD, is a board-certified physician in gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine at the Gastro Center of Maryland, with locations in Annapolis, Columbia, Olney, Riverdale, Timonium and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Dr. Xu treats a wide variety of conditions at the practice, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon cancer, liver disease, and other gastrointestinal conditions. 

Dr. Xu completed his medical residency at St. Agnes Hospital, as well as a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan. He has conducted clinical and translational research on several topics, such as GERD, intestinal inflammation, liver diseases and cancers, and gastrointestinal pharmacology. His works were published in the most prestigious gastroenterology journals and presented at national and international medical conferences.

He has more than 20 years of clinical experience in gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Xu has a special interest in preventive care, often working alongside patients to prevent disease and improve their quality of life through precise and effective personalized treatments.

With a passion and dedication to patient experiences, Dr. Xu believes it’s important to build relationships with those in his care and enjoys helping patients find better health and wellness.

Dr. Thi Khuc, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Gastro Center of Maryland's location in Riverdale, Maryland. Trained with expertise in evidence-based medicine and clinical research by national and international authorities in the field, Dr. Khuc is committed to providing quality, personalized patient care. Dr. Khuc values her patients’ opinions in the medical decision-making process.

Dr. Khuc completed her medical degree at the University of Virginia, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Loma Linda University in California. Thereafter, she completed her Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship under the Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Maryland and Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She was elected as a 2023 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Innovations Fellow for the Center for GI Innovation and Technology and is currently a member of the AGA and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

Dr. Khuc is skilled in colonoscopy, endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy and esophageal manometry and breath testing interpretation. She treats a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including colorectal cancer screening, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, microscopic colitis, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), constipation, infectious diarrheal disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

In her spare time, Dr. Khuc enjoys painting, traveling, and trying new ice cream flavors with her family and friends.

Farzin Rashti, MD, FACP, is Board Certified in Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Internal Medicine and is dedicated to offering his patients superior personalized care in a respectful and supportive environment. He sees his patients at Gastro Center of Maryland’s office in Riverdale, Maryland.

Dr. Rashti works toward developing a partnership with his patients and forms a unique connection, which allows for a more individualized and targeted treatment plan.

Dr. Rashti received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine. He completed an internship year at the Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center and completed his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Rashti has authored numerous scholarly articles and book chapters and has presented his research at national gastroenterology medical conferences. He has helped design and establish protocols for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium Difficile infections. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is a member of the American Medical Association, American Gastroenterological Association, and American College of Gastroenterology.

He treats patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), acid reflux and GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, liver disease, biliopancreatic disorders, Celiac Disease, and Clostridium Difficile infections, in addition to many other ailments. Dr. Rashti specializes in performing advanced endoscopic procedures including Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP), Single Balloon Enteroscopy, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), Overstitch (endoscopic suturing), and the removal of advanced lesions.

Dr Urooj Ahmed is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over twenty years of experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. He is available to see patients now at Gastro Center of Maryland at their Columbia, Olney and Annapolis locations.

Dr Ahmed completed Internal Medicine Residency from St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University, New York and gastroenterology & hepatology fellowship from Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. He participated in a number of research studied and completed additional advance fellowship training.

Dr Ahmed is committed to providing personalized and compassionate care to his patients. He specializes in managing a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions including peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, pancreaticobiliary disorders, constipation, Celiac disease, GI bleeding, liver disease as well as colorectal cancer screening and more according to the latest medical advancements. He performs various endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures and tries to ensure that his patients receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Dr Ahmed is a member of American College of Gastroenterology. He regularly attends national as well as international meetings to keep himself up to date with the latest advances in gastrointestinal and liver disease management to be available for his patients. His patient-first approach ensures that each individual receives a thoughtful, evidence -based personalized care to achieve optimal digestive health and better quality of life.

Pia Prakash, MD, is a leading physician at the Gastro Center of Maryland in Columbia and Olney, Maryland. She is board certified in both gastroenterology and hepatology and is passionate about offering her patients personalized, compassionate care that meets their treatment goals.

Dr. Prakash studied medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. After graduating, she completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology, both at George Washington University. Dr. Prakash has also participated in a number of research studies, primarily focusing on colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), women’s health, and the impacts of celiac disease.

Now at the Gastro Center of Maryland, Dr. Prakash treats a wide variety of conditions, including acid reflux, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and constipation. She also specializes in the placement of Orbera intragastric balloon for weight loss. Additionally, she frequently treats acute and chronic liver disease. Dr. Prakash specializes in the use of capsule endoscopy in diagnosis, also known as PillCam®.

Dr. Rai is considered a national thought leader and expert in the field of Gastroenterology and liver disease. He was named a Baltimore Magazine top doctor in 2016, 2017 and 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and a Washingtonian Magazine top doctor in 2018 and 2020.

Dr. Rai currently serves as the medical director at the gastro center of Maryland. He has served on the medical faculty at Johns Hopkins University in the division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology for more than 12 years, where he served as Medical Director of adult liver transplantation. He is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, with over 22 years of experience. He completed his Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in 1996 and completed an additional year of Advanced Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Rai presents regularly at national and regional meetings and has received many awards including Excellence in Clinical Research Award from the American College of Gastroenterology, Passano Clinician Scientist Award from Johns Hopkins University, Industry Research Scholar Award & Astra-Merck Award from the American Digestive Health Foundation, among others. He has published dozens of scholarly articles in peer reviewed journals and authored many chapters for medical textbooks. He has performed over 100,000 procedures in this field and pioneered new and innovative medical techniques.

Dr. Mamunes, MD, is one of the skilled gastroenterologists practicing at Gastro Center of Maryland, which has locations in Columbia, Annapolis, Olney, Riverdale, and Lutherville, Maryland. 

Dr. Mamunes grew up in Maryland, attending the University of Maryland, College Park and subsequently completing his medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. There he graduated summa cum laude and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During this time, he contributed to multiple research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals, spanning topics from endoscopic practices to inflammatory bowel disease. He is currently a member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

Dr. Mamunes treats a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, acid reflux, fatty liver disease, colon cancer screening, celiac disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis. He is skilled in endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and video capsule endoscopy.

In his free time, Dr. Mamunes enjoys hiking, music, and spending time with his wife and dog

Eduardo Castillo, MD, is a board-certified physician, with specialties in both gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Castillo is committed to treating his patients with an exemplary level of care in a family atmosphere and is proud to offer his skills at the Gastro Center of Maryland located in Columbia and Olney, Maryland.

Originally from Lima, Peru, Dr. Castillo received his medical degree from Lima’s prestigious Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. He then traveled to Detroit, Michigan, for an internship, residency, and fellowship at the Henry Ford Hospital, where he served as chief medical resident of internal medicine and chief fellow for gastroenterology.

Dr. Castillo has conducted a wide range of research on digestive issues, as well as liver cancer, cirrhosis, microscopic colitis, and peptic ulcer disease. In addition to being widely published, Dr. Castillo has presented his findings at national medical conferences. He’s also a member of the American Medical Association, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American College of Gastroenterology, and is board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology.

Dr. Castillo has a special interest in treating and preventing colon cancer, as well as treating hepatitis C, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, and clostridium difficile infection.

Praveena G. Velamati, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and Odenton, Maryland.

Dr. Velamati completed an accelerated bachelor's and medical degree program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, followed by her internal medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

She then pursued her gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as chief fellow during her final year and received the Service Excellence Award for outstanding patient care and compassion. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Velamati also published scientific papers in the fields of digestive diseases and hepatology. 

Dr. Velamati specializes in general gastroenterology with a focus on women’s health issues. Board certified in gastroenterology, she was voted Top Docs from 2015-2016 for gastroenterology by What’s Up? Magazine – Annapolis by area physicians.

Dr. Velamati has lived in the area for over 10 years with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and football.

living in and around Annapolis, Odenton, and Greenbelt, Maryland.

Raza Hasan, MD, is a highly skilled gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. He is proud to provide compassionate, dedicated care to patients living in and around the Pasadena, Maryland, area. Dr. Hasan's particular areas of interest include gastrointestinal motility disorders, esophageal disease, and colon cancer prevention. 

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Hasan attended an accelerated six-year combined bachelor and medical degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and subsequently graduated magna cum laude.

Dr. Hasan completed his internship and residency at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

In his free time, Dr. Hasan loves to travel abroad and has a checklist of trying to swim in every large body of water in the world.

Dr. Hasan is currently accepting new patients and welcomes new patients to Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. Schedule an appointment by calling or booking a consultation online today.

Patryk Madrid, DNP, FNP-C, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and surrounding areas.

Dr. Madrid completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and at Warner Pacific University in Nursing. He received his nurse practitioner doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Madrid has worked in several healthcare roles for over 15 years including endoscopy, oncology, education, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, and military healthcare administration. Dr. Madrid is a member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Most recently, Dr. Madrid held a faculty position with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing teaching gastroenterology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and other nursing education.

Dr. Madrid strives to deliver high-quality healthcare that is empathetic, comprehensive, and equitable. His clinical approach is integrative with an understanding that treatment plans are uniquely tailored to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Madrid enjoys reading comics, indoor cycling, being outside, and spending time with his husband, dogs, and cats.

Patryk Madrid, DNP, FNP-C, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., serving patients in Annapolis and surrounding areas.

Dr. Madrid completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and at Warner Pacific University in Nursing. He received his nurse practitioner doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Madrid has worked in several healthcare roles for over 15 years including endoscopy, oncology, education, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, and military healthcare administration. Dr. Madrid is a member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Most recently, Dr. Madrid held a faculty position with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing teaching gastroenterology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and other nursing education.

Dr. Madrid strives to deliver high-quality healthcare that is empathetic, comprehensive, and equitable. His clinical approach is integrative with an understanding that treatment plans are uniquely tailored to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Madrid enjoys reading comics, indoor cycling, being outside, and spending time with his husband, dogs, and cats.

Mark Flasar, MD, MS, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Pasadena, Maryland. Dr. Flasar advocates using patient education to inform shared decision-making and has a special interest in inflammatory bowel diseases, small intestine disorders, and general gastroenterology. 

A local Marylander, Dr. Flasar graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1996. A committed Terrapin, he earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

Dr. Flasar completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University before returning to the University of Maryland in 2004 for his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship. While there, he obtained a master’s degree in clinical research and completed an externship in inflammatory bowel diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

At the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Flasar has been a faculty member in addition to serving as the associate director of the inflammatory bowel disease program and a fellowship training director in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He has held national leadership positions within the American Gastroenterology Association and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. He also serves as a review and section editor for several scientific journals. 

Dr. Flasar found his calling in medicine and narrowly escaped attending art school. In his free time, he is passionate about local sports.

Thomas L. Simcox, MD, is proud to provide comprehensive gastroenterology care at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Kent Island, Maryland. Board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Simcox's areas of interest include acid reflux, gastrointestinal malignancies, and liver disorders.

Born and raised in northern California, Dr. Simcox graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2002 and subsequently spent 18 months in a genetics research lab. He moved to Virginia to attend Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. 

Dr. Simcox completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He then completed his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship training with the University of Maryland and the National Institutes of Health Scholars program. Dr. Simcox has presented his research in gastrointestinal disorders at the nation's largest gastroenterology conferences. 

He lives in Annapolis with his wife, who is a pediatrician at Annapolis Pediatrics. He enjoys travel, snow and water sports, and running.

Board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Christopher A. Olenec, MD, serves patients at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Olenec's areas of interest include gastrointestinal malignancies and advanced endoscopic procedures including endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP, and endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s esophagus.

Dr. Olenec graduated from Northwestern University and the Notre Dame Law School. After law school, he worked in Washington, DC, in health care policy prior to attending medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois. 

After medical school, Dr. Olenec completed his internship and internal medicine residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He returned to Rush University Medical Center for his gastroenterology fellowship, where he received specialized training in interventional procedures, including endoscopic ultrasound. 

Dr. Olenec worked as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin and in private practice at Sarasota Memorial Hospital prior to joining Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Olenec played water polo in college, has competed in marathons, and has completed an Ironman triathlon.

Raja Taunk, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He provides a wide range of gastroenterology care at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. in Annapolis and Bowie, Maryland. 

Raised in New Jersey, Dr. Taunk graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where he competed on the crew team. He then earned his medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 

Dr. Taunk completed his internal medicine residency at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, followed by fellowship training in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. He has authored scientific papers and book chapters, conducted research, and lectured in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. He was also featured and invited to speak on the Dr. Oz television show. 

Dr. Taunk holds a national leadership position on the ethics committee of the American Gastroenterological Association. His areas of interest include inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer screening, acid reflux, and complex polypectomy.

Dr. Taunk is an avid traveler and has run with the bulls in Spain. He is a certified scuba diver, a novice golfer, and an avid sports fan.