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.
Francis Essien, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.
Dr. Essien's zeal for the art and science of medicine and surgery began as a teenager at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
An interest in providing excellent patient care brought Dr. Essien to the United States to pursue a natural calling in the surgical specialty.
Passionate about cutting-edge, advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical technology, Dr. Essien’s knowledge and expertise give patients the advantage of a faster recovery.
The surgeon’s more cosmetic approach also offers less pain and a quicker return to a happier and more productive lifestyle.
Dr. Essien is highly skilled in various procedures, most frequently performing laparoscopic surgery for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, laparoscopic hernia repairs, hiatal hernia repairs, minimally invasive endocrine surgery, laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and laparoscopic colon resections for benign and malignant conditions.
Dr. Essien also performs laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and revision bariatric procedures.
With a passion for Bariatric surgery, Dr. Essien helps patients achieve their goals of a healthier weight while eliminating the medical illnesses associated with excessive weight and enjoying a better quality of life.
Dr. Essien believes in an individualized and holistic approach to improving the health and wellness of patients.
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Essien enjoys spending time with family at home, cooking, traveling, cycling, and playing golf.
I am a board-certified general and vascular surgeon affiliated with Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates. Raised in Brazil, I'm fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. My passion for science, teaching and helping others led me to medicine, and I discovered my calling in surgery during anatomy class.
After graduating from the Federal University os Santa Catarina in Brazil, I continued my education in New York, completing residency in general surgery and a vascular surgery fellowship on the East Coast. Opting for warmer climate of California, I've been treating vascular diseases for over two decades, cherishing the connection with my patients. I prioritize lasting cardiovascular health beyond surgical interventions. Recently, I joined the faculty at the UHS General Surgery Residency program, where I stay updated on vascular surgery developments while enjoying teaching.
Outside of work, I endulge in cooking, hiking and tennis with family and friends.
Hege Johnsen, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, providing complete surgical care to patients in Wildomar, Temecula, Hemet, and Menifee, California.
Dr. Johnsen studied at Albert Szent-Gyorgi Medical University in Szeged, Hungary, earning her medical degree. She then moved to the United States and completed a residency in general surgery.
Dr. Johnsen brings more than 20 years of experience to the practice. She specializes in general surgery but has a special interest in breast surgery and inguinal hernia repair without mesh (shouldice procedure).
Outside of Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, Dr. Johnsen holds appointments at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, California; Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, California; Menifee Valley Hospital in Menifee, California; and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California; and Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Dr. Johnsen is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She speaks English and Norwegian fluently, allowing her to serve the practice’s diverse clientele.
Dr. Johnsen welcomes anyone needing general, breast surgery, hernia repair or cholecystectomy to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today.
Bolaji Nafiu, MD, FACS, is a double-board-certified vascular surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.
Dr. Nafiu studied at the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria, earning his medical degree. After graduation, he moved to the United States. He completed a general surgery residency at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Willowbrook, California, and a vascular surgery fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
As a general and vascular surgeon, Dr. Nafiu treats various medical conditions, including blood clots, carotid artery disease, and chronic venous insufficiency. He also treats aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease.
He holds privileges at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, California; Rancho Springs Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta in Murrieta, California; and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California.
Dr. Nafiu is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. He welcomes anyone needing vascular or general surgery to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today.
Craig Owens, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.
Dr. Owens studied at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, earning his medical degree. Then, he completed a transitional year internship at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Before entering private practice, Dr. Owens completed a general surgery residency at the Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium in Loma Linda, California, receiving extensive training in all aspects of surgical care.
Dr. Owens is knowledgeable in various surgical techniques and specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
He holds privileges at several area hospitals, including Inland Valley Regional Medical Center; Rancho Springs Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta; Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula, California; and Menifee Valley Hospital.
When he isn’t meeting with patients or performing operations, Dr. Owens enjoys golfing and car racing. He also believes in continuing education and stays abreast of advances in surgical techniques and technologies.
Dr. Owens is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He welcomes anyone needing general surgery to Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today.
Amit Karmur, DO, is the newest vascular surgeon to join Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates (MVSA).
Dr. Karmur graduated from medical school at the Western University of Health Sciences and completed his general surgery residency at Community Memorial Health System in Ventura, California. He then went on to sub-specialize and complete his fellowship in vascular surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Karmur treats all types of diseases that affect the vascular system. He specializes in both traditional open surgical and minimally invasive endovascular techniques. These include diseases of the carotid arteries, aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, and dialysis access.
During his spare time, Dr. Karmur likes to travel and learn about new cultures. He also enjoys maintaining his health by working out and staying active by exploring the outdoors. He and his wife are both from the Inland Empire and are excited to be back in the community.
Western Bariatric, AMC is a bariatric surgery provider serving patients in the San Bernardino, Riverside, and surrounding areas of Southern California. Available surgeries and treatments include Roux En Y Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Lap Band, Medical Weight Loss, Body Contouring, and Hiatal Hernia Surgery. Douglas Krahn, MD, FACS is fellowship trained in general surgery and specializes in bariatric surgery. He is strongly dedicated to their patients and want to help each person live the healthy life that they deserve.
When patients arrive at Western Bariatric, AMC, the first goal is helping each person to determine their weight loss needs and goals. The doctors and staff at Western Bariatric, AMC can customize a weight loss plan for each person, whether it involves non-surgical options like the medical weight loss plan or surgical options like laparoscopic gastric bypass. Call to arrange a consultation anytime!
“As I am in a high risk rate for getting Covid-19 it was great to be able to visit Dr. Kashini without going outside and putting myself at risk. I would much prefer to do this type of one on one visit in these trying times.”
I am Dr. Kaylene Barrera, and it my absolute pleasure to be a surgeon in this community. I grew up in Southern California and got interested in Medicine when I was young. My mother had initially wanted to be a social worker, but then went back to school to become a nurse and would ask me to help her study by quizzing her with flashcards.
This led me to college at the University of California, Irvine and medical school at the University of Southern California, where I was fortunate to work with some amazing mentors that inspired me to go into surgery. My surgical training continued at the State University of New York, Downstate in Brooklyn where I trained at county and university hospitals. Again, I was blessed to have the most amazing mentors that taught me not only the technical aspects of surgery but the importance of dedication to our patients. I appreciated how as a surgeon, one could be involved in every aspect of a patient's care, contribute to scientific breakthroughs and be a patient advocate. Sharing what I have learned and experienced as a surgeon, I have published 9 peer reviewed publications, 33 national presentations, and four book chapters. I also have written about impact of meaningful issues such as drug shortage and the opioid epidemic, as these have a profound impact on my patients lives.
My journey has led be back to California, and to a great practice where I feel at home. My partners and I strive to treat each patient that we take care of like our family. As a general surgeon I have the opportunity to care for conditions ranging anywhere from lipomas and cysts to hernias, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, breast disease, trauma, and intestinal surgery.
Outside of the operating room, I enjoy playing the clarinet and saxophone, being an amateur gardener, and watching reruns of Star Trek TNG.
Thank you for choosing Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates, looking forward to the opportunity to help you in your wellness journey
