GI symptoms aren’t convenient. That’s why our expert care is.

Bilal Ali, MD

Bilal Ali, MD, is a board-certified physician who is dedicated to providing compassionate care that prioritizes patients’ overall comfort and well-being. He provides accurate diagnostic and effective treatment options that target a wide range of digestive tract conditions.

Dr. Ali is also part of our Department of Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, which is nationally recognized for clinical excellence, state-of-the-art technology, and research innovations.

Education:
Fellowship: University of Tennessee College of Medicine (2020)
Fellowship: University of Tennessee College of Medicine (2016)
Residency: Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners (2010)
Medical School: King Edward Medical College (2005)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology

Ghassan Abdullah Alzayer, MD

Dr. Alzayer treats patients with all conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. He has a special interest in esophageal diseases and disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal strictures, and motility disorders.

He uses a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures including endoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic dilation, PEG tube (feeding tube) placement, capsule endoscopy, esophageal PH testing, and high-resolution manometry. Dr. Alzayer is highly experienced in the use of colonoscopy for the removal of polyps, including advanced polyps.

Dr. Alzayer works with each patient to understand the root cause of their symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis. When appropriate, he employs conservative treatment options, like lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatments, to help improve symptoms, before recommending more invasive treatment options.

Dr. Alzayer’s approach to treatment focuses on whole patient care. He listens to his patients in order to understand the root cause of their symptoms and provides a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs that aligns with their treatment goals.

Dr. Alzayer received his medical degree from University of Dammam College of Medicine in Saudi Arabia, where he served as a resident, teaching assistant, and clinical instructor in the Department of Internal Medicine. He then completed his residency training in internal medicine at Baystate Medical Center/University of Massachusetts, in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he served as chief resident. Finally, he completed a gastroenterology fellowship at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.

He is a member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American Gastrointestinal Association, and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Education:
Fellowship: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2021)
Residency: Baystate Medical Center (2018)
Medical School: King Faisal University (2010)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology

Parnia Ghazanfari, MS, PA

Parnia Ghazanfari, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant. She treats patients with the full range of gastrointestinal conditions with a subspecialty focus on inflammatory bowel disease.

She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Shenandoah University and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates and American Gastroenterological Association.

Parnia works to educate patients about their condition and treatment options, taking time to listen to and address each patient’s concerns. Her goal is for patients to be active partners in decision making about their care.

Education:
Graduate: Shenandoah University (2022)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: National Committee on Certification of Physician Assistants

Joseph James Jennings, MD

Dr. Joseph J. Jennings is a board-certified gastroenterologist with a focus on bleeding within the GI tract. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2012 and completed his Internal Medicine training at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in 2015. He served as the Chief Medical Resident for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and served as an attending physician in Internal Medicine at the Washington DC VA Medical Center and Virginia Hospital Center as well. He completed his three-year fellowship in Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and served as Chief Fellow in 2018-2019.

Dr. Jennings strives to create a relationship with his patients that promotes joint decision making and patient empowerment. He also has a strong interest in medical education and training. He currently serves as the associate director for the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's gastroenterology fellowship program.

Dr. Jennings is board certified in Internal Medicine since 2015 and Gastroenterology/Hepatology since 2019. He has been recognized by multiple organizations as a "Top Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist" both for the DC region as well as on the national level.

Education:
Fellowship: Medstar-Georgetown University Medical Center (2019)
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (2016)
Medical School: Georgetown University (2012)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Priyanka Kanth, MBBS, MD, MSC

Priyanka Kanth, MD, MS, is a gastroenterologist and Associate Professor at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Fellowship-trained and board-certified in gastroenterology, Dr. Kanth is the Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program at MedStar Georgetown and sees patients and families with high risk for gastrointestinal cancers. Her area of special interest and expertise is gastrointestinal cancer, especially hereditary colon cancer and colon cancer prevention.

She graduated from medical school and completed her internship at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, MAHE University, India. She completed a residency in internal medicine at University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, where she was Chief Medical Resident, and a residency in colorectal and general surgery at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in the United Kingdom, as well as a fellowship in gastroenterology at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Kanth’s areas of clinical expertise include colon polyps, serrated colon polyps, hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes, including Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, serrated polyposis syndrome, hamartomatous polyposis syndromes, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, gastrointestinal cancer genetics, and the prevention of colon cancer.

She has served as principal investigator and site principal investigator for several studies on issues related to gastrointestinal cancer. Her research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including NEJM, JAMA, Genetic Epidemiology, Gut, Gastroenterology, Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, and Journal of National Comprehensive Cancer Network. She also has presented at numerous national and international conferences.

Dr. Kanth believes in educating her patients so they are aware of their personal and family history of gastrointestinal and other cancers. This knowledge is important because many of these cancers can be prevented and detected early, especially in the case of genetic conditions that increases cancer risk. She is a firm believer in listening to her patients, answering all their questions, and coming to a mutual decision about their care.

Education:
Graduate: University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (2015)
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Mangalore (2001)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology

Awards:

Paolo Lino Peghini, MD

Paolo L. Peghini, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who is committed to delivering evidence-based medical care. Dr. Peghini treats adults with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and liver disease.

Philosophy of Care:
“Every patient is unique and there are different approaches to problems. I work closely with patients to find the best treatment pathway for their individual needs using a patient-centered, evidence-based approach.”

Education:
Fellowship: Georgetown University Hospital (2000)
Residency: Graduate Hospital (1996)
Residency: Kantonsspital of Basel Switzerland (1993)
Residency: University Hospital Zurich (1991)
Medical School: Universität Zürich (1989)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology

Robert James Schenck, MD

Robert J. Schenck, MD, is a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist who has a strong commitment to delivering the best possible care to every patient. He treats adults with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including reflux disease, difficulty swallowing, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disease. Dr. Schenck performs colonoscopies and upper endoscopies in the hospital’s ambulatory/outpatient surgery centers and endoscopy suites.

Philosophy of Care:
“I have a patient-centered philosophy of care where I use my expertise to help guide patients to make the best decisions for themselves. Every patient is unique, and I believe it is essential to listen to each individual so I can help them reach the goals that are most important to them. I am passionate about improving my patient’s digestive health and their quality of life.”

Education:
Fellowship: University of Virginia Medical Center (2023)
Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (2019)
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine (2016)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Shandiz Shahbazi, MD

Shandiz Shahbazi, MD, is a highly skilled and double board-certified female gastroenterologist at MedStar Health. Dr. Shahbazi earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine internship and residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She elevated her training with a highly sought after fellowship in gastroenterology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Shahbazi is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Along with fellowship training in gastroenterology and hepatology, she has special interests in colon cancer screening, women's gastrointestinal health, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease. Dr. Shahbazi was recognized and elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society for providing compassionate patient care and excellent clinical services—an honor received by less than five percent of medical school graduates.

Dr. Shahbazi’s approach to care centers on building authentic connections with patients and families through a shared decision-making model based on trust and collaboration. She combines that focus with serving as an advocate for colon cancer screenings and early detection as well as performing precise diagnostics and effective treatments.

An award-winning and published physician, she is a lifelong learner who stays informed about advancements in the field through memberships in the American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Gastroenterological Association.

Education:
Fellowship: Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center GME (2024)
Residency: Georgetown University School of Medicine GME (2021)
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University (2018)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Awards:

Brooke Ann Spencer, FNPBC, MSN

Brooke Spencer, FNPBC, MSN, completed her graduate degree at Georgetown University. She is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has been working as a nurse practitioner since 2013. Brooke has a special interest in disorders of the esophagus.

Education:
Graduate: Georgetown University (2013)

Certification and Professional Associations:
Board Certification: American Association of Nurse Practitioners