Inuk Zandvakili, MD, PhD, specializes in the care of gastrointestinal disorders and weight management. He is currently the only gastroenterologist in his division specializing in weight loss.
Dr. Zandvakili says that his specialties complement each because obesity is a common cause of many gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn, reflux, fatty liver disease and disorders of the gall bladder and bile ducts.
“Ideally, I can treat my patients for the gastrointestinal complaints and help them lose weight,” he explained.
Taking a patient-centric approach to care, Dr. Zandvakili ensures his patients understand their medical conditions and engages them in shared decision making when formulating a treatment plan.
“I tailor weight loss therapies to the patient so they can get the most benefit possible,” he said. “I empower my patients to make decisions about what treatments will work best for them once I’ve informed them of all their options.”
Dr. Zandvakili loves his career in healthcare, especially interactions with patients and their families, and being able to make scientific discoveries. . To him, In Science Lives Hope means that UC Health combines patient care and research together to help the lives of patients.
His current research topic focuses on how hormones produced by the gastrointestinal tract are involved in obesity, and how understanding these hormones could help with the development of new weight loss drugs.
Outside of the health system, Dr. Zandvakili enjoys cooking and hiking.
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