Dr. Sharona Ross comforting patient.

Comprehensive Care for
Gastrointestinal Reflux and Other Esophageal Conditions

The physicians at the George Mickle Center for Reflux and Esophageal Disorders, part of AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa, are highly experienced in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. GERD is a condition of the esophagus, or food tube that affects about 1 out of 5 U.S. adults. It can cause symptoms such as heartburn, trouble swallowing, vomiting, cough, pneumonia and voice changes.

Surgical Treatments for Gerd and Acid Reflux

Because GERD can cause severe symptoms and lead to Barrett’s esophagus and even esophageal cancer, Mickle Center surgeons Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy and Dr. Sharona Ross are strong advocates for definitive treatment of it. Definitive treatment for GERD is an operation that reconstructs the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. This helps the acidic contents of the stomach stay out of the esophagus, and GERD is cured. Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross are known for and have performed thousands of these GERD operations.

Expert Care for Barrett’s Esophagus

Without effective treatment, GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus. This is a condition in which the cells in the lower part of the esophagus start to look like the cells that line the intestines. Barrett’s esophagus dramatically increases the chances someone with GERD will develop esophageal cancer. The physicians at the Mickle Center are experienced in caring for patients with Barrett’s esophagus. Care may involve regular screening for esophageal cancer, which can be treated in a minimally invasive way if caught early. It may also involve treating Barrett’s esophagus with an anti-reflux procedure, followed by removal of the changed cells so they are less likely to turn into cancer.

Treatment for Esophageal Cancer

Surgery to remove esophageal cancer can extend patient’s lives and is the best hope for a cure. Dr. Sharona Ross and Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy are experts in offering minimally invasive esophagectomy, which is just as effective as an open procedure when performed by skilled surgeons. This minimally invasive surgery can shorten a patient’s recovery time, allowing them to begin their next phase of treatment sooner. AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa’s surgeons make it a priority to see patients with cancer for a consultation or second opinion. That is why we offer these patients appointments within 5 business days or sooner.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Esophagus

Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross are highly experienced in minimally invasive surgery. Instead of opening up a patient’s belly, they prefer to operate through the mouth or through one small incision in the belly button. Besides performing GERD operations this way, Dr. Ross and Dr. Rosemurgy surgeons use similar, less invasive ways to treat Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. These approaches result in faster, easier recoveries for patients.

Are you in need of treatment for an esophageal condition and want to find out if minimally invasive surgery could help you? Call the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa at 813-615-7557 for an appointment.

Mickle Center for Reflux and Esophageal Disorders

Conditions and Treatments

  • Esophageal Cancer

    Typically esophageal cancer requires surgery in addition to radiation and chemotherapy. Learn more about the surgical treatments our specialists can provide.

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  • Achalasia

    The experienced surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa offer effective and permanent treatment for achalasia. Learn more about these treatment options.

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  • Acid Reflux/GERD

    AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa is a regional top provider of care for acid reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux. 

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  • Barrett's Esophagus

    The gastroenterologists and surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa provide leading-edge treatment for Barrett’s esophagus. Learn more today.

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  • Swallowing Disorders

    Our board-certified speech pathologist can assist patients with swallowing disorders and voice issues.

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  • Esophageal Surgery

    At AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa, we offer minimally invasive, robotic esophageal surgery as a cancer treatment option.

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  • Upper Endoscopy / Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

    An upper endoscopy helps doctors look at the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine and can help diagnose a range of conditions.

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Faster Recoveries. Better Outcomes.

Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

All the surgeons at the Digestive Health Institute (DHI) at AdventHealth Tampa have a large depth of experience in offering minimally invasive surgery. 

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Meet The Experts

Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy

Alexander Rosemurgy

MD, FACS

Advanced Foregut & HPB Surgeon

Dr. Sharona Ross.

Sharona Ross

MD, FACS

Advanced Foregut & HPB Surgeon

Headshot of Sandra Freeman.

Sandra G. Freeman

ARNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Dana Manzi

Dana Manzi

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Cory O'Brien

Cory O'Brien

MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Speech Pathologist

Betsy Prator

Betsy Prator

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Meet Our Full Team
Dr. Cory O'Brien checking patient's throat at AdventHealth Digestive Health Institute Tampa.

Surgical Consultations For Digestive Cancer Without The Wait

Appointments Within 5 Days for Patients with Cancer

At AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa, we know that after being diagnosed with cancer, patients want and often need to begin treatment quickly. So we make it a priority to offer appointments for cancer surgery consultations within 5 business days, and often earlier. 

Patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer, or have just found out they have cancer recurrence, qualify for this priority access. Our surgeons will make themselves available to see you right away, even for a second opinion. We want to help you start your treatment as soon as possible.

If you have been diagnosed with a cancer of the digestive system, don’t wait. 
Call the Digestive Health Institute at 813-615-7557.

Learn More About Our Surgical Cancer Care Program

News and Info

Dr. Sucandy, Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross having a discussion together at a table.
Blog

Digestive Institute Shares Its Expertise in Robotic Liver and Bile Duct Cancer Surgery for American College of Surgeons Educational Webinar

Recently, Iswanto Sucandy, MD, FACS, advanced HPB (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgeon, shared two DI video presentations as part of a live educational webinar put on by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS is the largest professional group for surgeons in the world. It has more than...

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Dr. Sucundy showing a patient test results on a laptop.
Blog

At SSO 2021, Digestive Institute Surgeon Shows That Robotic Surgery for Complex Liver and Bile Duct Tumors Is Possible

On March 18, Iswanto Sucandy, MD, FACS, advanced HPB (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgeon at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa (DI), gave two presentations at the Society of Surgical Oncology’s (SSO) International Conference on Surgical Conference Care. Because of the ongoing COVID-19...

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Dr. Sucandy, Dr. Rosemurgy speaking to Dr. Ross at a table
Blog

Digestive Institute’s Dr. Iswanto Sucandy Instructs International Audience of Surgeons About Robotic Liver Surgery

In March, Iswanto Sucandy, MD, FACS, advanced HPB (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgeon at the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa (DI), discussed robotic liver surgery at the 54th Annual Congress of the Korean Association of HPB Surgeons. Also known as “HPB Surgery Week 2021,” the conference...

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