Shakeel Ahmed, MD
Dr. Shakeel Ahmed is a digestive and liver disease specialist practicing in Fairview Heights IL. He completed 3 years of fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Louisville. Dr. Ahmed is board certified by the American Board of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, which confirms the highest qualification and knowledge in the field of gastroenterology.
Dr. Ahmed’s practice further specializes in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, which includes complicated pancreatobiliary disorders and their management. Centre for Gastrointestinal Health is one of the largest referral centers for ERCP’s and EUS and all pancreatobiliary disorders in the Greater Saint Louis area.
Michael Stock, MD
Michael V. Stock MD is a native of the St. Louis area and practices as a cataract and refractive surgeon. He graduated from St. Louis Priory School and received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering double majoring in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering. Dr. Stock earned his medical degree from Washington University. He completed his Internship at Mercy Hospital and residency in Ophthalmology at Washington University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Dr. Stock is board eligible by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Stock specializes in advanced cataract surgery and is certified to perform femtosecond laser cataract surgery which can enhance outcomes through laser-precision automation. He offers Premium Lens Implants to reduce glasses dependence after cataract removal. He is also certified in the latest in minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery.
Whitney Marlow, MD
Whitney Marlow specializes in cataract surgery in the St. Louis area. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. and completed her residency at the Saint Louis University Department of Ophthalmology.
Cameron Evans, DO
Dr. Cameron Evans, D.O. is a Michigan native and has recently moved to the St. Louis area to practice as a cataract and refractive surgeon. He attended Hope College in Holland, MI for his undergraduate
degree where he received a Bachelors in Chemistry. After college, Dr. Evans came to Missouri and
earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University in Kirksville. He completed his internship and
residency at Kettering Health Network in Dayton, OH. He served as the Chief Ophthalmologic Resident, training residents in academics and surgical practices. Upon completing his residency Dr. Evans moved to Grand Rapids, MI where he specialized in Refractive Surgery, getting patients out of glasses at almost any age utilizing LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange, and Cataract Surgery. He has since returned to the St. Louis area with his wife, who is a St. Louis native, and one year old son to join our practice. Dr. Evans has also traveled to Belize as part of a mission trip to perform cataract surgery on individuals who would otherwise be unable to receive surgery.
Nicole Varnado, MD
Dr. Varnado is a Texas native and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Dean’s Scholars honors degree in biochemistry. She then underwent combined M.D. and Ph.D. training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her Ph.D. in molecular biology was supported by the NIH, and contributed to our understanding of defense mechanisms of the human innate immune system. Dr. Varnado completed her medical internship and ophthalmology residency at Washington University, serving at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and the John Cochran VA Hospital. During her training she was recognized with the Mat Guirgis Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Award as well as the Rosenbaum Resident Research Award.
Dr. Varnado is a member of the American Medical Association and the American
Academy of Ophthalmology. She is proud to serve the greater St. Louis and southern
Illinois area as a comprehensive ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon.
In her free time, Dr. Varnado loves exploring the St. Louis area and hiking with her
husband Ricky and daughter Layla.
Joseph Yazdi, MD, FAANS
Dr. Joseph Yazdi is a board-certified neurosurgeon who has been in private practice since 2001. He joined Arch Neurosurgery, LLC in 2018. At Arch Neurosurgery we provide high-quality compassionate care with the understanding that each and every patient deserves to be treated with the highest respect.
Dr Yazdi graduated from Hahnemann University Medical School (now known as Drexel University Medical School). He did five years of Neurosurgical residency at Hahnemann University Hospital. He completed the last two years of his residency at UMDNJ (now known as Rutgers University Medical School) in 2001. He joined the neurosurgery group at the Toledo Clinic in Toledo, OH. Due to family reasons, he moved to the St. Louis area in 2008. He worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville from 2008 to 2014. He then switched to the Missouri side in 2015. He worked at SpineMore Surgical Associates until 2018 when he opened his own practice as Arch Neurosurgery, LLC.
He has been performing minimally invasive spinal surgeries since 2004. The smaller incisions allow for less pain and narcotics use, faster recovery, and greater patient satisfaction. Because of his expertise, he has been asked by Nuvasive to be an instructor for their minimally invasive lumbar fusion courses and by Stryker for teaching kyphoplasty to other surgeons. He was also invited twice to go to Ethiopia to perform complex spinal surgeries.
He also specializes in pain management performing injections not only in the spine but also in various joints in the body such as shoulders, hips, and knees.
Robert Garner, DO
Dr. Robert Garner is a Family Medicine Physician. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at St.Louis University and Scott Air Force Base.
Giuseppe Aliperti, MD
Dr. Giuseppe Aliperti received his Medical Degree in 1979 at the Universita degli Studi Federico Secondo in Naples, Italy. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Mary’s Health Center and then a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.
Samuel Figueroa, MD
Dr. Samuel P Figueroa specializes in anesthesiology and has over 47 years of experience in the field of medicine. He graduated from his medical school with his medical degree in 1974. He is affiliated with numerous hospitals in Illinois and more.
Alexis Wernsman, APN
Alexis Wernsman, APN, is experienced in both family practice and gastroenterology. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and her Master’s Degree from Maryville University.