CENTERS AND PROGRAMS ANORECTAL PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY Overseen by Richard Whelan, M.D., the lab is used to investigate patients with constipation, incontinence and a variety of other pelvic floor disorders. The lab offers: manometry, defecography, EMG testing and anal ultrasonography, biofeedback therapy for incontinence and anismus patients, is also offered. COLUMBIA-PRESBYTERIAN CENTER FOR OBESITY MANAGEMENT A core group, which includes nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, internists, plastic surgeons, physical therapists, gastroenterologists and general surgeons, takes a multidisciplinary approach to obesity management. ENDOSURGICAL SUITE (in planning stages) LAPAROSCOPIC COLON RESECTION PROGRAM A team of experienced laparoscopic surgeons at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center are members of the National Cancer Institute Laparoscopic Colectomy Trial that is studying the use of this technique for colon cancer patients. Laparoscopic colectomy is also offered for benign conditions of the colon. MULTIDISCIPLINARY HEPATOBILIARY/PANCREATIC GROUP Comprised of surgeons, radiologists and gastroenterologists, this team of physicians meets regularly to discuss complex cases. THYROID/PARATHYROID SURGICAL PROGRAM This interdisciplinary, highly specialized surgical program for thyroid and parathyroid disease has evolved from a long standing clinic, and has developed from our interaction with The Metabolic Bone Center and The Thyroid Center. The surgeons who participate in this program specialize in endocrine surgery with a combined experience of nearly 8,000 thyroid operations and an average individual operative experience of over 500 parathyroid operations per surgeon. Since almost half of those patients who are recommended for surgery can be successfully treated medically, the main goal of our surgeons is to screen out those patients who do not truly need surgery. The mission of the program is to provide state-of-the-art diagnosis, treatment, education and research for thyroid and parathyroid disorders. FACULTY Marc Bessler, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery Director, Center for Obesity Management John A. Chabot, M.D. Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery Vice-Chair, Operations and Quality Management Carl R. Feind, M.D. Professor Emeritus of Clinical Surgery Kenneth A. Forde, M.D. Professor of Surgery Vice-Chair, External Affairs Emina Hui-na Huang, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery Paul LoGerfo, M.D. Professor of Surgery Chief, Division of Surgical Specialties Director, Thyroid Center Richard L. Whelan, M.D. Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery   Cited for excellence in New York Magazine, " The Best Doctors in New York" (June 8, 1998).