GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center

Personalized Care Backed by Academic Medicine

As the Tampa Bay area’s first and largest teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital is committed to performing game-changing clinical research, pioneering breakthrough treatments and training the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through a solid partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) Health Morsani College of Medicine, we proudly offer personalized care backed by academic medicine.

TGH is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the highest-ranking hospital in Florida—and among the top 20 hospitals in the nation—for Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Surgery for 2023-24. Our Digestive Diseases Institute is a world-class center of excellence committed to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. A key component of this comprehensive program is our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Esophageal Surgery Center, which offers tertiary and quaternary esophageal care.

With expert surgeons performing more than 500 procedures per year, ours is the highest-volume program of its kind in Florida. We are also committed to sharing our knowledge. For instance, in 2023, we instructed 52 surgeons from outside facilities on how to perform hiatal hernia repair surgery. Every day, we spread the highest level of integrity in esophageal care across the Tampa region, elevating the standard of care so our facility—and others—can continue to improve.

A Legacy of Excellence

Founded in the early 2000s by Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy, TGH’s GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center has a long and storied history of surgical excellence. A renowned surgeon specializing in gastrointestinal surgery, Dr. Rosemurgy is widely respected for his expertise in performing complex pancreatic, biliary and liver procedures as well as his significant contributions to surgical education and patient care.

In 2012, the leadership of our program was seamlessly transitioned to Dr. Vic Velanovich, a prominent surgeon specializing in general surgery and surgical oncology. Dr. Velanovich is well known for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery, particularly in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Widely recognized for his teaching and mentorship in the field of surgery, Dr. Velanovich also contributes to academic research and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Since 2019, our GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center has been led by Dr. Christopher DuCoin, a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in advanced surgical endoscopy. A master of innovative transoral procedures such as per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), Dr. DuCoin has earned an outstanding reputation for his groundbreaking work in minimally invasive gastrointestinal, esophageal and bariatric surgery. He is also a nationally recognized surgical educator, serving as director of our Advanced Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship Programs, where he is committed to training the leaders of tomorrow in his field.

Unparalleled GI Surgery Expertise

Under the proficient leadership of Dr. DuCoin, the surgeons in our GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center utilize the latest endoscopic, robotic-assisted and laparoscopic techniques and technologies to provide effective treatment for gastrointestinal conditions. One example is the Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP), an advanced, minimally invasive medical device that can enhance endoscopy procedures by simultaneously measuring the area and pressure inside a gastrointestinal organ. Another example is the revolutionary LINX™ Reflux Management System, a laparoscopic, fundic-sparing anti-reflux procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating GERD.

In addition to GERD, we offer the latest treatment options—including a robust portfolio of clinical trials—for:

In our GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center, our patients have convenient access to world-class surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, medical oncologists and supportive care specialists, including speech pathologists, dietitians, behavioral medicine specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and mid-level providers. Throughout the diagnostic process, treatment and beyond, our patients can receive comprehensive care and support in a single location.

Trusted by our patients and peers alike, our GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center receives many complex case referrals and is highly sought after for revision surgeries. We also work hand in hand with our partners at The Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing Disorders, a national and international referral center for complex esophageal disorders that other hospitals cannot treat. We thoroughly review complex and nuanced cases in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, helping to ensure that our patients can benefit from multiple expert opinions.

If you would like a referral to a physician in TGH’s GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center, please call 1-800-822-3627 or use our online Physician Finder.

Passionate About Esophageal Care