Anorectal Fistula near Decatur, GA

Care Philosophy: In a complex world with many difficult choices, the most difficult choices that people will make will be about either their own health or the health of their loved ones. I try my best to treat everyone as they were my spouse, my parent, my child, or anyone else in my family. I believe firmly in delivering the right care at the right time with the right team. I believe that care can only be delivered through teamwork approach and the patient is at the center of the team. Medicine and surgery are not perfect, but I have found that by using this approach, we maximize our potential for success, and in this way, we deliver true value.

Biography: Dr. Patrick Hammen received his bachelor of science in psychology from Furman University in Greenville, SC. He received his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Memorial Medical Center and completed his colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of Texas Health Sciences Foundation.Dr. Hammen is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Medical Association of Georgia, the Georgia Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons Fellow (Elected), the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Fellow (Elected), and the Piedmont Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Member (Elected).

Biography: After graduating from Albert Einstein College, with a Bachelor of Science, Dr. Harry Liberman attended the prestigious Autonomous University of Guadalajara. He earned his medical degree, Summa-Cum Laude, and finished first in his class. Dr. Liberman completed general surgery training at St. Luke's Hospital in Pennsylvania, including one year as Chief Resident in Surgery. He then obtained specialty training in Colon and Rectal Surgery at Creighton University. Throughout his education, Dr. Liberman has performed research in many aspects of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Liberman was a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and served in the Board of Directors for the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society. Likewise, he dedicates time to further the education of medical students. Dr. Liberman has a special interest in Colon Cancer surgery, in Anorectal Physiology and minimally invasive surgery including robotic surgery.

Care Philosophy: Ashanti L Franklin MD joined the Northwell Health Cancer Institute in 2019 as a colon and rectal surgeon with expertise in treating colon rectal and anal cancers She also provides care management for diverticulitis rectal prolapse pelvic floor disorders inflammatory bowel disease hemorrhoids anal fissures anorectal abscess and anal fistulas and performs colonoscopies and anal physiology studies Minimally invasive surgery including robotic assisted procedures is one of her specialties I knew I always wanted to have a career where I helped people and I enjoyed biologic sciences Dr Franklin says I thought I was going to be a nurse but when I was in high school I met a nurse practitioner who told me I could be a doctor That was the first time someone had said this was possible for me Dr Franklin discovered her passion for surgery while in medical school at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California She completed her general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital Brown University As part of her patient centered team approach to care Dr Franklin collaborates with gastroenterologists primary care physicians urogynecologists gynecologic oncologists general surgeons social workers nurse navigators and wound ostomy nurses to deliver the most comprehensive care I listen to my patients concerns and ensure that all of their questions are answered she says Dr Franklin works with the New York State Cancer Services Program which provides at home colon cancer screening tests or fecal immunochemical tests FIT to people who are uninsured or underinsured She also offers follow up colonoscopies at no cost to people who have a positive FIT test In addition to providing clinical care Dr Franklin has published papers in various medical journals including Surgical Infections Scientific Reports and the Journal of Laparoendoscopic Advanced Surgical Techniques She is a member of the American College of Surgeons and affiliated with the Katz Institute for Women s Health The best part of my job is caring for patients and seeing an improvement in their health and quality of life after I treat them Dr Franklin says That brings me the greatest joy