Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery

Guthrie offers patients two surgeons – both with additional fellowship training – who specialize in surgical management of liver, biliary and pancreatic disorders.

Thomas VanderMeer, MD

Thomas VanderMeer, MD

Dr. VanderMeer joined Guthrie as a surgeon in 1998. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his residency in surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a research fellowship in surgery at Harvard Medical School and a clinical fellowship in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery at the University of Toronto. He is board-certified in general surgery, and specializes in surgical oncology, cryosurgery, the Whipple procedure and the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.

Ali Ghellai, MD

Ali Ghellai, MD

Dr. Ghellai joined Guthrie as a general surgeon in 2002. He is board-certified in general surgery and specializes in advanced surgeries of the pancreas, liver and bile duct. He earned his medical degree from Alfatah University School of Medicine in Tripoli, Libya. He completed an internship in general surgery at Boston University School of Medicine, a residency in general surgery at University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester and a fellowship in advanced hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and transplantation at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He also completed a research fellowship in gastrointestinal surgery the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Ghellai’s clinical interests are focused on the care of patients with complex hepatobiliary disorders, including primary and secondary liver tumors, bile duct disorders (strictures, injuries, bile duct cancer), gall bladder diseases and gall bladder cancer, as well as pancreatic disorders such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, cysts and cancer, with particular interest in laparoscopic techniques for hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders.