Our Expert Team
Find your care
Our expert interventional endoscopy team includes skilled physicians who perform minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to treat GI disorders. Call 310-267-3636 to connect with a specialist.
Both in the laboratory and through clinical trials, our experts are constantly testing and implementing new technologies.
We pioneer techniques that propel this rapidly growing field forward. Our team sets guidelines that define and advance the standard of care throughout the country.
Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS
Danny Issa, MD
Stephen Kim, MD
Jennifer Kolb, MD, MS
Alex Nguyen, MD
Alireza Sedarat, MD
Adarsh M. Thaker, MD
Nurse practitioner
Basak J. Kanlilar-Ruiz, NP
Firas Bahdi, MD
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
David Geffen School of Medicine
Dr. Bahdi earned his medical degree from the University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine in 2017. He then moved to the United States and was engaged in gastroenterology research at both the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and UCLA, leading various research studies in advanced endoscopy and Barrett’s esophagus. Subsequently, Dr. Bahdi completed his internal medicine residency at Baylor College of Medicine in 2022, where he was recognized with several honors, including the Henry D. McIntosh Outstanding Resident Award, Resident as Educator Award, Best Research Award and Outstanding Ambulatory Care Award. Dr. Bahdi later completed his gastroenterology fellowship at UCLA in 2025, during which he was heavily involved in various clinical research projects in advanced endoscopy, endobariatric and Barrett’s esophagus. During his fellowship, Dr. Bahdi also led the UCLA team in winning the 2024 ASGE Golden Scope and ACG EndoTitan competitions. His primary interests lie in third space endoscopy, Barrett’s esophagus and pancreaticobiliary diseases. Dr. Bahdi will be an integral part of the interventional endoscopy team at UCLA, contributing to both academic and clinical excellence. He is actively involved in research and education, aiming to advance the field and mentor future gastroenterologists.