Faculty

Jasneet Bhullar, MD

Program Director

Dr. Bhullar is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, Michigan State University/College of Human Medicine and is the Program Director of Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Ascension - MSU/CHM.

He completed his surgery residency at Providence Hospital - Michigan State University/College of Human Medicine, followed by a colorectal surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He is board certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery.

He has over 45 peer-reviewed original research publications, four book publications, over 15 book chapters, and currently serves as the editor for Colon and Rectum for Gray's Anatomy textbook. He is on the editorial board of over 10 surgical journals and is a peer reviewer for over 20 scientific journals.

He serves as the Chair of the International Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and is on the Program Committee of SSAT for 2024. Additionally, he is on the core accreditation committee for the Fellowship Council.

He holds four patents for research on animal models of human cancers and chemotherapy delivery agents. His research has earned many regional, state, and national awards and has been cited internationally over 880 times, including in clinical practice guidelines.

Gautham Chitragari, MD

Associate Program Director

Dr. Chitragari completed his general surgery residency at Augusta University in Augusta, GA, and his fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is fellowship trained and specializes in colon and rectal surgery. He is board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery.

His special interests include minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Dr. Chitragari treats a wide variety of colorectal diseases including colon/rectal cancer, diverticulitis, and anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids and fissures. He became a Fellow of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons in 2024. He has authored several research papers, won numerous awards, and is a committee member of ASCRS.

Ernesto Drelichman, MD

Physician Faculty Member

Dr. Drelichman completed his general surgery at Providence-Providence Park Hospital in Southfield, Michigan and his fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In 2004, he joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was an Associate Professor of Surgery, Chief of Surgical Endoscopy and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. He also served on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Colorectal Cancer Screening Guideline Committee.

He was recently re-elected as the Chairman of the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC). As chairman of the MCC, and the Chief of Surgical Endoscopy, and a colorectal surgeon, he is specialized in colorectal cancer risk assessment, screening, and the management of hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer along with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn's and Colitis), and proctology.

Dr. Drelichman is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Arpit Aggarwal, DO

Physician Faculty & Former Fellow

My passion for colorectal surgery stems from the blend of intricate anatomy with critical decision-making to tackle delicate concerns with expertise and precision. The comprehensive scope encompassing lifestyle/behavioral education, medical management, office procedures, endoscopy, proctology, and abdominal cases truly allows for a holistic approach to patient care and a well-balanced lifestyle.

Jai P. Singh MD

Physician Faculty & Former Fellow

Dr. Jai Singh is a board-certified general surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed his general surgery residency at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, and went on to complete fellowships in minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery at Houston Colon, Texas, and an ACGME accredited colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Henry Ford Providence Hospital/Michigan State University. His clinical interests include laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic floor disorders including treatments for fecal incontinence and anorectal procedures.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Singh is actively involved in surgical education and mentorship. He is committed to resident training and dedicated to fostering a collaborative, hands on learning environment. His teaching philosophy emphasizes technical excellence, critical thinking, and compassionate patient care. Dr. Singh has also presented at reputed national conferences and published numerous research and scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the academic and clinical advancement of colorectal surgery.

Surya P. Nalamati, MD

 

Christine A. Schad, MD

 

Edwin R Itenberg, DO

 

Vijay K. Mittal, M.D.

Associate DIO