Providers

Dr. Ananya Das is a board-certified gastroenterologist with 34 years of experience. His expertise includes pancreaticobiliary disorders, gastrointestinal cancer, advanced and therapeutic endoscopy. After his initial medical education in India, he completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at University Hospitals of Cleveland, where he went on to complete an additional fellowship in advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Das has authored over 300 original research publications, book chapters, abstracts and presentations focused on advanced endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and cancer outcomes. He formerly served as Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and as Director of Endoscopy and Associate Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He is currently a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Creighton University School of Medicine and at University of Arizona College of Medicine, as well as a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. Hack Jae Kim is a board-certified gastroenterologist with 21 years of experience. His expertise includes GERD, Barrett’s Esophagus, esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal motility and colon cancer – performing procedures such as EGD, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, enteroscopy, therapeutic EGD, capsule endoscopy and colonoscopy. He received his bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Medicine degree from Creighton University, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. Furthering his education and training, Dr. Kim received his master’s degree in clinical research and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. Kim pursued clinical research at the Mayo Clinic locations in Rochester and Scottsdale, where he also trained fellows and residents in gastroenterology, surgery and internal medicine. He has been published in many major gastroenterology journals such as American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gut, and Neurogastroenterology & Motility.

Dr. Nelson H. Lim is board-certified in gastroenterology with 19 years of experience. His expertise includes GI bleeds, Hepatitis B, gastroenterological diseases and liver diseases – performing procedures such as standard endoscopy, colonoscopy, ECRP and capsule endoscopy. He graduated with honors in internal medicine, completed his residency and earned his gastroenterology fellowship at Loma Linda University School of Medicine – during which he achieved Resident of the Year. After residency, Dr. Lim was appointed as Chief Resident of Internal Medicine and Chief Gastroenterology Fellow at LLUMC, where he supervised numerous resident physicians, interns and medical students.

As a trainee at LLUMC, he authored a research screening protocol for Hepatitis B in Asian-American communities in Southern California, which raised one of the largest industry-supported research grants. Dr. Lim previously served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at LLU School of Medicine and Medical Director of Endoscopy at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Banner Desert Medical Center. He is currently a clinical supervisor for A.T. Still University. Dr. Lim has been published in national medical journals, such as the American Journal of Gastroenterology, presented at major national conferences and served on national panels. He is the first gastroenterologist to be honored with The Golden Thread Award at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, which recognizes physicians who provide “radical loving care” and dedication to patients.

Dr. Mankanwal Sachdev is an interventional and therapeutic endoscopist board-certified in gastroenterology with 12 years of experience. His expertise includes complex procedures, general GI conditions, liver disease and pancreatobiliary disorders – performing procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound, therapeutic ERCP, endoscopic mucosal and sun mucosal resections, stent placement, complex polypectomy, EGD and colonoscopy. He received a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Medicine degree from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Punjab, India. Dr. Sachdev completed fellowships in hepatology and liver transplant at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, followed by his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Tennessee. He then went on to complete an additional year of training at Northwestern University in therapeutic and advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Sachev has held academic appointments as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee and an instructor of medicine at Northwestern University. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Creighton University School of Medicine and an assistant professor at the University of Arizona. Dr. Sachdev also performs procedures at Desert Ridge Surgery Center.

His expertise includes complex procedures, general GI conditions, liver disease and pancreatobiliary disorders – performing procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound, therapeutic ERCP, endoscopic mucosal and sun mucosal resections, stent placement, complex polypectomy, EGD and colonoscopy, and the TIF Procedure for Reflux.

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Dr. Ashesh Sanghvi is a board-certified gastroenterologist with 23 years of experience. His expertise includes chronic condition management – including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease – and performing basic and advanced therapeutic endoscopy procedures. He graduated from B.J. Medical College in India with distinction, completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Rush University Medical School and further advanced his therapeutic endoscopy training at the University of Chicago. Before his subspecialty training, Dr. Sanghvi served as Clinical Associate at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.

Dr. Sanghvi joined Arizona Center for Digestive Health after working with Yuma Gastroenterology for over 16 years. He held leadership positions at Yuma Regional Medical Center as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Department of Medicine, and later served as a member of their Quality Committee. Dr. Sanghvi also taught physician assistant students at A.T. Still University and internal medicine residents at Maricopa County Hospital.

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A founder of AZCDH, Dr. Virender Sharma is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology with over 20 years of experience. His expertise includes acid-peptic diseases, GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer and colon cancer screening – performing EGD, radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic mucosal resections, complex stricture dilations, small bowel enteroscopy, therapeutic ERCP, stent placement and colonoscopy. Dr. Sharma graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences of New Delhi and completed his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Sharma previously served as a professor and consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology for Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, in addition to Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He also served as director of the Esophageal Clinic and vice-chair of gastroenterology research at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Sharma has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, research abstracts and presentation and is a prolific inventor with over 50 issued U.S. patents He is a fellow of American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

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Ethan Everlith, PA-C is a physician assistant with expertise in digestive diseases and 1.5 years of experience. He received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in chemistry from Northern Arizona University and obtained a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from A.T. Still University. Ethan previously served in orthopedic and sports medicine, assisting in therapeutic, trauma and total joint replacement orthopedic procedures.

Andrew Ho is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology. He is passionate about empowering patients to take control of their digestive health. Andrew strives to build strong, collaborative relationships with patients, guiding them in managing chronic GI conditions, improving their quality of life, and making meaningful lifestyle changes.

Whether navigating complex disorders, addressing acute concerns, or exploring preventative care, Andrew is dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care. He enjoys working with patients of all ages and backgrounds and takes pride in creating a supportive environment where they feel heard and involved in their treatment journey.

Shannon Jennings, AGACNP-BC is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in the treatment of the adult with emphasis on the geriatric population.  In 1996, she earned her bachelor’s degree of nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; and most recently (2022), she obtained her master’s degree for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner from Grand Canyon University.  Previously, Shannon had a 26-year experience in acute care serving as a registered nurse with the majority of those years in the intensive care unit with the most recent years serving in an administrative role as house supervisor.  To help serve her patients along with her professional role as a nurse, she is an active member of both the America’s Nursing Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Currently, she is delighted to be part of the AZCDH professional, reputable care team!

Shannon Kleinschmidt, FNP-C is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with 2 years of experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University and Master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis on family medicine from the University of Phoenix. Shannon previously served as a registered nurse specializing in emergency care, cardiac catheter laboratory and endoscopy. She is looking forward to continuing her career in gastroenterology.

Anne Puggini, FNP-C is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with 3 years of experience. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing with an emphasis on family medicine from Grand Canyon University. Anne previously served as a registered nurse on the Liver and Kidney Transplant and Specialty Care Unit at Banner University Medical Center-Phoenix where she won The Daisy Award and was featured on Catalyst – an Arizona PBS prime-time series exploring cutting-edge research – in an episode focused on nursing burnout.

Jaimie Salas, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry from University of Hawaii, Hilo and earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Chatham University. Jaimie enjoys the outdoors, reading fiction novels, and spending time with her dog. She is looking forward to starting her career in gastroenterology and proudly serving the East Valley where she grew up.

Matthew Shannon, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology with 3.5 years of experience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Arizona State University and received his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Northern Arizona University. Matthew previously served as a certified nursing assistant specializing in caregiving for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.