Sushovan Guha, MD, PhD
Program director
Dr. Sushovan Guha obtained his MD from University of Madras, India and subsequently graduated with MA in Microbiology and Immunology from the Columbia University, NY. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. Dr. Guha then joined Specialty Training and Advanced Research Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA where he also received his PhD from the Molecular Biology Institute. Dr. Guha joined the University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and later was recruited to the McGovern Medical School and UT Health Science Center in Houston, TX as an Associate Professor and Associate Director, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He then joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix, AZ as inaugural Chief of Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Guha finally came back to Houston and is currently a part-time Professor of Medicine and Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the McGovern Medical School and UT Health Science Center in Houston, TX. After several years in academic medicine, Dr. Guha has recently joined Houston Regional Gastroenterology Institute (HRGI) in Houston, TX as a practicing gastroenterologist and hepatologist, and also as the group’s Medical Director. Dr. Guha’s clinical practice focuses on the entire spectrum of general gastroenterology and performs all general gastroenterology procedures including upper endoscopy, enteroscopy, colonoscopy, various hemostasis techniques and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Dr. Guha’s research comprised of both clinical and laboratory-based investigations. Currently his research is focused on applications of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning in several GI topics including generative AI for clinical practice, predictive analytics, assessing quality indicators in screening colonoscopy, operational efficiency in endoscopy unit and clinic, and image analysis in endoscopic procedures.
Pragnesh Patel, MD
Associate program director
Dr. Pragnesh Patel is originally from India, Surat, Gujarat. He obtained his medical degree from Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER). After completing his medical school, he immigrated to United States for further training. He started training at the world-renowned Texas Medical Center in Houston. He obtained internal medicine residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. After completing his residency training, he completed transplant hepatology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he gained exposure to treating complex liver diseases. After finishing transplant hepatology fellowship, Dr. Patel joined Houston Methodist Hospital – Weill Cornell for Gastroenterology fellowship. Throughout his training, he received extensive clinical training and had wide exposure to clinical research activities under esteemed mentors. His research work has been published in international journals and presented at several international medical conferences.
After finishing his training, Dr. Patel started clinical practice at Houston Regional Gastroenterology. Due to his passion for academia, after being in private practice for several years, he decided to join the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as an Associate Program Director at the University of Houston College of Medicine/Tillman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. Dr. Patel aspires to train the best future gastroenterologists during his academic career.
Dr. Patel’s clinical practice focuses on a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal issues with keen interest in colon cancer prevention and hepatology. He also performs general gastroenterology procedures such as diagnostic and therapeutic upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic feeding tube placements, and enteroscopy.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Patel likes to spend time with his family. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, and is an avid cricketer since childhood and most recently started learning Golf. He is also a firm believer in giving back to the community, and often volunteers for the local organizations.
Dr. Ahmed Ouni
Core teaching faculty
Dr. Ahmed Ouni, a Tunisian native, is a distinguished gastroenterologist dedicated to patient care and medical education. He obtained his medical degree from New York University, followed by residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Specialized training at Mayo Clinic and Baylor College of Medicine refined his skills in comprehensive patient management, advanced endoscopy, and procedural techniques. As a faculty member at HCA Kingwood in Houston, Texas, Dr. Ouni utilizes his expertise to provide exceptional patient care and mentorship while advancing the field of gastroenterology.