Kirsten Newhams, MD Kirsten Newhams, MD, is a board-certified surgeon who treats patients with reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, hiatal hernia, esophageal and gastric cancer, esophageal and gastric motility disorders, Zenker’s diverticulum, and swallowing disorders. She has fellowship training in minimally invasive esophageal and gastric surgery and advanced endoscopy. Dr. Newhams received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas. She also earned a master’s degree in public health through the University of Texas. She completed her internship and residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. She gained additional training with a minimally invasive foregut fellowship through Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh. Dr. Newhams is also certified in robotic surgery and offers this approach to many patients. Dr. Newhams is the Director of the Esophageal Institute at AHN and is the Chair for the West Penn Hospital Robotic Committee. She is also the Program Director for the Minimally Invasive Foregut and Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at the Esophageal Institute. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Drexel University and is the Chair and Surgical Lead of the Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Disease Site Leadership Team at the AHN Cancer Institute. Dr. Newhams is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Foregut Society, the Association of Women Surgeons, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Surgeons.