Sarmed S. Sami, MBChB, MRCP, PGCME, PhD

Consultant Gastroenterologist

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“I work to empower patients through education and provide a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to care. I believe that all patients should have a clear diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan based on their individual needs.”

Expertise

Dr Sarmed Sami has practiced and trained at some of the top medical institutions in the world, including Mayo Clinic in the US and University College Hospital in London. He is the founder and director of the Digestive Health UK clinics. He also founded the international London Upper GI Symposium (LUGIS) and is its director.

Dr Sami’s research has led to more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, including research papers, national guidelines, review articles and book chapters. For instance, he is the lead author for the UK oesophageal dilatation guidelines and co-author of the UK eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) guidelines.

Sarmed S. Sami, MBChB, MRCP, PGCME, Ph.D., Consultant Gastroenterologist: Hi, my name is Dr Sarmed Sami. I'm a consultant gastroenterologists. So I see patients with digestive symptoms and conditions. I simply became a physician because, to me, I think it is the most satisfying job in the world to be able to help people feel better, either physically, mentally improve their health, is extremely satisfying for me. I did part of my training as a junior doctor at the Mayo Clinic in the States, and at that point I was exposed to the immense quality of care they provide to their patients. And really the main attraction for me is the way they are able to combine clinical practice excellence with research excellence and teaching and education excellence.

We see a lot of patients with complex problems. And the single most important thing for me that I want to achieve with my patients is to be able to listen to their problems, address their concerns and provide them with a management plan that addresses those issues and concerns. What I love most about my job is the ability to help patients and that feeling when the patient leaves the room after treatment or consultation, feeling better is extremely satisfying. The single most unique thing about Mayo Clinic, which patients should expect when they come through the door, is that their needs will come first. And that goes with the Mayo values of treating patients with respect, integrity and compassion.

Conditions treated

  • Abdominal pain
  • Achalasia
  • Barrett’s oesophagus
  • Burning mouth syndrome
  • Coeliac disease
  • Diarrhea and constipation
  • Diverticular disease and diverticulitis
  • Dyspepsia
  • Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE)
  • Gastritis
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Heartburn
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Oesophageal strictures
  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
  • Swallowing problems

Procedures

Education

Dr Sami earned his medical degree at Bagdad University, then completed his residency in gastroenterology in Yorkshire and Midlands regions in the UK. He earned his PhD from the University of Nottingham then undertook an advanced oesophageal fellowship at Mayo Clinic in the US.

Research activities

Dr Sami conducts research into a wide range of areas, such as the causes and symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn, as well as better treatments for the conditions. His research interests include:

  • Endoscopic therapies for Barrett’s oesophagus, as well as minimally invasive tools to screen for the condition
  • Eosinophilic oesophagitis
  • Treatments for narrowing of the oesophagus (oesophageal strictures)
  • Minimally invasive procedures to image and monitor the upper GI tract, such as transnasal endoscopy
  • Advanced endoscopic imaging techniques
  • Disorders that inhibit upper GI function, such as achalasia, oesophageal spasm, oesophago-gastric outlet obstruction and gastroparesis
  • Atypical reflux symptoms, such as throat irritation, throat clearing, globus and cough
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
  • Symptoms of oro-pharyngeal cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, crico-pharyngeal spasm, choking and Zenker’s diverticulum

See Dr Sami's published articles

Honours

Dr Sami has earned a number of international and national awards, including the British Society of Gastroenterology Trainees Out of Programme Award, the Cook Medical Marsha Dreyer Award from the American Society for GI Endoscopy, and the American College of Gastroenterology Fellows-in-Training Award. Besides consulting at Mayo Clinic Healthcare, Dr Sami also holds positions at the Princess Grace Hospital and the London Clinic.

Professional memberships

  • Member of the Royal College of Physicians UK (MRCP)
  • British Society of Gastroenterology
  • Medical Defence Union
  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy