Our Providers

Our team consists of advanced care providers who are board certified and AAHC accredited. We collectively work to create a coordinated experience for our patients seeking quality health care. Our care providers practice medicine in partnership with our clinics’ physicians to provide efficient, patient-centered care.

Our Center for Digestive Health team has expertise in a range of different specialties. Our specialties include colon cancer screening procedures as well as treatment for GERD, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease and pancreatic disease.

OUR DOCTORS

Sante D. Bologna, MD, FACP
Sante D. Bologna, MD FACP

SANTE D. BOLOGNA, MD FACP is American Board of Internal Medicine certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He is the senior partner and was instrumental in forming the group in 1992. A graduate of Wayne State University, Dr. Bologna served as Chief Resident at Henry Ford Hospital, prior to completing his three-year GI fellowship there.

John R. Weber, MD
John R. Weber, MD

JOHN R. WEBER, MD is American Board of Internal Medicine certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Weber joined the group in 1997 from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he was Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology.

Richard T. Wille, MD
Richard T. Wille, MD

RICHARD T. WILLE, MD is American Board of Internal Medicine certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Wille completed his undergraduate studies at Wayne State University. He attended the University of Michigan for medical school, Internal Medicine residency and fellowship training in Gastroenterology/Hepatology. He also served as Chief Medical Resident in 1993.

Partha S. Nandi, MD FACP

PARTHA S. NANDI, MD FACP is American Board of Internal Medicine certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He performed his undergraduate studies at Ohio State University, where he graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Nandi obtained his medical degree at Wayne State University, where he graduated with distinction. He also completed his Internal Medicine residency at Wayne State University. His three-year Gastroenterology fellowship was completed at the University of Michigan. Dr. Nandi has a special interest in therapeutic endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound.

M. Emin Donat, MD, FRCPC
M. Emin Donat, MD FRCPC

M. EMIN DONAT, MD FRCPC is American Board of Internal Medicine certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. Dr. Donat is a graduate of University of Western Ontario, Canada, where he also obtained his medical degree. Dr. Donat completed his residency and three-year Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Ottawa, Canada, where he was Chief Resident, Division of Gastroenterology in 1997.

Anezi E. Bakken, MD MS

ANEZI E. BAKKEN, MD MS is Board certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology. Dr. Bakken completed her undergraduate and medical school studies at the University of Nigeria and had three years of further medical training at various hospitals in the United Kingdom. She then completed her Internal Medicine residency at Wayne State University.

Amir Abadir, MD, FRCPC (2)
Amir Abadir, MD FRCPC

AMIR ABADIR, MD FRCPC is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Jack Tocco, DO
Jack Tocco, DO

JACK TOCCO, DO is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. Dr. Tocco obtained his medical degree from Pikeville School of Osteopathic Medicine in Kentucky.

Tusar K. Desai, MD
Tusar K Desai, MD

Tusar K. Desai, MD Dr. Tusar Desai, MD is a gastroenterology specialist in Royal Oak, MI. Dr. Desai studied at the University of Cincinnati. They currently practice at Woodward Gastroenterology and are affiliated with Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Dr. Desai is board certified in Gastroenterology and accepts multiple insurance plans.

Aalia Saeed, MD
Aalia Saeed, MD

AALIA SAEED, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 10 years of experience in Gastroenterology. She completed her Gastroenterology Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital, an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Minnesota, and earned her Doctor of Medicine at the Rawalpindi Medical College.

Our Practitioners

Christie L. Sarah, MSN, RN, NP-C
Cristie Sarah, MSN, RN, NP-C

CRISTIE SARAH is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She has devoted her practice to Gastroenterology with a special interest in Hepatobiliary and Irritable Bowel Disease. Obtained a Masters of Science in Nursing at Oakland University in 2016 and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Oakland University in 2008. She has 8 years of nursing experience in surgical intensive care with pre and post-liver transplantation at Royal Oak Beaumont. Member of American Academy of Nurse practitioners and Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners. She enjoys spending her free time with family and her two children.

Noelle M. Maude, MSN, FNP-C
Noelle Maude, MSN, RN, FNP-C
NOELLE MAUDE is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Oakland University in 1999. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2017. Her experience as a nurse includes medical-surgical nursing, gastroenterology, emergency medicine, and 15 years of critical care nursing in the SICU. 
 
 She is a wife and mother of two children. Both of her children have Celiac disease, and she has acquired a strong knowledge base about dietary management and resources for patients with Celiac disease. Noelle is very passionate about healthcare maintenance, illness prevention, and overall wellness through medications and lifestyle changes. She spends her free time camping, kayaking, watching baseball, reading, and volunteering at a local animal shelter.
Paula A. Spinks, PA-C
Paula Spinks, PA-C

Paula Spinks has been a Physician Assistant since 1995. Before landing in Gastroenterology, her career path included Family Practice, hospital Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine in the hospital Intensive Care Unit and has been in Gastroenterology since 2005. She thrives on the tough and challenging cases admitted to the hospital.

She is married and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren.  Her hobbies include reading, traveling to new places, running and recently has joined the Pickelball craze.

Nicole Najor, MSN, FNP-C
Nicole Najor ‍MSN, RN, FNP-C

Nicole Najor is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of nursing care experience. In 2013 she graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences with a concentration in Pre-health Professions. She then went on to complete an accelerated BSN program at Oakland University. She worked as a Registered Nurse in various specialties including home care, rehabilitation, progressive and critical care while continuing her education. In 2019 she earned her Masters of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Detroit Mercy. Her goals are to always treat her patients like family and promote healthy lifestyle changes & preventive care. With her free time she enjoys spending quality time and making memories with her husband and three children. 

Jennifer Pankowski, PA-C
Jennifer Wille, PA-C

Jennifer Wille has been a board-certified physician assistant since August of 2019. She graduated from the Accelerated Five Year Physician Assistant Program at the University of Detroit Mercy where she obtained both a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Before landing in gastroenterology, her career path included both family medicine and emergency medicine.

Nicolette VanMaldeghem, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC

Nicolette VanMaldeghem is a board-certified Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Oakland University in 2017 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Wayne State University in 2021. She has 7 years combined nursing experience in Critical Care and Nephrology. Nicolette worked in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Beaumont Hospital-Troy for nearly 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for the sickest patients. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

During her free time, she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling the world, and cuddling up on the couch watching Netflix with her husband and 2 puppies.

 

Jessica Long on a teal background
Jessica Long, FNP
Jessica Long is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2002 at the University of Michigan, and in 2017, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy.  Jessica has broad experience in nursing.  She has been an emergency room nurse and a nurse and in several intensive care units.  In addition to her experience as a nurse practitioner she also has nursing experience in primary care and in specialized treatment settings.  Jessica strives to meet her patients’ needs and provide practical treatments at the Center for Digestive Health.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys traveling with her family and has visited more than a dozen countries around the world, in addition to outdoor activities.

 

What They Are Saying

Jackie S.
Wow! The guidance and care from prep to finish by this facility, doctors and staff was top notch! I could on and on but each phase was handled with care and compassion. Highly recommend this facility and Dr. Desai !
Kathleen K.
The facility and staff was great! They explained everything and tried to make me less anxious. My nurse anesthetist, Mary, was so kind! Can’t praise everyone enough!
L K.
Dr. Anezi Bakken is excellent. Wonderful bedside manner. Consistent communication throughout the procedural process.I was referred to her and will be referring others.
Jan F.
Everyone friendly - even a a little music as I was wheeled in for my scope. Before I knew it, in recovery a little juice and , checking my vitals and home sweet home.
Sheryl M.
Amazing customer service from the entire staff, and Dr. Weber is wonderful! Highly recommend!
Dorothy W.
Love Dr Willy and his staff. They're always so respectful and they make sure your comfortable. His bedside manner is top notch. He shows he really cares about you. Big hugs to him and all his staff.
Joseph N.
I hold the highest regard for the best Dr and Gastro med office. Best people- best results. Dr Willie is as genuine as they come. Professional thorough and relatable care we all desire.
Lynette R.
From the beginning to the end of my appointment, the staff were very pleasant, they listened to you, they made you feel relaxed, and were professional in every way.
Frank R.
The staff were able to provide the upmost care and compassion during my visit for a routine medical visit. Hats off to all for a very pleasant experience!
Taryn G.
Very thorough and attentive
L S.
Surprisingly refreshing group of friendly, kind, skilled medical professionals. Very happy with their care.
Richard L.
The staff is so nice and helpful.
Taryn
I can't express enough how impressed I am with the Center of Digestive Health. From scheduling the appointment through to completing the procedure, everyone was so professional and kind. Dr. Aalia Saeed and her anesthesiologist were so lovely!! I would highly recommend this center to anyone needing an appointment.
Jim L.
Couldn’t ask for a better practice. Everyone is friendly and you can see work well together. Would highly recommend.
Deleecha D.
Everyone was so attentive, treated me like I was very important!!!! Made sure I was ok at all times!!!
Patricia K.
Very nice and polite. Nice place
vicki S.
For the first time it didn't take too long to have a procedure done plus everyone was so nice so experience and so good and it was really clean everywhere I loved that place and I will refer it to my family and friends
Carol
Office and Medical staff are amazing!! Made an unpleasant procedure very comfortable. Highly recommend Dr. Willie.
FrannyJ J.
First I would like to say, staff was very friendly !! Dr. Donat was extremely nice and receptive. He listened and asked the right questions to describe my issues. I have had my problem for sometime now and I was VERY afraid of the procedure to diagnose my issues. DR. Donat made me feel comfortable and eased my fear. Not to mention my wait time was minimal.
Michele B.
Good teleheath visit.
Pieter D.
Well run organization, in and out within 1.5 hours and a wonderful staff!
Lorell L.
The office is clean bright and cheerful. The receptionist was courteous and helpful. The nurse gave a warm welcome and put me at ease. Dr Bologna is a good doctor with great listening skills. He didn’t rush the appointment and I felt confident in his diagnosis and recommendations as I walked out.
Suzy A.
Dr. Nandi and his staff are very kind and compassionate. My anxiety was very high and the staff did their best to put me at ease. The fact that they offer Saturday appointments removes one of the barriers to people getting their exams as they do not have to take two days off work. A great example of their concern for patients getting the care they need. I would highly recommend the Center for Digestive Health.
Rick S.
The entire staff was courteous and made my visit as comfortable as possible. Also, I’m enjoying reading his “Ask Dr. Nandi” book.
Geraldine K.
Dr Bakker was very attentive. She listened to me and was very gentle with her examination. She made me feel very relaxed.
Joann K.
excellent experience with PA Noelle. very thorough andd good advice.
Jenny H.
Dr. Bologna was very professional with great bedside manners. All the staff was very friendly. I was treated with respect.
Missy P.
Very nice and thorough.
Diana B.
It was very fast had upper. And lower procedure only took about 45min. Everyone was very pleasant. And kind.