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About Thomas John Savides, MD

Thomas J. Savides, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist. He is a nationally recognized expert in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and therapeutic endoscopy (ERCP, double balloon enteroscopy). He founded and is the director of UC San Diego Health's EUS program, which is now one of the premier programs in the U.S. for diagnosis and staging of GI, pancreatic, and lung cancer. He is a community referral specialist for advanced pancreatico-biliary endoscopic procedures (ERCP), GI oncology, Barrett's esophagus, GI bleeding, and difficult polyp removal.

He serves on the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Board of Governors (2007-2010) and is vice chair of strategic affairs in the Department of Medicine.

He has authored more than 175 publications, including original research articles, invited reviews, and book chapters. He is the editor of two textbooks on endoscopic ultrasound. His research interests include EUS for pancreatic and lung cancer, endoscopic treatments of gastrointestinal bleeding, and colon cancer prevention.

Dr. Savides completed a fellowship in gastroenterology and a residency in internal medicine at UCLA Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from UC San Diego School of Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

For several years, Dr. Savides has been named a top doctor in San Diego Magazine's " Physicians of Exceptional Excellence" annual survey performed in collaboration with the San Diego County Medical Society, as well as U.S. News & World Report's "Top Doctors" in Gastroenterology in the United States. He is a two-time recipient of UC San Diego Health's Attending Physician of the Year Award, and also received UC San Diego Health Sciences' Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical Care. In 2018, Dr. Savides was named one of the nation's 30 chief experience officers to know by Becker's Hospital Review.

UC San Diego Health Links

For more information, see Gastroenterology & Digestive Health.

Medical DegreeUC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CAFellowshipIndiana University, Bloomington, INFellowshipUC Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CAResidencyUC Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
GenderMale
LanguagesSpanish
Date Joined Staff1993-07-01
Board Certifications
GastroenterologyAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
Conditions and Treatments
  • Gallstones
  • Tumor
  • Capsule Endoscopy
  • Pseudocyst
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
  • Bile Duct Stones (Choledocholithiasis)
  • Esophagus
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
  • Double Balloon
  • Colon Cancer
  • Bile Duct
  • Small Intestine
  • Small Bowel
  • Enteroscopy
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Pancreas and Bile Duct
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
  • Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
Gastroenterology
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