Salim Abunnaja

I was born in the United States to a Libyan father who was pursuing his doctorate degree at Pittsburgh University. The early years of my childhood were spent in the United States before moving to Libya where I completed my medical degree at the University of Benghazi, as well as three years of general surgery training at Al-Jalla Teaching Hospital. I returned to the United States and completed a preliminary surgical internship at Saint Louis University Hospital before finishing my general surgery residency at Saint Mary’s Hospital, a Yale affiliate, in Waterbury, Connecticut. I have been fortunate to train at a strong general surgery program with a particular emphasis on minimally invasive surgery, including complex laparoscopic and robotic procedures, as well as diagnostic and interventional endoscopies. I completed my advanced GI and Bariatric Surgery fellowship at UCSF Fresno under the direct supervision of one of the most respected bariatric surgeons in the field, Dr. Kelvin Higa. In addition to my clinical training, I have also completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Connecticut Health Center and obtained an online Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Nutrition from The University of Roehampton in London. I am currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at WVU Hospitals, a Bariatric Surgeon & a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.