Meet Our Team
The team at the Colorectal Surgery Institute is led by Medical Director Robert W. Beart, Jr., M.D., who is internationally renowned for his research and advancement of treatment for colorectal disease. It also includes Petar Vukasin, M.D., who is Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine; and Ana Garza, M.D., an experienced colorectal surgeon and assistant professor at USC. Below is more information about each.
Robert W. Beart, M.D.
Dr. Robert W. Beart is a renowned colorectal surgeon board certified and recertified in general and colorectal surgery. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1971 and completed his surgical internship, residencies and fellowship training at the University of Colorado and the Mayo Clinic.
A leader in colorectal surgery and research, Dr. Beart worked at the Mayo Clinic from 1976 to 1992, and then went to USC. Throughout nearly 40 years of practice and research, he pioneered many innovations, including the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Mayo Clinic, the development of laparoscopic colon surgery and the advancement of complex rectal cancer care. Dr. Beart also established the USC Center for Colorectal Diseases at USC University Hospital and USC/Norris Cancer Center.
Dr. Beart’s research interests include continence preservation, colostomy avoidance and the management of recurrent colorectal cancer. He also brings unique and substantial experience in highly complex areas of colorectal disease and colorectal cancer.
Petar Vukasin, M.D.
Petar Vukasin, M.D., has 20 years of specialization in the medical practice and research of colorectal surgery. board certified in general and colorectal surgery, Dr. Vukasin graduated from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship and residency in general surgery, as well as fellowship training in colorectal surgery, at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.
Dr. Vukasin then joined the USC faculty and is now Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery at USC and Chief of the Medical Staff at Glendale Memorial Hospital. In addition, he is an assistant professor of clinical colorectal surgery in the Division of Colorectal Surgery.
His major research interests include HIV-associated anorectal disorders. With the combination of experience in research, teaching and medical practice, Dr. Vukasin brings his patients highly specialized care for colorectal diseases.
AnaMaria McElrath-Garza, M.D.
AnaMaria Garza, M.D., is board certified in general and colorectal surgery. She graduated with her medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 2001. She completed her internship and residency training at USC, as well as a one-year research fellowship at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica. Dr. Garza then extended her training and completed a fellowship in colorectal surgery at USC.
Dr. Garza joined the USC faculty in 2008 as an assistant professor of clinical colorectal surgery in the Division of Colorectal Surgery and joined the practice of Petar Vukasin, M.D.
Her continued association with academic centers, along with specialized training in colorectal surgery allows her to extend the latest, most advanced techniques and research availabilities to the surgical care of her patients.
