Nikolai A. Bildzukewicz, MD ’01, is Director of Foregut Surgery at the St. Jude Heritage Medical Group in Fullerton, Calif.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Dr. Bildzukewicz obtained his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Upon graduation from medical school, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. He then completed his general surgery internship at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Following his internship, he served several months as a General Medical Officer (GMO) at Naval Hospital Great Lakes, providing medical care to recruits going through “boot camp.” He then reported for training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Fla., where he graduated as a Naval Flight Surgeon. He spent the next two years on active duty as a flight surgeon, providing medical care to military pilots, aircrew, and sailors both ashore and at sea. In 2005, he returned to Jefferson to complete his general surgery training. In 2012, he completed his fellowship training in minimally invasive, bariatric, and robotic surgery at the University of California San Diego.

His clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, and esophageal motility disorders including achalasia. He also focuses on the advanced laparoscopic as well as robotic repair of both inguinal and ventral hernias, as well as advanced techniques for abdominal wall reconstruction. His research interests are in advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques. In addition, he has a special interest in the surgical education of both residents and medical students.