Surgeon Spotlight: Dr. Donovan Tapper
Dr. Donovan N. Tapper, M.D.
Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we are both fortunate and proud to have Dr. Donovan Tapper on staff with us. As you’ll read here, Dr. Tapper is highly experienced in both general surgery and serving our country (and others)! We thank Dr. Tapper for his service and are incredibly thankful to be the practice he calls home.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at why Dr. Tapper is one of the best acid reflux surgeons in Tampa Bay and, perhaps, the best general surgeon in Tamba Bay. We’ll also quickly address the common question, when should I see a reflux surgeon?
So, let’s jump in and cover all of the reasons we appreciate and are thankful for Dr. Tapper:
He Has a Fantastic Medical Background
Dr. Tapper graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. However, that’s not all he was doing at the time; during his studies, Dr. Donovan Tapper was also enlisted in active duty for the Air Force. After he graduated with his BS, he continued his medical education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. Finally, he graduated in 1999 after completing his general surgery residency at the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
He Has Selflessly Served Our Country
Dr. Tapper served our great nation for more than 20 years; having done tours in Germany, Iraq, and England. While on tours, he not only performed surgery in the middle of war zones, but he also served as an aid in humanitarian disaster areas across Africa.
However, his persistence and dedication to furthering his education did not get put on pause during his assignments in the states. While he was stationed in Tampa, Dr. Tapper completed a full fellowship for advanced and minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgeries.
In 2012, Dr. Donovan Tapper completed his military service and joined our practice here in Tampa Bay!
He Has Written Peer-Reviewed Research
Dr. Tapper has also published peer-reviewed research articles on the topics of bariatric surgery and GERD.
He Specializes in Many Techniques
Another reason we are thankful to have Dr. Tapper as a part of our practice is that he is an extremely experienced general surgeon in Tampa Bay. His specialization in minimally invasive abdominal surgery is pivotal in our ability to treat many of the patients we see at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center every day.
From laparoscopic surgery in the colon to the abdominal wall, Dr. Tapper is incredibly talented. We often see him talking to patients about and performing laparoscopic reflux, hiatal hernia, and achalasia surgeries. We believe he is one of the best acid reflux surgeons in Tampa Bay!
When Should I See a Reflux Surgeon Like Dr. Tapper?
Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we are uniquely aware of the different issues that can be confused for acid reflux and GERD. For this reason, we recommend that all patients who have consistent gastric upset at least talk to their general care practitioner to rule out more serious causes.
If your doctor suspects that you may be struggling with a gastroesophageal disorder, have them refer you to a specialist. General care practitioners tend to prescribe over-the-counter medication that ends up masking the root of the problem, rather than fixing the physical condition at its source. Doctors like our own Dr. Tapper will help you resolve your issues for good.