Meet the Doctors

Surgical Associates of Western New York is a teaching affiliate of SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine. All physicians are Board Certified in their surgical specialty and have admitting, staff, and operating privileges at the hospitals and outpatient treatment centers in which they perform surgery.

• Joseph R. Gerbasi, MD, FACS
• Daniel A. Leary, MD, FACS
• Timothy R. Rasmusson, MD, FACS
• Michael Anthony Pell, MD, FACS
• George A. Blessios, MD, FACS
• Rurik C. Johnson, MD
• Richard D. Bloomberg, MD, FACS, FRCSC

Joseph R. Gerbasi, MD, FACS
Dr. Gerbasi founded Surgical Associates in 1976. He has served as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine since 1977. He is a founding member of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and is a member of the American Society of Artificial Internal Organs, as well as other national and local medical societies. Dr. Gerbasi is a graduate of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and completed his Surgical Residency at Buffalo General Hospital through the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Gerbasi sees patients in the West Seneca and East Aurora offices.

Daniel A. Leary, MD, FACS
Dr. Leary is a general surgeon, specializing in vascular and endovascular procedures, including CLOSURE, and transplantation. He joined Surgical Associates in 1983. Dr. Leary currently serves as Board President of Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS) and is President of the Medical Staff at Mercy Hospital (South Buffalo). He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut Medical School and completed his resident training at the University of Virginia Hospital and the State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo General Hospital Program. Dr. Leary sees patients in the West Seneca and East Aurora offices.

Timothy R. Rasmusson, MD, FACS
Dr. Rasmusson specializes in general and laparoscopic surgery. A graduate of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine, Dr. Rasmusson completed his resident training at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has practiced with Surgical Associates since 1990 and sees patients in the West Seneca offices.

Michael Anthony Pell, MD, FACS
Dr. Pell is a general surgeon, specializing in general, vascular and transplant surgery. He is President-elect of the Western New York Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and Clinical Assistant Instructor at the State Univeristy of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Pell graduated from Albany Medical College. He is a recipient of the Dr. Heinrich Leonhart Prize for Academic Excellence in Surgery from SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Pell received his Medical Degree from SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, where he also completed his resident training. He joined Surgical Associates in 1996 and sees patients in the West Seneca office.

George A. Blessios, MD, FACS
Dr. Blessios specializes in transplantation, vascular access, endovascular, and liver, pancreas, and biliary tract surgery. He is Surgical Director of Transplantation at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), where he performs kidney and pancreas transplants. Dr. Blessios is the only surgeon in WNY who regularly performs Laparoscopic Nephrectomy (kidney removal) on kidney donors. He is Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine. He is Board Certified by both the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Dr. Blessios completed a Fellowship in Transplantation Surgery and Advanced General Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Blessios completed his resident training in General Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and was Chief Resident in General Surgery at the State University of New York at Syracuse. He holds a Doctorate in Surgery/Critical Care from the National University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Dr. Blessios has been affiliated with Surgical Associates since 2001 and sees patients at the West Seneca and ECMC offices.

Rurik C. Johnson, MD
Dr. Johnson is a general and advanced laparoscopic surgeon. He graduated from Colgate University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed Residency in General Surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center. He has additional expertise in ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and the CLOSURE procedure.

Richard D. Bloomberg, MD, FACS, FRCSC
Dr. Bloomberg, the newest member of our surgical team, is a general and fellowship-trained advanced laparoscopic surgeon. His minimally invasive surgical techniques provide many benefits to patients. By using tiny, "keyhole" incisions in surgery, patients experience less pain and scarring, and a speedy recovery. Dr. Bloomberg graduated with a medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Toronto, and a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Bloomberg is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is also a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Bloomberg specializes in the use of laparoscopic surgery for diseases of the gallbladder, appendix, small and large intestines, and for the management of hernias.