Dr. Schultzel, Dr. Burgess, Dr. DeCesare and the rest of the team specializes in minimally invasive Colorectal surgery and General Surgery in San Diego. See information regarding our fellowship and surgeons below.
Fellowship:
Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery through the UTMB and Houston Methodist Hospital
- Special emphasis on the minimally invasive approach to Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Advanced Robotics Training
- Single Incision Laparoscopic Training
- TAMIS
- TATME
- Transverse Abdominus Plane Block (TAP Block)
Dr. Schultzel spent an extra year after his General Surgery Residency for training in Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery. During his time in Houston he performed hundreds of Colorectal procedures and is one of most experienced surgeons in the US in the Single Incision approach to laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and Robotic Surgery. He is one of the only surgeons in Southern California routinely performing SILS surgery and one of the few performing TAMIS and TATME procedures.
We are also proud to offer an in-house internship program to premedical, pre-PA, and pre-health. Learn more about interning with us here.
Dr. Schultzel
My mission is to provide top level surgical care to all my patients. I employ the newest technology and have undergone a great deal of training in order to bring the most advanced treatment modalities to my patients. It is my pleasure to treat you.
Warm Regards,
Matthew Schultzel, DO
About Dr. Schultzel
Dr. Schultzel is a California native, born in Walnut Creek, California. He attended the University of California San Diego for his undergraduate studies. His medical education then took him to San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Houston, and finally back to San Diego. Dr. Schultzel is the Division Chief for General, Robotic, and Colorectal surgery at United Medical Doctors. Read more about Dr. Schultzel in this article from the Sharp Health News Team. Dr. Schultzel has has earned the title “Master Surgeon” in Robotic Surgery. He specializes in treatments for all conditions of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. He also specializes in All hernia repairs and Cholecystectomy.
Citizenship: USA
College: University of California, San Diego, B.S. Biology/B.A. Psychology
Medical Education: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-California, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: UC San Diego – General Surgery, Hackensack- Palisades Medical Center – General Surgery.
Fellowship: Minimal Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery, Laparoscopy/Endoscopy, UT Health System, Houston Methodist Hospital, Herman Memorial Hospital
Honors and Awards
Eagle Scout Award
National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine
Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity
- Chapter Founder’s Award
- Outstanding Member Award*
Stein Institute for Research on Aging (SIRA)
- Medical Student Training on Aging Research
- (MSTAR) Grant
Administrative Chief Resident
American College of Osteopathic Surgery Resident Council President
Closing Bell New York Stock Exchange
UCSD “40 Under 40” alumni award
San Diego Magazine Top Doctor 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
American Cancer Society Top Surgical Oncologist in San Diego 2019
Society Memberships
American Medical Association
American College of Surgeons
American College of Osteopathic Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgerons
American College of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
American Osteopathic Association
Publications
Jenny Tran, Matthew Schultzel, Daniel Burgess, Ingle Rommanee
A retrospective comparison between DaVinci XI and DaVinci SP
robotic‑assisted cholecystectomies. Read here.
Journal of Robotic Surgery
Schultzel M., Schultzel M., Wentz B., Bernhardt, M.
The Prevalence of Injury in Kendo.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine 11(1): 1-5, Nov 2015.
Schultzel M, Kalsi R, Goldman F.
Malignant Fungating Phyllodes Tumor.
Journal of Cancer Treatment Communications, Volume 2, Issue 2, 30-33.
Schultzel M, Arnold T, Fornari M, Miglietta M.
Megacolon Secondary to Chronic Constipation.
World J Med Surg Case Rep 2013;2:45-49.
Sanders CM, Saltstein SL, Schultzel MM, Nguyen DH, Stafford HS, Sadler GR.
Understanding the Limit of Large Data Sets.
J Cancer Educ. 2012 Dec;27(4):664-9.
Schultzel M, Saltstein SL, Downs TM, Shimasaki S, Sanders CM, Sadler GR.
Late Age (>85 Years) Peak Incidence of Urinary Bladder Cancer.
Journal of Urology, 2008. 179 (4): 1302-6.
Downs TM, Schultzel M, Shi H, Sander C, Tahir Z, Sadler GR.
Renal Cell Carcinoma: Risk Assessment For Newly Diagnosed Patients.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 2009, Apr. 70(1): 59-70.
Schultzel, M.
Excelling Under Pressure: DO’s Share their Insights, Strategies
DO Magazine, 2013.
Schultzel M, Nguyen DH.
Straight from the Laboratory: a Kidney cancer study done exclusive on Asians.
Filipino Press, July 27-August 3rd 2007.
Articles
Pain and Poops: Then and Now – The Bloomin’ Uterus Blog
Presentations
Fecal Incontinence: Evaluation and Management. Palisades Medical Center Grand Rounds, North Bergen, NJ. September 2015 Fecalization of Small Bowel as indicator towards conservative therapy rather than surgery: A single center Large Retrospective Study.
American College of Osteopathic Surgery Symposium: Boston, MA, 2014.
Megacolon Secondary to Chronic Constipation. American College of Osteopathic Surgery Symposium: Las Vegas, NV, 2013.
Special Activities
Ethicon Young Surgeons Course, Houston Methodist Hospital, October 2015: Presenting Surgeon
Amtrak Police Surgeon, NYC/NJ, 2013-present UN Global Security Councel/US Secret service Volunteer Surgeon 2013-2014
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York – Adjunct Clinical Instructor of Surgery: 2012-2015
New York Mets Team Physician 2012
Surgical Experience
Completed Da Vinci Robotic Console Training, 2015
Completed Da Vinci Robotic Console First Assist Training, 2012
Advanced Laparoscopic including mastery of the SILS (single incision laparoscopic)
Advanced endoscopy and colonscopy
Course Instructorship
SILS Colorectal Course Instructor: USA
TAP Block Course Instructor: USA
Hobbies/ Interests
Surfing
Kendo (5 dan)
Cooking
Scuba
Swimming
Dr. Daniel Burgess, DO
Dr. Burgess, originally from Greeley, Colorado, joins us after a five year stay completing his medical residency at CarePoint Health system in New Jersey. After working as a lab technician at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, he earned his medical degree at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. In step with our medical philosophy, Dr. Burgess also specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery.
Dr. Burgess has earned the title “Master Surgeon” in Robotic Surgery. He specializes in All types Hernia, Cholecystectomy, Wound Care, Portacath Insertion, Dialysis Access, and Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence.
In addition to being an avid reader and world traveler, Dr. Burgess is also interested in swimming. In fact, he was on the Rider University swimming team as an undergraduate student.
Dr. Laura DeCesare, MD
Dr. DeCesare, born and raised in Southern California, attended Cornell University in New York for her undergraduate education. She earned her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine before traveling to the Midwest for her surgical training. She completed her General Surgery Residency at Rush University-Cook County in Chicago and pursued additional training in Colorectal Surgery at The Ohio State University. She specializes in disease of the colon, rectum, and anus as well as gallbladder and hernia surgeries. She is excited to be back in Southern California with her husband.
Medical Education:
Tulane University School of Medicine
Residency:
Rush University Medical Center – Cook County Integrated General Surgery Residency
Fellowship Training:
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Emily R. Sanford, Lead Physician Assistant
Emily Sanford, MMSc, PA-C, is a highly trained Physician Assistant dedicated to delivering exceptional, patient-centered surgical care. She earned her Master of Medical Science from the prestigious Emory University School of Medicine, graduating with Highest Honors and receiving multiple academic distinctions, including the Academic Achievement Award, Pi Alpha Honor Society induction, and a Letter of Commendation for Academic Excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University.
Emily’s clinical training spans a broad range of specialties across nationally recognized institutions, including General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, OB/GYN, and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. This extensive, high-level experience allows her to care for patients with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective.
Before becoming a PA, Emily gained valuable experience as an optometric technician, physical therapy technician, and clinical research assistant at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, where she contributed to published research in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
Emily is certified by the NCCPA, licensed in the state of California, and trained across multiple electronic medical record platforms. She has demonstrated leadership as an academic tutor, teaching assistant, and committee lead during her time at Emory. Deeply committed to service, she has volunteered with numerous community health programs, including the Emory Farmworker Project, Good Samaritan Clinic, and international medical brigades.
Emily brings compassion, surgical precision, and a strong academic foundation to her role at United Medical Doctors, where she supports our General, Colorectal, and Robotic Surgery divisions with the highest standards of care.
Gabrielle Burns, PA-C
Gabrielle was born and raised here in San Diego, CA and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Loyola Marymount University in 2020. Following her undergraduate education, Gabrielle went on to attend University of St. Francis in Albuquerque, NM, where she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2024. She is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is licensed by the Physician Assistant Board of California. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys going to the beach, surfing, running, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Professional Education:
University of St. Francis Physician Assistant Program
Board Certification:
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Joy Starr, MPAS, PA-C
Joy is a certified Physician Assistant originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She completed a 5-year accelerated Physician Assistant Program at Duquesne University in 2024, where she received both her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences) and her graduate degree (Master of Physician Assistant Studies). Joy is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and licensed by the state of California. She relocated to San Diego, CA to begin her professional career and has been enjoying her time traveling and exploring her new city. In her free time, she likes trying new foods, reading, taking walks on the beach, and meeting new people.
Olivia Wilson, PA-C
Olivia Wilson, PA-C, is a certified Physician Assistant from Hershey, Pennsylvania. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Duquesne University through its Accelerated Physician Assistant Program, graduating in 2025. Olivia is certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed by the Medical Board of California.
During her time at Duquesne University, she also competed as an NCAA Division I cross-country and track and field athlete. In her free time, Olivia enjoys running, going to the beach, cooking, and reading.
Medical Education:
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Board Certifications
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, PA-C
License:
Physician Assistant Board of California
Alina Starker, PA-C
Alina Starker is a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, San Diego, earned in 2019. She later completed her Master of Science in Medicine in Physician Assistant Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University, where her outstanding academic performance led to induction into Pi Alpha, the National Honor Society for Physician Assistants. Certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed by the Medical Board of California, Alina is passionate about surgery and committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.
Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Alina loves concerts, ballet, and spending time at the beach outside of work. She also enjoys hiking, trying new food spots, and quality time with friends and family.