Advanced Gastroenterology Group
Advanced Gastroenterology Group has served patients across New Jersey for decades. Our practice was founded on the belief that every patient deserves access to board-certified gastroenterology expertise close to home — without the wait times and impersonal experience of large health system practices.
​
Our Mission
​
Our mission is to provide evidence-based, compassionate digestive health care to the communities of Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset counties. We are committed to early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal cancers, effective management of chronic GI conditions, and ensuring every patient feels heard, informed, and well-cared for.
​
Our Approach to Care
​
We practice evidence-based medicine rooted in the guidelines of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Our physicians stay current with advances in GI medicine through continuing education, specialty society membership, and peer-reviewed literature.
​
We offer same-day appointments for urgent concerns, online scheduling through our secure patient portal, and bilingual resources in English and Spanish to serve the diverse communities of New Jersey.
​
Our Technology​
​
-
High-definition endoscopy with advanced imaging
-
FibroScan for non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment
-
Hydrogen and urea breath testing for SIBO and H. pylori
-
Capsule endoscopy for small bowel evaluation
-
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and ERCP for advanced hepatopancreatobiliary disease
​
Community Commitment
​​
Advanced Gastroenterology Group is proud to serve the diverse communities of New Jersey. We offer Spanish-language resources, work with most major insurance plans, and participate in community colon cancer screening outreach. Colon cancer is 90% preventable — and we are committed to making screening accessible to every patient in our community.
Meet Our Doctors
Daniel Bodek, DO
Dr Daniel Bodek graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internal medicine training at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Jefferson Health.
Arun Mathew, MD
Dr. Arun Mathew graduated from Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School. He completed internal medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and then gastroenterology fellowship training at Lankenau Medical Center.
Prakriti Merchant, MD
Dr. Prakriti Merchant graduated from St. George's University Medical School and subsequently completed her Internal Medicine training at Norwalk Hospital, CT. She obtained her Gastroenterology and Hepatology degree from Norwalk Hospital and Yale New Haven Medical Center
Michael Viksjo, MD
​
Dr. Michael Viksjo graduated from the University of Buffalo Medical School and completed his internal medicine training at Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. He finished his Gastroenterology fellowship at New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ.
Kunal Grover, MD
Dr. Kunal Grover graduated from medical school at St. George's University and completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Rutgers-Newark where he served as Chief Medical Resident and Chief Gastroenterology Fellow. In addition to upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, he is trained in endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP
Patrick Tempera, MD
Dr. Patrick Tempera completed his medical residency in internal medicine at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey as chief resident. He completed his fellowship training in gastroenterology at Seton Hall University Post Graduate School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association.
Michael Margolin, MD
Dr. Margolin graduated from New York University School of Medicine and completed his residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He was Chief of Gastroenterology at Union Hospital. Dr Margolin is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the American College of Gastroenterology. He was honored as Physician of the Year by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation NJ Chapter in 2010
Rajesh Dhirmalani, DO
Dr Rajesh Dhirmalani completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Rutgers-Newark. He is well versed in the latest endoscopic ultrasound approaches and advanced therapeutics
Shawn Philip, DO
Dr Shawn Philip graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internal medicine training at Albany Medical Center. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Hackensack University Medical Center. He has published several articles in reputable GI journals and has been recognized for his academic achievements with admission to the Sigma SIgma Phi Honor Society and Psi Chi Honor Society
Meet Our Nurse Practitioners and PAs
Tracey Alves, DNP
Tracey Alves is a graduate of Seton Hall University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She also holds a Master's degree in Nursing from Walden University where she graduated with honors. She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with Distinction from Chamberlain University. She is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Swara Patel, PA
Swara Patel, PA-C, is a graduate of The College of New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She went on to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at South University in Richmond, Virginia. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).