Dr. Hawasli is the director of Laparoscopic Surgery and the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Hawasli pioneered laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder in 1989. Other minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures he has performed include laparoscopic band placement (LAP-BAND) for morbid obesity, sleeve gastrectomy, removal of the gallbladder, appendix, spleen, adrenal gland and colon; and repair of groin hernia and hiatal hernia. In addition, he has performed anti-reflux procedures for heartburn (GERD), kidney removal for transplant, and radio-frequency ablation of unresectable liver cancers. He has been board certified in general surgery since 1986, and was recognized in 2004 and 2005 as one of the region’s most respected general surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine’s annual “Top Docs” ranking. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).