Father-Son Duo Talks Gastroenterology at TidalHealth

BERLIN, Md. – In a special Father’s Day edition of this week’s Health Beat, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with a father-son duo practicing gastroenterology together.

Dr. Jerrold Canakis is a sage gastroenterologist who has practiced on the Eastern Shore for many years, and his son, Dr. Andrew Canakis, has followed in his footsteps to practice gastroenterology, with a specialty in pancreatic mobiliary disease.

The father-son duo emphasized the importance of listening to your body and talking to physicians regularly, as prevention is the key for colon cancer screening.

“Dietary changes, lifestyle modifications. You know, looking into the blue zones and dietary strategies like the Mediterranean diet, these are all small little things that we can implement in our day to day lives that will affect multiple health outcomes,” Dr. Andrew tells us.

Dr. Jerrold tells us that while he enjoys practicing gastroenterology, one of the most rewarding parts of practicing alongside his son, saying their relationship is built on trust and communication and working together. Plus, Dr. Jerrold says its a pleasure to watch his son work, saying he’s providing care and doing procedures that have never been done on the Eastern Shore previously.

“I try to hold the same standard that my dad holds himself,” Dr. Andrew agrees. “I believe it’s at the highest level of patient care. Calling patients after hours, it’s never a nine to, you know, 9 to 5 job… And that’s something I learned from my dad. There’s only so much a textbook can teach you.”

TidalHealth and WMDT wish you and yours a happy & healthy Father’s Day!