Aaron Freeman began his academic journey at Rutgers University and graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology. Shortly after, he attended Middlesex Community College for an associate’s degree in nursing. After working as a nurse in direct patient care on a 30-bed surgical step-down unit for six years at St. Peter’s University Hospital, he did clinical education while earning a master’s degree in nursing with focus on the adult/geriatric population at Seton Hall University. He then became an active member in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Shortly after graduation, Aaron joined Center for Digestive Diseases, keeping with his goals in caring for patients in the acute care and outpatient settings.

Licensure: New Jersey, New York

Board-Certified: American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Gastroenterology

Fellowship Training: Gastroenterology, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY

Residency Training: Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

Member: American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Medical Association

Affiliated Hospitals: Overlook Hospital, Summit

Dr. Geethan Sivananthan (Siva) is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He graduated summa cum laude from the honors program at Rutgers College. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, where he was elected to the exclusive Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, a lifelong recognition of a physician’s excellence and dedication to the medical profession and the art of healing. Dr. Sivananthan completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the prestigious Weill Cornell-New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. He went on to complete his fellowship in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital, training under a world-renowned physician team, where he gained valuable clinical and patient experience. Dr. Sivananthan previously served as director of gastroenterology services at the Christ Hospital charity clinic while he was a gastroenterology attending physician with CarePoint Medical Group.

Dr. Sivananthan has presented original research in the GI field at several national conferences, including the American College of Gastroenterology annual scientific congress. His clinical interests encompass the full breadth of gastrointestinal disease and endoscopy with particular interests in colon cancer screening and awareness, acid reflux disease, celiac disease, Barrett’s esophagus, capsule endoscopy and inflammatory bowel disease.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Sivananthan is pleased to be back in the area providing excellent patient care at Center for Digestive Diseases. When he is not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and young son, enjoying all that the area has to offer.

Aaron Javier graduated from Rutgers University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports studies, with a major in psychology. He continued to grow and utilize his medical skills and knowledge while working at JFK Hospital Department of Health and Rehabilitation. Aaron spent several years treating and supervising patients recovering from neurological and physical illness. In early 2005, Aaron received his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Aaron joined Center for Digestive Diseases in 2006.

Licensure: New Jersey

Board-Certified: American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Gastroenterology

Fellowship Training: Advanced Endoscopy, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA; Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Residency Training: Internal Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Member: American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Affiliated Hospitals: Overlook Hospital, Summit; Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth; Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark

Dr. Chirla is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist practicing since 2009. She diagnoses and manages a wide variety of gastrointestinal and liver pathology and specializes in advanced procedures including endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration, therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), luminal stent placement and endoscopic mucosal resection. She did comprehensive three-year gastroenterology and hepatology training at Drexel University College of Medicine in Pennsylvania, after graduating medical school with high honors. She also completed an additional one-year advanced endoscopic training at Carilion Clinic in Virginia under the guidance of renowned endoscopist Dr. Paul Yeaton.

Dr. Chirla has done several research projects during her residency and fellowship in various topics in gastroenterology and hepatology, which she has presented at national meetings like Digestive Disease Week and American College of Gastroenterology. She has also authored several abstracts and articles published in peer-reviewed journals like Gastroenterology, American Journal of Gastroenterology and Practical Gastroenterology.

Dr. Chirla is an active attending physician at St. Barnabas Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center, where she gives lectures and participates in teaching residents and providing endoscopic training to surgery residents. She is interested in public education and has given community talks to the general public on various gastrointestinal topics, including women’s GI issues.

Outside her profession, she loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is an avid runner and enjoys participating in marathons.