Specialty

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Education

University of Scranton, PA, B.S. Biology, Summa Cum Laude, Honors Society Member
Temple Hospital School of Medicine, PA, Doctor of Medicine, Highest Ranked Medical Student, Class of 1991
Johns Hopkins Hospital, MD, Internal Medicine Internship and Residency, William Osler Medical Fellow
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PA, Fellowship Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Clinical focus

Dr. Kovalovich provides Gastroenterology and Hepatology consultation for comprehensive gastrointestinal (GI) disorders with an emphasis on colorectal cancer screening and prevention, skilled colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding disorders, acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, fatty liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, peptic ulcer disease, disorders of digestion and absorption, capsule endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease , diarrheal illnesses, irritable bowel syndrome, esophageal swallowing disorders, constipation, bloating, disorders of gallbladder and pancreas, autoimmune liver disease, liver mass, hemochromatosis, elevated LFT’s, esophageal varices, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, drug induced liver injury, and B12 deficiency He has achieved consistent remarkable performance in the colonoscopy quality indicator of high adenoma detection rates that are shown to strongly correlate to colon cancer prevention.

Language

English

Biography

Dr. Kovalovich’s roots lie in the southeastern anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Scranton where he developed a passion for biological sciences, history, theology and philosophy. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Temple University School of Medicine. While at Temple Med, he received the Joseph C. Doane Memorial Award as the Highest Ranking Medical Student, Class of 1991, The Louis Soloff Cardiology Award and was inducted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He served his internship and residency as a William Osler Fellow of Internal Medicine in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. To honor his father Andrew, a Korean War Veteran, he then worked a year as a Medicine Attending at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. From there, he completed a rigorous Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. There, he received the Komarov Prize for Basic Gastrointestinal Research, Philadelphia Gastrointestinal Research Forum and the Edward Raffensperger, M.D. Gastroenterology Teaching Award. At Penn, he conducted research and published manuscripts on liver injury, fibrosis and repair, IL-6 and liver regeneration. He was a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Instructor from 1998 to 2000 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on the Liver Service and assisted in the training of medical students and GI fellows. While there, he managed the care of advanced liver transplant candidates and well as their post-transplant medical care.

Though it was a very, very difficult decision to choose to leave Penn, he felt the call to leave academic medicine and turn to community medicine. Dr. Kovalovich joined Dr. Rock at PMA GI in 2000 and has since had the honor of caring for the medical needs of the greater Ches-Mont community.

“My calling came directly from my parents and grandparents who were rooted in faith, overcame poverty and tremendous hardships and lived with dignity and humility and taught empathy. As a physician, I believe that each patient has their own unique pressures, their own unique pain and suffering and their own fears and anxieties. I understand that trying to assist them in optimizing their gastrointestinal and hepatic health will allow them to live a healthier and more fulfilling life. I strive to positively influence each patient’s gastrointestinal and liver health. Hopefully then, they will have a better chance of fulfilling their personal goals, caring for their family and contributing positively to the community.”
Dr. Kovalovich passed his Board Certification exams in Internal Medicine in 1994 and in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 1997 and actively participates in the American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification program.