Eliyahu Hemo, M.D.

Eliyahu "Eli" (pronounced Elly) Hemo was born and raised in Israel, where he loved playing soccer and climbing trees. Hemo has a black belt in Shotokan karate, plays guitar, mountain bikes, and loves hunting, fishing, and camping. He served in the Israeli military as a platoon sergeant in an infantry combat unit. He is married to Roni, and they have two girls, Noam and Gillie, who love the outdoors, animals, books, movies and online games.

Hemo received his medical doctorate from the Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine in 2011. He finished his general surgery residency at the University of Illinois in 2016 and did a fellowship in bariatric surgery with Legacy Health in Portland, Oregon, in 2017. He chose the field of surgery because he wanted to be able to provide precise and fast-acting solutions to people's medical problems. He loves that these solutions rely on vast knowledge, experience and skill. He recognizes that the future of surgery is in minimally invasive access, and he is very proud to be able to perform almost all general, bariatric and foregut surgeries through small, keyhole incisions. As a bariatric surgeon, he takes his role as an educator and guide for patients and the general public very seriously.

Physicians and scientists continue to make progress in understanding obesity and improving tools aimed at preventing and treating this complicated disease. Hemo feels very lucky to have won the trust of thousands of patients in this exciting field. Nothing is more satisfying than sharing a patient's transformation from being ill and immobile to healthy and active, knowing they are saving lives!

Hemo's goal is to deliver his care in a personal, tailored manner. He wants his team to exceed patients' expectations and to always remember that being on this God-given mission is a privilege and an honor.