Dr. J. Barry McKernan is a world leader in laparoscopic surgery and one of the original pioneers in minimally invasive general surgery. On June 22, 1988, he performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) in the United States. Since then, Dr. McKernan has gone on to develop advanced laparoscopic procedures for treating hiatal hernias, ventral and inguinal hernias, ulcer and colon disease, splenic and renal malignancies, liver, adrenal and pancreatic tumors.  He also performs laparoscopic surgical treatment including lap-band, gastric sleeve, and bypass for Obesity.

Dr. McKernan has a broad background, having completed a Ph.D. in pharmacology after receiving his masters in biochemical physiology and his medical degree with a surgical internship. He focused his love for developing and creating on the designing of new instrumentation and training of surgeons worldwide. He co-edited the textbook Principles of Laparoscopic Surgery and has been published in journals such as:

• The American Surgeon
• Southern Medical Journal
• Japanese Surgical Journal
• Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia
• Surgical Clinics of North American and Surgical Rounds
• Current Surgical Therapy

All surgeons will say that actually operating is their greatest joy, and Dr. McKernan is no exception to that rule. He maintains a busy surgical practice in addition to his teaching and writing commitments. He has been privileged to care for patients from as far away as Japan, South America and Europe.

Dr. McKernan lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, and is well known for his farm and love of unusual animals. He spends much of his time away from work communicating with his own menagerie including ducks, geese, pygmy goats, three llamas, Buddy-a miniature horse, and two cats. One question remains-why didn't McKernan, who has been spotted mowing his lawn followed by a llama, sheep and goat, become a vet instead? "I considered it, but my grandfather died following an appendectomy prior to antibiotics, and my father wanted me to become a people doctor. I get to enjoy the animals in my free time, and they can blame my wife for the vet visits!"

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