Our Providers

Vivaik Tyagi, MD

Dr. Vivaik Tyagi was trained in Internal Medicine in the U.S. at the University of New York, Brooklyn, NY. He concluded his final year of Internal Medicine as Chief Resident at Brooklyn VA Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. After completion of the GI fellowship program at SUNY Downstate New York, he proceeded to the fourth year of the Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopic Fellowship training at Milwaukee, WI. There, he refined his skills in endoscopic ultrasound and complex pancreatic and biliary interventions.

Dr. Tyagi has a special interest in the endoscopic treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. He has utilized his luminal stenting skills on difficult obstructive malignancies of the intestine, giving patients considerable relief and preventing their transfer to tertiary centers. Dr. Tyagi’s artful application of endoscopic ultrasound and sophistication in pancreaticobiliary cannulation has indeed raised the standard of the local hospitals in Antelope Valley to that of the tertiary centers in Los Angeles.

Dr. Tyagi has a knack for developing a close rapport with his patients. He devotes whatever time it takes to educate his patients so that they fully comprehend their medical problems. Dr. Tyagi is convinced that patients’ understanding and willing participation in the treatment strategy greatly enhances the healing process. He carries the distinction of having successfully performed the first endoscopic ultrasound-assisted cannulation of the common bile duct, which was not amenable to the conventionally applied techniques. He was instrumental in bringing Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy, Luminal Stenting for bowel obstruction from tumor or benign disease, pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, Intra Luminal endoscopic suturing, and recently, endoscopic treatment for reflux disease (TIF) to the local hospitals.

Dr. Tyagi vigorously participates in the activities of the hospital’s governance and currently is an active member of the executive committee at Antelope Valley Hospital. He has lived in the Antelope Valley with his family for over 13 years.

Kumaravel S. Perumalsamy, MD

Dr. Perumalsamy was born and raised in India. After completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India, he moved to the U.S., where he did his residency in Internal Medicine at Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. He proceeded to do his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He simultaneously did his training in Clinical Hepatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY. He was the chief fellow during his training. Dr. Perumalsamy graduated in 2008 and started his practice in Lancaster, CA.

Dr. Perumalsamy has served the Antelope Valley and Ridgecrest communities for the past 12 years. He specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, Luminal Stenting and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). With his advanced hepatology training, he is particularly adept at treating liver diseases, including viral hepatitis (Hepatitis C and B), cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and pancreatic disorders. He also specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

Dr. Perumalsamy manages and coordinates the care of liver and pancreas transplant patients. He introduced a fecal transplant program in the Antelope Valley. He was instrumental in introducing Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) to the local hospitals.

Dr. Perumalsamy is extremely friendly and easy to converse with. He takes the time and effort to educate his patients about their medical problems and to go over the course of treatment with them. He is a strong patient advocate and considers their satisfaction his utmost priority.

Dr. Perumalsamy is affiliated with the Antelope Valley Hospital and Palmdale Regional Medical Center. He has served as the Chief of Medicine at Palmdale Regional Medical Center for the past 5 years.

Dr. Perumalsamy is an avid sports enthusiast and a family man. During his free time, he enjoys hiking and travelling with his family.

Prithviraj Dharmaraja, MD

Dr. Prithviraj Dharmaraja graduated from the University of Sri Lanka, Colombo in 1980. In 1982, he moved to Bronx, NY, where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center. He did his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN in 1987.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. D. moved with his family to Lancaster, CA, where he has resided for the past 22 years. With over 25 years of experience, he continues to meet the gastroenterology needs of the Antelope Valley and Ridgecrest communities.

Dr. D. is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and is an active member of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He is especially interested in GERD, colon polyps, and the prevention of colon cancer.

Dr. D. appreciates his patients in the Antelope Valley and Ridgecrest communities for their trust in his care for their GI needs at Gastro Care Institute.

Dr. D. enjoys traveling and playing golf in his free time and hopes to visit more of his bucket list destinations in the near future.

Duminda Suraweera, MD

Dr. Duminda Suraweera is a Southern California local who spent his childhood in Orange County. He attended UCLA and graduated cum laude with a degree in Biology. He obtained his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Subsequently he returned to California to complete his Internal Medicine Residency at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, CA. Upon completion of his residency, he was selected to be a Chief Resident and had numerous leadership roles in medical education, hospital administration and patient outreach.

Dr. Suraweera completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship training at the University of California Irvine where he rotated at both UC Irvine and Long Beach VA Medical Centers. There he had the opportunity to learn cutting-edge endoscopic techniques and in-depth management of Gastroenterology diseases. Dr. Suraweera also participated in leading roles in the Patient Safety Committee where he advocated for continued improvements in healthcare delivery with a “patient first” emphasis, as well as in the Medical Student Clerkship Education Committee where he helped revamp the third-year medical student curriculum.

Dr. Suraweera has participated in pioneering research throughout his medical education and career. He has published numerous articles in various scientific journals and has presented his work at professional conferences including the American College of Gastroenterology and Digestive Disease Week. He continues to have a strong interest in research.

Dr. Suraweera enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as traveling and experiencing new adventures with his wife. His hobbies include hiking, camping and trying new types of food. He has a friendly personality and is a strong advocate for his patients.

Dr. Suraweera is excited to be joining Gastro Care Institute and looks forward to getting to know the Lancaster community that he is serving.