Dr. Bhama is a staff Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio. Prior to joining the staff at Cleveland clinic, she practiced at Rush University Medical Center in Downtown Chicago. There, she served as the Director of Robotic Colorectal Surgery, the Director of the Rush Program for Complex Reoperative Colorectal Surgery, and the Director of Education for Colorectal Surgery.
She attended University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree and The Ohio State University for her medical degree. She completed training in General Surgery at University of Iowa and completed a research fellowship in surgical oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She completed her Colon and Rectal Surgery training at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor/ University of Michigan with additional training in complex minimally invasive and reoperative colorectal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Board General Surgeon and Colon and Rectal Surgeon
Dr. Bhama’s clinical practice specializes in complex reoperative colorectal surgery and advanced robotic techniques. Her interests are enterocutaneous fistulas, chronic anastomotic complications, ostomy reversal, and complex reoperative operations for IBD and recurrent colorectal cancer. She has extensive experience in robotics for colorectal surgery, specifically advanced robotics in patients who have had prior abdominal surgery.
Dr. Bhama’s research focus is the comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive robotic surgery and surgical education.
Selected publications from PubMed
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis.
Hawkins AT, Bhama AR, Langenfeld SJ, Boutros M, Jafari MD, Davis B, Curran T, Paquette IM, Hedrick TL, Gaertner WB, Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 Oct 1;69(10):2431-2450 doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000004382.
Disparities in robot utilization in colorectal surgery: the widening gap.
Donaldson AE, Jochum SB, Knight J 3rd, Underhill JM, Grimes C, DeCesare LA, O'Donnell B, Ritz EM, Govekar HR, Bhama AR, King-Mullins E, Hayden DM
Surg Endosc. 2026 Sep;40(9):7657-7675 doi: 10.1007/s00464-025-12459-w.
Dedicated bedside assistance improves operative efficiency in robotic colorectal surgery: A retrospective comparative study.
Oruc M, Cross T, Karahan S, Spivak A, Erkaya M, Bhama A, Steele S, Gorgun E
Am J Surg. 2026 Feb;252:116760 doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116760.
Optimal Timing for Rectal Cancer Surgery After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy: When Does Surgery Get Really Challenging?
Karahan SN, Oruc M, Erozkan K, Valente MA, Bhama AR, Steele SR, Kessler HP, Liska D, Gorgun E
Dis Colon Rectum. 2025 Dec 1;68(12):1403-1413 doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000003940.
Rediversion of the Failing Ileoanal Pouch: First Step in Pouch Salvage?
Uchino T, Lincango EP, Hernandez Dominguez O, Bhama A, Gorgun E, Kanters A, Kessler H, Lipman J, Liska D, Sommovilla J, Valente M, Steele SR, Hull T, Holubar SD
Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2025 Jan 6;31(1):105-112 doi: 10.1093/ibd/izae061.
"I never should have been a doctor," "I will never be good enough to deserve this" – these haunting thoughts are all too familiar to healthcare professionals struggling with imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon characterized by feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Recent studies have revealed that approximately 30% of medical students and residents identify as impostors. These numbers underscore the urgency of addressing this pressing issue within the surgical community. This session delves into the fundamentals of imposter syndrome and presents practical strategies for managing it effectively. Led by experts in the field and surgeons who have navigated these challenges firsthand, this webinar promises to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of surgical training.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
May 2024
The main issue discussed is evolving as a teacher during the early- to-mid career. The trickiest time is when you have finally graduated, and you can finally operate by yourself, but you also need to teach and let trainees operate. Surgeons at all levels can struggle to become better teachers because the way in which trainees learn changes, and expectations are ever-evolving. Teaching can be challenging during these initial phases. Many factors can influence teaching such as complexity of the case, the teaching surgeon’s with these cases, the trainees’ level and experience. It is very important to be very clear about what must be taught. Not only are operative planning and the basic technical skills important, but it is also crucial to bear in mind that you are teaching residents who are still learning how to operate on their own. At the end of the session, robot-specific teaching points are discussed, giving some crucial tips on setup.
Published
May 2022
As one’s surgical career evolves, there are challenges and circumstances to navigate at every stage. The mid-career surgeon is now accomplished in clinical skills, but other aspects of their practice may still be in flux. Mid- career surgeons may find themselves starting at a new position/institution, evolving leadership roles, facing challenges in diversity, managing education and trainees, or identifying mentors to help guide one’s career. This program is sponsored by the Young Fellows Association (YFA) of the American College of Surgeons. It will focus on unique challenges for surgeons entering the mid-career stage. While most programs focus on new practicing surgeons, this program will focus on the unique concerns of mid- career surgeons. Please join us for a thoughtful and interactive discussion of the obstacles that mid-career surgeons need to overcome during this stage in their professional lives.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Mar 2022
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