School of Medicine
Showing 561-570 of 599 Results
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Brian Ruhle, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Brian Ruhle is a board-certified surgeon with dual-fellowship training in minimally invasive bariatric (weight loss) surgery and endocrine surgery. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ruhle specializes in bariatric surgery, foregut (upper digestive tract) surgery, adrenal surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction. He uses leading-edge laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss and improve obesity-related health conditions. His expertise in advanced minimally invasive procedures offers patients significant benefits, including faster recoveries, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.
Dr. Ruhle’s research interests span a wide range of topics in metabolic and bariatric surgery. His studies have explored combination therapies for managing obesity, improvements in screening and treating endocrine disorders, and optimizing outcomes in thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He has published his findings in many peer-reviewed journals, including Surgery, Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Ruhle has presented at prominent national conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. His presentations have discussed using GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss medications that help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite) before and after bariatric surgery. He has also addressed improving screening protocols for hyperaldosteronism (high blood pressure caused by excess production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland).
Dr. Ruhle is a member of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. -
Alejandra Ruiz
Postdoctoral Scholar, General Surgery
BioDr. Alejandra Ruiz is a physician-scientist working at the intersection of clinical medicine, health services research, and community-engaged intervention design. Based on her clinical experience in high-complexity settings, she works to optimize integrative care models that address both physical and mental health needs.
She is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and General Surgery, where she examines structural barriers to care among underserved populations and develops pathways to improve access and care delivery. Her work is grounded in community-based participatory research, through which she designs, implements, and evaluates culturally responsive interventions. Dr. Ruiz is committed to advancing equitable, sustainable models of care that improve access, engagement, and patient outcomes. -
Cristin Runfola
Clinical Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Runfola's research focuses on the epidemiology of dysregulated eating and weight concerns in undeserved populations and her primary interest is in developing and testing the efficacy of clinical interventions designed to improve outcome for eating disorders.
With support from GFED, Dr. Runfola adapted the Uniting Couples in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (UCAN) therapy manual for couples in which one or both members have binge-eating disorder (UNITE) and recently completed pilot testing on this treatment. She is in the process of expanding this treatment for all couples affected by binge eating, and is submitting a grant to fund future work testing efficacy.
