Biography

Dr. Tanyaradzwa M. Kajese is a board certified, fellowship-trained bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon. She specializes in primary and revisional weight loss surgeries. She also performs laparoscopic and robotic general surgery, such anti-reflux surgeries, hernia repairs, gallbladder surgery and appendectomies. Dr. Kajese is also trained in advanced endoscopy, and regularly performs EGD’s and colonoscopies.

Dr. Kajese’s proficiency in obesity and metabolic surgery is supported by a multidisciplinary team that is dedicated to helping patients combat this disease process. Her clinic offers supportive tools such as monthly support groups, grocery store tours, exercise classes and access to a dietitian and psychologist who can assist with the behavioral aspects of obesity. These resources are tailored to each patient’s individual needs and personal goals.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Dr. Kajese received her B.A. from The University of Pennsylvania. She then attended the University of Kansas for medical school and her general surgery residency. While in training, she received numerous awards for her academics and teaching, and was elected the chief administrative resident. Dr. Kajese completed her fellowship training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, now known as McGovern Medical School.

Education

Graduate
MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 2006-2010
Residency
General Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 2010-2015
Fellowship
Minimally Invasive Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston (now known as McGovern Medical School at UTHealth), 2015-2016

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

Bariatric surgery, including revisional bariatric surgery. Foregut surgery (fundoplications for reflux, paraesophageal hernia repairs, myotomies for achalasia). Gallbladder surgery. Hernia surgery (inguinal, ventral, hiatal). Appendectomies.

Research Interests

Bariatric surgery

Publications

Publications:

Felinski MM, Abbas D, Walker PA, Primomo JA, Kajese T, Kar B, Gregoric I, Banjac I, Janowiack L, Nathan S, Husain R, Mehta SS, Bajwa KS, Shah SK, Akkanti B. “Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue for severe aspiration pneumonitis after roux-en-y gastric bypass procedure.” Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology 2021: In press.

Chang, Victoria C., Ping Pan, Shinil K. Shah, Tanyaradzwa M. Kajese, John A. Primomo, Garth Davis. “Routine Preoperative Endoscopy in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.” Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 16.6 (2020): 745-750. Web.

Primomo, John A., Tanyaradzwa Kajese, Garth Davis, Robert Davis, Shinil Shah, Maddie Orsak, and Christina Morrison. “Decreased Access to Bariatric Care: An Analysis of Referral Practices to Bariatric Specialists.” Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 12.9 (2016): 1725-1730. Print.

Kajese, Tanyaradzwa M., Rachel M. Drake, Jamie Ball, Stephen D. Helmer, and Jacqueline S. Osland. “Implantable Central Venous Access Ports Placed in Mastectomy Incision Sites: A Safe and Viable Option.” The American Surgeon 82.12 (2016): E341-343(3). Web.

Kajese, Tanyaradzwa M., S. Khicha, G. Khicha, and S. Helmer. “Primary Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Lung.” Kansas Journal of Medicine 7.4 (2014): 164-166. Print.

Kajese, Tanyaradzwa M., R. L. Beamer, and S. Helmer. “Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis within an Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia in an Adult: A First Report.” The American Surgeon 79.4 (2013): 147-48. Print.

Kajese, Tanyaradzwa M., Linh T. Nguyen, Giao Q. Pham, Van K. Pham, Katherine Melhorn, and K. James Kallail. “Characteristics of Child Abuse Homicides in the State of Kansas from 1994 to 2007.” Child Abuse & Neglect 35.2 (2011): 147-54. Print.

Presentations:
Kannappan A, Walker PA, Primomo JA, Kar B, Loyolka P, Gregoric I, Nathan S, Husain R, Akkanti B, Kajese T, Mehta S, Bajwa
KS, Shah SK. “Veno-venous extra corporeal membrane oxygenation as rescue therapy for severe aspiration pneumonitis after
bariatric surgery.” Poster presentation. SAGES Annual Meeting 2017, Houston, TX, March 22-25, 2017.

Primomo, John, T.M. Kajese, G. Davis, R. Davis, S. Shah. “Laparoscopic Revision of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty to Roux-En-Y
Gastric Bypass.” Video presentation. SAGES Annual Meeting 2016, Boston, MA, March 16-18, 2016.

Kajese, Tanyaradzwa M., J. S. Osland, J. Ball, R. M. Drake, S. Helmer. “Implantable Central Venous Access Ports Placed in
Mastectomy Incision Sites: A Safe and Viable Option.” University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita Research Forum
2014.