Surgeons & Staff
Meet Your Surgeon
At Surgical Associates of WNY (SAWNY), you’ll be cared for by a team of board-certified surgeons who combine decades of experience with advanced surgical training. Each surgeon brings a unique background and area of expertise, ranging from minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures to complex abdominal and spine exposure surgeries performed in collaboration with local spine specialists. This depth of experience allows our practice to treat a wide variety of surgical conditions with precision, safety, and compassion.
Every member of our surgical team is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), reflecting their commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards. As a teaching affiliate, SAWNY remains actively engaged in research, education, and the training of the next generation of physicians. This partnership ensures that our patients benefit from both time-tested expertise and the latest advancements in surgical care.
Meet Your Midlevel Providers
Exceptional care at SAWNY comes from a coordinated team approach that includes not only your surgeon, but also experienced nurse practitioners and a physician assistant who provide attentive, day-to-day care throughout your surgical journey. This model ensures seamless communication, consistent follow-up, and ongoing support while you recover.
Our midlevel providers, Ms. Karee Chella and Ms. Briana Kelley, are integral to your experience. They maintain a dedicated presence at Mercy Hospital, taking health histories, assisting in surgery, and providing both pre- and post-operative care. They round daily on inpatients, coordinate with surgeons, and help monitor progress, ensuring that every patient receives continuous, high-quality attention. Their knowledge, compassion, and approachability allow you to feel supported and informed every step of the way—because at SAWNY, your recovery and comfort always come first.