Methodist Surgical Specialists – Celina

Your Local Surgeons When Your Health is on the Line

It’s a typical weekday afternoon, and Dr. Steve Duffy finally gets a break from a half-day’s worth of surgeries to sit at his desk, catch up on paperwork, grab a quick lunch, and return a few phone calls. Days like these are the norm at Methodist Surgical Specialists in Celina, where one doctor can oversee up to 25 surgeries in a single week.

Dr. Duffy knows this pace well after 12 years running a busy surgical practice in McKinney before expanding into Celina. But while his practice was already thriving, the hospital’s surgical services were still growing, and Duffy and his team have helped change that.

“Most people don’t seek out a surgeon. They go to their primary care doctor first and are referred to us — so in many ways, people didn’t know we were here for about a good six months,” Dr. Duffy said. He is the chairman of the department of surgery. “The good news was that there was a definite need for a practice like this in Celina. Since then, we’ve been busier every day. The best part is that we have a strong team that’s worked together for a long time, and we’re very efficient at what we do. That translates to better patient outcomes.”

Nobody wants to fight traffic to get to the doctor, much less cross a busy highway for surgery. Methodist Health System, which has worked to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality healthcare for nearly 100 years, is changing that for Celina residents by bringing surgical care closer to home when the community needs it most.

Dr. Duffy’s team, including Dr. Makenzie Morrissey, Dr. Brian Shea, and physician assistant Amy Noroozian, pairs experienced surgeons with a personal, community-focused approach that makes patients feel less like a number and more like a neighbor.

Meet Your Local Surgical Team

From routine procedures to more complex surgical needs, Methodist Surgical Specialists in Celina is your go-to source for experienced care. The team specializes in abdominal procedures, such as abdominal pain, hernias, digestive concerns, and more. But they are equally adept at trauma surgery, endoscopies to investigate gastrointestinal issues, and skin and soft tissue procedures.

Leading the charge is Dr. Steve Duffy. Born and raised in Wylie, Dr. Duffy is a board certified general surgeon with particular interest in advanced hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction, colorectal and gastrointestinal surgery, and removal of skin and soft tissue lesions. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas, then received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Duffy completed his surgical residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and served 13 years in the military as a trauma and general surgeon before returning to civilian life as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Duffy has been recognized by D Magazine as a Best Doctor since 2016. Living readers have also voted him Best Surgeon in Allen, Celina, McKinney, and Prosper for five consecutive years.

Dr. Morrissey’s interests lie in robotic and laparoscopic abdominal procedures, including gallbladder, hernia, colon, and small bowel surgeries. Dr. Morrissey can also surgically remove skin and soft tissue lesions. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma. She then earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, graduating with highest honors. Dr. Morrissey completed her general surgery residency at Medical City in Plano.

Dr. Shea specializes in general surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, advanced hiatal hernia repair, weight-loss, and reflux surgery. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He then received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Shea completed his surgical residency at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey. He then completed fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio.

Last but certainly not least, Amy Noroozian, PA, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Gonzaga University, where she graduated with honors. She then received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Noroozian can diagnose and treat patients in lieu of a physician, allowing patients to book appointments sooner and expediting the treatment process.

Allowing Doctors to Be Doctors

Methodist Surgical Specialists in Celina has a pretty simple philosophy: Let doctors be doctors. After years of working together, Dr. Duffy and his fellow surgeons know each other’s rhythms, trust one another’s judgment, and understand what it takes to give patients the care they need. That familiarity helps them work efficiently without rushing patients. Just as important, they take the time to listen, answer questions, and get to know the person behind the problem.

It’s a laid-back, personal approach that Duffy says makes a difference when patients want more than just a place to have surgery.

“We get to do our favorite thing every day, which is to take care of our patients,” Dr. Duffy said. “Our personal approach matters.”