Dr. Hopping's interest in the field of medicine began during hospital visits with his grandmother, who was ill with lupus. Growing up doing carpentry and other jobs that required work with his hands, Dr. Hopping felt that surgery was a good fit for his future. He completed his medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, followed by his general surgery residency at St. Louis University School of Medicine.Top Areas of FocusAppendectomyBariatrics Da Vinci surgeryDiverticulitisGastrectomyHernia repairMole removalOpen woundsParathyroidRobotic surgery