Our Expert Team

M. Angelo Trujillo, MD grew up in Northern New Mexico in a large family. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he completed Pharmacy and Medical School. Dr. Trujillo then attended the University of Arizona and did his training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Dr. Trujillo met Dr. Steven Palley at the University of Arizona while they were both in training there. Drawn to Flagstaff for its outdoor opportunities, they founded Northern Arizona Gastroenterology in 1993. Dr. Trujillo specializes in Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention, Liver and Biliary issues, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Dr. Trujillo enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and traveling. Dr. Trujillo and his wife Lara enjoy Flagstaff and have raised their four children in Flagstaff.

Rodney Engel, MD grew up in Mesa, Arizona on the family citrus farm that his family has had since 1957. After graduating in the top 1% of his class in high school, Dr. Engel attended Pomona College where he was Class President. Dr. Engel majored in Religious Studies while also pursuing his medical school prerequisites. Dr. Engel completed medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Engel met his wife, Erin, there and she accompanied him to Mayo Clinic where he did his internal medicine training. Dr. Engel stayed on as Chief Internal Medicine Resident and then on faculty in Internal Medicine before pursuing his Gastroenterology training at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Engel has been in Flagstaff with his wife, kids and dogs for the last 11 years. Dr. Engel has been trained in all general areas of gastroenterology. Dr. Engel loves the Southwest and spends much of his free time outdoors with hiking, mountain biking, skiing and other pursuits. Dr. Engel has made Flagstaff his home and is thrilled to base his family in a town that fits his love of diversity, education, STEM and the outdoors.

Vincent Honan, MD is originally from suburban New York City. Dr. Honan went to college at the University of New York in Albany and graduated from Albany Medical College in 1987. Dr. Honan completed his Medicine Internship and Residency at New York Medical College. Dr. Honan came to Arizona for his Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Arizona in Tucson as well as at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Dr. Honan stayed on for a year after his fellowship to do biliary or third tier endoscopic procedures and enjoyed being on staff at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Dr. Honan came to Phoenix to be the director of the Maricopa Medical Center Endoscopy before going into private practice in Phoenix in 1995. Dr. Honan and his family have had a home in Flagstaff over the last 20 years and enjoy the beautiful scenery and people. In his spare time, Dr. Honan enjoys reading, hiking, running, and spending time with his family.

Melissa Hakes is a native of Flagstaff and a proud alumni of Flagstaff High School (Go Eagles). Upon graduation she pursued a career in NASCAR as a race car fabricator. Melissa eventually left the race car industry to follow her passion for healthcare, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Northern Arizona University.

Melissa began her nursing career at Flagstaff Medical Center, where she dedicated herself to bedside care. Seeking to further her education, she attained a Master of Science in Nursing at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and became a Family Nurse Practitioner. While studying at Georgetown, Melissa joined Forest Canyon Endoscopy and Surgery Center where she became a charge nurse. At Forest Canyon Endoscopy and Surgery Center she developed a strong interest in gastroenterology and chose to join the team at Northern Arizona Gastroenterology.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Melissa finds joy in exploring new destinations, diving into captivating books, and embracing the challenges of puzzling.