GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES OF THE PIEDMONT: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO GI CARE BY DEBBIE LINVILLE
Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont (GAP) provides a personal, comfortable and compassionate alternative to gastroenterology (GI) care by combining a patient-centered approach with state-of-the-art equipment.
A TEAM OF GASTROENTEROLOGISTS
A gastroenterologist has specialized training in diseases or disorders that occur in the GI tract. GAP’s board-certified physicians have been trained to perform colonoscopies, endoscopies, and other specialized procedures to best help diagnose GI conditions and develop the most efficient treatment options. Collectively, they provide the latest in comprehensive GI care for conditions relating to the entire digestive system, including: • Stomach • Intestines • Esophagus
• Pancreas • Liver • Colon
This includes colon cancer screening, which is standard for those age 50+, or younger based on family history or symptoms. The GAP provider team consists of 15 established physicians and another that will be joining in late summer of 2017. Also, there are six advanced practitioners who assist in the patient’s plan of care and treatment.
GAP is independently owned and creates a personal, comfortable atmosphere for its patients without sacrificing quality, safety, or value. In fact, it is recognized at the highest level as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). In addition, its outpatient ambulatory surgical centers for colonoscopy and endoscopy have received the stamp of excellence by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
GAP WELCOMES DR. LAURA PATWA
In late summer 2017, GAP will be welcoming Dr. Laura Patwa. As a strong advocate for her patients and a firm believer in partnering with them to improve their overall health and wellbeing, she will be an excellent addition to the team. Early in her career, Dr. Patwa actively worked as a pharmacist until deciding to return to medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After moving to Ohio for a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology, she has decided to move back home to North Carolina. She continues to be an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. To combine business with pleasure, Dr. Patwa participates in medical missions and community service projects. In her home life, she enjoys traveling, camping and hiking with her husband and three children. Although Dr. Patwa diagnoses and treats a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal and hepatic (liver) disorders, she takes a special interest in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD EXPLAINED
IBD refers to a group of diseases that affect the colon. The best known of these are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). The diseases differ in the area affected and in their treatments, but both include symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Such symptoms can often be controlled with proper treatment. However, because the treatment plans across IBD conditions are so different, it is crucial to get a correct diagnosis before establishing a treatment plan. GAP’s specialized IBD clinic provides care to these patients by utilizing a treatment team of nurse navigators, physicians, nutritionists, psychologists, and surgeons who work together to establish a personalized treatment plan, as well as an in-house infusion clinic. Ultimately, the goal of the IBD clinic is to educate each patient on their individual needs and to follow their progress in a joint effort to decrease frequent illness and hospitalizations.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
GAP has several areas of sub-specialization to help manage uncommon and difficult-to-treat disorders. With such a team of highly trained and skilled physicians, the practice as a whole offers a wide variety of services and provides a comprehensive approach to GI care.
Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont has locations to serve you in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, and now King. For more information, call 336.448.2427 or visit them at gapgi.com.
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