Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists focus on the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system, including a range of organs starting at the mouth and ending at the rectum.
Gastroenterologists in Gainesville
We want to identify the cause of your digestive discomfort and provide treatments to restore your quality of life.
At HCA Florida North Florida Hospital’s Center for Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy (CATE), we provide the advanced care you need to maintain and restore your gastrointestinal (GI) health. Our digestive health specialists treat all types of GI conditions and symptoms, as well as patients with some of the most complex conditions.
In addition to comprehensive diagnostic procedures and treatments, our hospital is home to the North Florida Endoscopy Center. This specialized hospital unit offers patients a seamless, quality experience when undergoing a same-day endoscopy procedure.
Complex GI Program
Our Complex GI program at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital has been recognized by Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, as a Signature Program. This is the first signature program in the state of Florida for Sarah Cannon.
The Sarah Cannon Signature Program internally recognizes and celebrates programs that have taken significant steps to provide a higher quality of care to the patients they serve. Achievement of the Signature Program recognition speaks to the collective commitment of our physicians, nurses, oncology nurse navigators and administrators focused on continually improving patient-centered care.
Gastrointestinal conditions we treat
Because the digestive tract includes several organs, our GI doctors offer treatment for a wide range of GI conditions patients may experience, including:
- Achalasia
- Anal fissure
- Barrett's esophagus
- Candida esophagitis
- Celiac disease
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Crohn's disease
- Diverticulitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gastroparesis
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Hiatal hernia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Large polyps
- Obesity
- Pancreatic disease
- Peptic ulcers
- Ulcerative colitis
Gastrointestinal imaging and testing
Since all of the organs of the GI system are internal, we use specialized diagnostic procedures to identify diseases and evaluate function. We perform the following GI screenings and tests:
- Bravo pH testing
- Colonoscopy
- Small bowel enteroscopy
- Upper GI endoscopy
Advanced gastrointestinal procedures we perform
Our team specializes in providing some of the most cutting-edge techniques in the gastrointestinal clinical space. This means you can receive the highest level of care closer to home. We perform:
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- SpyGlass cholangioscopy
- Difficult bile-duct stones, prior failed ERCP
- Altered anatomy: Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE)
- Pancreatitis (recurrent, acute and chronic)
- Pancreatic stenting
- Ampullectomy
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- Fine needle aspiration/fine needle biopsy (FNA/FNB)
- Pseudocyst drainage
- Pancreatic necrosis management
- Celiac plexus block/neurolysis
- Fiducial placement
- Abdominal and pelvic abscess drainage
- Pancreatic cyst ablation
- Radiofrequency ablation (esophageal, biliary, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors)
- EUS-guided biliary, pancreatic and gallbladder drainage
- EUS-guided glue injection for gastric varices
- EUS liver biopsy
- EUS-guided creation of gastrojejunal anastomosis for gastric/duodenal obstruction
Tissue resection
- Resection of large polyps (precancerous and cancerous)
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
- Barrett’s ablation and endoscopic resection
- Endoscopic full thickness resection (EFTR)
Luminal stenting
- Esophageal
- Gastroduodenal
- Colonic
Endoscopic clipping and suturing
- Endoscopic incision-less fundoplication (TIF)
Endoscopic weight loss
Endoscopic weight loss has been shown to be a reliable choice for individuals who have chosen not to undergo weight loss surgery and those who have undergone such surgery but are presently coping with weight regain. Typically conducted on an outpatient basis, these endoscopic procedures allow patients to resume their normal routines within days after the treatments:
- Stomal reduction
- Pouch reduction
- Fistula management
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)- With the use of a specialized device called the "overstitch," we are able to administer approximately five to seven full-thickness sutures to decrease the size of your stomach. This procedure does not involve the removal of any portion of the stomach, which is different than the surgical approach called sleeve gastrectomy.
- Transoral gastric outlet reduction (TOR)- This procedure is for weight regain after gastric bypass surgery. Due to scar tissue and adhesions, a traditional bariatric surgery revision can sometimes be extremely challenging. An endoscopic bariatric revision decreases these potential risks.
If you would like to learn more about endoscopic weight loss options at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, please call (352) 331-5255.
Third space endoscopy
Third space endoscopy comprises a variety of endoscopic techniques conducted within the "third space," referring to the potential cavity within the gastrointestinal tract wall. Typically, this involves interventions within the submucosal layer of the organ wall, which provides a wide variety of endoscopic minimally invasive alternatives to the conventional surgical approach.
Third space procedures offered:
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
- Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM)
- Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER)
Ask a Doc - Colon Cancer
Gastroenterologists Drs. Tony Brar and Ryan Heath answered the community's colorectal cancer related questions during our Ask a Doc Facebook Live show that aired on March 27, 2024.
Gastrointestinal surgery
Our GI surgeons offer surgical treatment options for digestive health conditions, including:
- Colectomies
- Complex biliary tract surgery
- Complex liver and pancreatic surgeries
- Esophagostomy (robotic-assisted option available)
- Gastrectomy
- Liver resection
- Surgical oncology, including abdominal surgery and treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Whipple procedure (robotic-assisted surgical approach available)
GI cancer care
Our hospital offers a comprehensive cancer care program to provide diagnostic testing and treatment for patients with GI cancer. We treat:
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Small and large intestinal cancer
- Stomach cancer
Additional services
- Manometry testing - Manometry is a diagnostic test that evaluates pressure and motility throughout your esophagus as you swallow. This procedure helps diagnose swallowing disorders, which will support the development of an individualized treatment plan. This testing is available by physician referral and offered in our GI endoscopy suite. For more information, please call (352) 333-4790.
- Genetic testing - Genetics can play an important role in the development of certain cancers known to be associated with a hereditary cancer syndrome. NFH offers genetic screenings that help identify individuals at an increased risk of developing some cancers due to family history. Patients who choose to be tested due to personal and/or family history will meet with our certified genetics provider to review their results and receive further management recommendations. For more information, please call (352) 333-5840.
- Radiofrequency ablation (esophageal, biliary, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors)
- Endoscopic clipping and suturing
- Endoscopic incision-less fundoplication (TIF)
North Florida Endoscopy Center
North Florida Endoscopy Center hosts experienced gastroenterologists who provide quality care for patients undergoing an endoscopic procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The gastroenterologists work alongside registered nurses, endoscopy technologists and support staff who work hard to facilitate your care before, during and after your endoscopy.
For more information, please call (352) 333-5900. We are open Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm.
Endoscopy patient instructions
Your physician will give instructions about when to arrive on the day of your procedure. We ask you not to eat or drink anything after the time provided during your preadmission visit. On the morning of your procedure, take only the medications your doctor instructed you to.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take on and off. Please leave any valuables at home. Do not wear eye makeup or nail polish.
You will need to arrange for a responsible party to drive you home after the endoscopy. You will not be allowed to drive yourself. If a responsible party is not available to take you home, your doctor will cancel the procedure. You may only take a taxi or car service if someone can ride with you.
Due to limited space in our waiting area, we ask you to bring no more than two support people.
Gastrointestinal imaging and testing
Since all of the organs of the GI system are internal, we use specialized diagnostic procedures to identify diseases and evaluate function. We perform the following GI screenings and tests:
- Bravo pH testing
- Colonoscopy
- Small bowel enteroscopy
- Upper GI endoscopy