Dr. Sam Abdehou
About Us
Founded in 1978, Gastroenterology Associates is the largest physician-owned Gastroenterology group in South Carolina. With 20 physicians, 10 advanced practice providers, 5 offices and 3 endoscopic ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), Gastro Associates provides comprehensive care in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Leading the industry in quality metrics, our board-certified physicians offer the latest diagnostic and treatment plans with professional and compassionate care.
Dr. James D Gould, MD
Our history of patient care began more than four decades ago by our founder Dr. James D. Gould. Dr. Gould was the first physician in Greenville, South Carolina to specialize in gastroenterology. He announced the formation of Gastroenterology Associates, P. A. at the Greenville Medical Center Building in July 1978. The practice was specialized to only gastroenterology and currently remains the same as of today. Dr. James D. Gould’s teaching and dedicated training approach has contributed to Gastroenterology Associates becoming the largest and most experienced gastroenterology practice in the whole state of South Carolina. Starting with one office and two physicians, Dr. Gould’s dream has now grown to five offices, three endoscopy centers, and twenty-two physicians. We will continue to honor Dr. James D. Gould by supporting the foundation of his ethics and trust that was founded by him as a physician.
Dr. James D. Gould, January 14, 1939 – March 17, 1986
We Will Provide You With High Quality Medical Care
We will treat you with kindness and respect. We will serve you with honesty, and we appreciate that you allow us to participate in your healthcare.
We provide the latest diagnostic testing and treatment. We evaluate and manage patients with GI problems such as GERD, Peptic Ulcer disease, Gallbladder disease, IBS, Inflammatory Bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), Liver diseases, Pancreatic disease, Diverticulitis, difficulty swallowing and Colonoscopy for Cancer Screening.
We have easy access to high-level care with five offices and three endoscopy centers in the Upstate! We look forward to providing you with the advanced care every patient deserves. Our endoscopy centers offer a cost effective alternative for outpatient procedures.
Our Providers
At Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., our medical staff is composed of Gastroenterologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, certified medical assistants, nurses, and endoscopy technicians, who are all committed to treating our patients with kindness and respect. Our board certified physicians specialize in treating all types of acute and advanced gastroenterology disorders.
Physicians
Dr. Matthew Barnes
Dr. Stephen P. Brackbill
Dr. Christopher J. Fyock
Dr. D. Isaac Gaines
Dr. Jared Geist
Dr. David Q. Gulley
Dr. Anthony Horton
Dr. P. Allen Jones
Dr. Alex J. Kovalic
Dr. Joseph S. Lebel
Dr. Paul A. Mazanec
Dr. Ayub A. Merchant
Dr. Peter A. Naas
Dr. David T. Palma
Dr. Ritu F. Saha
Dr. Madhusudhan Sunkavalli
Dr. Hiren Vallabh
Dr. Olga Vitorsky
Dr. C. Stephen Yarborough
Retired Physicians
Dr. Michael L. Crowley
Dr. Glen G. Daves
Dr. Richard C. Greer
Dr. Michael W. Kelly
Dr. Judith A. Spivey
Dr. Richard E. Zander
Dr. Greg S. Holt
Dr. J. William Holt
Dr. Suzy L. Kim
Dr. Michael I. Rickoff
Why Choose a Gastroenterologist?
Gastroenterologists are medical doctors who specialize in the digestive system. They receive extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal issues. When it comes to colonoscopies, their specialized knowledge ensures a higher level of accuracy and precision in detecting abnormalities. Also, they typically complete additional fellowship training specifically focused on endoscopy procedures like colonoscopies. Many studies have demonstrated that a gastroenterologist has a higher adenoma detection rate (ADR) compared to a surgeon. This means that a gastroenterologist has a higher percentage of detecting one or more precancerous polyps during your colonoscopy!
Gastroenterologists must maintain board certification, unlike surgeons, which involves staying up to date with the latest advancements in their field. They are equipped to handle any unexpected issues that may arise during a colonoscopy. Their in-depth knowledge allows them to make real-time decisions and provide immediate solutions, ensuring your safety throughout the procedure.
Advanced Practice Providers
Jennifer Garren, APRN-C
Julie H. Hammond, APRN-C
Chandler K. Hunt, PA-C
Alexis D. Jones, APRN-C
Tracy Luther, APRN-C
T. Nikki Morgan, APRN-C
Allyson Naylor, PA-C
Sabrina S. Raja, PA-C
Teresa Truman, APRN-C
Beejal Vadhar, APRN-C
Why does Gastroenterology Associates utilize Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants?
Gastroenterology Associates is a specialty practice.
Physicians divide their time between patients in the office, performing procedures and rounding at the hospital. Because their schedules are varied and rotate frequently, they may not always be available for an appointment that works with the patient’s schedule. To ensure your healthcare concerns are addressed in a timely manner, Gastroenterology Associates employs Physician Assistants (PA) and Nurse Practitioners (NP). They are sometimes referred to as Advanced Practice Providers (APP). These healthcare providers work closely with your physician to ensure that the care you receive follows the treatment plan designated by your physician.
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants may also care for you in the hospital. Gastroenterology Associates uses these providers to provide an additional level of care for their patients. Often they follow a patient from admission through discharge so that patients are seen each day by the same provider in addition to the physician who is “rounding” at the hospital. You might also be seen in the office by APP for hospital follow up care.
A Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner will not replace your regular physician, or perform procedures. You may see the NP or PA for medication refills or to review test results. A Physician Assistant is someone who has a degree from an American Medical Association approved school, and a Bachelors of Science or a Masters of Science Degree. They must pass national board exams and the Medical Practice Act exam. They can perform medical exams, order tests and prescribe medications. A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse who has an advanced Masters in Nursing from an accredited school and takes national certification exams to become an APRN – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. They can perform medical exams, order tests and prescribe medications.
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