Health systems across the U.S. are expanding gastroenterology services as demand for digestive care, endoscopy and colorectal screening continues to rise.
From large academic systems launching specialized programs to community hospitals investing in outpatient endoscopy suites, Becker’s has reported on 12 hospitals and health systems investing in GI since March 12, with developments spanning outpatient endoscopy centers to boosting GI teams and adding new technology:
1. Sacramento-based UC Davis Health opened the region’s first dedicated adult congenital colorectal clinic May 12. Fewer than five adult congenital colorectal programs exist nationwide, making the clinic one of a small number of programs focused on the transition from pediatric to adult care.
The system also began using a new AI tool to improve colonoscopy quality and measure physician performance. Embedded in Epic, the tool analyzes pathology reports to identify adenomatous polyps and calculate adenoma detection rates, a key quality metric. It replaces manual data entry, which often resulted in incomplete tracking,
2. Morgan City, La.-based Ochsner St. Mary Hospital added a gastroenterology service line, with Lauren Bernuchaux, MSN, APRN, and Brooke Gautreaux, MSN, APRN.
3. Nashville, Tenn.-based One GI partnered with Oshi Health to expand access to virtual gastrointestinal care through Oshi’s access program. The partnership allows One GI practices to tap Oshi Health’s advanced practice providers as dedicated, full-time virtual staff to extend clinical capacity.
4. Northwestern Medicine opened a $15 million Center for Advanced Endoscopy at its Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Ill., a Chicago suburb. The 20,000-square-foot center is led by Amrita Sethi, MD, an internationally recognized endoscopist serving as medical director, and features advanced imaging, flexible robotics and AI-enabled diagnostics.
5. Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint opened a new colorectal surgery clinic in Waukee, Iowa. Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer rates underscoring the need for expanded CRC services in the region.
6. Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health added four gastroenterology physicians to expand endoscopy services in Bismarck, N.D.
7. Miami-based Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is now offering sedation-free transnasal endoscopy using the EvoEndo system, becoming the first in South Florida to provide the option.
8. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is expanding treatment and monitoring options for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis, including biologic therapy and minimally invasive tools.
9. Carle Health and Christie Clinic, both based in Champaign, Ill., are partnering to open a new endoscopy facility. The Champaign Endoscopy Center will expand the colonoscopy and upper endoscopy services currently performed at Carle Foundation Hospital and Champaign Surgery Center.
10. Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital is set to open a gastroenterology clinic. Patrick Okolo, MD, will lead the clinic at the hospital, which aims to expand access to digestive health care and colorectal screening services.
11. Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health opened an ambulatory endoscopy center in Ogden, Utah.
12. Orlando (Fla.) Health broke ground on a 28,000-square-foot facility in downtown Orlando that will house its new Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.