NURSE PRACTITIONER JOINS GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES – WELCOME DIANE SCAIFE, ANP-BC

Written by Gastroenterology Associates. Posted in News

Diane Scaife, ANP-BC, joined the staff of Gastroenterology Associates as a licensed adult certified nurse practitioner in August 2016.

Prior to joining Gastroenterology Associates, Diane gained extensive experience as a certified nurse practitioner with gastroenterology practices in Shelby, NC and Toledo, Ohio. She began her career as a registered nurse at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, working in critical care, then later served there as a certified nurse practitioner for trauma patients. 

She is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Nursing, where she also earned a master’s of science degree in nursing.

A member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Diane is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and a two-time recipient of Nursing Excellence Awards for Patient Care.

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Gastroenterology Associates Marks 20-Year Milestone

Written by Gastroenterology Associates. Posted in News

Gastroenterology Associates celebrates 20 years of serving western North Carolina as Board Certified Specialists in Gastrointestinal and
Liver Disease.

Founded in 1996 by Dr. Caroll Koscheski and Dr. John Meier, the practice has grown from two doctors with three employees to an eight physician group with more than 50 full and part-time employees.

Gastroenterologists include (shown seated from left) John Meier, MD; Gaa Richardson, MD; Susan Nikrooz, MD; and Caroll Koscheski, MD. Standing from left are Siddharth Sura, MD; Simon Allport, MD; Gregory Diamonti, MD; and Frank Wright, MD. All are board-certified physicians affiliated with Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.

“It is gratifying to see what our practice has become with two decades of hard work by our physicians and employees,” said Dr. Meier.
“We feel we have had a very positive impact on the Hickory medical community and on the lives of our patients. It has been exciting to see major advancements within the GI specialty. We offer a broad range of services not usually available in a community of this size.”  

A major development in the growth of Gastroenterology Associates was the opening of the first in-office endoscopy facility in the greater Hickory area in 2005. Today, most endoscopy procedures for the practice are performed on-site in the award-winning facility. Colonoscopies, the preferred colorectal cancer screening test, are the primary endoscopic procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Associates endoscopy unit.

“Patients like the privacy of our facility, and our caring staff creates a comfortable atmosphere for each and every patient,” said Dr. Koscheski.  The practice has safely performed tens of thousands of examinations in the facility since 2005.

“Colon cancer deaths have decreased by about 35% in Catawba County over the last 10 years. Much of this progress is attributable to colonoscopy and awareness of the need for screening,” noted Dr. Koscheski.

“One of the biggest changes we have seen in twenty years is patient and community acceptance for colonoscopy,” explained Dr. Koscheski. “Patients are very proactive today. They understand that screening saves lives and can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 80-90%. Patients call us and say they just turned 50. Let’s get the process started.”

 “Our staff has been instrumental in our growth. We would not have achieved the success we have without their dedication, outstanding service and commitment,” said Dr. Koscheski.

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Gastroenterology Associates Endoscopy Facility Celebrates 10 Years

Written by Gastroenterology Associates. Posted in News

Ten years ago, Gastroenterology Associates opened the first in-office endoscopy facility in the greater Hickory Metro area to enthusiastic reviews from patients. Today, the majority of the endoscopy procedures for the practice are performed in our award-winning facility.

Demand for in-office colon cancer exams has dramatically increased with the aging baby boomer population. Colonoscopies, the preferred colorectal cancer screening test, are the primary endoscopic procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Associates endoscopy unit.

“In 2005, we saw the need for an office-based facility since hospital same-day surgeries were overwhelmed with demand for colonoscopies. We developed our facility to provide a lower-cost option without compromising quality, safety or patient satisfaction,” explained Dr. John Meier.

“Office-based endoscopy procedures are far less expensive than the same procedures at hospitals,” said Dr. Meier. “Patients also like the privacy of our facility, and our caring staff creates a comfortable atmosphere for each and every patient.”

Shown (from left) are Terry Thomas, RN, CGRN, clinical manager of the endoscopy facility; two ten-year endoscopy unit staff members, Tonya Schiefelbein, RN, supervisor, and Cindy Hollar, CNA; and Dr. John Meier.

The 3,500 square foot endoscopy unit features three procedure rooms with high definition equipment. Six preparation rooms and six recovery rooms provide patients and their families a pleasant environment to meet with the physician before and after their exam.

The endoscopy facility has been recognized for outstanding quality measures by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and is the only endoscopy facility in the Unifour area to receive the ASGE Certificate of Recognition. In addition, the endoscopy unit was one of the first four centers in North Carolina to be recognized by ASGE.

Accredited, as well, by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc., (AAAHC), the endoscopy facility at Gastroenterology Associates has met nationally-recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. Accreditation distinguishes the endoscopy facility from other outpatient facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. The endoscopy facility is also licensed by Medicare and the State of North Carolina.

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