In the News
Gastro Health Growth in Ohio on Upward Trajectory
June, 2022
Gastro Health, a national leading medical group specializing in digestive health, has experienced steady growth and expansion in Ohio over the last two years making it one of the state’s top gastroenterology practices with ample reach.
With multiple locations throughout the Tri-State area to better serve multiple communities, Gastro Health – Ohio has steadily grown its number of physicians, advanced practice providers, and locations.
How It Started
Gastro Health, which has a presence in seven states with over 145 locations, acquired its first practice, Ohio Gastroenterology & Liver Institute (Ohio GI) in Cincinnati, Ohio in October of 2020. This acquisition established Gastro Health’s presence in the state with 22 physicians, two PAs and three ambulatory surgery centers in Norwood, Liberty, and Downtown Cincinnati.
With the partnership, Pradeep Bekal, MD, FACG, FASGE who had served as President of Ohio GI, became Gastro Health Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Ohio, and Daniel Walker, Ohio GI’s Chief Operating Officer, assumed the new role of Gastro Health Division Vice President of Ohio.
“As we looked ahead to the future, we saw the value in proactively partnering with like-minded physicians,” said Dr. Bekal. “Our partnership with Gastro Health gives us access to unmatched business and clinical analytics as well as technology improvements.”
Expansion in 2021
In July of 2021, an additional 17 Cincinnati hospital-based gastroenterologists joined the group mirroring a trend seen in healthcare where physicians choose to join private practices over employment in a hospital setting providing them clinical autonomy.
With this addition, Gastro Health – Ohio expanded from 22 to 39 gastroenterologists and six advanced practice providers, across nine clinical practice locations and three endoscopy centers.
“Having this many experienced gastroenterologists joining Gastro Health together in 2021 was a testament to the level of support we provide our physicians so that they can do what they do best, which is delivering the highest quality of care to patients,” said Gastro Health CEO Joseph Garcia. “Steadily, patients throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan area began having easier access to specialized GI care; and our goal is to continue to develop our presence in this region.”
This goal was met in October of 2021 when Gastro Health further expanded into the Northwestern area of the state through a new partnership with Gastro-Intestinal Associates, Inc. consisting of practices in Lima, Ada, Bluffton, Celina, Delphos, Glandorf, and Van Wert.
This acquisition added another six physicians and six nurse practitioners to the Gastro Health – Ohio teams bringing the total number of practitioners in the state to 46 physicians and 14 advanced practice providers providing care at 17 practice locations, four endoscopy centers, and four infusion centers.
A Look Ahead
In March of 2022, Gastro Health – Ohio welcomed Emmanuel A. Ofori, MD, to the team. Dr. Ofori sees patients in both the Anderson and Clermont practices.
This latest acquisition by Gastro Health – Ohio is part of a continued statewide growth and expansion in the single-specialty gastroenterology sector over the last two years that has resulted in 43 board-certified physicians and eight advanced practice providers serving patients throughout multiple communities.
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with such a strong team of physicians, leaders, and teammates,” said Garcia. “They have created a premier network of GI practices in Ohio that promote patient-centered care, which aligns with our mission and core values.”
“Our centralized group will continue to offer our community excellent care at lower costs while continuing to seek opportunities for further growth into 2023,” said Dr. Bekal.
Gastro Health currently has a presence in seven states – Florida, Alabama, Washington, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Massachusetts – with 365 physicians over 145 locations consisting of medical office practices, infusion centers, imaging centers, and a specialty pharmacy. Additionally, Gastro Health owns and operates endoscopy centers in five of the seven states and operates pathology and anesthesia services.
For more information on Gastro Health – Ohio, visit GastroHealth.com/Ohio.
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