About Gastro One
Two of the area’s largest gastroenterology practices, Gastro One and Memphis Gastroenterology Group, made their merger official July 1, 2014.
The two physicians groups have joined under the Gastro One name, creating the largest gastroenterology practice in the Memphis Metro area, and one of the largest physicians groups in the region, regardless of specialty.
The merged practice features 33 doctors covering the spectrum of gastroenterology – the study, treatment and health of the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine/colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder). Each gastroenterologist is a medical specialist trained in internal medicine and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the digestive system.
Gastro One is an independent practice not owned or tied to any hospital system, though its doctors have privileges at the following hospitals in the Mid-South: Baptist East, Baptist DeSoto, Methodist Germantown, Methodist North, Methodist University, and St. Francis Park.
“Independence means the highest level of flexibility for our patients in terms of facilities, insurance and choice,” said Michael S. Dragutsky, M.D., president of the new Gastro One, and formerly with Gastro One. “This new, larger and stronger practice means one stop for all gastro and digestive tract needs for people in the area and for referring physicians.”
Gastro One will operate seven out-patient offices and three endoscopic center locations in the Mid-South.
“This was a perfect match for us as an organization because of our practice footprints, our mutual dedications to compassionate services with medical excellence, and our commitments to practice independence,” said Richard S. Aycock, M.D., senior vice president of the new Gastro One and formerly with Memphis Gastroenterology Group. “This was a true merger where the combined organization is stronger than the sum of its parts.”
All facilities across the practice are in the process of being converted to the Gastro One brand. The transition should have no impact on current patient treatment, insurance or physician relationships. Doctors from each practice began shared call visits in April, so many patients have already met physicians from each former practice.
-Summary written by Rob Robertson- Staff writer, Memphis Business Journal
