Solo practice may no longer be the optimal strategy for physician independence. Many practices are finding the key to autonomy through strength in numbers. Here are seven gastroenterologists who lead GI practices with 20 or more physicians.
If you would like to recommend a gastroenterologist for this list, please contact Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com.
Paul Berggreen, MD, president, Arizona Digestive Health (Phoenix). Dr. Berggreen has been with Arizona Digestive Health since its inception in 2007. The group began with 35 gastroenterologists and has since grown to include 50 GI physicians and three pathologists. The practice has 25 office locations and 10 endoscopy centers. Dr. Berggreen was elected president by the practice's board soon after its founding. He also serves as the director of the Good Samaritan GI Fellowship Program.
Michael Dragutsky, MD, CEO, CFO, Gastro One (Germantown, Tenn.). Dr. Dragustky is a co-founder of the Gastroenterology Center of the MidSouth, which became Gastro One. In July 2014, Gastro One merged with Memphis Gastroenterology Group. After the merge, the practice became one of the largest physician groups in the mid-South. The practice has more than 30 physicians and 10 locations, spread across Tennessee and Mississippi. In addition to his leadership role at Gastro One, Dr. Dragutsky serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Jack Groover, MD, FACP, CEO, President, The Boorland Groover Clinic (St. Augustine, Fla.). The Boorland-Groover Clinic was established in 1947 and grew too be one of the largest gastroenterology clinics in the Southeastern United States. The practice now includes more than 60 physicians practicing at 12 surgery centers and more than 20 clinic locations. In addition to leading the clinic, Dr. Groover is also president and CEO of Jacksonville Center for Endoscopy and Jax Anesthesia Providers. He established his leadership in the Jacksonville medical arena in 1975 as the chief of gastroenterology of the Jacksonville Hospitals Education Program.
Lawrence Kosinski, MD, MBA, AGAF, FACG, Managing Partner, Illinois Gastroenterology Group (Elgin). Illinois Gastroenterology Group was formed in 2010 with the merger of four GI groups. Since then, two additional groups have joined the practice. Today, Illinois Gastroenterology has more than 40 physicians and seven endoscopy centers, making it the largest GI group in Illinois. Dr. Kosinski serves as a managing partner of the group. He is also the chair of the American Gastroenterological Association Practice Management and Economics Committee, and he serves on the board of directors for Sherman Hospital and as a member of the advisory board of the Illinois Health Information Exchange
Bruce Levy, MD, JD, CEO Austin Gastroenterology, Austin Endoscopy Center I &II. Dr. Levy became the CEO of Austin Gastroenterology and the Austin Endoscopy Centers in 2002. He is also an active board member of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society. The practice includes more than 20 gastroenterologists, 13 office locations and two endoscopy centers. Dr. Levy earned his law degree from the University of Houston Bates School of Law and completed his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia.
Steven J. Morris, MD, JD, CEO of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Morris is the CEO of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, which has more than 70 physicians and nearly 40 locations. Dr. Morris joined the practice in 1978. He is a former chief of staff at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta and a past president of the Georgia Gastrointestinal Society. Dr. Morris completed his fellowship at the University of Miami and holds a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta.
Gareth Weiner, MD, President, CEO, Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates (Denver). Dr. Weiner is the president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates, which now includes 30 gastroenterologists. The practice has 10 office locations and several physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers. The group covers eight hospitals in the area. Dr. Weiner also serves as a principal of Rocky Mountain Clinical Research.
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