Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1199058
35 GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastro Health continues nationwide expansion, acquires Gastroenterology Associates of Northern Virginia By Eric Oliver Miami-based Gastro Health acquired Fairfax-based Gastroenterology Associates of Northern Virginia. What you should know: 1. GANV was formed in 1998 and has grown to become the most comprehensive GI group in the region. GANV has 18 physicians, eight physician assistants and 60 support staff, spread across four outpatient locations. 2. GANV Medical Director Ahmed Hegab, MD, will move into a leadership role at Gastro Health, serving as vice president of clinical affairs for Virginia. GANV CFO Teresa Strausbaugh will also join the leadership team as vice president of operations. 3. This is Gastro Health's third acquisition away from its South Florida home base. The company acquired Birmingham, Ala.-based Southeast Gastro in April and Seattle-based Puget Sound Gastroenterology in September. Gastro Health was the first gastroenterology practice to partner with a private equity investor. Gastro Health CEO Joseph Garcia said: "We are thrilled to partner with Gastro- enterology Associates of Northern Virginia. Their emphasis on quality care and the patient experience closely align with our mission. GANV is a well-respected group that will serve as our platform in the Mid-Atlantic." n New guidelines keep colonoscopy screening age at 50 — 4 insights By Eric Oliver T he American College of Physicians released a new colorectal cancer screen- ing guideline statement for adults between 50 and 75 years old without symptoms on Nov. 5. What you should know: 1. The guideline, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, rec- ommends adults between 50 and 75 undergo one of the following: • A fecal immunochemical test or high-sensitivity guaiac-based fecal occult blood test every two years • A colonoscopy every 10 years • A flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years with a follow-up FIT every two years 2. The guidelines do not apply to adults with a family history of CRC, inflammatory bowel disease, genetic syndromes that lead to familial cancerous polyps, past CRC or benign polyps, or other risk factors. 3. Researchers found that 67 was the median age for a CRC diag- nosis, and because of this adults between 65 and 75 years benefit the most from CRC screenings. Despite this, adults between 50 and 75 years also realize benefits from CRC screenings. 4. The guideline statement bucks recent recommendations to lower the screening age to 45. Those recommendations are based on growing concerns about increas- ing early-onset CRC rates. n GI Alliance strikes again, acquires Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology By Eric Oliver Dallas-based GI Alliance acquired Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, its third acquisition in three weeks. What you should know: 1. Indianapolis Gastroenterology is the largest GI group in Indianapolis. e practice's 16 physi- cians and 10 advanced practice providers will all join GIA. 2. Aer this partnership, GIA has a presence in five states with a network of 315 affiliated physicians. 3. Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology CEO Jim Turner said the affiliation will help IGH expand throughout Indiana. Mr. Turner said, "rough this new partnership, we are looking to expand the presence of IGH with other Indiana-based gastroenterology groups, community hospitals and employer groups whose mission and culture are, like ours, focused foremost on their patients." 4. Since its November 2018 formation, GIA has grown rapidly and aggressively, expanding the fastest of any of the established private equity-backed GI platforms. n