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38 GASTROENTEROLOGY 7 things to know about the 4 largest GI private equity platforms: Gastro Health, GI Alliance, US Digestive Health & One GI By Eric Olvier T his year will be a banner year for private equity investment in the gas- troenterology space, and it's already kicked off. 1. Dallas-based GI Alliance started the year with a trio of deals that expanded its pres- ence in Illinois and Texas, its two largest holdings. 2. GI Alliance has grown rapidly since its November 2018 formation. e platform has a presence in eight states and has a network of more than 800 providers including 430 gastroenterologists. 3. Miami-based Gastro Health, the first platform established in the space, had a strong 2020, further solidifying its presence in Florida and Virginia and also expanding into Ohio. 4. Gastro Health is still heavily concen- trated in its formation state of Florida, but expanded its reach to have a presence throughout the nation. In addition to the aforementioned states, Gastro Health also has affiliated practices in Washington and Alabama. 5. US Digestive Health is quickly establish- ing a strong foothold in its formation state. Although its first deal came just a year aer its May 2019 deal, the platform has been busy. It has closed three postformation deals to expand its Pennsylvania presence. 6. While One GI may be a relative newcom- er, having been established in April 2020, it is quickly growing. 7. e platform ended 2020 on a wave of momentum, closing a pair of postforma- tion deals. One GI further expanded on its home base by acquiring Nashville, Tenn.- based Associates in Gastroenterology and expanded to another state, closing a deal with Oxford, Miss.-based Associates in Gastroenterology with momentum expected to continue into 2021. n The 1st deals of 2021 — GI Alliance makes trio of base- growing transactions By Eric Oliver D allas-based GI Alliance made the first deals of 2021, partnering with Cleburne (Texas) Endos- copy Center, Oak Lawn, Ill.-based GI Associates of Chicago and Dallas-based Digestive Health Associates of Texas, the platform announced Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. The transactions build on the platform's existing presence. Cleburne Endoscopy Center was opened in 2016 by Yev- geniy Ostrinsky, MD, who will join GI Alliance. GI Alliance and Dr. Ostrinsky will work to bring new physicians to the area over the next two years. GI Associates of Chicago was established 25 years ago. The practice has five physicians and two advanced prac- tice providers. Digestive Health Associates of Texas was established in 1996. The practice is led by James Hakert, MD. GI Alliance now represents more than 800 providers, including 430 gastroenterologists and physicians. n Patients with family history of CRC may be able to follow regular screening recommendations By Eric Oliver P atients with a family history of colorectal cancer who had a negative screening colonoscopy may be able to wait 10 years for their next exam, ac- cording to a study submitted to 2020 Digestive Disease Week, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News reported Jan. 5. If a patient receives a high-quality baseline colonoscopy, they may be able to wait 10 years for a follow-up exam. Researchers compared these patients to the general population. For the cohorts, standardized incidence ratios and standardized mortality ratios were nearly identical. However, patients with a low-quality colonos- copy had higher incidence and mortality ratios. Researchers said their findings contradict the need to repeat screening colonoscopies in patients with a family history of CRC every five years. n