Philosophy

All physicians and medical practices operate under some philosophy whether they plan it or not. Our philosophy is to put the patient first, provide physical and emotional comfort, and strive for the highest care possible. Let's look at how this works at North Shore Gastroenterology Associates.

Professionals - Our physicians carry on a team oriented approach to our patients' care. Medical assistants are highly proficient in taking medical history, outlining physician prescribed therapy and explaining medical disorders, diseases, diets and drugs. The medical assistants are often the first line of contact for patients. Whenever possible, a medical assistants interview the patient first, then the physician evaluates the patient and, finally, there is a group meeting with patient, family and physician when needed.

Denise DiMarco, Shaheen Khalfan, and Rebecca Bikram are certified nurse practioners/physicians assistants. They also evaluate new and established patients and are very knowledgeable in many gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

Family Doctor - Since our role is to provide specialized care in gastroenterology, you will still need your family or personal doctor for other medical problems. After your evaluation here, you will be referred back to your primary care physician. If you need regular treatment by a gastroenterologist, we will continue to manage the gastroenterology problem with your physician's approval. We will provide regular detailed reports to insure the best care and communication. You will usually receive a copy of this report.

Second Opinions - Occasionally, a medical problem is unique or rare. There may be questions about the best approach to a disorder. Under these circumstances, we are eager to get additional opinions from whomever and wherever will best serve each patient.  If you ever think a second opinion would be helpful, please, by all means, mention it.

Endoscopy - The ability to visualize the inside of the intestinal tract has revolutionized gastroenterology. We can now see the problem in the stomach or colon, take pictures and biopsies, and remove polyps. These exams are done under mild sedation administered by a certified anesthesiologist.  In urgent circumstances, exams of the upper intestinal tract (esophagus and stomach) may be done on the first office visit so as to provide an immediate diagnosis. Colonoscopy, the exam of the colon or large intestine, requires a very clean bowel and is usually scheduled at a subsequent date. Click the Procedure section of this web page to learn about specific procedures.

Patient Education - A patient's understanding of his or her disease and the recommended treatment is crucial to effective medical therapy. The more a patient knows about their disorder, the better the result. So, all patients receive printed information about their disease, diet, and drugs. We have also included a Links section on our website so that you can link to additional sources throughout the world. Browse to your heart's content.