In 1972, Dr. F. Dennis Waldron located the first gastroenterology practice in Tacoma, Washington. Over the years, Dr. Waldron continued to grow his practice through the recruitment of additional gastroenterologists. Since February of 1996, the practice has evolved, through merger with other gastroenterology groups, continuous physician recruitment efforts, and construction and expansion of practice sites.

Digestive Health Specialists is comprised of nine modern clinics and four state-of-the-art endoscopy centers. The practice sites are located in the cities of Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Auburn, Covington and South Hill Puyallup.

The single most important asset that Digestive Health Specialists possesses is its highly competent Medical, Nursing and Administrative Staff. This staff includes physicians, certified physicians' assistants, and nurse practitioners, along with more than 200 nurses and administrative employees.

Gastroenterology is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine. The organization provides inpatient and outpatient medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with illnesses and diseases of the digestive tract which includes:

• The esophagus
• The stomach
• The small and large intestine (colon)
• The pancreas and liver
• The gallbladder and attached bile duct

Gastroenterologists have completed not only four years of medical school and three years of internal medicine residence, but at least two to three years of specialty training, referred to as a fellowship. During the fellowship training, physicians learn indications and skills needed to perform several specialized diagnostic procedures including:

• Upper Endoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• Esophageal Motility and pH Studies
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Choledoscopy with Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy of Common Bile Duct Stones
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• Liver Biopsy
• Biliary and Esophageal Stent Placement
• Anorectal Manometry
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Placement
• Capsule Endoscopy

Most procedures are scheduled on an outpatient basis, but occasionally hospitalization may be necessary.

We also employ three pathologists and provide a full range of highly complex laboratory services to include histology at our many sites.

Our practice is limited to gastroenterology disorders. We recommend that patients have a primary care physician to manage non-gastroenterology problems. We will be glad to refer you to a primary care physician in the area.