The best part about being a nurse practitioner is actually being a nurse practitioner - we have more time to develop relationships and build trust and rapport. As a nurse, I have enough knowledge to answer their questions. A good day's work is being able to allow time for patients to answer their questions and calm their anxieties.

For patients who haven't met me, the first thing I would like to say is that I'm here to help you. I'm going to tell you what I think is going on as clearly and as simply as I can, educate you on your problem and show you the path to fix it. And it may be a very difficult... Read More about William Ray Silliman, MD

GI issues can be pretty personal, so I do my best to make sure my patients are comfortable. I like to remind people that I've heard it all, and I hope they feel like they can talk to me. I want to get to know my patients, but I also want to help them solve their problems as quickly as... Read More about Mimi A. Kingery, PA

I had asthma as a kid and a few ER visits. Fast forward to med school... I decided to pursue a pulmonary fellowship. Part of my training was dedicated to robotic bronchoscopy, and I was actually lucky enough to be the first one in southeast Missouri to perform the procedure. We've been doing it for over two years now, and... Read More about Muhammad Ehtisham, MD

Talking about uncomfortable things is difficult. I take pride in being approachable and making the clinic visit as easy and comfortable as I can. For a small-town community hospital, we offer almost every aspect of GI. If I could give one piece of advice, I would say to get screened. Colon cancer is a preventable cancer.

I chose gastroenterology because it gives you a variety of care. The field itself is always evolving. I truly enjoy what I do. If you come in, we?re going to have fun, we?re going to get serious when we need to. We?re going to make it the most enjoyable experience we can.

My mother had breast cancer, and I was drawn to gastroenterology because the colonoscopy acts as a preventive measure for cancer. Having a colonoscopy allows us to find and remove polyps before they become cancerous. I grew up in this community, and people don't have to go to a big city for good GI care. That's what we're here for.