- Primary CareIf you are healthy and have no symptoms, call 828-624-1358 to schedule a screening colonoscopy. A registered nurse will take your medical history over the phone and schedule your appointment. If you are having symptoms, you need a referral from your Primary Care Physician.
- Family PracticeAlicia joined Gastroenterology Associates in April 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida. She received her Master of Health Science–Physician Assistant degree from the University of South Alabama. Most recently, Alicia served as physician assistant in transplant cardiology and advanced GI surgery with Tampa General Medical Group at Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute. Prior to that, she was a physician assistant in colorectal surgery with Tampa General Hospital-University of South Florida. Additional physician assistant experience includes work in cardiothoracic surgery, clinical cardiology, family practice and emergency medicine. Alicia is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed in the state of North Carolina. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Alicia is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- ColonoscopyWe are proud to offer a specialty co-pay option for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina members on a Blue Care, Blue Options or Blue Advantage co-pay plan. If you are a member of one of these three plans, you pay only a specialty co-pay fee for our office-based colonoscopy procedures. This means lower out-of-pocket costs and improved access to our award-winning facility.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Internal MedicineDr. Nikrooz joined Gastroenterology Associates in 2009. She is a native of Lincolnton, NC. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her medical degree from East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. Dr. Nikrooz completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is board certified in gastroenterology. Dr. Nikrooz has been selected by her peers to the “Castle Connolly Top Doctors Central Carolina” list. She also received the Patients’ Choice Award presented by Vitals.com in recognition of the difference she has made in the lives of her patients, an honor given to physicians who received near perfect scores as voted by their patients.
- GastroenterologyBy using our site, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms of use. Please review the following terms carefully. If you do not agree to these terms, you should not use this site. The term “us” or “we” or “our” refers to Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., the owner of the Web site. The term “you” refers to the user or viewer of our Web Site.
- Colon CancerHigh-risk individuals, such as those with a family history of colon cancer and other conditions, should begin screening earlier at age 40, or 10 years earlier than when the affected family member was diagnosed.
- EndoscopyOur Hickory office is conveniently located at 415 North Center Street in the Medical Specialties Center across from Frye Regional Medical Center. Our Endoscopy Center can be found on the 3rd Floor, Suite 300, with our Clinic and Infusion Center on the lower level in Suite 002.
- Diabetes Care
- X-Rays
- LesionsA colonoscopy involves examining the walls of the large intestine for possible polyps and inflammation. Through the use of a flexible camera, the entire length of the colon can be examined. Colonoscopies are useful in detecting abnormalities, removing lesions and polyps, and determining whether they are precancerous or not. Colonoscopy is the preferred colorectal cancer screening test because it is the only test that both finds and removes precancerous polyps during the same exam.