General Practitioners

• Medical Weight Loss
  Karisa was born and raised in Omaha.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2003.  She then went on to complete her dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2004.  Prior to joining Midwest GI, Karisa spent six years working at Hy-Vee as a registered dietitian. She completed the Commission on Dietetic Registration Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management in 2011.  Karisa is dedicated to helping patients incorporate healthy eating into their everyday lives. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
• Nutritional Counseling
  Diet and nutrition are important factors in the management of IBD. Diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis are likely to increase the body’s requirements for calories, nutrients and energy.
• Primary Care
  It is important for patients to be up to date on all vaccines. Your physician will recommend the following vaccines: yearly flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine with booster 5 years after initial dose, Prevnar13 vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine series and hepatitis B vaccine series, Shingrix vaccine (inactive). Additional vaccines may be recommended based on your age. If you are taking an immune suppressing medication or biologic you will NOT be able to receive any live vaccines. Be sure to inform your primary care physician once you start on these medications. Live vaccines include: Influenza nasal mist, Varicella (chicken pox), Zoster (shingles), MMR, BCG (tuberculosis), Rotavirus, oral Typhoid, Vaccinia (small pox) and Yellow fever.
• Smoking Cessation
  Smoking can make your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) worse. Patients who smoke are more likely to have flares and require medications as well as surgery to treat their IBD. Quitting smoking can improve the overall health of your digestive system.
• Emergency Care
  There is someone to help you during the day and after hours. We want to keep you healthy and out of the hospital, which includes refraining from going to the emergency room for non-urgent care.
• Colonoscopy
  Colorectal cancer screening is safe and effective. Early detection of colorectal cancer leads to easier treatments and higher survival rates. There are several different options for screening, colonoscopy being the most common. Schedule an appointment to talk to your gastroenterologist to make an informed decision about which screening tests are right for you.
• Immunizations

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates, PC (MGI) was formed in 2005 when Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) and Internal Medicine Associates (IMA) merged. The original gastroenterologists of IMA, the late Dr. Kenneth Maxwell and Dr. Edwin Schafer, began their practice in 1977. In 1982 Dr. Timothy Denzler and Dr. Michael Jones joined their individual private practices to form GIA. Over the years, as each practice grew and welcomed new physicians, the cordial working relationship between the two groups developed.
• Gastroenterology
  Gastroenterology Management Services, LLC, (GEMS) is a physician owned Management Company. We specialize in providing administrative, financial, and clinical oversight for outpatient medical clinics and ambulatory surgery centers related to gastrointestinal disorders and treatment.
• Colon Cancer
  Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. Colorectal cancer is defined as cancer of the colon or rectum. Regular screenings can help prevent colorectal cancer through diagnosis at an early, curable stage and through removal of precancerous polyps. A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue lining the colon or rectum; some polyps, such as an adenoma polyp, may turn into cancer or may already be cancer. Individuals with a personal history of colon polyps or family history of colon polyps /colon cancer are at an increased risk of developing polyps.
• Endoscopy
  Our Endoscopy Center is both a Joint Commission certified facility and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recognized endoscopy unit.  Joint Commission accreditation and certification is a symbol of quality, which reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting specific performance standards. The Joint Commission’s standards and emphasis on clinical practice guidelines help organizations establish a consistent approach to care, reducing health care related risks.  ASGE is known as the profession’s leader in setting standards for excellence in endoscopy. The ASGE

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  An examination of the deeper layers of the digestive tract utilizing a specially designed endoscope that has an ultrasound transducer at the tip.  Using ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, images of the layers of the gastrointestinal tract as well as other internal organs are obtained.  If needed, endoscopic ultrasound also allow for biopsy of lesions that are deeper than the mucosa or lesions that are in internal organs such as the pancreas.
• MRI
• Radiology
  It is possible that people with Crohn’s disease of the colon could experience the same conditions. If that happens, they would also need emergency surgery. However people with Crohn’s disease are more likely to have other complications which may require urgent or emergent surgery. Sometimes Crohn’s disease will cause scarring to develop, which leads to a narrowing (stricture) of the bowel. This may cause obstruction or blockage. Other people with Crohn’s disease may develop ulcers that eventually cause tunnels that lead to other parts of the intestines (large or small bowel), the bladder, the vagina or even to the surface of the skin. These tunnels are called fistulas. Surgery may be indicated if medications cannot control the tunnels. Sometimes these tunnels can lead to leakage of infection and the development of an abscess (boil). An abscess may require antibiotics and often will need to be drained. Drainage can often be done by interventional radiology via minimally invasive approaches, however, occasional surgery may be needed. Some people with Crohn’s disease will develop anal fistulas and fissures. In fact, 8-12% of people with Crohn’s disease will present with anal problems as the first sign of their disease.
• X-Rays
• Interventional Radiology

Plastic Surgeons

• Bariatric Surgery
  Iron deficiency anemia may be caused by several medical conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, child birth, inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal malabsorption diseases, or chronic kidney disease.

Dermatologists

• Lesions