Gastroenterologist in Chattanooga

June 14, 2026

Sitting in Hamilton County near the Georgia state line, Chattanooga draws patients from across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, and its standing as a regional medical hub gives the area a substantial range of gastroenterology care. With about 185,783 residents as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), the city is among Tennessee’s largest, and that draw shows in the mix of options available: large multi-physician groups on one end, academic and hospital-affiliated programs on the other. Choosing a gastroenterologist from this local field rather than a national directory usually means the physician who diagnoses you also carries out your procedures at an area endoscopy center and manages your follow-up in person.

The specialists themselves are physicians, each holding an M.D. or D.O. degree and focusing on the digestive tract, which takes in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. A large share of the work is preventive. Colorectal cancer screening illustrates the point: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society both put the starting age for average-risk adults at 45, and colonoscopy remains a leading approach because polyps can be detected and removed in one procedure. The remainder of the work is diagnostic and therapeutic, covering acid reflux and GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, the inflammatory bowel diseases Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disease. Upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy anchor that effort, with advanced procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP available for harder cases.

In Tennessee, the right to practice medicine is granted and policed by the state Department of Health, which places M.D.s under the Board of Medical Examiners and D.O.s under the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Specialty recognition follows a separate path: a physician finishes an internal medicine residency, then a gastroenterology fellowship, and may then pursue voluntary board certification in gastroenterology from the American Board of Internal Medicine. Patients who want to vet a clinician can confirm an active Tennessee license and review any disciplinary history through the Department of Health verification system at apps.health.tn.gov. On billing, a standard office visit is a professional service and falls outside Tennessee’s 7% sales tax, which is aimed at retail goods, although retail items sold in an office may be taxable.

Procedures in Chattanooga are frequently performed at dedicated ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers that practices either operate or use, so colonoscopy and EGD can be done outside a hospital. These centers hold State of Tennessee licensure and are typically accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Where to take a complaint depends on what it concerns: deceptive billing or business conduct is handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical complaints about a physician go to the Board of Medical Examiners. This information is general and educational, not medical advice, and any decision about screening, diagnosis, or treatment should be reached with a licensed physician.

Top Gastroenterologist Providers in Chattanooga

1. Galen Digestive Health

Address: 2200 East Third Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 643-2500
Website: https://galenmedical.com/galen-digestivehealth/
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, video capsule endoscopy, ERCP, endoscopic mucosal resection, Barrett’s esophagus radiofrequency ablation, H. pylori and hydrogen breath testing, esophageal pH (Bravo) study, gastrostomy tube placement, in-office infusion, balloon enteroscopy, non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment
Description: Galen Digestive Health is the gastroenterology division of Galen Medical Group, one of the largest physician-owned multispecialty groups in the Chattanooga region. The practice is staffed by a deep team of gastroenterologists, including Barrett Attarha, D.O., Sumeet J. Bhushan, M.D., Robert Bosshardt, M.D., Chad M. Charapata, M.D., Steven Delaney, M.D., William Cooney, M.D., J. Scott Manton, M.D., Gregory Olds, M.D., Alan Shikoh, M.D., Camille A. Sommer, M.D., Stephen Soufleris, M.D., and Munford R. Yates, M.D., supported by advanced practice providers. The group offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and a separate hepatology service for liver disease. Patients are seen across multiple offices, including the downtown East Third Street location along with Memorial Campus, Hixson, Ooltewah, and Cleveland, and the practice operates an accredited endoscopy center on Gunbarrel Road.

2. Erlanger Gastroenterology

Address: 979 East Third Street, Suite C-825, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: (423) 778-4830
Website: https://www.erlanger.org/medical-services/gastroenterology
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, advanced endoscopy, ERCP, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) for GERD, treatment of digestive tract cancers, liver disease care for cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver, Crohn’s disease management
Description: Erlanger Gastroenterology is the gastroenterology practice of the Erlanger health system, an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Chattanooga. Its physicians serve as UTHSC faculty, and the team is led by Arslan Kahloon, M.D., chief of gastroenterology, who is board certified and fellowship trained with a specialty in liver disease and advanced endoscopy. The practice provides comprehensive care for conditions of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, including advanced procedures such as POEM and TIF for chronic GERD. Patients are seen at the downtown Erlanger Medical Mall on East Third Street and at the Gunbarrel Road office at Erlanger East Hospital.

3. Chattanooga Endoscopy Center

Address: 2338 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 698-3999
Website: https://amsurg.com/location/chattanooga-endoscopy-center/
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, upper endoscopy, outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures
Description: Chattanooga Endoscopy Center is a dedicated ambulatory endoscopy center on McCallie Avenue, operated as part of AMSURG, a national network of ambulatory surgery and endoscopy facilities. Rather than functioning as a single-physician office, the center serves as an outpatient procedure site where board-certified gastroenterologists from practices across the Chattanooga area perform colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and upper endoscopy in a setting focused on screening and the diagnosis of digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD. As a freestanding endoscopy center, it offers an outpatient alternative to hospital-based procedures for routine colorectal cancer screening and other diagnostic endoscopy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gastroenterologist in Chattanooga

Q: What does a gastroenterologist do?

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. In Chattanooga practices, common work includes screening colonoscopy, diagnostic upper endoscopy, and the evaluation of conditions such as acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disease. Gastroenterologists complete an internal medicine residency followed by a gastroenterology fellowship before practicing in the specialty.

Q: At what age should I start colon cancer screening in Chattanooga?

For adults at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society both recommend beginning colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Colonoscopy is one of the primary screening options because a physician can detect and remove polyps during the same procedure, and for average-risk patients with a normal result it is typically repeated about every ten years. People with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors may be advised to start earlier, a decision to make with a physician.

Q: How do I verify a Chattanooga gastroenterologist’s license?

Physicians in Tennessee are licensed by the state Department of Health. Medical doctors are regulated by the Board of Medical Examiners and osteopathic physicians by the Board of Osteopathic Examination. You can confirm that a physician holds an active license, and review any disciplinary actions, through the Department of Health license verification system at apps.health.tn.gov. Board certification in gastroenterology is a separate credential from the American Board of Internal Medicine and can be verified through that organization.

Q: Is a colonoscopy done at the doctor’s office or a separate facility?

Many Chattanooga gastroenterology groups perform outpatient procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD at dedicated ambulatory endoscopy centers. Galen Digestive Health operates an accredited endoscopy center on Gunbarrel Road, and Chattanooga Endoscopy Center is a freestanding AMSURG-affiliated facility, for example. These centers are commonly accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and licensed by the State of Tennessee. Some procedures are performed at a hospital instead, depending on the patient’s needs.

Q: Does Tennessee sales tax apply to a gastroenterology visit?

Professional medical services, such as an office visit, consultation, or procedure, are generally not subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax, which applies to retail sales of tangible goods. Patients should review insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket estimates directly with the practice, since costs vary by procedure, facility, and plan. Billing disputes involving deceptive practices fall under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a gastroenterology practice in Chattanooga?

Complaints about a physician’s clinical conduct or licensure can be filed with the Tennessee Department of Health, Board of Medical Examiners. Concerns about billing or business practices that may be deceptive can be directed to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping copies of records, itemized bills, and correspondence helps support any complaint. This information is educational and not a substitute for legal or medical advice.