Gastroenterologist in Clarksville
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June 14, 2026
Clarksville has grown steadily as the northern edge of the Nashville metropolitan area, and with roughly 176,456 residents as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) it now ranks among Tennessee’s largest cities. That growth supports a focused rather than sprawling field of gastroenterology care, running from single-physician offices that maintain their own surgery centers to multi-location Middle Tennessee groups with a Clarksville presence. The advantage of choosing from this local set, instead of a national directory of names, is continuity: the physician who evaluates a patient is generally the one who performs the procedures at a nearby endoscopy center and handles the follow-up in person.
These physicians are gastroenterologists, holding an M.D. or D.O. degree and specializing in the digestive tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Their routine work splits between screening and diagnosing common conditions. The clearest screening example is colorectal cancer, where the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society both recommend that average-risk adults begin at age 45; colonoscopy remains one of the primary methods because it can detect and remove polyps in a single procedure. Beyond screening, Clarksville gastroenterologists evaluate acid reflux and GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, the inflammatory bowel diseases Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disease, drawing chiefly on upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy as their core diagnostic tools.
Qualifying for the specialty means completing an internal medicine residency and then a gastroenterology fellowship, after which a physician may seek board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine, a voluntary credential held separately from a state license. Licensing in Tennessee is administered by the state Department of Health, with the Board of Medical Examiners overseeing M.D.s and the Board of Osteopathic Examination overseeing D.O.s. A patient can verify that a physician holds an active license, and review any disciplinary history, using the Department of Health verification system at apps.health.tn.gov. From a cost standpoint, ordinary office visits are professional services and are not subject to Tennessee’s 7% sales tax, which applies to retail sales, though retail items sold in an office may be.
Outpatient care in Clarksville often runs through ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers that practices operate or use, where procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD take place outside a hospital. Locally these centers are licensed by the State of Tennessee and may be accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Complaints follow two routes: deceptive billing or business practices fall to the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while concerns about a physician’s clinical care go to the Board of Medical Examiners. Everything here is offered as general, educational information rather than medical advice, and decisions about screening, diagnosis, and treatment should be made with a licensed physician.
Top Gastroenterologist Providers in Clarksville
1. GI Specialists of Clarksville
Address: 280 Warfield Boulevard, Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: (931) 551-9605
Website: https://www.gipatel.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), liver biopsy, ultrasound, colon cancer screening, evaluation of heartburn, abdominal pain, swallowing difficulty, diarrhea, and constipation
Description: GI Specialists of Clarksville is a gastroenterology practice established on January 6, 1993, and led by Anil Patel, M.D., MBA, who is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from the University of Zambia School of Medicine and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The practice operates from its Warfield Boulevard office and includes an on-site ambulatory surgery center, which is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities and licensed by Medicare and the State of Tennessee as an ambulatory surgery treatment center. Services include screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and liver biopsy, with colon cancer screening offered for patients with a personal or family history of polyps or colon cancer. Dr. Patel received a Clarksville Community Choice Award for favorite gastroenterologist.
2. Tennova Digestive Care – Clarksville
Address: 647 Dunlop Lane, Medical Office Building One, Suite 210, Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 502-3810
Website: https://www.tennova.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, evaluation of pancreatic disease, liver disease, and esophageal disorders, digestive tract diagnostics
Description: Tennova Digestive Care – Clarksville is the gastroenterology practice of Tennova Medical Group, part of the Tennova Healthcare network and affiliated with Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville. The practice is staffed by board-certified gastroenterologist Fausta Ditah, M.D., who earned his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School, completed a master’s degree in public health at Vanderbilt University, and finished his gastroenterology fellowship at Vanderbilt. Dr. Ditah specializes in pancreatic disease, liver disease, and esophageal disorders, and maintains a background in clinical research. Located in Medical Office Building One on Dunlop Lane, the practice provides diagnostic and screening procedures including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy as part of the broader Tennova Medical Group.
3. Digestive and Liver Health Specialists
Address: 1100 Ted Crozier Sr. Boulevard, Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: (615) 832-5530
Website: https://thegidocs.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, colon cancer screening, acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus care, liver disease evaluation, liver biopsy, FibroScan, incontinence therapy, weight-loss program
Description: Digestive and Liver Health Specialists, also known as The GI Docs, is a physician-owned Middle Tennessee gastroenterology group with a Clarksville office on Ted Crozier Sr. Boulevard, one of five locations that also include Nashville, Gallatin, Smyrna, and Murfreesboro. The practice provides both general gastroenterology and dedicated hepatology services, with gastroenterologists Stephanie Pointer, M.D., and Saras Sharma, M.D., supported by a team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Its service list spans screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, colon cancer screening, acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus management, liver disease evaluation, liver biopsy, and FibroScan testing, along with a concierge weight-loss program and incontinence therapy, giving Clarksville patients access to a multi-location resource for routine screening and more specialized digestive and liver care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gastroenterologist in Clarksville
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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville?
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 Clarksville 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?
Some Clarksville gastroenterology practices operate their own ambulatory surgery or endoscopy centers where outpatient procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD are performed. GI Specialists of Clarksville, for example, includes an accredited ambulatory surgery center on site. These centers are commonly accredited by organizations such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities or 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 Clarksville?
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.