Gastroenterologist in Knoxville

June 14, 2026

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine devoted to the digestive tract, and a gastroenterologist is the physician, an M.D. or D.O., who diagnoses and treats problems affecting the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Knoxville is a practical place to find one. The largest city in East Tennessee and the regional medical hub for Knox County and the surrounding area, it counts roughly 195,185 residents as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) and supports a deep bench of practices, from multi-physician groups that have served the area for decades to smaller single-physician offices. Seeking care from a local practice instead of a national directory generally means the same physician who evaluates you also performs your procedures at a nearby endoscopy center and sees you for follow-up in person.

Day to day, the specialty divides between screening and the diagnosis of common conditions. Screening is most visible in colorectal cancer prevention: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society both set the starting age for average-risk adults at 45, and colonoscopy stays a primary method because it can find and remove polyps within a single procedure. On the diagnostic side, Knoxville gastroenterologists work through 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 are the core tools, supplemented by advanced procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP for more complex cases.

Reaching that point takes years of training. A physician completes an internal medicine residency, then a dedicated gastroenterology fellowship, and may afterward obtain board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine, which is a voluntary credential distinct from the license to practice. Licensure itself is handled by the Tennessee Department of Health, with M.D.s under the Board of Medical Examiners and D.O.s under the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Anyone can confirm a physician’s active license and look up disciplinary history through the Department of Health verification system at apps.health.tn.gov. Financially, an office visit counts as a professional service and is not subject to Tennessee’s 7% sales tax, which applies to retail goods, though items sold within an office may be taxable.

When a procedure is scheduled, it often takes place at an ambulatory endoscopy or surgery center that the practice runs itself, letting a colonoscopy or EGD happen outside a hospital. Centers of this kind are licensed by the State of Tennessee and frequently accredited through groups such as the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Different complaints go to different offices: deceptive billing or business practices are addressed by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical concerns about a physician are directed to the Board of Medical Examiners. The material here is educational background only and is not medical advice; screening, diagnosis, and treatment decisions should be made together with a licensed physician.

Top Gastroenterologist Providers in Knoxville

1. Gastrointestinal Associates

Address: 1311 Dowell Springs Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37909
Phone: (865) 588-5121
Website: https://gihealthcare.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), ERCP with sphincterotomy, video capsule endoscopy, liver elastography (FibroScan), Barrett’s esophagus treatment with radiofrequency ablation and mucosal resection, biologic infusion for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, esophageal function testing, anorectal manometry, hemorrhoid banding, breath testing
Description: Gastrointestinal Associates is a long-established Knoxville gastroenterology group founded in 1971 and now operating from three locations in Knox County. The practice is staffed by a large team of gastroenterologists, including Johnny Altawil, M.D., Steve Bindrim, M.D., William Ergen, M.D., Jeffrey Gilbert, M.D., AGAF, John Haydek, M.D., FACP, FACG, AGAF, FASGE, Hannah Jones, D.O., Raj Narayani, M.D., FACG, FASGE, and Maria Newman, M.D., among others, supported by advanced practice providers and pathologists. It offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic services, from routine colonoscopy and EGD to endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP, Barrett’s esophagus ablation, and biologic infusion for inflammatory bowel disease. The group performs procedures at its affiliated facilities, The Endoscopy Center, The Endoscopy Center North, and The Endoscopy Center West.

2. Edmunds Gastroenterology

Address: 4713 Papermill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37909
Phone: (865) 851-7771
Website: https://edmundsgastro.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, colon polyp removal, GERD and Barrett’s esophagus care, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis management, celiac disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis B and fatty liver evaluation, anemia evaluation
Description: Edmunds Gastroenterology is a Knoxville practice founded by Meade Edmunds, M.D., with more than 50 years of service to the greater Knoxville community. The practice operates from its Papermill Drive office in Knoxville along with a second location in Lenoir City, and it is supported by nurse practitioners Jeremy Austin, FNP-C, and Kim Dunaway, NP. Services span screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and the management of conditions including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, colon polyps, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis B, and fatty liver disease. The practice uses GI Genius artificial intelligence technology to assist in the detection of colorectal polyps during colonoscopy, and Dr. Edmunds was recognized in Cityview Magazine’s 2024 Top Docs listing.

3. Tennova Gastroenterology – Turkey Creek

Address: 10800 Parkside Drive, Suite 330, Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 531-4724
Website: https://www.tennovagreaterknoxvilledocs.com/gastro
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, polyp treatment, GERD and Barrett’s esophagus care, inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, digestive tract cancer evaluation, hepatology
Description: Tennova Gastroenterology is the gastroenterology division of Tennova Medical Group in the greater Knoxville area, with its Turkey Creek office at Parkside Drive serving as one of several locations across the region, including offices in Powell, Newport, and Morristown. The Knoxville gastroenterologists include H. Steven Silver, M.D., at the Turkey Creek location and Khaled Nour, M.D., supported by nurse practitioners, with hepatology care provided by Chimezie Mbachi, M.D., at the Powell office. The practice focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract and liver, including colonoscopy with polyp treatment, upper endoscopy, and the management of GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, IBS, Crohn’s disease, and cancers of the digestive tract, as part of the Tennova Healthcare network.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gastroenterologist in Knoxville

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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville?

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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville gastroenterology groups operate their own ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers where outpatient procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD are performed. Gastrointestinal Associates, for example, uses The Endoscopy Center and its North and West facilities. 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 Knoxville?

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.