Gastroenterologist in Nashville
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June 14, 2026
As the seat of Davidson County and the state capital, Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee, home to about 715,000 residents according to 2024 U.S. Census Bureau figures. A population of that size sustains an unusually broad market for digestive-health care, spanning large multispecialty groups, dedicated gastroenterology practices, and single-physician offices. Picking a gastroenterologist here from within the local community, rather than from a national list of names, generally means the physician you meet will also be the one running your procedures at a nearby endoscopy center, coordinating with Middle Tennessee hospitals, and handling your follow-up visits in person.
The clinicians behind that care are gastroenterologists: physicians who hold an M.D. or D.O. degree and concentrate on the digestive tract, from the esophagus and stomach down through the small intestine and colon, plus the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Their reach extends from preventive screening to the workup of chronic illness. Colorectal cancer screening sits at the center of the preventive side, and both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society advise average-risk adults to begin at age 45; colonoscopy remains a leading method because a single procedure can locate and remove polyps at once. The diagnostic side covers acid reflux and GERD, the inflammatory bowel diseases Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease, and many other complaints, with upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy serving as the workhorse tools.
A physician’s authority to practice in Tennessee comes from the state Department of Health, which licenses M.D.s through the Board of Medical Examiners and D.O.s through the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Becoming a gastroenterologist requires completing an internal medicine residency and then a gastroenterology fellowship, after which the American Board of Internal Medicine can grant board certification in the specialty, a credential that is voluntary and separate from state licensure. Before scheduling, patients can look up a physician’s active license status and any disciplinary record using the Department of Health verification tool at apps.health.tn.gov. On the cost side, professional office visits are services rather than retail goods, so Tennessee’s 7% sales tax does not apply to them, although ancillary retail items sold at a practice may be taxable.
Outpatient endoscopy in Nashville is frequently handled at ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers that many practices own and run themselves, allowing procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD to take place away from the hospital. Such centers carry State of Tennessee licensure and are commonly accredited through organizations like the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). If a dispute arises, the path depends on its nature: deceptive billing or business conduct falls to the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), whereas concerns about a physician’s clinical care go to the Board of Medical Examiners. None of this is medical advice; it is general background, and any choice about screening, diagnosis, or treatment belongs in a conversation with a licensed physician.
Top Gastroenterologist Providers in Nashville
1. Heritage Medical Associates Gastroenterology
Address: 222 22nd Avenue North, 3rd Floor, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (629) 255-3469
Website: https://www.heritagemedical.com/specialties/gastroenterology/
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis management, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux treatment, hepatology, polyp management
Description: Heritage Medical Associates is a large independent multispecialty group in Nashville, and its gastroenterology division is staffed by physicians who are each double board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and gastroenterology. The gastroenterology team includes Joseph Parker, M.D., David McMillen, M.D., William Barge, M.S., M.D., and Ryan Roberts, M.D. The group sees patients across several Middle Tennessee offices, including the 222 Medical Office Building in Nashville, a Saint Thomas West office at 4230 Harding Pike, a Brentwood office on Westgate Circle, and a Mt. Juliet location. The practice operates the affiliated Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center at 222 22nd Avenue North, which is certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and performs the full range of endoscopic procedures from EGD and colonoscopy to more advanced interventions.
2. Nashville Digestive Disease Center
Address: 1308 Briarville Road, Madison, TN 37115
Phone: (615) 868-3131
Website: https://nashvilleddc.com
Services: screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), capsule endoscopy, anorectal manometry, hemorrhoid banding, allergy testing, evaluation of Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, pancreatitis, and ulcers
Description: Nashville Digestive Disease Center, Inc. is a gastroenterology practice serving the Nashville area from Madison in northern Davidson County. The practice is led by Mene Zua, M.D., who is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and it focuses on outpatient endoscopy delivered through its affiliated American Endoscopy Center. Services include colonoscopy, EGD, capsule endoscopy, hemorrhoid banding, and anorectal manometry, with the center stating a commitment to evidence-based endoscopy. The practice treats conditions ranging from heartburn and diverticulosis to gallstones, pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcers, and it accepts a broad range of insurance plans including BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and TennCare.
3. Digestive and Liver Health Specialists
Address: 397 Wallace Road, Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37211
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 gastroenterology group serving Middle Tennessee from five offices, including its Nashville location along with Gallatin, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville. The practice provides both general gastroenterology and dedicated hepatology services, with a service list that spans colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, colon cancer screening, acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus management, liver disease evaluation, liver biopsy, and FibroScan testing. Its gastroenterologists include Stephanie Pointer, M.D., and Saras Sharma, M.D., supported by a team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The group also offers a concierge weight-loss program and incontinence therapy, positioning itself as a multi-location resource for routine screening and more specialized digestive and liver care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gastroenterologist in Nashville
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 Nashville practices, common work includes screening colonoscopy, diagnostic upper endoscopy, and the evaluation and management of conditions such as acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disease. Gastroenterologists complete an internal medicine residency followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology before practicing in the specialty.
Q: At what age should I start colon cancer screening in Nashville?
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 it allows a physician to 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, which is a decision to make with a physician.
Q: How do I verify a Nashville 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 checked through that organization.
Q: Is a colonoscopy done at the doctor’s office or a separate facility?
Many Nashville gastroenterology groups operate their own ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers where outpatient procedures such as colonoscopy and EGD are performed. Heritage Medical Associates uses the Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center, and Nashville Digestive Disease Center performs procedures at its affiliated American Endoscopy Center, 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 instead performed at a hospital, depending on the patient’s needs.
Q: Does Tennessee sales tax apply to a gastroenterology visit?
Professional medical services, such as an office visit, a consultation, or a procedure, are generally not subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax, which applies to retail sales of tangible goods. Patients should review their insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket estimates directly with the practice, since costs vary by procedure, facility, and plan. Billing disputes that involve 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 Nashville?
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.