Catawba Valley Health System Announces Addition of Gastroenterology Associates

June 4, 2025

As published in the Hickory Daily Record:


Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) has announced the addition of Gastroenterology Associates, PA, of Hickory to its medical group. The name of the practice has been updated to Gastroenterology Associates of Catawba Valley Health System effective June 1. All services, staff and team of physicians will remain the same, and the location will still be 415 North Center Street in Hickory.


Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of CVHS, said, “This is an extraordinary addition to our medical group and our health system. Gastroenterology Associates enjoys a tremendous reputation, and as this area’s largest provider gastrointestinal and digestive services, they will only enhance our efforts in offering the best care possible to our community and our region.”


Mariane Carna, President of Catawba Valley Medical Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “Catawba Valley Health System and Gastroenterology Associates are fully aligned in recognizing gastroenterology as a key area for growth. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive multispecialty care for the communities we serve.” Stacey Coffey, CEO at Gastroenterology Associates, added, “Together, we are dedicated to advancing clinical excellence and delivering patient-centered, disease-focused care. Our goal is to ensure seamless coordination across the continuum of care, enhancing outcomes and improving the overall patient experience.”


Catawba Valley Gastroenterology will continue to offer its wide range of services and procedures, including colonoscopy, EGD (Upper Endoscopy), Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), Small Bowel Enteroscopy, Biliary/Pancreatic Endoscopy, Video Capsule Endoscopy, Esophageal Manometry, Hydrogen Breath Test, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR), FibroScan Liver Testing, Bravo Reflux Testing, and infusions for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Iron Deficiency Anemia.


Catawba Valley Gastroenterology becomes the eighth CVHS specialty practice, joining Catawba Valley Cardiology, Catawba Valley Surgery & Cancer Center, Catawba Valley Vascular Surgery, Catawba Valley Vascular Surgery – Horizon (Lenoir) Catawba Valley Pulmonology, Catawba Valley Neurology, and Catawba Valley Foot & Ankle Center.


Those specialty practices join with 17 primary care practices comprising CVHS’ Catawba Valley Medical Group. You can learn more about Gastroenterology Associates at www.gastro-associates.net/ or you can find information about all CVHS medical practices at www.catawbavalleyhealth.org/Medical-Group.

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