Endoscopy means to look inside. In the case of the physicians at Piedmont HealthCare’s Endoscopy Center in Statesville, the looking inside means looking inside of you. The reason these highly skilled doctors want to look inside of you? To keep you healthy.

Perhaps no area of personal preventive health care has received more national attention than the case of the colonoscopy and CBS’s Katie Couric’s now famous on-air procedure. Katie Couric’s courageous broadcast was the start of her efforts to increase the public’s awareness of the critical importance of colon cancer screenings. Katie’s husband, Jay Monahan, died from the disease in 1998. Katie’s message? Early detection saves lives. “Although many of our patients are referred by their physicians for colonoscopy, an equal number are self-referred. They know that when they hit 50, it’s time to have their colon checked,” Dr. Joseph Petrozza told me. “When famous people like Ronald Reagan and Katie Couric show by example the importance of this one painless procedure–and especially that there’s no need for embarrassment–people pay attention and call for their appointment. In the United States, 1 in 17 people will develop colorectal cancer.”

THE PHYSICIANS
At Piedmont HealthCare’s Endoscopy Center, the doctors and the instruments they employ are critical. In each case, Piedmont HealthCare has the very finest. Dr. Petrozza is medical director of the Endoscopy Center and chairman of the Gastroenterology Department. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh and M.D. from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Maryland Hospital. The four-man gastroenterology team also includes Dr. Carl Foulks, Jr., who received his B.S. degree from North Carolina A&T State University, with advanced medical training at Howard University College of Medicine, East Carolina University and University of Texas–M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; Dr. Neil Kassman, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, with advanced study at Danbury Hospital, an affiliate of Yale University School of Medicine, and his fellowship in digestive diseases at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta; and Dr. Robert Reindollar, who received his A.B. from Catawba College in Salisbury, his M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and advanced training at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Center for Liver Disease at the University of Miami.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE
The actual tools gastroenterologists use are scopes; hence, endoscopy. An endoscope is an instrument inserted directly into an organ to examine its interior. The narrow band imaging endoscopes used at Piedmont HealthCare’s Endoscopy Center are high-tech state of the art instruments. These endoscopes can assist in the diagnosis between normal and abnormal tissue on the mucosa wall of your intestinal organs. Not all endoscopy centers have this type of advanced equipment. These narrow band scopes (the Center has 15) can see minute detail. This capacity to discover changes or abnormalities earlier, at a smaller size, is what can save your life. Technicians and doctors view live, color images on their monitors. All their notes and accompanying documents are recorded in specialized computers.

“We have developed a very up to date, convenient, and comfortable environment in the Center, and all of our staff are compassionate, caring professionals. They make every effort to put patients at ease and ensure a smooth transition throughout the process,” Dr. Protozza explained. “You are always welcomed by the staff and greeted by your physician before your procedure. We’ll begin with mild sedation administered by Carolina Anesthesia, another example of the quality of service we provide. Before you know it, you are awake, you’ll have a short recovery time, and then you’ll be on your way.” Privacy is very important. Individual cubicles where patients and family can meet privately with their doctor are provided to everyone. “This Center was built like an operating room, with efficiency and safety foremost in its design,” Dr. Petrozza continued. “We’ve gone the extra mile. Our Center is fully licensed in the state of North Carolina and approved by Medicare, Medicaid and all commercial insurance carriers as well as accredited by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.” The Endoscopy Center is classified as an ambulatory surgery center by insurance companies; however, the services offered there are generally less expensive than the hospital, a benefit to the patient and the insurance company. The Center contains three procedure rooms and utilizes them Monday-Friday to perform their services.

PATIENTS AND THEIR CARE
The physicians at the Endoscopy Center see patients in their late teens to adulthood. “Patients are first evaluated in one of our office-based practices for various conditions and symptoms, such as colitis, heartburn, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. If diagnostic testing is required, an appointment is made at the Endoscopy Center.

There are many conditions and diseases that the Endoscopy Center can diagnose with preventive screening. “Risk for colon cancer increases at age 50, so of course, that’s when everyone should schedule a colonoscopy. Those with increased risk or family history should be screened and followed more often,” Dr. Petrozza said. “Most colon screens do not reveal cancer, and that is reassuring. However, 15% will reveal precancerous polyps which can be removed to prevent colon cancer. Cancerous lesions, when discovered before symptoms arise, are 90% curable. Once symptoms appear, however, that rate drops to 50%.” Other indicators to see one of the gastroenterologists are unexplained anemia, blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, difficulty swallowing, weight or appetite loss, nausea, or vomiting. The important benefit of an endoscopic procedure is that the physician gets a direct view of the GI tract and can provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. “The thing is,” Dr. Petrozza added, “you have to know that a patient has a problem in order to treat it.”

A FAMILY OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
Piedmont HealthCare is one of the largest physician-owned and directed multi-specialty groups in North Carolina and the Southeast. With over 40 convenient locations throughout Iredell and the surrounding counties, this comprehensive group of 20 specialties and services makes it possible for patients to receive exceptional, expert medical care close to home.

There are 130 highly skilled physicians and providers who are part of the 720 medical professionals of Piedmont HealthCare. They are available to take care of all your medical needs. They are trained and certified to ensure that you and your family receive the best, most consistent and individualized medical care possible. Each specialist works in partnership with your primary care physician and other specialists you may be working with. Each physician at the Endoscopy Center is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

When it’s your time to take heed of Katie Couric’s words of advice, contact one of the gastroenterologists at their office location. If indicated, they will schedule your procedure at the new, state of the art Endoscopy Center where you will be well cared for by the best team in the region—Piedmont HealthCare.

PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE ENDOSCOPY CENTER

Dr. Carl Foulks
523 Brookdale Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
704-878-2021

Dr. Neil Kassman
208 Old Mocksville Road
Statesville, NC 28677
704-838-8215

Dr. Joseph Petrozza
740 Bryant Street
Statesville, NC 28677
704-873-7330

Dr. Robert Reindollar
555 Kitchings Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
704-978-1144