A message to those with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Autoimmune Hepatitis:

We hope you and your family are well during this tumultuous time. We realize there may be many out there with underlying GI conditions who have concerns or questions regarding an underlying condition and the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

For patients with underlying conditions (such as Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Autoimmune Hepatitis) taking immunosuppressive medications, the Joint Gastroenterology Society has recommended the following:

“Patients on immunosuppressive drugs for IBD and autoimmune hepatitis should continue taking their medications. The risk of disease flare outweighs the chance of contracting coronavirus. These patients should also follow CDC guidelines for at-risk groups by avoiding crowds and limiting travel.”

This means that patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Autoimmune Hepatitis who are on immunosuppressive medications should remain on their medications. The risk of disease complications is more likely to occur without the continued use of the immunosuppressive medications. HOWEVER, please contact our office to discuss your care if you are currently taking prednisone, prednisolone, or methylprednisone.

In order to decrease your risk of getting sick, please follow the “CDC Recommended Guidelines for At-Risk Groups” by avoiding crowds, practicing social distancing, and limiting travel. You can read the “CDC Recommended Guidelines for At-Risk Groups” by following this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/get-ready.html

Please see the list below for Immunosuppressive Medications:

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Mercaptopurine or 6-MP
• Cyclosporine
• Tacrolimus
• Methotrexate
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Ustekinumab (Stelara)
• Vedolizumab (Entyvio)

We realize you may have questions about your risk, your underlying condition, or your medications. We are working hard to make your provider more accessible to you during these unprecedented times, and we will have more details on increased accessibility in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate further developments.

Here are some other useful tips to keep safe and healthy during these dynamic times:

1. Practice social distancing. This is the only way to “flatten the curve” and ensure we have enough resources to manage cases that require hospitalization (approximately 10% of COVID-19 cases are severe). More information on what the phrase “flatten the curve” means can be found in this useful article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
2. If you are not feeling well, you must self-quarantine. The elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and immune compromised individuals are particularly vulnerable. Please help look out for our fellow Nevadans by limiting contact with other individuals.
3. The best information on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC’s website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html Many news sources often present unverified info.
4. Information specific to Nevada is also available at https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

Until May 1st, the Gastroenterology Consultants billing office will only be accepting patient calls Monday–Wednesday. Our phones for patient billing will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays for the remainder of the month of April.

April’s Gut-Healthy Recipe of the Month

Want to mix up your dinner routine this week? Try out this chicken and white bean stew, packed with tons of protein and fiber to make your body and belly happy! You’ll need white cannellini beans, some chicken, and a Parmesan cheese rind for this recipe – happy cooking!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 pound dried cannellini beans, soaked and drained
• 6 cups unsalted chicken broth
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 (4 ounce) Parmesan cheese rind plus ⅔ cup grated Parmesan, divided
• 2 bone-in chicken breasts (1 pound each)
• 4 cups chopped kale
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Combine beans, broth, onion, carrots, rosemary and Parmesan rind in a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with chicken. Cover and cook on Low until the beans and vegetables are tender, 7 to 8 hours.
2. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board; let stand until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken, discarding bones.
3. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir in kale. Cover and cook on High until the kale is tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper; discard the Parmesan rind. Serve the stew drizzled with oil and sprinkled with Parmesan and parsley.

Yields around 6 servings, about 1.25 cups each serving

Nutrition Facts for 1 serving (1 serving = 1¼ cups)

• Calories: 493
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 27 g
• Protein: 44 g
• Fats: 11 g

A refreshing berry smoothie loaded with probiotics!

We’ve all heard about those good bacteria called probiotics and how they can help us improve our gut-health when consumed regularly. There are several different foods with natural probiotics, like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, and the list goes on. What about kefir?

Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to yogurt, filled with an abundance of probiotics, and it makes for great smoothies. It can be found near the yogurt or dairy section in most grocery stores. If you’re thinking about picking up a bottle of kefir on your next grocery run, try out this berry smoothie recipe to get in the fiber and probiotics you might be looking for!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 cups of the kefir of your choosing
• 2 cups of frozen, mixed berries
• ½ cup of orange juice
• 2 tablespoons of agave or honey

Directions:

1. In a blender, add all ingredients together and process until smooth. You can also add ice cubes if you’d like a thicker and colder consistency.

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings

Nutrition Facts for 1 serving (can vary depending on the kefir brand)

• Calories: 380
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 12.5 g
• Fats: 10 g

This breakfast makes for a quick grab-n-go meal packed with fiber!

Do you ever feel like you’re just running out the door in the morning, wishing you had prepared a quick grab-n-go breakfast? If you’re looking for that quick breakfast that’s fiber-packed and gut-friendly, this one might just be for you.

Steel cut oats are the most minimally processed oats of the different types out there, making them one the most fiber-rich and nutrient dense grains around. Pairing them with a milk of your choice and a sweetener gives you a combination that is oh-so-satisfying for both your taste buds and your gut-health!

The best part of this recipe is that you can customize the toppings, sweeteners, and milk to your liking, making it a great option for picky eaters, too.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 cup of uncooked steel cut oats
• 1 ¾ cups of milk of your choosing (we used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
• 1 ½ tablespoons of honey or sweetener of your choosing (could be sugar, agave, etc.)
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of walnuts, chopped (per serving of oats)
• Fresh fruit of your choosing (we chose sliced strawberries, banana, and blue berries)

Directions

1. In a bowl, stir the milk, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Stir in oats once mixture is smooth. In either the same mixing bowl or another air tight container, refrigerate the mixture overnight (this mixture can be stored for up to 5 days).
2. When ready to serve, stir the oats to ensure a consistent texture. This recipe yields about 4 servings, so serve your desired portion and top with fresh fruit and nuts. For gut-friendly purposes, we chose 2 tablespoons of walnuts, ½ cup of sliced strawberries, one banana, and ½ cup of blueberries.
3. Enjoy cold! To make a grab-n-go option, separate the mixture into 4 glass jars, and pre-cut the fruit and nut toppings the night before. Easy-peasy!

Nutrition Facts for 1 serving with walnuts, banana, strawberries, and blueberries (can vary depending on the milks, sweeteners, and toppings used)

• Calories: 460 cal.
• Carbohydrates: 86 g
• Fiber: 11.5 g
• Protein: 7.5 g
• Fats: 9.5 g

Gastroenterology Consultants has detected an internal network breach as a result of a Conti ransomware attack that occurred on December 8, 2020. Upon discovery of this security event, Gastroenterology Consultants immediately took action to prevent any further unauthorized activity, began an investigation, and engaged with a cyber forensic firm and federal law enforcement to mitigate further threats.

As part of Gastroenterology Consultant’s ongoing forensic investigation, it has been determined that certain patient information was compromised during the data breach. At this time, the investigation has determined that the stolen information includes names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and other personally identifiable information for a small group of individuals.

Gastroenterology Consultants is contacting affected individuals, and much of this communication will be informational, including tips to guard against scams or fraudulent activity.

“We know that it is frustrating for our patients to learn that information was exposed in this network breach, and we are truly sorry they are having to endure this,” said Cindy Lighthill, Executive Director of Gastroenterology Consultants. “We also want our patients to know that we are working with federal law enforcement and will continue to update them with any significant developments.”

Patients who have been affected by the breach will be provided a resource guide that will help equip them to protect themselves against fraudulent activity. Safeguarding patient information is essential to the company’s mission and role as a healthcare institution. Cybersecurity measures have been escalated and strengthened, and the company will continue to investigate the breach.

For those who have questions about this security event, please reach out to the GIC Supervisor of Medical Records at (775) 333-2915 between the hours of 8 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday.

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the GI Consultants Pathology Laboratory in Reno, Nevada based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s director, Phillip C. Usera, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. GI Consultants Pathology Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“The GIC Pathology lab has just concluded an inspection by the College of American Pathology Laboratory Accreditation Program (every 2 years), and I am proud to announce that our lab has passed – AGAIN – with zero deficiencies!! I have been involved with the CAP program for a decade, and I can say from experience that it is an exceptional rarity that lab passes with zero deficiencies,” said Dr. Usera. “Please extend your kudos and congratulations to Jessica Helsel, Pathology Manager, for her meticulous organization, and managerial discipline, as well as Elena Gorsett and Karina Sissom, Histology Technicians, for all their hard work, discipline, and continuous commitment to quality and laboratory excellence! I know I appreciate their work daily! Great job everyone!”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP annual report at cap.org.

Terry Lawrence, MBA, CCEP has accepted the position as Chief Executive Officer for Gastroenterology Consultants. A seasoned and inspiring health care executive veteran with 25 years of industry expertise, Mr. Lawrence brings his experience in leadership and management of large and small multi-specialty groups, hospital and ambulatory surgical services, and post-acute care services. “Our team’s focus will continue to leverage care integration and patient centric care delivery to ensure we exceed community health care expectations,” said Mr. Lawrence.

His health care career includes tenures at Watertown Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health Care System/Medical Group, Thedacare, Inc, North Memorial Health Care, New Perspective Senior Living, Quantix Corporation, Bone and Joint Center, and Atlas Healthcare Partners where he successfully managed complex operations at each of those organizations. Mr. Lawrence is a visionary leader who knows how to build relationships, systems and generate growth. “His experience will enhance positive outcomes in quality, service, and operational excellence,” per Dr. James Nachiondo, President.

“Our model of care and culture will continue to be built around the patient experience, “said Mr. Lawrence.
Mr. Lawrence holds a Master of Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI. He has a bachelor’s degree Business/Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire with a Minor in Human Resource Management. He has been an active member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, Assisted Living Association, Assisted Living Federation of America, Medical Group Management Association, and Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics. As a family, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and their Ragdoll cat. The Lawrence family enjoy the outdoors: running, swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing, skiing, kayaking, biking, golfing, and hiking. Travel is another point of interest which allows Terry and his family to create lifetime memories.

Providing the highest quality care is our mission, and at Gastroenterology Consultants we are dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of digestive and liver disease. Our physician team along with our three locations make us the largest and most experienced Gastroenterology practice in Northern Nevada. Our locations include three clinics and three endoscopy centers. Our endoscopy centers are all AAAHC accredited, and we proudly offer the full spectrum of liver and gastroenterology care. Additionally, at Gastroenterology Consultants we have our own pathology laboratory and on-site GI trained pathologist who specializes in the detection and evaluation of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Our practice offers the benefit of faster and higher quality results. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 775-329-4600 for Reno, 775-884-4567 for Carson City, or please visit us online at www.giconsultants.com.

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to the GI Consultants Pathology Laboratory in Reno, Nevada based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s director, Phillip C. Usera, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. GI Consultants Pathology Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“The GIC Pathology lab has just concluded an inspection by the College of American Pathology Laboratory Accreditation Program (every 2 years), and I am proud to announce that our lab has passed – AGAIN – with zero deficiencies!! I have been involved with the CAP program for a decade, and I can say from experience that it is an exceptional rarity that lab passes with zero deficiencies,” said Dr. Usera. “Please extend your kudos and congratulations to Elena Gorsett, Lead Histology Technician, for all her hard work, discipline, and continuous commitment to quality and laboratory excellence! I know I appreciate her work daily! Great job everyone!”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

About the College of American Pathologists

As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP annual report at cap.org.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), founded in 1979, is an American organization which accredits ambulatory health care organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, and college student health centers, as well as health plans, such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. AAAHC has been granted “deemed status” to certify ambulatory surgery centers for Medicare by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

More than 40 years ago, AAAHC was founded to:

“encourage and assist ambulatory health care organizations to provide the highest achievable level of care for recipients in the most efficient and economically sound manner. AAAHC accomplishes this by the operation of a peer-based assessment, consultation, education and accreditation program.”.