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Drs. Kent Cunningham, March Seabrook and Bryan Green sit in front of the camera to discuss today's challenges in cancer awareness and prevention, new medical developments and getting the best possible information and medical assistance in South Carolina.

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Gastroenterology

Our Members
Cover All of
South Carolina

From the mountains of the Upstate to the dunes of the Coast, South Carolina Gastroenterology Association represents the majority of GI practices in our state. As a group, our voice can be a powerful tool in health care, education, and governing awareness.

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Our Mission

Advocacy,
Education &
Health Care

Our purpose is to promote the digestive health of South Carolinians, to foster the development and fellowship of physicians and medical professionals who have similar interests in the practice of gastroenterology and endoscopy, and to maintain the highest standard of clinical practice in the field of gastroenterology and endoscopy.

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Welcome

South Carolina Gastroenterology Association

Welcome to the SCGA website! Our purpose is to promote the digestive health of South Carolinians and to foster the development and fellowship of physicians and medical professionals with similar interests. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about our organization. Membership is open to interested GI physicians, physician trainees, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses in SCGA physician practices. We are here to serve our members and look forward to connecting with you!

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Activities

What We Do

EVENTS

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NEWS

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ADVOCACY

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ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Webinars: Cancer Awareness & Prevention

Drs. Kent Cunningham, March Seabrook and Brian Green sit in front of the camera to discuss the today's challenges in cancer awareness and prevention, new medical developments and getting the best possible information and medical assistance in South Carolina.

Find A Physician In Your Area

Physicians in the

Upstate

Physicians in the

Midlands

Physicians in the

Coastal

2024-2026

Our Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Christopher
Fyock
MD FACG
President
Joshua
Watson
MD
Vice President
Matthew
Thoma
MD FACG
Treasurer
Andrew
Pearson
MD
Secretary
Kevin
Douglass
MD
Councilor
Brenda
Hoffman
MD FACG FASGE
Councilor
Davinderbir
Pannu
MD
Councilor
Nelson
Seabrook
MD
Councilor

past presidents

Louis Bell
MD FACG
Councilor & Immediate Past President
John
Corless
MD AGAF FACG
Gary
Vukov
MD
Bryan
Green
MD
Gordan
France
MD FACG
Salvatore
Moscatello
DO FACG
Mark
DeLegge
MD FACG AGAF FASGE
William
Gilchrist
MD FACP FACG AGAF
Kent
Cunningham
MD
Richard
Greer
MD
March
Seabrook
MD FACG

About Us

Our History

The SCGA was formed in 2000 to promote the digestive health of South Carolinians, endorse the highest standards of clinical practice, support professional development, and foster fellowship among physicians and professionals sharing similar interests. The latter category has grown to include both the medical as well as the administrative professionals who help ensure the success of our mission. 
 
The SCGA has consistently supported the highest standards of clinical practice in gastroenterology. Over the years, we have addressed issues including access to colon cancer screening, performance of colonoscopy by non-gastroenterologists, sedation for endoscopy, alternative modalities in colon cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease, and patient education. We have worked to enhance the medical education of gastroenterologists through statewide SCGA meetings that showcase dynamic national speakers, and by hosting local educational events. Our members’ efforts to advance colon cancer awareness have been recognized by the American College of Gastroenterology which has awarded the coveted SCOPY Award to multiple SCGA physicians and constituent SCGA practices.
The SCGA has worked closely with statewide and national organizations that focus on colorectal cancer awareness, prevention and treatment, including the University of South Carolina’s Colon Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN). The CCPN supports colorectal screening statewide for SC citizens who are uninsured. It began as a BCBSSC-funded grant project that was implemented with the support of the SCGA, the Center for Colon Cancer Research, the Gibbs Cancer Center, Hollings Cancer Center and the Medical University of South Carolina all working in close partnership. SCGA has collaborated with the CDC’s Colorectal Screening Program in South Carolina (CSPSC), and continues to support statewide efforts of the American Cancer Society. The SCGA has also sponsored events such as colon cancer walks, galas, and billboard campaigns to promote public awareness of colon cancer and raise money for research and education.
 
SCGA physician leaders also represent our state on the national stage as active members of the Association of State GI Societies (ASGIS), by attending the annual GI Roundtable (GIRT), and participating in the yearly “Washington D.C. Legislative Fly-in” to advocate with members of Congress on behalf of GI-specific patient care.
 
The SCGA is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization. SCGA’s sister organization, the SCGA Foundation, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports statewide efforts on colorectal cancer screening and public awareness campaigns. 

Membership

Join! Together we can do more

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Sponsorship

Partnering to support a better life

For Details

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

Celebrating 25 Years of the SCGA

Saturday, April 26th in Columbia
 
Join us for this annual event promoting education and communication among our gastroenterology specialists. Come catch up with old friends and welcome our new comers.
 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Thank you to all of our sponsors who will be making our 2024 Annual Meeting an incredible success. For more about what our sponsors have to offer you and your practice, peruse our Virtual Exhibit Hall above.

WE ARE BOOKED FOR THE 2024 MEETING WITH NO MORE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus
2024 SCGA Exhibitor Prospectus

√ur:

Colon cancer now ranks in the #2 spot

Killing both men & women, and that’s quite a lot.

So let’s take a moment to become more aware

Of possible dangers in your derrière.

 

We now know how most colon cancers arise,

They don’t just appear, or fall out of the skies.

Many start off as polyps, small and benign,

But given the chance they can get out of line,

 

Turn into a cancer that’s able to spread

Throughout your whole body & leave you quite dead.

But instead of expiring, you could live to old age

If your cancer is found at a treatable stage.

 

If cancer’s found early, 9 of 10 can survive

So we’ve started to screen folks at age 45

To get cancers discovered, and new ones prevented

Using tests and techniques that doctors invented.

 

Or perhaps colon polyps are seen and destroyed

With the painless techniques that your doctor employed

While you were sedated & comfortably resting,

Your polyps were cut out, then sent off for testing.

 

If the polyps were small, and only a few,

The tissue report will guide what to do,

And determine just when you’ll need scoping again:

Don’t worry, it’s usually in five years or ten.

 

So get off your duff, get your rear in high gear

And find out for sure if your colon is clear.

Talk with your doctor about what you should do:

You have options for screening, choose the best plan for you.

 

Now please spread this message, make others aware

To show that you love them, and know that you care,

For “All’s Well That Ends Well” as Shakespeare did say,

And to beat colon cancer, early screening’s the way!

 

                    by John K Corless, MD

 

PATIENT

Resources

South Carolina Gastroenterology Association does not provide direct patient care. If you are having an emergency medical issue, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. Other medical questions should be directed to your doctor, clinic, or local emergency room; they may also be able to refer you to a nearby free clinic or put you in contact with social services to assist with obtaining coverage.

What is a Gastroenterologist?
A Gastroenterologist is a physician with dedicated training and unique experience in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
For more information about the training a Gastroenterologist receives see the brochure prepared by the American College of Gastroenterology or visit the ACG website.

What is Gastroenterology and Endoscopy?
http://patients.gi.org/gi-health-and-disease/what-is-a-gastroenterologist/

Colon Cancer: Preventable. Treatable. Beatable.
http://www.screenforcoloncancer.org/
http://monahancenter.org/

Colorectal Screening May Save Your Life
http://patients.gi.org/topics/colorectal-cancer/

What is a colonoscopy?
http://patients.gi.org/topics/colonoscopy/

Understanding Colonoscopy and What to Expect:
http://www.asge.org/patients/

Colon Cancer Screening Position Statement: The benefit of screening for any cancer is the early detection of and thereby the ability to cure the malignancy. Early detection of various cancers has successfully decreased the death rate from those malignancies. Colorectal cancer is unique in that a screening technique, colonoscopy, has also been proven to prevent the development of such cancer. Whether the emphasis is on early detection or on prevention may account for the somewhat discordant recommendations by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and those by the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released an updated guideline for colorectal cancer screening. Among the major guideline changes, the new recommendations say screening should begin at age 45 for people at average risk. Previously, the guideline recommended screening begin at age 50 for people at average risk. Based on data indicating that the benefits of prevention and early detection far outweigh the upfront costs and small risks of the procedure, colonoscopy remains the preferred method of screening for colorectal cancer. The South Carolina Gastroenterology Association recommends that in most patients it should be offered as the first option for screening. In those patients unable or unwilling to undergo colonoscopy, an alternative (CT colography, sigmoidoscopy, fecal immunochemical blood testing, or stool DNA analysis) should be encouraged.

FREE DOWNLOADS FROM THE COLON CANCER ALLIANCE

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released an updated guideline for colorectal cancer screening. Among the major guideline changes, the new recommendations say screening should begin at age 45 for people at average risk. Previously, the guideline recommended screening begin at age 50 for people at average risk.

Additional Patient Information Links –

AGA Patient Center
http://www.gastro.org/

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Patient Information
http://www.asge.org/patients/

ACG Patient Information
http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/

Crohn’s and Colitis Information
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com/

Eosinophilic Gastritis Study Brochure
Download brochure

Hepatitis C
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hepatitisc.html

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
http://www.aboutibs.org/

National Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov/

DHEC Hepatitis A Screening Program:
Letter  Provider Flyer

SCGA POSITION STATEMENT ON PPI
Download statement
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