Medical Services • Gastroenterology Services

When you have digestive system problems that just won't go away, you want expert care. The professionals at the Northwest Community Hospital Gastroenterology Center perform a full range of advanced treatments, therapies and procedures usually found only at university medical centers for digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, gallstones, GERD and ulcers.

Call 847.618.4YOU (4968) or view our team of gastrointestinal physicians for a GI specialist or other physician who is right for you.

Leadership that counts

Willis Parsons, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and medical director of the Gastroenterology Center, where he specializes in advanced interventional GI procedures and the management of pancreaticobiliary disease. He completed his residency and fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital—an affiliate of Harvard Medical School—followed by an interventional endoscopy fellowship and chief medical residency at The Maine Medical Center. He has directed more than 150 live endoscopy courses and has published extensively.

Anita Spiess, MD, chief of gastroenterology since 2011, arrived at Northwest Community Hospital in 1998. She attended Northwestern University Medical School, where she also completed her residency and fellowship. Dr. Spiess is board certified in gastroenterology.

Mitchell Bernsen, MD, vice chief of gastroenterology since 2011, joined the medical staff at Northwest Community Hospital in 2002. He attended Rush Medical College and completed his residency and fellowship at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Bernsen completed his GI fellowship at Loyola University of Chicago. He is board certified in gastroenterology.

Kathy Lamont, RN, BS, MBA, director of the Gastroenterology Center at Northwest Community Hospital since 1994, graduated from National Louis University with a bachelor's degree in healthcare leadership and a master's in business administration.

Multidisciplinary teams of gastroenterology physicians, nurses and technicians

• The Gastroenterology Center is staffed with nationally recognized gastroenterologists, highly skilled nurses and technologists.
• Together these teams performed more than 16,000 gastrointestinal procedures last year, including more than 8,000 colonoscopies, while still providing comfort, convenience and privacy.
• Nurse navigators provide individual care coordination, education and support to assist you throughout your diagnosis and treatment process.

Only gastroenterology teaching gallery in Illinois

NCH provides the only teaching gallery in Illinois where medical professionals come from around the country to learn advanced procedures for digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, gallstones, GERD and ulcers. This leading-edge teaching gallery transmits live images around the world, so clinicians can also learn online.

To get a physician referral for your gastrointestinal needs, call HealthConnection at 847.618.4YOU (4968), view our team of gastrointestinal specialists, or use our online tool to find a physician who is right for you.