Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Gastroenterology Services in Alexandria, VA
At Digestive Disease Physicians, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional gastrointestinal care through a patient-centered approach. Our team of nine board-certified gastroenterologists brings over 80 years of combined experience, specializing in advanced diagnostics and treatment for conditions affecting the digestive tract and liver. We prioritize informed decision-making, ensuring patients understand their conditions and treatment options. Our practice emphasizes convenience and accessibility, offering services like endoscopic weight loss, EGD, ERCP, and colonoscopy.Affiliated with Inova Alexandria Hospital, we provide personalized care from initial consultation through procedure follow-up. We maintain rigorous standards for prompt result communication and coordination with primary care physicians. Our commitment to excellence extends to hospital consultations and 24/7 physician availability for urgent needs. Modern equipment and trained staff ensure high-quality care for every patient.
Services
Colonoscopy
ERCP
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Endoscopic Weight Loss
BARRX Treatment
Infrared Coagulation
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- Our physicians have over 80 years of combined experience in gastroenterology
- We provide personalized care from consultation through procedure follow-up
- Board-certified specialists available 24/7 for urgent gastrointestinal needs
- Affiliated with Inova Alexandria Hospital for comprehensive care coordination
- Modern equipment ensures accurate diagnostics and effective treatments
What people say
Superb care
Exemplary professionalism
Highly recommend
Personalized attention
Skilled specialists
Services
Colonoscopy
This procedure examines the colon lining using a flexible endoscope to detect abnormalities like polyps or cancer. Patients receive sedation for comfort while physicians visualize the colon on a monitor. The test enables diagnosis and treatment of various colon diseases, including colorectal cancer screening and inflammatory bowel disease management.
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnoses and treats bile duct and pancreatic disorders. Using specialized endoscopy with X-ray imaging, physicians address gallstones, pancreatitis, and ductal abnormalities. This minimally invasive technique often prevents more complex surgical interventions for pancreatic and biliary system conditions.
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Patients swallow a vitamin-sized capsule containing a camera to examine the entire small intestine. This non-invasive procedure helps diagnose unexplained bleeding, anemia, and bowel diseases. The disposable capsule transmits images to a wearable recorder for later physician analysis.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
This diagnostic procedure examines the rectum and left colon portion using a flexible scope. Physicians detect inflammation, polyps, or tumors in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The exam requires less preparation than a full colonoscopy while providing valuable diagnostic information.
BARRX Treatment
This advanced technique treats Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia using radiofrequency ablation. The procedure removes abnormal esophageal lining to reduce cancer risk. It offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for patients with precancerous esophageal changes.
People
Alan F. Ansher
Gastroenterologist
Board-certified gastroenterologist with extensive experience in digestive disease management and endoscopic procedures.
Robert J. Hally
Gastroenterologist
Specializes in advanced gastrointestinal diagnostics and treatment with decades of clinical practice experience.
Craig M. Ellison
Gastroenterologist
Recognized expert in therapeutic endoscopy and digestive health with multiple professional certifications.
Sean P. Hurley
Gastroenterologist
Provides comprehensive GI care with focus on patient education and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Deborah A. Brauer
Gastroenterologist
Dedicated to women's digestive health issues with specialized training in gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Questions
What gastrointestinal conditions do you treat?
We treat abdominal pain, acid reflux, IBS, constipation, unexplained weight loss, and other digestive disorders.
Do you offer endoscopic weight loss procedures?
Yes, we provide Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty as a minimally invasive weight loss option.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CareFirst, Cigna, Medicare, Tricare, and United Health Care.
Are your physicians available for emergencies?
Yes, our doctors are available 24/7 through our answering service for urgent gastrointestinal concerns.
How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Detailed preparation instructions are available on our website or by contacting our office staff.
Where are procedures performed?
Most procedures occur at our GI Endoscopy Center in Alexandria, Virginia, or Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Reviews (5)
Jetsie Sutton
Jan 29, 2022
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Dr. Wu is an excellent physician. She gave me clear directions and sound information and advice. Her assistant Rebekah was clear on the doctors diagnosis and listened to the patient concerns. Good Experience. If go to her follow her instructions.
Christine Lehmann
Jan 14, 2022
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I have seen Dr. Wu for several years for colonoscopies and find her very professional. The last few have resulted in removing polyps so they recommended earlier screenings (e.g. every 3 years). The problem is that I just got a surprise bill for $500 that wasn't covered by my new insurance. The reason is they didn't code it as a preventive service but as a history of polyps. What's frustrating is that they never told me this before so I could at least be informed about costs.
Shannon Fitz
Dec 05, 2021
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Let me save you a two month wait for an appointment followed by an hour in the waiting room and a rude doctor not listening for 10 minutes max and shoving laxatives at you and telling you good luck. 0/10 would not recommend I wish 0 stars was an option honestly.
Therese Corcoran
Nov 24, 2021
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If you want to wait 2 months just to be gaslighted and given prescription laxatives this is the place for you. Office was dirty, the Dr. did not wear a mask and repeatedly rolled her eyes. 0-10 recommend.
Laura Haller
Aug 22, 2021
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I worked with Dr. Dougherty on some swallowing concerns after being dismissed by a not-so-great ENT as "maybe tonsil issues but I can't see anything". He was very programmatic with going through my symptoms and answering questions before diving into medical procedures. After talking through the options and hearing out my concerns, he decided that an endoscopy would be best to rule out any of the GI related causes. I finally had that endoscopy last month and it went super smoothly. He was very professional in talking through what he saw in the procedure and giving follow-up instructions. Funny enough
