At Lake Charles Memorial Health System, you will join one of southwest Louisiana's busiest Gastroenterology practices, an established, physician-led program where demand continues to outpace capacity. Physicians spend approximately 80% of their time performing procedures and 20% in clinic, allowing them to focus on the procedural work they trained for while receiving strong clinical support.
Unlike opportunities where physicians spend years building a referral base, the incoming Gastroenterologist inherits an established patient panel and steps into a practice with routine screening colonoscopies scheduled 2 to 3 months in advance. A growing regional population, strong physician relationships across southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, and an expanding health system allow physicians to become productive almost immediately.
The practice is built around efficiency. Nine experienced Advanced Practice Providers, dedicated endoscopy nurses, GI technicians, CRNAs, five schedulers, and administrative staff allow physicians to practice at the top of their license. APPs manage independent patient panels, handle routine follow-up visits, assist with inpatient responsibilities, and triage after-hours call, freeing physicians to focus on procedures and complex consultations.
Physicians practice in the Memorial Digestive Health Center, located in the hospital's Medical Office Building, with procedures performed in the hospital Endoscopy Center featuring four dedicated suites equipped with Olympus technology, 10-minute room turnover, and the ability to work two procedure rooms simultaneously. The practice performs a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), capsule endoscopy, Bravo pH monitoring, and PEG placement.
Lake Charles Memorial Health System is a locally governed, nonprofit organization where physicians have direct access to leadership and a meaningful voice in shaping their program. Rather than working through layers of corporate bureaucracy, physicians work alongside administrators invested in the success of both the organization and its providers.
Whether you are completing fellowship or are an experienced Gastroenterologist seeking greater procedural volume or a more collaborative environment, Lake Charles Memorial provides the infrastructure, leadership, and patient demand to support a productive long-term practice.
| Position | Employed Gastroenterologist |
|---|---|
| Practice | Memorial Medical Group |
| Physicians | 3 Fellowship-Trained Gastroenterologists |
| APP Support | 9 Advanced Practice Providers (8 NPs, 1 PA) |
| Clinical Mix | Approximately 80% Endoscopy / 20% Clinic |
| Endoscopy Suites | 4 |
| Equipment | Olympus |
| EMR | Epic |
| Documentation | AI Documentation Technology |
| Call | Approximately 1:3, Taken From Home |
| Hospital Coverage | One Hospital |
| Setting | Hospital-Based Digestive Health Center |
| Teaching | Medical Student Shadowing |
| Leadership Opportunities | Yes |
| Research Opportunities | Early-Stage, Growing Program |
Healthcare demand throughout southwest Louisiana continues to grow, and Gastroenterology has become one of the health system's highest-demand specialties. Routine screening colonoscopies are scheduled 2 to 3 months in advance, and urgent GI consults are accommodated within approximately one week.
Hospital leadership believes the market could support multiple additional Gastroenterologists. The limiting factor is no longer patient demand; it is physician capacity.
The incoming physician will immediately benefit from:
A Busy Procedural Practice. Approximately 80% of physician time is spent performing endoscopic procedures. Clinic primarily serves as a referral source for procedural scheduling and follow-up care.
Immediate Patient Volume. A built-in patient population with significant unmet demand means the incoming physician is busy from day one, with no practice build required.
Exceptional Clinical Support. Nine APPs, dedicated endoscopy nurses, GI technicians, CRNA anesthesia coverage, and five schedulers keep physicians focused on clinical care.
Physician-Friendly Leadership. Administration maintains an open-door policy, physicians communicate directly by cell phone, and providers are encouraged to participate in organizational decision-making.
Modern Endoscopy Facilities. Four dedicated endoscopy suites with Olympus equipment, 10-minute turnover, and two-room workflow capability.
Nationally Recognized Quality. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has recognized Lake Charles Memorial's endoscopy program for clinical excellence, one of only seven honorees in Louisiana.
The practice culture is consistently described as collegial, patient-focused, supportive, and community-oriented. Physicians maintain strong working relationships with Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, and Primary Care, and executive leadership provides direct, accessible support.