When the focus is on quality and access to healthcare, Gastroenterologist Dr. Randy Tillman appreciates his team at Lawrence County Hospital in Monticello.

He has been performing endoscopies at Lawrence County since 2002 and estimates he has performed more than 152,000 endoscopies during his 30-year career.

“I admire Lawrence County Hospital offering this service because nationwide, less than 50 percent of people receive colonoscopies, making colon cancer the second leading cause of preventable death in men and women today,” Tillman said.

Lawrence County Hospital is a critical access hospital in a small town offering excellent endoscopy care, a service many small hospitals are not able to offer. He provides gastroenterology treatments including colonoscopies, EGDs, peg tubes and esophageal dysphagia testing.

These important screenings reduce the risk of several cancers and can determine what treatments are necessary for each diagnosis.

Endoscopy is a procedure that enables Tillman to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum which is the first portion of the small bowel, with a thin, flexible tube. Tillman views the lining of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum on a TV monitor. This safe and complete examination is performed to evaluate possible problems and evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing or intestinal bleeding.

Illnesses including acid reflux, gastritis, hiatal hernias, Crohn’s disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, lactose intolerance, rectal bleeding and esophagitis, in addition to esophageal and anal cancers can be diagnosed with endoscopy. Earlier detection is definitely the best prevention.

Tillman gives high marks to the primary care physicians in Monticello and says they are definitely focused on quality patient care.

The endoscopy team includes Robbie Soileau, nurse anesthesiologist, Stephanie Langston, RN, Emergency Department and Endoscopy Manager, Linzi Cosper, RN, and Tessie Summers, LPN. Clinic is offered every other Thursday.

Call Stephanie Langston, RN at Lawrence County Hospital (601-587-1247) for more information.