MDNews - Minnesota

meetings every two months to discuss patient ca ses a nd la rger topics i n a group setting." Patients with functional and motility disorders often require complex care, which requires more time from their healthcare providers. Because of this, the Functional and Motility Disorders Clinic sets aside at least 45 minutes for each patient visit. This extra time allows pro- viders to discuss what treatment options have and have not worked for patients in the past and discuss options for care. It also allows them to administer a quality of life survey that takes into account multiple aspects of patients' lives beyond their GI diagnosis, including mental health. "The quality of life survey is completed every time patients come to the clinic," Dr. Grudell says. "The survey can tell us how patients are functioning and how frequently they experience abdominal pain and other GI symptoms. It also gives us information about other issues, such as whether or not patients are experiencing depression as a result of their symptoms." The Functional and Motility Disorders Clinic is the only functional and motility clinic in the metropolitan area and is currently available at MNGI Digestive Hea lth's Coon Rapids, Plymouth a nd Maplewood locations. Once patients are properly assessed, the Functional and Motility Disorders Clinic can choose the proper course of action, which may include insertion of a gastric pacemaker. Gastric pacemakers are implanted devices that aid in gastric emptying through the use of electricity rather than medication. SPECIALIZATION: THE CROHN'S AND COLITIS CLINIC Similar to the Functional and Motility Disorders Clinic, the Crohn's and Colitis Clinic at MNGI Digestive Health can also address the needs of patients who require advanced care for their GI conditions. "We've embraced the complex patient with all of our subspecialty clinics and especially with our Crohn's and Colitis Clinic," Dr. Keeley says. " We provide convenient access to experts that are highly effective in managing complex inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) while also providing the care and empathy that patients deserve." The Crohn's and Colitis Clinic is avail- able at all eight of MNGI Digestive Health's outpatient office locations and can refer patients to infusion centers for biologic treatments and iron infusions. Biologic treatments are norma lly reserved for patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. "Biologic (infusion) treatments are typically administered through an IV over one or two hours," Dr. Keeley says. "These infusions are monoclonal antibodies that block specific components of the body's immune response, ultimately suppressing that response and effectively treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis." The Crohn's and Colitis Clinic is made up of gastroenterologists, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and dietitians, all of whom specialize in IBD. Though their expertise Digestive Health Physicians Association SCOT T K E TOV ER, MD, AGAF, FASGE, President and CEO of MNGI Digestive Health, has diligently worked to improve and expand digestive health services for patients across Minnesota, but he hasn't stopped there. He has also done the same for patients nationwide as the Founding President and Chairman of the Digestive Health Physicians Association (DHPA). "A colleague from Washington D.C. and I created DHPA in 2014," Dr. Ketover says. "It's a nationwide organization made up of independent gastroenterolo- gists who promote federal and state policies aimed at improving access to quality, affordable digestive health care." Today, the DHPA is composed of more than 1,800 physicians spread over nearly 80 practices in 36 states. 1 0 1 0❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y

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