Washington Gastroenterology
Welcome to Washington Gastroenterology
Washington Gastroenterology (WAGI) was formed with the merger of three western Washington-based gastroenterology (GI) practices: Digestive Health Specialists (based in the Tacoma/South Puget Sound region), along with Northwest Gastroenterology Associates and Overlake Internal Medicine Associates – Gastroenterology (both based in the Bellevue/Eastside area). Launched on January 1, 2018, WAGI is now the largest, most comprehensive private GI practice in Washington state. Our story includes a rich history of providing preeminent GI care for nearly five decades, combined with a vision of collaboration and innovation, in a new practice dedicated to extraordinary patient care now and into the future.
Dr. F. Dennis Waldron, founder of the group that would later be known as Digestive Health Specialists, formed the first GI practice in Tacoma in 1972. Likewise, Dr. James Wagner was the first gastroenterologist to practice in Bellevue, when he established the GI department of Overlake Internal Medicine Associates in 1973. He subsequently co-founded Northwest Gastroenterology Associates in 1986. Over the years, each of these practices flourished and expanded to add physicians, advanced practitioners, clinics and endoscopy center locations.
Providing An Enhanced Patient Experience
In 2015, with an eye on the future, these legacy groups began exploring how to best collaborate and combine our talents and resources to provide an enhanced patient experience. Within a short time, it became clear that only by taking a leap and merging our operations into a single, unified practice could our ambitious goals truly be realized. These include utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, conducting pioneering GI clinical research, and providing an unparalleled range of GI clinical and management expertise. Combining our strengths and skills allows us to remain an independent, physician-owned and governed practice, focused solely on our primary goal: doing what is best for our patients and their digestive health.
Today, WAGI is comprised of 17 locations, over 30 board-certified gastroenterologists and a highly skilled team of advanced practitioners, as well as an experienced clinical and administrative staff. As a part of the most trusted GI practice in the state, the providers and staff at Washington Gastroenterology will strive to provide our patients with exceptional and compassionate gastroenterological care – through our collective experience, expertise, and dedication – for decades to come.