In 1981, Dr. James H. Johnston, III, Dr. Billy W. Long, and Dr. James Q. Sones saw a need for gastrointestinal care in the Jackson-Metro area. They organized GI Associates and in 1987, they relocated to their present location in the Watkins Medical Building at 1421 North State Street, Suite 203 in Jackson. The Gastrointestinal Associates Endoscopy Center, an outpatient procedure facility was built in 2001 to provide patients a state of the art facility with the latest technology combined with the highest level of service.

The practice has expanded to include additional board certified Gastroenterologists and other specialized staff plus various outpatient procedures and clinical trials of new treatments. Growth and change are a constant for GI Associates because their goal is to provide patients with the highest and most comprehensive quality of service with a caring approach. Learn more about why GI Associates is the best place for your gastroenterology problems.

GI Associates is the largest gastroenterology group in Mississippi and is one of the largest in the southeast with over 250 employees including eighteen gastroenterologists and two pathologists on staff. These physicians have a long standing history of dealing with digestive disease management, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and preventative health care management. When you have your first GI appointment with one of our Doctors you will notice that the quality of care is coupled with a warm, friendly environment. If you have questions, feel free to complete the contact form on this page. 

Why Come to the Physicians at GI Associates?

Training

All of our physicians are board certified in Gastroenterology, having accumulated at least six years of training after medical school. The gastroenterology training experience is far more intense than that undertaken by general surgeons, internists, or family practitioners who decide to add endoscopy to their practices and they are trained to interpret and treat the conditions they identify and uphold the safest level of endoscopy.

The physicians who make up GI Associates have been trained all over the United States and this diversity allows our physicians quick access to multiple sources of expertise, high level consultations and opinions without having to leave central Mississippi. This expertise and extensive training is not always present in hospital based endoscopy, as many of the physicians there may not be board certified or may not have extensive training in gastroenterology and therefore cannot provide the quality and safety that GI Associates can.

Certification

The GI Associates Endoscopy Center (all three locations) is the only out-patient facility in the region to be recognized for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as a Center of Excellence. We have also been awarded the certificate of accreditation by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. A three year accreditation is the maximum bestowed by the AAAHC.

Research

Our physicians participate in clinical studies that provide GI Associates the latest information about medications and scientifically based therapy. GI Associates is recognized nationally as an innovative, progressive practice that helps to provide patients with the most up to date information and treatments possible.

Quality Medicine

GI Associates monitor physician quality indicators such as polyp detection rates, withdrawal times and complications and use these results to strive to achieve a level of care that meets or exceeds national standards. Many hospitals do not monitor these results and have no oversight into the quality of their services.
Why Have Your Procedure Done at one of GI Associates Endoscopy Centers?

Efficiency

GI Associates strives to do one thing and to do it well. Hospital outpatient departments cannot always provide this focused attention as they are trying to accomplish many things at one time.

Time

Time is precious and the physicians at GI Associates understand that. Our patients can expect to be in and out of our facilities in about 2 hours. In a hospital endoscopy department it could take anywhere from 3 or more hours to get in and out.

Sedation

The GI Associates in-center sedation service allows you to experience the safest level of sedation and comfort during a procedure. This is extremely uncommon in a hospital setting as anesthesia services are only used upon request.

Pathology

The GI Associates employs two full-time pathologists whose sole job is to provide the highest level of care for the patients of GI Associates. Many hospitals have a general pathology services, but often there is not pathologist whose focus is gastroenterology.

Rapid Results

At GI Associates, your pathology is usually completed in 24 hours and your initial results and procedure notes are sent to your primary care doctor within 48 hours. In addition, a GI Associates gastroenterologist will review your case to make sure that there is no need for additional follow-up with you or your primary care physician.