Position Overview

Understanding the Role

Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Merced is recruiting a Board Eligible or Board Certified Gastroenterologist to serve Merced and the surrounding Central Valley communities. You can choose how you want to practice: join one of two established independent GI practices that own their endoscopy centers, or join the hospital-affiliated medical group as an employed physician. Every path includes a hospital income guarantee.

Advanced GI physicians who perform ERCP are preferred. General GI physicians are also welcome, since both current gastroenterologists perform ERCP.

Position Snapshot

Why This Position Exists

Two independent gastroenterologists currently cover GI services at Mercy Medical Center, sharing a 1 in 2 call schedule. Both physicians plan to scale back and retire in the next few years, and both want to bring in a physician who can grow with the community.

• Merced County patients who need EUS are currently referred to Fresno
• The hospital endoscopy suite is fully staffed and wants more daytime physician coverage
• New patient appointments can be scheduled in less than a week, which reflects open capacity for a new physician to build a practice quickly
• Both practices are ready to plan a transition to a physician who wants to stay in the community long term

Three Ways to Join

Dr. Munnangi's Practice

Dr. Sivakumar Munnangi is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist who has practiced in Merced for over 20 years. He owns his practice, his endoscopy center, and his building.

• Full 50/50 partnership offered after 6 to 12 months
• Partnership covers the practice, the endoscopy center, and the building, based on a fair market value appraisal
• Buy-in can be funded through an interest-free loan or sweat equity
• Partnership agreement is already drafted and ready for review
• Equal call and workload split between partners

Dr. Kris's Practice

Dr. Madhu Kris has practiced gastroenterology in Merced since 1985. His practice includes the Merced Ambulatory Endoscopy Center, which has 4 procedure rooms and room to expand.

• Partnership track available after an initial period working together
• Contracted with all major insurance plans
• Dr. Kris owns 60% of the building, with an option to acquire the remaining space
• Open to flexible full-time and part-time scheduling

Space-Sharing Option

With either private practice, you can also join as your own independent entity, such as an S Corp or LLC. In this model, you share operational expenses with the host practice while operating your own business, which offers potential tax benefits.

Dignity Health Medical Group, Merced

If you prefer employment over practice ownership, you can join the medical group under Dr. Robert Tabrizi, Medical Director of Dignity Health Medical Group, Merced. This path follows a wRVU-based compensation model after the guarantee period.

Qualifications

• Board Eligible or Board Certified in Gastroenterology
• Advanced endoscopy training with ERCP preferred
• EUS training is a plus. The hospital will support equipment for a physician who performs EUS, which would bring a new service line to the community
• General GI physicians are encouraged to apply
• Full-time commitment (40 hours per week) required for the hospital income guarantee

Work Schedule

The hospital endoscopy suite is staffed across two shifts. Most GI cases currently happen in the evening because both physicians see clinic patients during the day. A physician who performs cases during daytime hours will have a full, experienced team available.

In private practice, your week combines clinic days and endoscopy center procedures with hospital cases. Your schedule can be built around your production goals.

Reporting Structure

Private practice: you work alongside the practice owner, with the path to partnership

Medical group: you report to Dr. Robert Tabrizi, Medical Director

Interview and Contract Process

Mercy Medical Center's physician recruitment team coordinates the process from start to finish, including calls with the practicing physicians and the site visit. The hospital can issue an offer letter within one to two days of a decision, and Dr. Munnangi's partnership agreement is ready for review.