You will join two long-tenured gastroenterologists who have built independent practices in Merced over several decades, supported by an experienced hospital endoscopy team. Both physicians are open to mentoring a new colleague and preparing the next physician to lead GI care in the community.
| Physician | Practice | Time in Merced | Clinical Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sivakumar Munnangi | Independent practice with owned endoscopy center | About 25 years | Gastroenterology and hepatology, ERCP |
| Dr. Madhu Kris | Merced Ambulatory Endoscopy Center | Since 1985 | Gastroenterology, ERCP |
| Practice | Support |
|---|---|
| Dr. Munnangi | Nurse practitioner with an endoscopy nursing background who sees new and follow-up patients |
| Dr. Kris | Dr. Vijaya Tangella, Internal Medicine, sees general patients for the practice; plans to add one to two APPs |
The hospital endoscopy suite is fully staffed with experienced nurses and techs. Leadership describes the team as ready and waiting for more GI physician time.
| Shift | Hours |
|---|---|
| Day Crew | 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM |
| Evening Crew | 3:30 PM to 11:30 PM |
Anesthesia is provided by an outsourced group of anesthesiologists and experienced CRNAs, with two to three anesthesia providers available each day. Some anesthesiologists on the team have served Mercy Medical Center for 8 years or more.
If you choose the employed path, you will join the medical group led by Dr. Robert Tabrizi, Medical Director. You would be the group's first gastroenterologist in Merced. The medical group is also adding primary care physicians, which expands the local referral base.
Hospitalists admit GI patients and consult GI, and the ER contacts GI directly for consults. The hospital's operating rooms are shared by GI, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and pulmonology, and the hospital continues to recruit new surgeons.