San Bernardino Gastroenterology Associates is a physician-owned group of eight gastroenterologists supported by four physician assistants. The team combines general gastroenterology, advanced interventional endoscopy, and transplant hepatology, giving the practice deep clinical range across digestive and liver disease. The group is board-certified across the board and serves as faculty for the UC Riverside Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship.
Physicians: 8 gastroenterologists
Advanced GI: 3 interventional endoscopists
Hepatology: Transplant and general liver expertise on staff
APPs: 4 physician assistants
Fellows: 8 GI fellows (UC Riverside)
Culture: Collaborative, autonomous, patient-first private practice
The group includes general gastroenterologists, three advanced interventional endoscopists, and physicians with hepatology and transplant backgrounds. All physicians treat liver disease as part of full-scope GI care. Program leadership for the UC Riverside fellowship comes from within the group.
Kumar Bala, MD, FRCP, FACP — Gastroenterology and Hepatology; practice founder
Zeid K. Kayali, MD, MBA — Transplant Hepatology; Fellowship Program Director, UC Riverside
George Saffouri, MD — Gastroenterology; Associate Program Director, UC Riverside
Anas Kawayeh, MD — Advanced/Interventional Endoscopy (ERCP, EUS)
Harold Paredes, MD — Advanced/Interventional Endoscopy (ERCP, EUS, EMR)
Victor Guharoy, MD — Gastroenterology; IBD and liver disease
The group's roster also includes two additional gastroenterologists who round out general GI and hospital coverage.
Three physicians provide advanced interventional endoscopy, so complex pancreaticobiliary work stays in-house.
Four physician assistants support inpatient and outpatient care. One covers inpatient service at Arrowhead, one handles outpatients at Arrowhead, and two work alongside the physicians in the offices.
Two additional physician assistants support the inpatient and outpatient service
The group sponsors and staffs the UC Riverside Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship, with eight fellows currently in the program and a goal of nine at full class size. Fellows are fully integrated into clinical care and call across the group's hospital sites, working side by side with attendings.
The group describes itself as a work family built on collegiality, shared coverage, and long-term commitment. Physicians cover for one another, decisions are made quickly, and no one is micromanaged. Retention is strong, and the practice looks for people who value autonomy, patient care, and being genuinely part of the team rather than clocking in and out.