Washington Gastroenterology

Formed on January 1, 2018, through the merger of three established western Washington GI practices — Digestive Health Specialists (Tacoma/South Puget Sound), Northwest Gastroenterology Associates (Bellevue/Eastside), and Overlake Internal Medicine Associates – Gastroenterology (Bellevue/Eastside) — the organization combines nearly five decades of GI care history. The practice traces its roots to 1972 when Dr. F. Dennis Waldron established the first GI practice in Tacoma, and 1973 when Dr. James Wagner became the first gastroenterologist in Bellevue. WAGI operates multiple locations across western Washington, providing comprehensive gastroenterology services including endoscopy centers and clinical care settings. The organization emphasizes a collaborative and innovative approach to patient care, born from the merger philosophy of combining ideals from multiple established practices for greater collective impact. As a private specialty practice rather than a hospital system, WAGI offers nurses an outpatient-focused environment centered on GI procedures, patient assessment, and digestive health management. For nursing professionals, WAGI employs Registered Nurses in its Endoscopy Centers and clinical settings. RNs provide direct patient care including patient assessment, admission processing, continuous monitoring from admission to discharge, and acting as patient advocates. The practice also employs Certified Medical Assistants who work under RN, ARNP, PA, or physician supervision in clinical settings, handling vitals, medication updates, and patient preparation for exams.