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What is a Gastroenterologist ?

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastroenterologists have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and biliary system (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts). Gastroenterology is a subspecialty of internal medicine.

Gastroenterologists have a thorough understanding of how food moves through the digestive tract (called motility) and the physical and chemical break down of food (digestion), including the absorption of nutrients and the removal of waste products. Gastroenterologists also focus on the digestive function of the liver.



 

Nolan E. Perez, MD, FACP, FACG

Dr. Nolan Perez grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and graduated from Port Isabel High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). After medical school he served in the US Navy as a Medical Corps Officer and received the Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals. He completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) in Harlingen, and fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Education Coordinator for Gastroenterology at the UTHSCSA RAHC.

 

Dr. Perez has a passion for education and community service and serves on several boards including Trustee for the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, UT System Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, UT-RGV Medical School Advisory Committee, Development Board Member for The University of Texas at Austin, Founder of RGV Mentors, UT College of Fine Arts- Arts Education Advisory Council, Vice President of the South Texas Medical Foundation, Board Member for Tropical Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization, Executive Board Member for RGV LEAD, Board of Director for Lone Star National Bank, Board of Director for Hooked for Life- Kids Gone Fish’n, Board Member for Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas, Physician Leadership Council at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Board Member and Medical Director for Platinum Surgery Center, and Expert Panelist for the Texas Medical Board.

 

His medical practice is located at 512 Victoria Lane, Suite 2 in Harlingen, Texas. He is married to Sandy Perez and they have 2 children- Nolan age 14 and Natalie age 12.

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