For more than 35 years, the Gastroenterology department of Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter has provided quality specialty care to the middle Tennessee community. From preventative screening colonoscopies to diagnostic endoscopy procedures, the gastroenterologists at MMC have provided these services, locally, here in Murfreesboro. Having access to high-quality healthcare closer to home has been a goal of the physician-owned medial practice since its inception in 1949.

This past October, MMC opened its 7^th location that will serve patients from all over middle Tennessee. MMC Westlawn is a new 75,000 square foot facility located on Shores Road near Veterans Parkway and Interstate 840. Along with MMC Gastroenterology, Infusion and Rheumatology services have relocated to the MMC Westlawn location. Other departments have expanded to offer services at multiple locations: Internal & Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy, Comprehensive ENT Specialists & Audiology, Laboratory, and Radiology. Additionally, MMC’s surgical care has expanded to offer a dedicated endoscopy center for gastroenterology procedures that relocated from the outpatient surgery center on Garrison Drive.

“We originally opened the SurgiCenter in 1990 with 2 operating rooms and 1 GI procedure room at our former location on Highland Avenue,” noted Joey Peay, MMC’s Chief Executive Officer. He continued, “When we moved the ASC to our Garrison Drive location in 2008, we expanded our capacity to 4 ORs and 3 GI procedure rooms. While those rooms enabled us to serve our patients for the past 15 years, it became clear that additional capacity was needed. By opening the new Endoscopy Center of Murfreesboro Medical Clinic with 6 procedure rooms, we are well positioned to meet the endoscopy needs of this community for years to come.”

Since 2008, MMC Gastroenterologists have performed over 90,000 endoscopy procedures in the SurgiCenter on Garrison Drive. This expanded space gives the physicians the ability to serve more patients by providing a cost effective, closer to home alternative to a hospital setting. The recommended age to have a screening colonoscopy has changed from age 50 to 45 due to the increase in people diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age. Patients with a known family history are also recommended to begin screening colonoscopies sooner than later or as recommended by their doctor.

“Colorectal cancer is a common and lethal disease, it’s also a largely preventable disease. A colonoscopy is one of the few screening tests that can actually prevent cancer,” says Brian Smith, MD, MMC Gastroenterologist. “Often times there aren’t early symptoms to warn you of colon cancer. If you wait until you experience symptoms, it’s more likely a cancer has progressed. A colonoscopy gives a Gastroenterologist a chance to identify and remove any precancerous polyps before they progress. This is why a colonoscopy is recommended over any alternative method.”



To learn more about services offer at MMC Westlawn or to request an appointment, visit www.mmclinic.com/westlawn.