We are excited to welcome Alan Gabbard, MD, to the Mercy Health family!
With Dr. Gabbard’s arrival, Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center is excited to offer expansive gastrointestinal (GI) services to the community. Now, open-access endoscopy (OAE) for colonoscopy and colorectal cancer screenings is being offered by both Dr. Gabbard and Gregory Hayne, MD.
With this new service, a patient’s primary care provider can send their screening colonoscopy referral to be screened for open access eligibility. Those patients that are eligible will not need an in-office appointment prior to their procedure. All of this allows patients easier access to the necessary screenings which allow for early detection of certain cancers.
“I was initially drawn to practice medicine because it is a respected profession,” Dr. Gabbard shares. “It was challenging and allowed me the opportunity to genuinely help people. This still holds true as to why I love being a doctor.”
Dr. Gabbard chose to specialize in gastroenterology because it provides him the best combination of procedures (scopes) and traditional medicine with taking care of patients. His gastroenterology and hepatology practice opened in Springfield, OH in 1981, right after he completed his residency.
“I’ve loved being here,” says Dr. Gabbard. “Also, I was drawn to Mercy Health because it is a large, successful, comprehensive health system. This is the way of the future and I am excited to be part of expanding services and creating greater access for people in the community I serve.”
He adds, “I am also very excited to be part of the Mercy Health team during these dramatic changes in health care.”
Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Gabbard enjoys golfing, playing sports with his grandkids, listening to music and training for as well as participating in USATF Masters competitions. Fun fact, high jump is his track and field event of choice.
Learn more about the gastrointestinal and digestive health services we offer at Mercy Health.
