Gastroenterology & Digestive Disorders Team

Biography

Ross A. Heil, DO, is a gastroenterologist who provides medical care at Goshen Physicians | Gastroenterology. He uses the latest therapies and newest technologies that are grounded in the medical literature to treat upper and lower gastrointestinal structural and functional issues. He also focuses on preventive gastrointestinal medicine and performs screening colonoscopies. When not caring for his patients, Dr. Heil enjoys water and snow skiing, camping, canoeing and spending time with his wife and three young boys on Lake Wawasee.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Heil focuses his care on structural and functional gastrointestinal disorders and is proactive in diagnosing and treating lifelong gastrointestinal conditions. His broad approach incorporates wellness with ongoing care through the patient’s primary care physician. His integration ensures that meaningful treatment occurs with every patient he serves.

Research/Clinical Interest

• Irritable bowel disorders
• Functional and structural disorders of both upper and lower gastrointestinal tract
• Hepatitis C
• Crohn’s
• Ulcerative colitis

Education

Education and training:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences | Kansas City, MO

Residency:
Internal Medicine
St. John Providence Health Systems: Macomb Hospital | Warren, MI

Fellowship:
Gastroenterology
St. John Providence Health Systems: Providence Hospital | Southfield, MI

Biography

Dr. Salim Jaffer is a gastroenterologist with fellowship training in treating patients with stomach diseases and abdominal disorders. He has nearly three decades of clinical experience in a wide range of procedures, including colonoscopies, liver biopsies and endoscopies to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum small intestine.

For Dr. Jaffer, education and prevention are vital to every patient’s wellbeing. He encourages patients to understand the importance of screenings that can prevent diseases or detect abnormal growths in early stages when more treatment options are available.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Jaffer considers every patient special and unique. He gives patients his time and full attention to understand their individual needs. Open communication, education and respect are essential to making a proper diagnosis and offering the right treatment options.

Research/Clinical Interest

• Preventive medicine
• Malignancies of the esophagus, liver, stomach and pancreas

Education

Education and training:
Doctor of Medicine
University of Toledo School of Medicine | Toledo, OH

Fellowship:
Gastroenterology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | Baltimore, MD

Residency:
Internal Medicine
Michigan State University College Human Medicine | East Lansing, MI

Biography

Sadat Rashid, MD, provides comprehensive gastroenterological services for patients with digestive and liver disorders. Dr. Rashid specializes in gastrointestinal oncology and advanced interventional endoscopic procedures. He is specially trained in the advanced techniques to diagnose, stage and treat diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver, small intestine and colon. Dr. Rashid has extensive experience with diagnostic and interventional endoscopic techniques to diagnose certain diseases of the gastrointestinal system. He performs various endoscopic procedures to remove diseased tissue from the digestive tract, including endoscopic resections, colonoscopies and radiofrequency ablations. He also is trained in advanced therapies, such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Rashid believes quality health care involves all aspects of a person’s life. He approaches each patient with deep personal commitment, building a relationship based on compassion and honesty that helps him provide everyone with the best possible care. Dr. Rashid uses every available resource to care for lifechanging gastrointestinal conditions. He follows the latest recommendations to provide evidence-based medical care. He believes in a multidisciplinary approach to complex patients that involves discussions with pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, primary and referring physicians.

Research/Clinical Interest

Benign diseases of the:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Duodenum
• Colon
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Bile duct
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders
• Motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
• Gastrointestinal cancers of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, liver, bile duct and pancreas

Education

Education and training:
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, A.M.U. | Aligarh, U.P. India

Residency:
Chief Residency Internal Medicine
Nassau University Medical Center | East Meadow, NY

Master of Surgery in Ophthalmology
AMU Institute of Ophthalmology | Aligarh, U.P. India

Fellowship:
Advanced Interventional Endoscopy (EUS/ERCP)
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine | Roanoke, VA

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Nassau University Medical Center | East Meadow, NY

Biography

Melissa Larson is a certified family nurse practitioner at Goshen Physicians Gastroenterology. She works closely with a team of highly trained specialists to provide the best possible care for patients with a range of stomach and digestive disorders.

Certified in conscious sedation, Melissa is trained to assist in surgical procedures, such as endoscopies, colonoscopies, biopsies, endoscopic ultrasounds and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). She also manages care for patients with acid reflux disease, Crohn’s disease, gastric ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Melissa began her career as a registered nurse in 2010 and has worked in hospital-based and outpatient surgical units in the region. She has gained a broad experience of caring for patients who undergo endoscopic procedures.

Philosophy of Care

Melissa believes quality of life is an important part of patient care. Her holistic approach centers on helping patients take an active role in their health and well-being. She also builds strong provider-patient relationships and encourages their involvement in the medical decision-making process.

Research/Clinical Interest

• Acid reflux disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Gastric ulcers
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colonoscopy screenings

Education

Certified – Family Nurse Practitioner

Education and training:
Master of Science in Nursing
Goshen College | Goshen, IN

Biography

Amy Pointon, MSN, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, is a board certified family nurse practitioner at Goshen Physicians Gastroenterology. Starting out as an adult clinical nurse specialist with specialized training in diabetes management, Amy continued her education to become a board certified family nurse practitioner.

Philosophy of Care

Amy strives to offer a holistic approach to individualized patient care, encouraging her patients to be a part of the medical decision-making process in order to meet their unique healthcare needs. She believes education is an integral part of overall healthcare and pursues every opportunity she can to facilitate learning and provider-patient collaboration.

Research/Clinical Interest

• Hospital medicine
• Wellness care
• Acid reflux disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Gastric ulcers
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colonoscopy screenings

Education

Board Certified – Family Nurse Practitioner

Education and training:
Post-Masters Certificate, Family Nurse Practitioner
Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN 

Biography

Lindsay Tomkiewicz is a family nurse practitioner who cares for patients with disorders of the stomach, colon and liver at Goshen Physicians Gastroenterology. She diagnoses and manages chronic conditions, such as acid reflux, ulcers, colitis and Crohn’s disease.
 
Lindsay began her nursing career in 2008 and has provided care for patients before and after surgery in the hospital and outpatient surgical units in the region.
 
When Lindsay is away from patient care, she devotes her time to three generations of loved ones in her family. She also enjoys traveling and baking.

Philosophy of Care

Education is an important part of Lindsay’s approach to patient care. She helps patients understand the disease process and empowers them to take an active role in their health care. Lindsay is a strong advocate for changing dietary habits that can make a positive difference in quality of life for patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Research/Clinical Interest

• Colonoscopy screenings
• GERD – acid reflux
• Gastric ulcers
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease

Education

Certified – Family Nurse Practitioner
 
Education and training:
Master of Science in Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, IN     
 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Indiana University | South Bend, IN                  
 
Associate of Science in Nursing
Ivy Tech Community College | South Bend, IN