Goshen Hospital and Surgery Center earns renewed recognition for quality and safety in endoscopy
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), a leading gastrointestinal medical society, has recently granted a three‑year renewal recognition for quality and safety to Goshen Hospital and Goshen Surgery Center (Goshen Health) as part of its Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program. The program promotes quality in endoscopy across all practice settings in the United States. High‑quality colonoscopy can detect and remove precancerous polyps before they become life‑threatening, underscoring the importance of accessible, expert endoscopic care for younger adults. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer‑related death in people younger than 50, according to a study published Jan. 22, 2026, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Despite the rise, it is also one of the most preventable cancers when caught early.
Goshen Health is among more than 600 endoscopy units nationwide to receive this honor since the program began in 2009. The designation reflects a commitment to patient safety and quality care by meeting rigorous standards, including ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscope reprocessing, infection control and staff competency.
“We are proud to receive this recognition again from ASGE,” said Randy Christophel, President and CEO of Goshen Health. “It reflects the dedication of our team to maintaining the highest standards in endoscopy through ongoing education and strict adherence to best practices that ensure safe, high-quality care for every patient.”
Dr. Ross Heil, leader of the program played a key role in achieving this recognition. He worked alongside a dedicated team of physicians, including Dr. Keith Barkow, Dr. Nathaniel Dew, Dr. Daniel Diener, Dr. Thomas Etter, Dr. Kerry Keaffaber, Dr. Mark Ranzinger, Dr. Denise Murphy, Dr. Levi Smucker and Dr. Sadat Rashid, whose contributions were essential to meeting the rigorous standards required for this honor.
“We are honored to be recognized once again by ASGE for our efforts to enhance quality and safety in our endoscopy units,” said Dr. Ross Heil, Medical Director of Gastroenterology. “Where patients choose to have their colonoscopy truly matters. High-quality endoscopy is essential to providing the best protection against colon cancer.”
To be recognized by ASGE, a unit, through a peer-reviewed application process, must attest to the continued competence of all staff relative to their roles, demonstrate the adoption of unit policies specific to ongoing assessment of performance relative to key quality indicators and attest that the unit has an established infrastructure and personnel dedicated to infection control and prevention. The program is applicable to all settings where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units and stand-alone ambulatory surgery centers.
An important component of the program includes completing an educational course entitled, “Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit,” which thoroughly reviews related guidelines. This course is one part of the broader set of standards units must meet to earn recognition. Successful applicants who fulfill all program requirements are awarded honoree status in the ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program and receive the ASGE Certificate of Recognition of Quality in Endoscopy. The certificate is granted for a three‑year renewable period. For a full list of program benefits, visit www.asge.org.
“We are proud to acknowledge these endoscopy units through our Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of quality and safety,” said Gerard Isenberg, MD, MBA, FASGE, chair, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. “By ensuring infection control principles are adhered to, continually assessing the competency of staff, and monitoring patient satisfaction, ASGE honoree units contribute to the public’s confidence in endoscopy, a life-saving technology.”
