Gastroenterology in Sonora

Treating your digestive disorder with care and precision

Almost every adult will suffer from digestive issues during their lifetime. Whether you experience a touch of indigestion or abdominal pain that won't go away, you deserve the best possible care.

The gastroenterologists at Adventist Health Sonora are specialists in the detection and treatment of digestive diseases, colon cancer and liver diseases.

These gastroenterology specialists are experts in evaluating and treating every type of digestive disorder including:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Liver disease/hepatitis
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Barrett's esophagus
• Acid reflux/ulcers
• Intestinal polyps
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Diagnosing digestive disorders

In order to determine what is causing your symptoms, our gastroenterologists can perform a wide variety of diagnostic tests.

We may perform:

• Colonoscopies: To check for colon cancer
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: This can help us locate gallstones, scar tissue or tumors
• Capsule endoscopies: To examine your small intestine

Treating your condition

Once your condition has been identified, our team can develop a comprehensive care plan tailored to meet your needs.

We may recommend:

• Dietary and lifestyle changes: Getting more exercise, avoiding certain foods and changing your lifestyle in other ways can make a big difference in your symptoms and your condition. Our gastroenterologists can review these with you and help you implement healthy changes.
• Endoscopic treatment: These forms of treatment can help with many different digestive disorders. Using advanced tools and technology, we can perform the appropriate procedure required to treat your condition.
• Surgery: Sometimes, surgery is the best way to treat particularly severe digestive disorders. Our gastrointestinal surgeons ensure a safe and effective procedure from start to finish.

Expanding access to digestive health care
in the Mother Lode

Adventist Health Sonora’s current gastroenterology (GI) lab, with three procedure rooms for colonoscopies and other tests and treatments, was designed more than 20 years ago, when the level of demand for GI procedures was less than it is today. With an aging population and approximately 100,000 people living in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, our providers are at capacity for these important screenings.

A vision for world-class Digestive Healthcare, close to home

Located on the ground floor of the Professional Center, adjacent to the main hospital and where the cancer center was located prior to moving to the Health Pavilion and Diana J. White Cancer Institute, the planned Digestive Health Center will have dedicated entrances for outpatient procedures and office visits with the gastroenterologists. The space will offer comfort and convenience for patients and their families.

In this expanded location, patients will experience comprehensive care with the latest technology allowing our physicians to offer the most advanced care in our region. The new space will double our current capacity, with six GI procedure rooms and enough medical office space for two additional gastroenterologists, advanced practice providers, and dozens of additional clinical and clerical staff.

Learn more about the progress on this critical expansion and how our community is supporting digestive health for our region.

Meet the team

Rodney Eddi, MD, completed a three-year gastroenterology fellowship with Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences. He also completed a three-year internal medicine residency with Mount Sinai School of Medicine and served one year as chief medical resident, overseeing 45 internal medicine residents.

Prior to completing his internal medicine and gastroenterology training, Dr. Eddi earned his medical degree at Tehran Medical University. Following medical school, he spent two years in military service as a medical officer, providing care for army mine-sweeping units. He also worked in private practice in Golestan, Iran, providing primary care for an impoverished population.

Julia Dean, FNP, provides specialized care for a broad range of digestive health conditions as well as colon cancer screening and surveillance. She is passionate about providing whole-person care and educating patients about living a healthy lifestyle.

Prior to earning her master’s degree and Family Nurse Practitioner certification, Julia worked as a registered nurse at Adventist Health Sonora. She has also served as a clinical instructor and course coordinator, teaching second and third semester nursing students curriculum on geriatric patient care and development of care plans for patients in the acute care setting. Julia was raised in Sonora and has lived in Tuolumne County for most of her life. Married with three children, Julia enjoys spending her free time with family and exercising.

Gina Valente-Moore, FNP, has an extensive educational background as well as nearly 20 years’ experience as a nurse practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University; bachelor's, master’s and doctorate degrees from Case Western Reserve University; and post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from Sonoma State University.

As a National Health Service Corps Scholar, Gina worked briefly in North Carolina before practicing 10 years in Ukiah, California. She has been working in Sonora, specializing in family practice and gastroenterology, since 2007. Over this time, she has developed a passion for caring for patients with liver disease and hepatitis C. Gina enjoys connecting with her patients to help them negotiate the healthcare system, interpret their health and make decisions regarding their own care.

Our gastroenterology specialists are located
at 680 Guzzi Lane, Suite 206, Sonora, CA.
Call (209) 536-5760 to schedule an appointment.