At Gastrointestinal Specialists Foundation, Inc., you receive complete care from a team of highly trained medical professionals. Our credentialed nurses and certified nurse anesthetists work closely with every patient. Our licensed ultrasound and CT technician is readily available for immediate diagnostic procedures.
Meet Our Team of Nationally Recognized, Board Certified Gastroenterologists.
Paul S. Bierman, M.D.
Kenneth I. Fields, M.D.
Edward S. Friedman, M.D.
Gerald J. Lieberman, M.D.
Randelon D. Smith, M.D.
Andre Thompson, M.D.
Medhat El-Sabawy, Pharm.D.
Meet our CRNAs
Paul S. Bierman, M.D.
Paul Bierman is a nationally recognized Board-Certified Gastroenterologist with more than fifteen years of experience. Dr. Bierman is highly respected by patients and colleagues for his superior medical and surgical skills, as well as for the exceptional level of personal attention and devotion he brings to each case.
Dr. Bierman earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Dr. Bierman serves in many educational capacities, including Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee. He is a well-known lecturer and author, and has received recognition for numerous articles that have appeared in national publications. His professional affiliations include American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association and Tennessee Medical Association.
Dr. Bierman is a civic leader who is active in many local charities. He is married with three children, with whom he enjoys skiing and scuba diving whenever possible.
Kenneth I. Fields, M.D.
Kenneth Fields is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist with more than fifteen years of experience. Before joining GI Specialists, he served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Dr. Fields earned his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Dr. Fields works in all areas of gastroenterology and is highly respected for his expertise in upper and lower endoscopy techniques.
Dr. Fields is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association and Tennessee Medical Society.
Dr. Fields is married with three children, and enjoys running marathons, skiing and golf.
Edward S. Friedman, M.D.
Edward Friedman is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and is a graduate of The University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston prior to completing his Internal Medicine Residency at The University of Tennessee. Dr. Friedman is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Friedman completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center and Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. He is trained in both Gastroenterology and Hepatology. As a fellow in Gastroenterology, Dr. Friedman furthered his gastrointestinal procedural training in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a specialized technique used to study the ducts (drainage routes) of the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver.
Dr. Friedman is a member of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and American Gastroenterology Association (AGA). Dr. Friedman has presented research abstracts at recent ACG and AGA national meetings.
Dr. Friedman, born and raised in Memphis, is married with two children. In his free time, he enjoys playing softball, spending time with his family, and exploring the outdoors.
Gerald J. Lieberman, M.D.
Dr. Gerald Lieberman has been practicing clinical gastroenterology in Memphis for more than 22 years. He earned his medical degree from the Cornell School of Medicine and completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He holds an undergraduate degree from New York University.
Dr. Lieberman’s outstanding credentials include serving as the former Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Delta Medical Center, where he had also served as President of the medical staff. His professional affiliations include American College of Gastroenterology, American Medical Association and Tennessee Medical Association.
Dr. Lieberman is married with one daughter, who he enjoys accompanying to horse shows. When time allows, he is an avid golfer and photographer.
Randelon D. Smith, M.D.
Dr. Smith is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and is a graduate of The University
of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he went on to complete his internship
and residency. Dr Smith received his undergraduate degree from Southern University
A&M in Baton Rouge, LA. and completed a masters of science program at the
University of Memphis in Organismal Biology and Ecology.
He is Board Certified in internal medicine and worked as a private hospitalist before
returning to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to complete a fellowship
in gastroenterology. He is trained in both gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr.
Smith has presented his research, rectal carcinoid and radiation proctitis at several
meetings.
Dr. Smith is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Society
of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, Southern
Society of Clinical Investigators, and the Arkansas Medical Society.
He is originally from Mississippi, but has made Memphis his home. He is married
and has one son. He enjoys family time, tennis, golf, running, and is an avid sports
fan, supporting the local teams.
Andre Thompson, M.D.
Dr. Thompson is Board certified in Anatomic Pathology. He joined GI Specialists, in July 2010 in the capacity of Medical Director of the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory. Dr. Thompson received his medical degree from the University of Tishreen. He completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Tennessee-Health Science Center in Memphis, where he served as Chief Resident and Delegate to the College of American Pathologists Resident Forum. Following residency, Dr. Thompson completed a fellowship in Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology at GI Pathology, PLLC in Memphis. Subsequently, he completed a second fellowship in Surgical Pathology functioning as a Junior Staff Pathologist at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Dr. Thompson is a member of several medical societies including American Medical Association (AMA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and Tennessee Medical Association (TMA). Dr. Thompson is married with one child. He enjoys photography, reading and spending time with his family.
Medhat El-Sabawy, Pharm.D.
Dr. Medhat El-Sabawy has been practicing clinical
pharmacy for more than 26 years. He received a B.S. in
Pharmacy in 1977 from the University of Alexandria,
Alexandria, Egypt. In 1981, he arrived in the U.S.
to begin his studies at the University of Tennessee
Center for Health Sciences (UTCHS) where he earned
his clinical doctorate in pharmacy (PharmD.) in
1984. Following receipt of his degree he completed a
residency in Pharmacy Practice.
In 1992, he and Dr. Isaac Jalfon, a founding member
of Gastrointestinal Specialists, began a life-long
partnership when they teamed up to form a nutrition
support (NS) team to manage the complex needs
of patients receiving artificial nutrition. Dr. Jalfon,
recognizing the unique pharmacological skills that Dr.
El-Sabawy brought to the NS team further partnered
with him to care for all his patients with gastrointestinal
conditions. Dr. El-Sabawy was one of only 8
pharmacists in the U.S. that was board certified in both
nutrition support and pharmacotherapy.
Dr. El-Sabawy is also an assistant professor at the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, formerly
UTCHS. In this capacity he has acted as a clinical
instructor to numerous pharmacy students and residents.
CRNAs
(l to r) Samuel Joseph Feltman, CRNA; Franco Joseph Maniscalco,
CRNA; Joseph Ryan Feltman, CRNA
Anesthesia at GI Specialists is provided by a dedicated staff of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who specialize in anesthesia care. As anesthesia specialists, our CRNAs take care of patients before, during and after clinic procedures, working closely with our surgeons. A CRNA will stay with you for your entire procedure, constantly monitoring every important body function and individually modifying the anesthetic to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
For more information about our talented and experienced anesthesia staff please visit the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists at www.aana.com.
Isaac M. Jalfon, M.D.
Of Blessed Memory
1957-2010
Trusted partner, valued friend and dedicated physician.