Our Story

Peak Gastroenterology Associates opened the doors of its first clinic in Colorado Springs in 1996. The practice was established by a leading board-certified gastroenterologist and researcher, Bhaktasharan “Buck” Patel, M.D. The warmth and top-tier medical care delivered by the medical team and staff have made Peak Gastro the fastest-growing gastroenterology practice in the region.

Our Award-Winning GI Specialists

We are honored for the many awards and accolades we have received for our work in advancing the field of gastroenterology, as well as the many top ratings from local publications.

Mary Ann Huang, MD: Voted Top GI Doctor in Denver, CO by 5280 magazine and listed as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for ten years.
Vanessa Lee and R. Chris Harmon, MD: Voted Top Doctor in Colorado Springs by Colorado Springs Magazine.
Prashant Krishnan: Voted Top Doctor in Colorado Springs by Colorado Springs Style magazine
Lukasz Kowalczyk MD: Voted Top Doctor in Colorado Springs, CO, by Colorado Springs Style magazine.
Doug Adler, MD: Named a Top 1% GI All-Star by Avant-Garde Health, recognized nationally for his high procedural volumes and impactful research publications.
Cesario, MD: Awarded “Top Doc” for Gastroenterology/Transplant Hepatology by Colorado Springs Style magazine consistently from 2011 through 2023.
Vincent Costrini, MD: Honored with the Clinical Scholar’s Award from the American Gastroenterological Association and multiple Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America recognitions.

We believe those suffering from gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, from minor to most severe, deserve high-quality, individualized care and access to the most effective, least invasive treatments from a genuine GI specialist.

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What We Do

The medical team at Peak Gastroenterology Associates offers advanced treatments for simple and complex gastrointestinal medical conditions. Our scope of practice covers more than
all other clinics in the region, offering the following tests and procedures:

General GI

Colonoscopy: Screening for colon cancer or identifying the cause of intestinal issues causing various symptoms.
Upper Endoscopy (EGD): Examination of the upper digestive system to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.
Capsule Endoscopy: Ingestion of a pill-sized camera that captures images of the small intestine.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): Used to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts and can assist in removing gallstones, draining bile, and performing biopsies.
Esophageal Dilation: This procedure widens the narrowed areas of the esophagus, which can cause difficulty swallowing.
24-hour pH Monitoring: Measuring acid levels in the esophagus allows our GI specialist to diagnose GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or evaluate the effectiveness of medications.
Liver Biopsy: A biopsy involves taking a small piece of liver tissue to diagnose liver diseases and conditions.
Hemorrhoid Treatments: These include non-surgical and surgical techniques to resolve hemorrhoids.
Breath Testing: This is used to diagnose conditions like lactose intolerance, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, and H. pylori infection.

Interventional Endoscopy for Diagnosis and Treatment

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs. It can also guide fine-needle aspiration and biopsies.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Allows for treating bile duct stones, strictures, and other pancreatic-biliary diseases.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR): Used to remove pre-cancerous, cancerous, or other abnormal tissues from the digestive tract.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): Allows the removal of more significant, deeper lesions than EMR, a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): RFA is a treatment for Barrett’s esophagus that uses controlled heat to remove precancerous cells in the esophagus.
Stent Placement: Used to treat strictures by inserting stents in the esophagus, stomach, colon, or bile ducts to keep passageways open.
Balloon Dilation: Expands strictures in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines to alleviate blockages.
Sclerotherapy and Variceal Banding: Treats bleeding enlarged veins (varices) in the esophagus and stomach by injecting them with a solution or applying bands to reduce blood flow.
Cryotherapy: Involves freezing abnormal cells to treat conditions like Barrett’s esophagus.

General Hepatology

Hepatitis Management: Includes treatment and monitoring of viral hepatitis types A, B, and C to prevent liver damage.
Cirrhosis Management: Involves managing the complications of cirrhosis, including portal hypertension, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Liver Function Tests: Regular blood tests to monitor the health and functioning of the liver.
Liver Fibrosis and Stiffness Assessment: Techniques like FibroScan (Transient Elastography) can be used to assess the degree of fibrosis without using more invasive procedures.
Liver Biopsy: Involves extracting liver tissue for detailed examination to diagnose the extent and type of liver disease.
Alcoholic Liver Disease Management: Treatment plans that include lifestyle changes, medications, and monitoring to manage the effects of alcohol on the liver.
Autoimmune Liver Disease Management: Treating conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis with immunosuppressive therapies.
Chelation Therapy: For managing iron and copper overload disorders, such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease, to prevent organ damage.
Drug-induced Liver Injury Management: Identifying and managing liver damage caused by prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or supplements.

Transplant Hepatology

Pre-Transplant Evaluation: Comprehensive assessment of patients to determine suitability for liver transplantation, including medical, psychological, and social evaluations.
Post-Transplant Care: Ongoing management of liver transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection and infections, including regular monitoring and medication adjustments.
Immunosuppression Management: Tailoring immunosuppressive therapy to each patient to minimize side effects and prevent rejection of the transplanted liver.
Management of Post-Transplant Complications: Addressing issues such as graft rejection, infection, hypertension, and diabetes, which can occur after transplantation.
Transplant Hepatology Clinics: Providing specialized outpatient care for pre- and post-transplant patients to manage liver health and overall well-being.
Research and Trials: Participating in clinical trials and research to improve transplant outcomes and develop new treatments.
Education and Support: Our compassionate team of specialists and support staff offers education and support services to patients and their families throughout the transplantation journey.

Research & Clinical Trials at Peak Gastroenterology Associates

Our specialists are focused on advancing the field of gastroenterology, engaging in clinical trials and research to discover more effective, less invasive treatments for various conditions and diseases. We are dedicated to serving our patients with the most advanced therapies through advanced research and clinical trials.

Learn More About Research and Clinical Trials

Infusion

At Peak Gastroenterology, we understand how challenging gastrointestinal conditions can be, and we’re here to support you with a range of nurturing infusion services. Our caring medical team administers these treatments in a warm, welcoming environment, ensuring you feel comfortable and safe at every step.

Biologic Therapies

Suffering from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is challenging, and we’re here to help. Our biologic infusion therapies are designed to ease your symptoms and enhance your day-to-day wellness, helping you lead a fuller, more comfortable life.

Hydration Infusions

Keeping well-hydrated is essential, especially when dealing with gastrointestinal issues. Our hydration infusions are carefully balanced to replenish your body’s fluids and electrolytes, ensuring you stay hydrated and healthy.

What Our Patients Are Saying

At Peak Gastroenterology, our patients are part of our family. We’re committed to providing personalized care. We listen, care, and craft each treatment plan for the individual. Our entire team is dedicated to compassionate care for our patients in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Lone Tree, with personalized support in the journey to improved health and quality of life – you and your overall health genuinely matter to us.

The staff was very kind.

The doctor listened to me and spent time with me, scheduling me for the following Monday from my Friday appointment. The staff was all very kind. As someone who has worked in a clinic setting, I really appreciate how seamless the staff made my visit feel – I know that can be hard. Thank you.

They clearly only hire people who love people.

Everyone was so cheerful and helpful. Everyone was extremely attentive and detail-oriented. They really listened and were thoughtful in decision-making. I am very glad to have found this office. They clearly only hire people who love people. Every single person was an absolute delight to interact with and extremely professional.

He makes you feel so comfortable, even in scary situations.

Dr. Harmon is the best. He makes you feel so comfortable even in scary situations. He explained everything to me so I could understand what was wrong with me. I highly recommend him to anyone who has gastric or other problems. Thank you so much, Dr. Harmon!

Everyone was super friendly.

They were very prompt throughout every step. There was virtually no wait for anything, and the office was beautiful. I got some great info, and everyone was super friendly.

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