About – Western Carolina Digestive Consultants

Western Carolina Digestive Consultants is a private, physician-owned gastroenterology practice that has served the mountain communities of Western North Carolina for more than 30 years. To ensure you receive cutting-edge care without leaving the Blue Ridge, we operate from two locations:

Franklin & Sylva

What is Gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is the medical specialty focused on the digestive tract and its accessory organs. Our team cares for conditions involving:

Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Colon & rectum
Liver
Gallbladder & bile ducts
Pancreas

What symptoms do you treat?

Heartburn / Reflux (GERD)

Difficulty swallowing

Chest or upper-abdomen pain

Nausea & vomiting

Barrett’s Esophagus

Peptic ulcer / Gastritis

Celiac Disease

Constipation

Chronic diarrhea

Bloating & gas

Rectal bleeding or blood in stool

Hemorrhoids

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis

Crohn’s Disease

Ulcerative Colitis

Colon polyps & colon cancer screening

Unexplained weight loss or anemia

Abdominal pain of unknown cause

Fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Viral hepatitis (B & C)

Pancreatitis follow-up (outpatient management)

What procedures do you offer?

Performed at our Franklin endoscopy center or a nearby hospital, our physicians offer various procedures:

Colonoscopy
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
Hemorrhoid Banding
ERCP
Stone Removal
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For a full list of procedures, visit our services page.

How do I schedule an appointment/procedure?

Because we are a specialty practice, a referral from your primary care provider is required for all new patients. If you have visited us before, but it has been over 2 years, a referral is required. If you have seen us within the last 2 years, contact our Franklin or Sylva office to schedule your visit.

We believe in holistic gastrointestinal care: treating the whole person and emphasizing lifestyle, nutrition, and prevention whenever possible. It is our mission to meet every patient who walks through our doors with professionalism, empathy, and individualized attention.

Our Team

Our Franklin location features an on‑site, AAAHC‑accredited endoscopy center for screenings and therapeutic procedures. The Sylva clinic focuses on consultations and follow‑ups, and we perform advanced or complex procedures at Harris Regional Hospital, leveraging their hospital‑grade equipment and collaborative team.

Our Locations

AAAHC-Accreditation

The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality services to its patients. It is recognized by third-party payers, medical professional associations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and the public.”
To find out more visit: AAAHC.org

Awarded "Best Colonoscopy & Endoscopy"

Higher number of patients – more experience performing procedures correlates to positive patient outcomes
Longer length of Stay
Lower than average instance of complications
Average or fewer than expected poor patient outcomes
Very low instance of post-procedure hospital admissions

For more information, visit Health US News

Accreditation & Quality

Our Franklin Endoscopy Center is AAAHC accredited, reflecting rigorous standards for safety, sterilization, and continuous quality improvement. We track key performance metrics so you can be confident you’re receiving care that meets or exceeds national benchmarks.

*A Note on Scheduling

Because we serve a large, mostly rural region, appointment and procedure slots fill quickly. If you are waiting to be scheduled, please know that we are working hard to accommodate every patient safely and efficiently. Your patience allows us to give each neighbor the attentive care they deserve.