Services
We provide a wide range of services, including:

• Screening Colonoscopy
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Colonoscopy
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EGD)
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Push Enteroscopy
• Capsule Endoscopy
• Esophageal Impedance Testing
• Esophageal Manometry
• Feeding Tube Placement & Management
• Consultation, Screening, education, and treatment for stomach, liver and intestinal diseases/disorders

What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenteroligist study disorders within the digestive system.

St. Luke's Clinics
St. Luke’s Clinics are an integrated network of highly skilled health care professionals in locations throughout our region.

Our Medical Providers

	Kent J. Smith, M.D. graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with his medical doctor degree in 1984. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of Utah Medical Center in 1987. Dr. Smith's gastroenterology fellowship was performed at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California, and completed in 1989. His special interests include colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, and endoscopy.
	Robert M. Ward, M.D. received his medical doctor degree when he graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1986. Dr. Ward performed his Internal Medicine internship and residency while enlisted in the United States Air Force in California. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in 1992. His special interests include all aspects of endoscopic evaluation and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
	Seth N. Wheeler, M.D. graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine with his doctor of medicine in 1996. His internship and residency in Internal Medicine was fulfilled at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa in 2000. His fellowship in gastroenterology was completed at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, in 2004. His special interests include esophageal motility, liver disease, as well as general gastroenterology.
	Julie Akins, NP-C received her Bachelor's of Nursing from Boise State University School of Nursing in 1996. She became an assistant Professor of Nursing at the College of Southern Idaho from 1999 to 2005. She graduated from the Fay Whitney School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming in 2007 with a Nurse practitioner degree.
	Heather Merten Kohring, FNP-C graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelors of Science in 1994. She received her Registered Nursing degree from Maric College in 1997. In 2004, Heather received her Masters of Science in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner from the University of Wyoming. Her special interests in the medical practice are hepatitis C and liver disease.

Your Appointment
We try to stay on time, as a courtesy to you and others. Since paperwork may take a few minutes, please arrive early. As emergencies do occur, there may be occasions when your appointment time will be delayed. We will always try to keep you informed in the event of a delay, and will be happy to reschedule your appointment, if you prefer. We ask that you respect the appointment time we have reserved for you, and call 24 hours ahead to cancel or change appointments so that others may be helped during that time.

Communication with your provider is extremely important. It may be helpful for you to write down questions for your doctor or nurse practitioner prior to your visit. Bring a list of medications and the dosages, or bring the bottles with you.

Make sure you understand any instructions you are given. If clarification is needed, review your instructions with the provider or medical assistant before you leave. If you aren’t doing well after your visit, we want to hear from you. Our goal is to improve your health.

Insurance Plans
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare, in-state Medicaid, Tricare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and others.

Medication Refills
Talk with your provider at each visit to be sure your prescriptions are up to date. For refills, contact your pharmacy. Your pharmacy will then contact our office for verification and approval. For patient safety, narcotics cannot be refilled outside of office hours. Talk with your provider before your prescription runs out, and please allow 48 hours for refills.