St. Mary’s Medical Group has announced the opening of a new gastroenterology practice in Athens, Georgia, to address the increasing demand for specialized digestive care in Northeast Georgia. The new clinic, St. Mary’s Gastroenterology Associates (SMGA), will begin seeing patients on September 15 at 658 N. Chase St., Suite 201.
Dr. Lance McLeroy, a board-certified gastroenterologist, will lead the practice. Dr. McLeroy previously worked with Prisma Health Gastroenterology Consultants of Internal Medicine Associates in Greer, South Carolina. His return to Athens marks a homecoming; he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Georgia and volunteered with local clinics.
Dr. McLeroy received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and completed both his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. He holds certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine in both internal medicine and gastroenterology and is affiliated with several professional organizations including the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, and Medical Association of Georgia.
Before joining Prisma Health in 2020, Dr. McLeroy served as a nocturnist at the Medical University of South Carolina where he managed inpatient care during night shifts as needed. Earlier in his career, he worked for Carroll County Georgia Board of Elections and Registration.
Gastroenterologists like Dr. McLeroy diagnose and treat conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system such as colorectal polyps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Celiac disease, food allergies or intolerances, GERD, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, and swallowing difficulties. They perform procedures including colonoscopies and upper GI endoscopies but refer patients needing surgery to appropriate specialists.
“Dr. McLeroy is now accepting referrals and new patient appointments,” according to St. Mary’s Medical Group.
Additional information about SMGA can be found at www.stmarys-health.org or by calling (706) 389-7804.
Providers may refer patients through St. Mary’s TogetherCare/Epic system or by faxing (762) 208-2209; patients whose insurance does not require a referral can schedule appointments via MyChart on St. Mary’s website. The practice accepts most major insurance plans as well as Medicare.
