General Practitioners

• Warts
• Primary Care
  Constipation is the term given to infrequent bowel movements or difficulty with passing bowel movements. There are many causes for constipation some of which include a diet low in fiber and water, medication side effects, lack of regular exercise, and hormone imbalances. A gastroenterologist or primary care physician can determine if any of these causes are the reason for constipation.
• Emergency Care
  If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. For all other calls, an on-call physician is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
• Colonoscopy
  Diverticulosis is a benign condition that results in out-pouching of the colon wall. It often causes no symptoms and is found during a screening colonoscopy. No specific treatment for diverticulosis is needed as long as it causes no symptoms. If the diverticula become infected, this condition is called diverticulitis. The typical symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain (usually the left lower abdomen) and fever. Initial treatment for diverticulitis includes antibiotics and bowel rest with a liquid diet.
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  Stomach pain, bloating, and other gastrointestinal issues can indicate that something is wrong, but since both colorectal cancer and irritable bowel syndrome can contribute to these symptoms, it may be difficult to pinpoint the culprit. April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month and a great time to get screened for the condition. Early screening can […]
• Diarrhea

Gynecologists

• Labor and Delivery
  Fecal incontinence is the leakage of stool from the rectum and/or the inability to control bowel movements. It is a fairly common problem but patients are often hesitant to discuss their symptoms with their doctors. The condition can understandably impact a patient’s quality of life. There are many causes for fecal incontinence, including muscle or nerve damage during childbirth, previous anorectal surgeries, and neuromuscular disorders.

Internists

• Colon Cancer
  Colon cancer is usually treated surgically by removing the segment of the colon that contains the cancer, and attaching the ends of the colon back together. Often these surgeries are done in a minimally invasive fashion, using a laparoscopic or robotic approach and small incisions to lessen discomfort and hasten recovery.

Radiologist

• Chemotherapy
  If rectal cancer is detected at a very early stage, it may be removed through the anus via a special scope and small instruments without an abdominal incision. If it is more advanced, it may require a multidisciplinary approach of abdominal surgery to remove the affected rectum, possibly combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This surgery is often done in a minimally invasive fashion, using a laparoscopic or robotic approach and small incisions to lessen discomfort and hasten recovery. In some circumstances the treatment for rectal cancer will involve a temporary or permanent ostomy bag. The surgeons at Piedmont Colorectal Associates have extensive experience in treating rectal cancer and can help to decide the best approach for each patient.
• Radiation Therapy

Surgeons

• General Surgery
  Dr. Koerner was born in Lynchburg, Virginia and was raised in Tampa, Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She attended medical school at the Florida State University College of Medicine, where she was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and, in 2015, graduated 1st in her class. She then completed general surgery residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Following residency, she completed a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Koerner returned to Atlanta to join Piedmont Colorectal Associates in 2021.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
  Da Vinci  System has brought minimally invasive surgery to more than 3 million patients worldwide. da Vinci technology – changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.
• Robotic Surgery
  Dr. McCaffrey performs treatment for a wide range of colorectal issues. One of her main interests is in robotic surgery for benign and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum. She has performed the highest volume of robotic colorectal surgery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, successfully completing more than 800 robotic surgeries since 2013. She serves on the robotic steering committee for Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.  She also enjoys performing screening and diagnostic colonoscopies, as well as a variety of office-based and surgical procedures for anorectal issues.
• Laparoscopy
  Surgery to remove all or part of the colon is known as a colectomy, and rectal cancer surgery to remove part or all or the rectum is known as a rectal resection. Either type of surgery can be done using open surgery (through one large incision) or laparoscopy (through a few small incisions).

Plastic Surgeons

• Laparoscopic Surgery
  Dr. Koerner is board certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery. She is certified in minimally invasive surgery including robotic and laparoscopic surgery. She offers treatments for a wide variety of colon and rectal conditions, including colorectal malignancies, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and motility disorders. She offers both office-based treatments and ambulatory surgery for common anorectal conditions including hemorrhoids, abscesses, anal fistulas, fecal incontinence, and anal fissures. Dr. Koerner performs both screening and diagnostic colonoscopies.

Dermatologists

• Lesions
  Anal condyloma is the medical term for anal warts. These growths are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is the most common sexually transmitted virus. The lesions are spread via skin-to-skin contact.
• Skin Care
  Pruritis is the sensation of itchiness or needing to scratch the skin around the anus. It is a very common symptom reported by our patients. There are many causes for pruritis and therefore many treatment options. Many anal conditions (hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulae, etc.) can cause some anal itching and treatment will be aimed at these underlying conditions. In other circumstances there are dietary and/or skin care issues that contribute to the itching. While the cause of the itching is usually benign, pruritis can be very disruptive to one’s quality of life. Our providers can diagnose the cause of the pruritis and assist the patient in generating a treatment plan.

Physical Therapists

• Physical Therapy
  A variety of surgical and non-surgical treatment options exist. These include medical therapy with pelvic floor physical therapy, sphincter muscle repair, and sacral nerve stimulator implant. The providers at Piedmont Colorectal Associates have extensive experience with the treatment of fecal incontinence and can help to design a plan for each patient.