General Practitioners

• Primary Care
  Many insurance plans, especially HMO’s, require a referral or written authorization from your Primary Care Physician for each visit. Your PCP should be able to tell you if you need a referral but ultimately it is your responsibility to know if a referral or written authorization is required before each visit and to obtain one.
• Family Practice
  Nick is originally from Crofton, Maryland. He attended Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, where he obtained both his Bachelor’s of Health Sciences with minors in Biology and Philosophy achieved a Master’s of Physician Assistant Sciences. After graduation, Nick moved to Winchester, Virginia in 2012 to begin his medical career in Family Practice and urgent care. Next, he worked in a Primary Care/Urgent Care facility in Richmond, VA. Then, Nick returned to Winchester upon the birth of his first child. He joined Winchester GI in order to spend more time working with and educating his patients. He has a special interest in how medications and treatments for co-morbidities impact a person’s gut and therefore, overall health. Nick spends his free time with his wife and two young children, getting outside and out in the community as much as possible.
• Emergency Care
  Mark Penaranda is originally from Northern Virginia. Prior to completing his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, Mark spent five years in the United States Navy. After completing his degree, he worked as a cardiac monitor technician and a scribe in the Winchester Medical Center Emergency Department. Mark went on to complete his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from West Liberty University.  Mark joined Winchester Gastroenterology Associates team in August 2019. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, running and spending time with his family.
• Colonoscopy
  If you wish to cancel your out-patient procedure such as a Colonoscopy, UGI Endoscopy, ERCP, etc., please immediately notify us at 540-667-1244. (This number is available after hours for messages.) Failure to notify us of your cancellation within 48 hours may result in a charge of $75 to you.
• Constipation
• Immunizations
  Valeria Richards was born and raised in Vicenza, Italy. She graduated from the Scuola per Infermeri Professionali in Vicenza in 1979. She worked as a Professional Nurse there for 2 years before going to Somalia in 1981 as a volunteer with an Italian medical team in the Qoriolei refugee camp for ethnic Somalis from the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. After serving two years in the Qoriolei camp clinic and hospital, Valeria subsequently lived in Nicaragua where she participated in child immunization programs and in Bolivia. She worked as an RN in GI Endo and Pulmonary at Winchester Medical Center from May 2002 to February 2014. She was preceptor for many new nurses, served as charge nurse, and is a Medical Surgical Certified Nurse. She graduated from Shenandoah University with a Master’s in Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, in December 2013. She joined the Winchester Gastroenterology Associates in March 2014.

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  WGA is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Satyanisth Agrawal. Dr. Agrawal brings years of experience to our area and is highly trained, including ERCP and EUS advanced procedures. He will be a welcome addition to our practice, hospital and the community. Dr. Agrawal earned his Medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie PA in 2008. After one year Internship at Case Western Reserve University, he went on to complete residency at the University of Southern California in Internal Medicine.
• Gastroenterology
  This is the website of Winchester Gastroenterology Associates (WGA). Our postal address is 190 Campus Boulevard, Suite 300, Winchester, VA 22601. We can be reached via email at contactus@winchestergi.com, or you can reach us by telephone at 540-667-1244.
• Bladder Cancer
  Medical school took him to eastern Pennsylvania where he graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at Jefferson Medical College. During his training, he was actively involved in various projects focused on improving healthcare quality and patient-centered care. As part of the resident research track, he studied familial pancreatic cancer and statewide treatment approaches to gallbladder cancer. This research won him the American College of Gastroenterology’s prestigious Lawlor Resident Award. His findings were published in major medical journals.
• Colon Cancer
  Dr. Grace Shih grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Harvard University with a BA in biochemistry. She obtained her MD degree from Yale Medical School. She then completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at University of Pennsylvania. She has presented at various GI conferences including those for the American College of Gastroenterology and for Digestive Disease Week. Dr. Shih is board certified in gastroenterology and has particular interests in colon cancer screening, reflux, IBD, IBS, and general gastroenterology. She is a member of ACG, AGA, and ASGE.
• Endoscopy
  Patients are no longer required to have COVID testing prior to their EGD/Upper Endoscopy. However, if a patient contracts COVID within 21 days prior to their procedure, the procedure will still need to be rescheduled. Masks are required for all parties during procedures.

Neurologists

• Neurology
• Neurolysis
  Diagnostic and interventional (Fine Needle Aspiration, Fine Needle Biopsy, pancreas pseudocyst drainage and cystgastrostomy stent placement, endoscopic necrosectomy, celiac plexus block and celiac plexus neurolysis).

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure used to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs.

Plastic Surgeons

• Bariatric Surgery
  Heather Cummings is originally from Virginia Beach, VA. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in Clemson, SC and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. She has several years of experience as a First Assist in the operating room, while specializing in Robotic and Bariatric Surgery. She was inspired to further her education and obtain her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. She is certified by the NCCPA and joined the Winchester Gastroenterology Associates team in February 2020. Outside of work, she was a college athlete on the Women’s Rowing team at Clemson University and enjoys all things water: including going to the beach, boating, fishing, and spending time with family.