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Mission

WE ARE EXPERTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISORDERS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, LIVER AND PANCREAS

OUR MISSION

PROVIDE YOU WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE AND SERVICE IN A RESPONSIVE, INNOVATIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE MANNER

Practice Location: Santa Barbara, California with outreach to Santa Ynez.Affiliations: Cottage Hospitals, Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center and the Santa Barbara Surgery Center.Board Certification: Internal Medicine and GastroneterologyAcademic appointments: University of Southern California (USC) Medical School.Expertise: Diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal, pancreatic and hepatobiliary systems. Procedures: colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), ERCP, dilation of esophageal and intestinal strictures, botox treatment and dilation of achalasia and pylorospasm, stent placement for severe or malignant strictures, liver biopsy, as well as others. Emergency coverage: 24-hour coverage in case of emergency (if true emergency call 911, otherwise call 682-3585).Insurance: We participate in almost all PPO insurance plans, Medicare and Santa Barbara IPA. Please ask our staff when making your appointment, to confirm our participation.Please review our office polices regarding appointments, telephone calls, emergency coverage, prescription refills and fees.

Policies General InformationWelcome and thank you for choosing our office for your medical care. Our doctors are specialists in the area of intestinal and liver diseases and are certified in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. We maintain staff privileges at all local hospitals and see office patients in both Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. In order to provide the best possible services to our patients, we have developed the following office policies.AppointmentsAppointments can be made by calling 805-682-3585 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. You can also request appointments online. Appointments for consultation usually last from one-half to one hour and follow-up visits last around 15 minutes. If more time is needed with the doctors, please schedule this in advance. New patient consultation appointments are generally made on weekday afternoons, but other times are available on an emergency basis. If you believe your problem is emergent, please let the scheduler know.Home visits are not made. In general, we see patients in consultation prior to performing procedures except for routine screening sigmoidoscopy. Screening colonoscopy without prior consultation requires physician review and approval of an open-access colonoscopy application, or direct communication with your referring physician.Because appointment times are limited, please notify the office of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance, allowing others to be seen in a more timely manner. Medical emergencies occur without warning in our practice and must take precedence over routine appointments. Emergencies may result in delays or in the need to reschedule appointments. We will make every effort to keep patients informed in advance of any changes and ask your understanding if unavoidable delays occur. Telephone Calls Our office personnel can best handle routine telephone inquiries weekdays from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Our staff has been trained to answer most routine questions. If a question needs to be addressed by the doctor, a message will be taken by the receptionist and later discussed with the physician. Our staff will call with a return message as soon as time allows. Problems that the office personnel cannot handle will be discussed in a return call by the doctor AFTER office hours on the same day if possible. Emergencies and other demands may limit the doctor's ability to make return calls. Non-emergent calls during off hours may be left on our electronic mail service. Complex problems are best handled with an office visit. EmergenciesA doctor is available 24 hours a day for emergencies. If you need emergency care, call the office number: (805) 682-3585. Leave a message, including your telephone number, on the electronic system. The doctor on call may or may not be your personal physician. He will be paged via the mail system immediately. If there is not a response within a reasonable length of time, the doctor is probably in the middle of a procedure. If a true emergency exists, call 911 or report to the nearest emergency room. If a question regarding an upcoming procedure or visit exists, please call again and the doctor will get back to you as soon as possible. Prescription Refills Prescription refills are made only during regular office hours and require, by law, a recent office visit or hospital visit. Some insurance plans require that medications be handled by the primary care physician. Please try to contact the office with refill requests between 8:30 and 11:00 AM to allow time for review of your medical record. It is helpful if a refill request is made several days prior to the time that your medication supply runs out. FeesCo-payments and other office charges are payable at the time of service. Our doctors are participating physicians in both the Medicare and Medi-cal programs. Medicare claim forms will be submitted electronically by our billing department. Most claim forms for contracted insurance plans will also be automatically submitted, but other insurance claims must be submitted by the patient. If you are not sure whether you must submit your own claims, please check with your insurance company. Nearly all insurance plans require the subscriber to sign a billing and medical information release; we have incorporated such a release in our new patient registration form. When applicable, statements are mailed monthly. Due to administrative costs, a 1.5% service charge may be added for each billing cycle in which there is an outstanding balance more than three months overdue. Please notify the bookkeeper if a hardship exists so that alternative payment arrangements can be discussed. After appropriate notification, unpaid charges may be submitted to our collection agency. Many insurance plans require prior authorization for medical care including consultations and office visits. Although every reasonable attempt will be made to comply with terms of your plan, each individual subscriber remains responsible for informing our scheduling desk and bookkeeper of their insurance requirements. Please provide our office with your insurance card so that a copy can be made for your chart. If your insurance changes, it is your responsibility to notify our office.

Financial Information BILLING QUESTION: (805) 500-6885IF YOU ARE NOT USING INSURANCE, CALL (805) 500-6885 FOR SELF-PAY RATESOFFICE VISITS FEES After an appointment at Santa Barbara Gastroenterology Consultants (SBGI), you can expect to receive the following bills: •Physician Fee: Fee to be paid to the physician for performing the service. This bill will be from SBGI. •Lab Fee: If a lab test is ordered, a second bill will come from a lab or a radiologist. Your insurance company will send you an Explanation of Benefits that will explain how the insurance company paid your bill. The Explanation of Benefits will also explain any amount for which you may be responsible. Some insurance plans require you to pay different out-of-pocket amounts based on the location where the service is performed. Deductibles, co-insurance and co-payments may also apply according to your insurance plan. By law, you are responsible for these amounts, as well as any non-covered services outlined in your health plan. SBGI will submit primary, secondary and tertiary claims on your behalf as long as the information needed to process the claim is obtained and verified before your visit. If this information is obtained after your visit, the patient or guarantor is responsible for the balance. SBGI collects co-payments at the time of service. Additional payment may be required based on your insurance plan. In the event your account has a credit for one division of SBGI and a deficit for another, we reserve the right to transfer credits to any outstanding balances prior to issuing a refund.MISSED OFFICE APPOINTMENTSIf you are unable to keep your appointment, please reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. A missed office appointment will result in a $50 fee. A $30 fee will be incurred for returned checks. Additional questions regarding billing or payment arrangements should be directed to (805) 682-3585. PROCEDURE FEES If you have a procedure at the Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center you can expect to receive the following bills:Physician Fee: Fee to be paid to the physician for performing the service. Facility Fee: Fee for the use of the facility for the surgical procedure and service overhead, including facility staff, equipment, supplies, etc. This bill will be from the Endoscopy Center where the procedure was performed.Anesthesia Fee: Fee to be paid to the outsourced anesthesia group to cover anesthetic and vitals monitoring.Pathology Fee: If a tissue biopsy is required, there will be a fee for pathology and the statement will come from that pathology facility. Your insurance company will send you an Explanation of Benefits that will explain how your bill was paid by them and any amount for which you may be responsible.Some insurance plans require you to pay different out-of-pocket amounts based on the location where the service is performed. Deductibles, co-insurance and co-payments may also apply according to your insurance plan. By law, you are responsible for these amounts, as well as any non-covered services outlined in your health plan. SBGI will submit primary, secondary and tertiary claims on your behalf as long as the information needed to process the claim is obtained and verified before your procedure. If this information is obtained after your visit, the patient or guarantor is responsible for the balance.MISSED PROCEDURE APPOINTMENTS If you are unable to keep your procedure appointment, please reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. A missed procedure appointment will result in a $75 fee. A $30 fee will be incurred for returned checks. Questions regarding billing or payment arrangements should be directed to Billing Office: (805) 500-6885.

Privacy Notice HIPAA Compliance RegulationsNotice of Privacy Practices Office Manager (805) 682-3585Effective Date: April 14, 2003THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.We understand the importance of privacy and are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your medical information. We make a record of the medical care we provide and may receive such records from others. We use these records to provide or enable other health care providers to provide quality medical care, to obtain payment for services provided to you as allowed by your health plan and to enable us to meet our professional and legal obligations to operate this medical practice properly. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. This notice describes how we may use and disclose your medical information. It also describes your rights and our legal obligations with respect to your medical information. If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer listed above.A. How this Medical Practice May Use or Disclose Your Health InformationThis medical practice collects health information about you and stores it in a chart and on a computer. This is your medical record. The medical record is the property of this medical practice, but the information in the medical record belongs to you. The law permits us to use or disclose your health information for the following purposes:1. Treatment. We use medical information about you to provide your medical care. We disclose medical information to our employees, the doctors who have referred you, and others who are involved in providing the care you need. For example, we may share your medical information with other physicians or other health care providers who will provide services which we do not provide. Or we may share this information with a pharmacist who needs it to dispense a prescription to you, or a laboratory that performs a test. We may also disclose medical information to members of your family or others who can help you when you are sick or injured.2. Payment. We use and disclose medical information about you to obtain payment for the services we provide. For example, we give your health plan the information it requires before it will pay us. We may also disclose information to other health care providers to assist them in obtaining payment for services they have provided to you.3. Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose medical information about you to operate this medical practice. For example, we may use and disclose this information to review and improve the quality of care we provide, or the competence and qualifications of our professional staff. Or we may use and disclose this information to get your health plan to authorize services or referrals. We may also use and disclose this information as necessary for medical reviews, legal services and audits, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs and business planning and management. We may also share your medical information with our "business associates", such as a billing service, that may perform administrative services for us. We have a written contract with each of these business associates that contains terms requiring them to protect the confidentiality of your medical information. Although federal law does not protect health information which is disclosed to someone other than another healthcare provider, health plan or healthcare clearinghouse, under California law all recipients of health care information are prohibited from re-disclosing it except as specifically required or permitted by law. We may also share your information with other health care providers, health care clearinghouses or health plans that have a relationship with you, when they request this information to help them with their quality assessment and improvement activities, their efforts to improve health or reduce health care costs, their review of competence, qualifications and performance of health care professionals, their training programs, their accreditation, certification or licensing activities, or their health care fraud and abuse detection and compliance efforts.4. Appointment Reminders. We may use and disclose medical information to contact and remind you about appointments. If you are not home, we may leave this information on your answering machine or in a message left with the person answering the phone.5. Sign in sheet. We may use and disclose medical information about you by having you sign in when you arrive at our office. We may also call out your name when we are ready to see you.6. Notification and communication with family. We may disclose your health information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, your personal representative or another person responsible for your care about your location, your general condition or in the event of your death. In the event of a disaster, we may disclose information to a relief organization so that they may coordinate these notification efforts. We may also disclose information to someone who is involved with your care or helps pay for your care. If you are able and available to agree or object, we will give you the opportunity to object prior to making these disclosures, although we may disclose this information in a disaster even over your objection if we believe it is necessary to respond to the emergency circumstances. If you are unable or unavailable to agree or object, our health professionals will use their best judgment in communication with your family and others.7. Marketing. We may contact you to give you information about products or services related to your treatment, case management or care coordination, or to direct or recommend other treatments or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. We may also encourage you to purchase a product or service when we see you, if we believe it will improve your health. We will not use or disclose your medical information without your written authorization.8. Required by law. As required by law, we will use and disclose your health information, but we will limit our use or disclosure to the relevant requirements of the law. When the law requires us to report abuse, neglect or domestic violence, or respond to judicial or administrative proceedings, or to law enforcement officials, we will further comply with the requirement set forth below concerning those activities.9. Public health. We may, and are sometimes required by law to disclose your health information to public health authorities for purposes related to: preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability; reporting child, elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect; reporting domestic violence; reporting to the Food and Drug Administration problems with products and reactions to medications; and reporting disease or infection exposure. When we report suspected elder or dependent adult abuse or domestic violence, we will inform you or your personal representative promptly unless in our best professional judgment, we believe the notification would place you at risk of serious harm or would require informing a personal representative we believe is responsible for the abuse or harm.10. Health oversight activities. We may, and are sometimes required by law to disclose your health information to health oversight agencies during the course of audits, investigations, inspections, licensure and other proceedings, subject to the limitations imposed by federal and California law.11. Judicial and administrative proceedings. We may, and are sometimes required by law, to disclose your health information in the course of any administrative or judicial proceeding to the extent expressly authorized by a court or administrative order. We may also disclose information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request or other lawful process if reasonable efforts have been made to notify you of the request and you have not objected, or if your objections have been resolved by a court or administrative order.12. Law enforcement. We may, and are sometimes required by law, to disclose your health information to a law enforcement official for purposes such as identifying of locating a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person, complying with a court order, warrant, grand jury subpoena and other law enforcement purposes.13. Coroners. We may, and are often required by law, to disclose your health information to coroners in connection with their investigations of deaths.14. Organ or tissue donation. We may disclose your health information to organizations involved in procuring, banking or transplanting organs and tissues.15. Public safety. We may, and are sometimes required by law, to disclose your health information to appropriate persons in order to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a particular person or the general public.16. Specialized government functions. We may disclose your health information for military or national security purposes or to correctional institutions or law enforcement officers that have you in their lawful custody.17. Workers compensation. We may disclose your health information as necessary to comply with workers compensation laws. For example, to the extent your care is covered by workers' compensation, we will make periodic reports to your employer about your condition. We are also required by law to report cases of occupational injury or occupational illness to the employer or workers' compensation insurer.18. Change of Ownership. In the event that this medical practice is sold or merged with another organization, your health information/record will become the property of the new owner, although you will maintain the right to request that copies of your health information be transferred to another physician or medical group.19. Research. We may disclose your health information to researchers conducting research with respect to which your written authorization is not required as approved by an Institutional Review Board or privacy board, in compliance with governing law.B. When This Medical Practice May Not Use or Disclose Your Health InformationExcept as described in this Notice of Privacy Practices, this medical practice will not use or disclose health information which identifies you without your written authorization. If you do authorize this medical practice to use or disclose your health information for another purpose, you may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.C. Your Health Information Rights1. Right to Request Special Privacy Protections. You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information, by a written request specifying what information you want to limit and what limitations on our use or disclosure of that information you wish to have imposed. We reserve the right to accept or reject your request, and will notify you of our decision.2. Right to Request Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that you receive your health information in a specific way or at a specific location. For example, you may ask that we send information to a particular e-mail account or to your work address. We will comply with all reasonable requests submitted in writing which specify how or where you wish to receive these communications.3. Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, with limited exceptions. To access your medical information, you must submit a written request detailing what information you want access to and whether you want to inspect it or get a copy of it. We will charge a reasonable fee, as allowed by California law. We may deny your request under limited circumstances. If we deny your request to access your child's records because we believe allowing access would be reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to your child, you will have a right to appeal our decision. If we deny your request to access your psychotherapy notes, you will have the right to have them transferred to another mental health professional.4. Right to Amend or Supplement. You have a right to request that we amend your health information that you believe is incorrect or incomplete. You must make a request to amend in writing, and include the reasons you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete. We are not required to change your health information, and will provide you with information about this medical practice's denial and how you can disagree with the denial. We may deny your request if we do not have the information, if we did not create the information (unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment), if you would not be permitted to inspect or copy the information at issue, or if the information is accurate and complete as is. You also have the right to request that we add to your record a statement of up to 250 words concerning any statement or item you believe to be incomplete or incorrect.5. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have a right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your health information made by this medical practice, except that this medical practice does not have to account for the disclosures provided to you or pursuant to your written authorization, or as described in paragraphs 1 (treatment), 2 (payment), 3 (health care operations), 6 (notification and communication with family) and 16 (specialized government functions) of Section A of this Notice of Privacy Practices or disclosures for purposes of research or public health which exclude direct patient identifiers, or which are incident to a use or disclosure otherwise permitted or authorized by law, or the disclosures to a health oversight agency or law enforcement official to the extent this medical practice has received notice from that agency or official that providing this accounting would be reasonably likely to impede their activities.6. You have a right to a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices, even if you have previously requested its receipt by e-mail.If you would like to have a more detailed explanation of these rights or if you would like to exercise one or more of these rights, contact our Privacy Officer listed at the top of this Notice of Privacy Practices.D. Changes to this Notice of Privacy PracticesWe reserve the right to amend this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time in the future. Until such amendment is made, we are required by law to comply with this Notice. After an amendment is made, the revised Notice of Privacy Protections will apply to all protected health information that we maintain, regardless of when it was created or received. We will keep a copy of the current notice posted in our reception area, and will offer you a copy at each appointment. E. ComplaintsComplaints about this Notice of Privacy Practices or how this medical practice handles your health information should be directed to our Privacy Officer listed at the top of this Notice of Privacy Practices.If you are not satisfied with the manner in which this office handles a complaint, you may submit a formal complaint to:Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of Civil RightsHubert H. Humphrey Bldg.200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Room 509F HHH BuildingWashington, DC 20201You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Rights Patient Rights & Responsibilities PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS We (SBGI) recognize and respect the rights and responsibilities of all patients. The following specific policies will be observed by our staff. THE PATIENT HAS THE RIGHT:To considerate and respectful care. To a safe and pleasant environment. To be free from all forms of abuse and harassment. To privacy concerning their medical care. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are considered confidential and will be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved with the patients medical care must have their permission to be present. To receive complete current information concerning their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from their physician in terms they can reasonably be expected to understand. When the patients physician considers that it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information will be given to an appropriate person on the patients behalf. To know the name of their physician responsible for delivering their care. To receive from their physician all information needed in order to give informed consent, as required by the laws of the State of California, prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information should include but not be limited to the specific procedure and/or treatment and risks considered medically significant by the physician. To receive and/or request information regarding medical alternatives for care or treatment when they exist. To obtain a second opinion regarding the recommended procedure. Responsibility for the expense of the second opinion rests solely with the patient. To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of their actions. To an interpreter. Interpreters should be requested at least 48 hours in advance of procedure. To be informed of the facility rules that apply to their conduct as a patient. To expect that all communications and records pertaining to their care will be treated as confidential. Patient records and/or portions of records will not be released to outside entities or individuals (except when required by law) without the patient's or designated representative's written approval. To participate in decisions regarding their treatment, unless such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons. To refuse participation in experimental treatment and procedures. Should any experimental treatment or procedures be considered, they should be fully explained to the patient prior to commencement. To information regarding emergency and after-hours care. Patients will be provided with written discharge instructions, including after-hours contact information. These instructions will be discussed with the patient before a procedure and with both the patient and family member(s) after a procedure. To receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. To change their provider if other qualified providers are available. To estimated fee and payment information prior to the procedure. To information regarding other services provided, including estimated fee and payment. THE PATIENT IS RESPONSIBLE:For providing accurate and complete health information concerning their past illnesses, medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities. For keeping all scheduled pre- and post-procedure appointments and complying with treatment plans.For respecting healthcare providers, staff, other patients and SBGI property. For arriving at your appointment in a non-altered state. No patient will be seen under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For voicing concerns or problems to the facility staff. For requesting further information about anything they do not understand. For accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by their insurance. For having a responsible adult present to drive him/her from the facility and remain with them the day of the procedure if the patient was sedated. For complying with instructions not to drive on the day of the procedure. The Endoscopy Centers will not knowingly allow patients to drive or take public transportation the day of the procedure if the patient was sedated. For their own actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow medical advice. For informing their provider about any advance directive, including a living will and/or medical power of attorney, that may affect their care. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:The physicians of Santa Barbara Gastroenterology Consultants have a financial interest and ownership in the Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center. Their credentials are posted on the practice's website: www.gutdoctors.com and www.santabarbaragi.com. Feedback or grievances for the Endoscopy Center can be submitted through: - The self-addressed survey letter given to the patient prior to discharge - A grievance form available at each Endoscopy Center - The clinical director by phone, which is included on written discharge instructions - The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: www.cms.hhs.gov/center/ombudsman.asp

Mission
Practice
Policies
Financial Information
Privacy Notice
Rights

PROCEDURES
PATIENT REGISTRATION
EDUCATION
Colorectal Disorders COLON POLYPS DIVERTICULAR DISEASE HEMORRHOIDS CONSTIPATION Hepatobiliary DisordersCIRRHOSIS HEPATITIS (General) HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C GALLSTONES PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITISPRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS NASH/STEATOHEPATITISHEMOCHROMATOSIS Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseCROHN'S FOUNDATION CROHN'S DISEASE ULCERATIVE COLITIS
GI Cancers COLON CANCER ESOPHAGEAL CANCER STOMACH CANCER PANCREATIC CANCER LIVER CANCER CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA SymptomsBLEEDINGDIARRHEAFECAL INCONTINENCEGASHEARTBURNINDIGESTION
Pancreatic Disorders PANCREATITISGastrointestinal Disorders ULCER DISEASE/H. PYLORI GASTROPARESIS CELIAC DISEASE GLUTEN INTOLERANCE GROUP CELIAC DISEASE FOUNDATION CELIAC SPRUE ASSOCIATION LACTOSE INTOLERANCEMICROSCOPIC COLITISIrritable Bowel SyndromeIBS (NIDDH) IBS (IBS Group)IBS (IFFGD)GAS Esophageal Disorders GERD BARRETTS
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REFERRING PROVIDERS

Instructions for Referring Providers

To schedule appointments for your patients with any of our providers:Call 805-682-3585 or Submit Online Service Request Form or Download PDF Service Request Form or Use your own request formDeliver by fax, mail, or ask your patient to bring to our office (9A-5P, M-F).Your patient will be asked to complete a Registration Form (available online or in our office). Please also fax:recent H&P and any other clinically relevant data, including labs and x-raysinsurance information
CONTACT US
EDWARD BENTLEY MD

Edward S Bentley, MD

Dr. Bentley was born November 16, 1952 and grew up in Connecticut. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1978 and completed his fellowship training in Gastroenterology at the University of Southern California Medical Center. Dr. Bentley is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and has been elected to fellowship in the American College of Physicians and Gastroenterology. He has been in Santa Barbara since 1986. Dr. Bentley and his wife Terri have two children, John and Jennifer.
BRENT KOVACS MD

Brent J Kovacs MD

Dr. Kovacs was born November 19, 1965 and grew up in Northridge, California. He graduated from the Tulane University School of Medicine in 1991 and completed his fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1997. Dr. Kovacs is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Kovacs is married with two children.
THOMAS AGUIRRE MD

Thomas V. Aguirre, M.D.

Dr. Aguirre was born November 1, 1969 and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from University of Southern California School of Medicine in 1997. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in 2000 and his Gastroenterology fellowship at University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in 2003. Dr. Aguirre is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He and his wife, Bertha, have two children.
WILLIAM KARNES MD

William E Karnes MD

Dr. William Karnes was born June 25, 1954 and grew up in California, Oklahoma and Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 1982 and completed Internal Medicine and Chief Residency at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in 1986. He received his Gastroenterology training at UCLA Medical Center and then joined the faculty as Associate Professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he maintained an active NIH-funded research program in colorectal cancer, and was Director of Research and Co-director of the Colorectal Neoplasia Clinic in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Karnes is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology & Hepatology.Dr. Karnes and his wife, Rebecca, have 3 children, Lesely, Chris and Layla.
phone: (805) 682-3585www.gutdoctors.comwww.santabarbaragi.com