Bayhealth Colorectal Team Offering Weekend Colonoscopies in April

Bayhealth is expanding access to preventive care by offering weekend colonoscopy screenings in April, helping community members overcome common barriers such as work and family obligations.

For the second consecutive year, Bayhealth Colorectal Cancer Program Director and Colorectal Surgeon Assar Rather, MD, has assembled a dedicated group of clinicians, endoscopy team members and support staff to provide screening colonoscopies on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, at Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus.

The initiative reflects Bayhealth’s ongoing commitment to educating the community about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings and ensuring access to care for all community members.

“Colorectal cancer is highly preventable when screening guidelines are followed,” said Dr. Rather. “By offering colonoscopies on the weekend, we are removing barriers and making it easier for people to take an important step toward protecting their health.”

Appointments are open to community members age 45 and older who are due for a routine screening colonoscopy and prefer the convenience of a weekend appointment. Patients must also meet the colorectal cancer team’s direct access criteria, which allows eligible patients to bypass an in-office consultation prior to the procedure.

The team’s goal is to perform approximately 20 colonoscopies each day during the weekend screening effort.

Appointments are limited. Patients and community members interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about the direct access program can contact Colorectal Cancer Nurse Navigator Judy Giddens, LPN, at 302-744-6098.

Image caption: Kent Endoscopy Clinical Coordinator Maria Gainous; PACU Nurse Angela Hyatt; General Surgeon Edward Alexander, M.D.; Endoscopy Nurse Cheryl Swan; Anesthesiologist Akshatha Kamath, M.D.;Bayhealth Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner Megan Green, FNP-C.