The specialty of gastroenterology was introduced to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in the 1960’s by two University of Michigan Medical Center physicians, H.M. Pollard and W.A. Gracie, for their private patients. In 1972, Drs. Daniel Fall and Gracie devoted themselves exclusively to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Dr. Gracie was instrumental in developing the use of colonoscopy at the University of Michigan, as he was one of the first physicians to use the first prototype fiber optic instruments. He also authored a landmark paper on the natural history of gallstones, which is still the standard in the management of asymptomatic gallstones. Dr. Stanley Strasius joined Drs. Gracie and Fall in 1975. Dr. Strasius refined the techniques of biliary endoscopy (ERCP) and is among the most experienced biliary endoscopists in the state of Michigan.
The practice has now grown to 16 physicians and 4 midlevel providers. As a result of its regional reputation, the name was changed to Huron Gastroenterology Associates in 1983 and renamed Huron Gastro in 2004. In 2005 a 30,000 square foot facility was constructed on the St. Joseph Mercy Campus and the Center for Digestive Care became the new home for Huron Gastro (HG). The building houses the medical practice and a fully licensed AAAHC certified surgery facility, which is owned and operated by the physicians of HG.
Today the practice and surgery center are providing a broad, comprehensive range of services in this beautiful new facility. Service excellence and the patient experience remain the number one goal of the practice.
