Dr. Connie M. Switzer – Gastroenterologist | Edmonton, AB

Dr. Connie M. Switzer is a dedicated Gastroenterologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of disorders affecting the digestive system in adult patients, and may also see older adolescents for certain conditions. Practicing at Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, AB, she is a key member of the local medical community. She provides comprehensive care for a wide range of digestive system disorders, including conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas, utilizing diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Her practice is committed to delivering patient-centered digestive health care within a supportive environment, ensuring that each individual receives personalized and evidence-based treatment.

Dr. Switzer graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Alberta (Canada). She holds specialty certification as a Gastroenterologist and is credentialed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Her certifications include FRCPC - Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in Gastroenterology, as well as LMCC (Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada) and certification in Internal Medicine. These qualifications reflect her extensive training and commitment to maintaining high standards of medical excellence in digestive health care.

Her clinical philosophy centers on providing evidence-based digestive health care, emphasizing patient education about GI conditions and lifestyle modifications. Dr. Switzer is dedicated to early and accurate diagnosis through advanced procedures and technology, enabling tailored treatment plans that meet each patient’s unique needs. Her commitment is to enhance the quality of life for her patients in Edmonton through compassionate, informed, and personalized care. She communicates fluently in English and strives to build trusting relationships with those she serves.

Dr. Connie Switzer diagnoses and treats a wide range of digestive system disorders, including:

Liver, Gallbladder, Bile Duct & Pancreatic Disorders

• Autoimmune Liver Diseases (Autoimmune Hepatitis, PBC, PSC): Conditions where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells (Autoimmune Hepatitis), bile ducts within the liver (Primary Biliary Cholangitis), or larger bile ducts inside and outside the liver (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis).
• Pancreatic Cysts, Tumors & Pancreatic Insufficiency (Evaluation & Co-management): Evaluation of fluid-filled sacs (cysts) or growths (tumors) on or in the pancreas, and management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) where the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) & Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): A spectrum of conditions characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver not caused by alcohol. NASH involves liver inflammation and cell damage and can progress to cirrhosis.

Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders

• Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) & Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC): Persistent constipation that does not have an identifiable underlying cause (CIC) or is a side effect of opioid medications (OIC).
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Anorectal Disorders (e.g., Dyssynergic Defecation): Inability to correctly relax and coordinate pelvic floor muscles to facilitate a normal bowel movement, often requiring specialized testing like anorectal manometry and biofeedback therapy.
• Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying): A condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach, preventing proper and timely emptying of stomach contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and fullness.

Esophageal, Stomach & Upper GI Disorders

• Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): A chronic immune system disease characterized by a buildup of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the esophagus, causing inflammation, difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and chest pain.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) / Acid Reflux / Heartburn: Chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and potential complications like esophagitis.
• Barrett's Esophagus & Dysplasia Monitoring: A precancerous condition in which the normal lining of the esophagus is replaced with tissue similar to the intestinal lining, often due to chronic GERD, requiring regular surveillance for dysplasia (abnormal cells).

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Connie Switzer.

• Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder Evaluation & Management Coordination: Initial evaluation of symptoms suggestive of GI motility disorders (e.g., gastroparesis, achalasia, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction), with coordination for specialized testing like esophageal manometry, antroduodenal manometry, wireless motility capsule, or gastric emptying studies, and subsequent management strategies.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) - Diagnostic & Therapeutic: Specialized procedure combining upper endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts, such as gallstone removal from bile duct, stent placement for strictures or leaks, and sphincterotomy.
• Chromoendoscopy & Advanced Imaging Techniques (e.g., NBI, FICE): Use of special dye sprays (chromoendoscopy) or electronic light filters (Narrow Band Imaging, Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy) during endoscopy to enhance visualization of mucosal patterns and improve detection of subtle lesions or precancerous changes.
• Biofeedback Therapy Coordination for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Fecal Incontinence: Evaluation for defecatory disorders and fecal incontinence, with coordination of biofeedback therapy and other interventions to improve pelvic floor muscle function.
• Capsule Endoscopy (Small Bowel & Colon): Non-invasive procedure where the patient swallows a vitamin-pill sized camera that takes pictures of the small intestine (for obscure GI bleeding, Crohn's disease) or colon (as an alternative to colonoscopy in select cases).
• Screening & Prevention Strategies for Gastrointestinal Cancers: Risk assessment and counseling on screening for colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer (in Barrett's esophagus), gastric cancer, and liver cancer (in cirrhosis), including FIT testing and colonoscopy recommendations.
• Colonoscopy (Screening, Diagnostic, Surveillance) & Polypectomy: Comprehensive examination of the entire colon (large intestine) using a colonoscope to detect and remove precancerous polyps, screen for and diagnose colorectal cancer, evaluate symptoms, and diagnose other colonic conditions like colitis or diverticular disease.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Switzer for care relevant to your specific condition.

All medical and surgical services (if applicable) are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and relevant gastroenterological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Located within Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton's SE: Mill Woods Town Centre, Michaels Park, Richfield neighborhood, the practice serves as a specialized unit in a key medical facility. The hospital is easily accessible via Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) (LRT, Bus), with the facility being wheelchair accessible. Patients can find metered street parking and nearby lots for convenience. The hospital's strategic location supports comprehensive medical care and easy access for patients across Edmonton and surrounding areas. The practice contributes to the hospital’s role as a vital healthcare resource for the community, including services tailored to those with complex digestive health needs.

Are consultations and procedures like endoscopies with Dr. Switzer, a Gastroenterologist, covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer, as well as most diagnostic procedures (e.g., endoscopies for investigating symptoms, biopsies for medical reasons) and treatments for provincially insured digestive conditions (e.g., IBD, celiac disease, screening colonoscopies as per provincial guidelines, liver disease management), are generally covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Procedures considered purely for screening outside of guidelines, or for non-medical reasons, and some advanced technologies or specific drug therapies might have different coverage. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed treatment or procedure with Dr. Switzer's office, the hospital/clinic's financial services, or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) beforehand.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Switzer, a Gastroenterologist?

Yes, in nearly all cases, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (such as an internist or surgeon) is required to schedule an appointment with a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer for services covered by the provincial health plan. Gastroenterological issues often require initial assessment and preliminary investigations by your primary care provider. The referral ensures that a specialist consultation is appropriate, helps with prioritizing appointments, and facilitates coordinated care, including the transfer of relevant medical information.

What are some common procedures a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer typically performs?

Gastroenterologists like Dr. Switzer are highly skilled in performing a range of endoscopic procedures. The most common are upper endoscopy (also called EGD or gastroscopy) to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and colonoscopy to visualize the entire colon. During these procedures, She can take biopsies (small tissue samples for analysis), remove polyps (which can prevent colon cancer), dilate narrowed areas (strictures), control bleeding, and place feeding tubes. Other procedures may include flexible sigmoidoscopy (examining the lower colon), capsule endoscopy (swallowing a tiny camera to see the small intestine), and more specialized interventions like ERCP or EUS depending on their training and practice focus. Many also specialize in managing specific areas like hepatology (liver disease) or IBD.

What's the difference between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Can Dr. Switzer diagnose and treat both?

Yes, a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer can diagnose and treat both IBS and IBD, but they are very different conditions. IBD, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation and physical damage (like ulcers and strictures) to the digestive tract, visible during endoscopy and on biopsies. It's an autoimmune-related condition. IBS, on the other hand, is a functional gut disorder, meaning the GI tract doesn't work correctly, but there's no visible inflammation or damage on standard tests. IBS causes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. While IBS can significantly impact quality of life, it doesn't cause the destructive inflammation seen in IBD. Diagnosis involves different criteria and investigations for each.

How does a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer approach the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

The management of IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) by a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Switzer is a highly individualized and long-term process. The primary goals are to induce and then maintain remission (control inflammation), alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the patient's overall quality of life. Treatment strategies often involve a combination of medications, which can include aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids (for acute flare-ups), immunomodulators (e.g., azathioprine, methotrexate), and increasingly, biologic therapies or small molecule drugs that target specific inflammatory pathways. Regular monitoring through clinical assessment, blood tests, stool tests (like fecal calprotectin), and endoscopic procedures is crucial to track disease activity and adjust treatment as needed. Nutritional counseling and lifestyle advice are also integral parts of comprehensive IBD care.

Grey Nuns Community Hospital
217-3017 66 ST NW
Edmonton, AB T6K 4B2

Phone: (780) 450-1807 | Fax: (780) 461-9876

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Switzer is a licensed Gastroenterologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in AB. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Switzer for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=b6a5db63-d9ba-47aa-a1c9-dd10c2bf3830&i=1413