Meet Dr. Joshua Watson, Charleston Gastroenterologist
Lowcountry Gastroenterology has been serving the Charleston area even longer than Novant Health. Working together, the two entities now offer patients high-quality medical care from well-respected providers.
Dr. Joshua Watson has been with Lowcountry Gastroenterology for a decade. He was born in Florence and went to medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina.
“I became interested in medicine when I watched my mother struggle with an autoimmune disease that took several years to be accurately diagnosed,” Dr. Watson said.
A Military Path to Medicine
He joined Lowcountry Gastroenterology after 11 years in the Army. Since 2015, he has been serving the Lowcountry, an area he loves.
“I thought I wanted to be a surgeon, but my clinical rotation in medical school showed me that I didn’t like the operating room much,” Dr. Watson said. He reconsidered his specialty and decided that gastroenterology better fit his personality and talents because it allows him to develop relationships with his patients, so that together, they can address the patients’ needs.
“Patient buy-in to a treatment plan is critical. Without that, no plan will succeed,” Dr. Watson said.
Areas of Specialty in Digestive Health
Dr. Watson is board-certified in gastroenterology/hepatology and internal medicine. He regularly treats patients with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. His clinical interests include:
- Colon cancer prevention
- Esophageal cancer screening
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Hepatitis C treatment
- Hemorrhoid treatment
- Nutrition-based care
Prevention-Focused Approach
His goal is to help his patients stay healthy and active. Unfortunately, by the time Dr. Watson sees them, patients are far from that goal. However, there are lifestyle habits that can help avoid the issues that bring patients to his clinic: eating better, exercising, and managing weight.
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles in Charleston
“Our diets are so bad with over-processed food, not enough fruits and vegetables, obesity and sedentary lifestyles that we are harming ourselves,” Dr. Watson said.
Visit Lowcountry Gastroenterology
Lowcountry Gastroenterology is located at 1300 Hospital Drive in Mount Pleasant.
To learn more, visit novanthealth.org or call 843-884-5200.
By James Rada Jr.
