Outpatient Gastroenterology Physician Opportunities at Brand New Lakeland Highlands Hospital

Position Summary

Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute is seeking board-certified/board-eligible Gastroenterologists to join our team at the brand-new Lakeland Highlands Hospital located in Polk County, FL. This position is ideal for candidates who desire a balanced schedule of clinic and procedures, the flexibility to work in both outpatient and ASC settings, and the opportunity to build a thriving practice within a rapidly growing community. This role also includes inpatient call responsibilities. This is an excellent opportunity to practice in a modern facility with state-of-the-art equipment, a strong referral network, and the ability to help shape a growing GI service line within one of Florida’s most respected health systems. As one of the nation’s most highly regarded digestive disease programs, the Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute offers comprehensive and coordinated care to evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide range of digestive diseases. The institute’s team of globally respected physicians are leaders in clinical research and postgraduate medical education. Role Requirements: Board Eligible or Board Certified in Gastroenterology. Completed an ACGME Fellowship program in Gastroenterology. FL Medical License or ability to obtain FL Medical License. Practice Highlights: Brand-new hospital featuring modern endoscopy suites and advanced GI technology Strong referral base through Watson Clinic’s 100+ primary care physicians in the community Thriving physician-led, professionally managed healthcare system. Excellent brand recognition, with new patients seeking out Orlando Health’s Digestive Health Institute for their care. Integrated multidisciplinary and subspecialized practice environment. Robust operational support and resources in a collaborative work environment. Dynamic administration that fosters physician autonomy when it comes to clinical decision making and patient outcomes. Opportunity for growth and leadership development. Opportunity to expand an active research and innovation program. Financial Package: Excellent compensation package, opportunity to make more based-on productivity. Benefits package includes time away for vacations and conferences, health/vision/dental insurance along with full malpractice coverage, disability coverage, deferred compensation and retirement savings options. Generous sign-on bonus with eligibility for an annual bonus. Community Information: There is no state income tax. Greater Orlando offers direct access to Florida’s world-famous theme parks and attractions. Our lifestyle options have something for everyone, from the downtown districts for those enjoying a trendy urban flair, to family-oriented communities with top rated public and private schools. Ample outdoor activities including large public parks for kids and pets, hiking and biking trails, abundant lake access for kayaking, fishing and paddle-boarding, with Florida’s beautiful beaches only an hour away. Facility Description Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute is a national and international destination for care, offering comprehensive and coordinated services to evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the digestive tract and gastrointestinal organs, including the most complex cases. Led by renowned specialists in digestive health, the institute has distinguished itself worldwide in offering many diagnostic and treatment options available only at the most advanced centers, including artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. The institute brings internationally recognized digestive disease care to a new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Orlando as well as several satellite sites conveniently located within the Orlando Health system. The institute’s scope of specialties and services include: Advanced Endoscopy General Gastroenterology Hepatology Inflammatory Bowel Disease Motility Pancreatology Research and Physician Education A few examples of what sets us apart include: A commitment to innovation, leading-edge research and global educational initiatives Among select facilities offering peroral endoscopic myotomy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and NaviCam technology One of very few programs in the world to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with endoscopic ultrasound procedures to improve performance Development of technology, together with industry partners, that integrates AI with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to reduce radiation exposure to patients and providers Collaboration with professional and industry partners to integrate AI in endoscopic technology to detect early cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) A team that includes authors of more than 2,000 peer-reviewed journals articles and the best-selling endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) textbook in the world, Endosonography Future plans for the institute include: Developing an evidence-based protocol for the management of colon polyps utilizing leading-edge techniques and technologies Establishing a liver transplant program Becoming home to the most comprehensive motility unit in the southern United States Creating subspecialty fellowships in hepatology, motility and IBD, in addition to gastrointestinal and advanced endoscopy fellowships Hosting the largest institution-sponsored endoscopy/EUS congress in the United States Orlando Health | Watson Clinic | Lakeland Highlands Hospital As an integrated healthcare system, Orlando Health has joined forces with the nationally respected, physician-led practice of Watson Clinic to bring exceptional healthcare to the communities of Polk County and the surrounding region. The combined strengths of this collaboration will be showcased with the summer 2026 opening of the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital. Areas throughout the new hospital will reflect the collaborative spirit between the two organizations. Experts from both Orlando Health and Watson Clinic have been heavily involved in the overall planning of the project, including design of the facility, selection of next-generation technologies, and development of a comprehensive scope of specialized programs and services, with key programs to include cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, obstetrics, surgery and surgical oncology. This state-of-the-art facility will feature more than 300 inpatient beds, 69 emergency and observation beds, 11 operating rooms, four cardiac and interventional suites, and 18 beds in an intensive care unit that will grow to 36 at full build-out. The hospital will support a wide offering of surgical and procedural services across multiple specialties. A robust cardiovascular program will offer diagnostic cardiology services upon opening, with the addition of PCI care soon after and further progressing to include structural heart disease and advanced electrophysiology (EP) programs. With a strong neurology focus on stroke and spine care, the hospital is expected to advance to a primary stroke center soon after opening with comprehensive stroke center to follow. A full obstetrical unit also will be highlighted on opening day with eight labor and delivery rooms, two designated C-section operating rooms and more than 25 postpartum rooms. A 12-bed neonatal intensive care unit will debut shortly after the hospital opens. The Orlando Health system of care includes award-winning hospitals and EDs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that stretch from Florida’s east to west coasts and into Central Alabama and Puerto Rico. Collectively, our physicians and team members honor our 115-year legacy by providing professional and compassionate care to the many patients, families and communities we serve. Along with numerous excellence awards earned by our individual hospitals and institutes, Orlando Health is recognized for an exceptional workplace culture that focuses on personal and professional growth programs that support our physicians and team members throughout their careers. Joy in Medicine designation by the American Medical Association Great Hospitals in America 2024, Becker's Hospital Review Great Place to Work® Certification 150+ Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2025, Becker’s Healthcare Top Workplaces Award 2025, USA Today America’s Greatest Workplaces 2025, Newsweek Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2025