Digestive health isn’t always an easy thing to talk about. It’s personal, sometimes uncomfortable, and not the kind of topic that comes up naturally in everyday conversation. But it’s something every one of us deals with in some way, and for more than 45 years, it’s been what we think about, care about, and focus on every single day.
We’re Arizona Gastroenterology, and this is our very first blog post. We wanted to start simply—by introducing ourselves, sharing a little about who we are and what drives us, and inviting you to get to know us better. This blog will be a place where we talk about digestive health honestly and openly, in the same way we’d explain things to a patient sitting across from us.
Our story starts in 1980, when Dr. Frederick Klein opened the practice with a straightforward goal: bring high-quality gastroenterology care to Tucson. Four decades later, that goal hasn’t changed—it’s just grown. What began as one physician’s vision is now Tucson’s leading gastroenterology practice, with five physicians, two extensively trained GI Nurse Practitioners, and a Physician Assistant with a Doctor of Pharmacology credential all working under one roof.
We call ourselves a multi-generational practice for two reasons. We’ve cared for multiple generations of Tucson families, and our team itself spans different career stages and backgrounds—some of us have been doing this for decades, others bring fresh training and newer techniques.
That mix is one of our real strengths. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, you’re being cared for by people who know this field inside and out and, just as important, take the time to get to know you.
Gastroenterology might not be a topic that comes up at dinner parties, but the work we do absolutely impacts your everyday life and your long-term health. Our practice specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive system disorders—everything from acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus to hemorrhoids, motility disorders, and hepatology. But if we’re being honest, the work we’re most passionate about is prevention.
One of the most powerful tools we have is the physician-performed screening colonoscopy. It’s not just a test—it’s a procedure that both detects cancer and prevents it by removing precancerous polyps before they ever have a chance to develop into something more serious. That’s genuine, life-saving medicine. And the difference between a good colonoscopy and an exceptional one? It’s measurable, and we track it carefully.
We measure something called the Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR)—essentially, how many precancerous polyps our physicians identify and remove during screening procedures. This number is considered a benchmark of quality and care, and we strive to consistently maintain and exceed it. Research shows that for every 1% increase in a physician’s ADR, your risk of colon cancer over the next year decreases by 3%. That’s not a marketing slogan; that’s peer-reviewed science.
Here’s what we’re most proud of: our collective ADR has been 38.5-46.17% since 2020, with 2025 being our highest year to date at 46.17%. This significantly surpasses the American College of Gastroenterology’s recommended benchmarks of 25% for men and 15% for women. Our physicians don’t just meet standards; they exceed them. And that commitment to excellence shows in our outcomes—and in your peace of mind.
Behind every great practice is a great team, and honestly, ours is the reason we’re still here after 45 years. Our five physicians each bring something different to the table, which means no matter what brings you in, there’s someone here who’s spent their career on exactly that.
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In upcoming blog posts, we’ll dig deeper into each physician’s story—what drew them to gastroenterology, what they’re most passionate about, and what patients can expect when they sit down with each of them.
Three of our physicians—Dr. Blinkoff, Dr. Contreras, and Dr. Allen—have been named Tucson’s Top Doctors, a recognition we think reflects the caliber of care this entire team delivers together, not just a few of us.
Rounding out the team are two extensively trained GI Nurse Practitioners and a Physician Assistant with a Doctor of Pharmacology credential—providers who bring their own years of specialized gastroenterology experience and work side-by-side with our physicians on your care.
What sets Arizona Gastroenterology apart isn’t just our experience or our numbers—it’s how we think about care. Quality matters to us in a very literal sense: we don’t just perform procedures, we measure our outcomes and hold ourselves to a higher standard.
We’d rather prevent a problem than treat one, which is why we put so much into screening and early detection. And we believe you deserve to be heard, whether you’re managing a chronic condition or just trying to understand your own body a little better.
At the end of the day, we’re not just gastroenterologists—we’re your neighbors, and we try to treat you the way we’d want to be treated ourselves.
Tucson has been our home and our practice for more than 45 years. We’ve watched this community grow, and we’ve had the privilege of caring for multiple generations of Tucsonans—patients who came to us as young adults are now bringing their own adult children. That kind of trust isn’t given lightly, and we honor it every single day.
This work matters to us because digestive health impacts everything. When you’re dealing with chronic discomfort, embarrassing symptoms, or the fear of a serious diagnosis, it affects your confidence, your relationships, and your ability to enjoy life.
We’ve seen how the right diagnosis, the right treatment, or simply having someone listen and say “there’s absolutely something we can do about this” can transform a person’s life. That’s what drives us. That’s why we invest in our expertise, our quality metrics, and our commitment to prevention.
This blog is our way of staying connected with the community we’ve served for 45 years. We want to talk about digestive health honestly—not in clinical jargon, but the way we’d actually explain it to you in the exam room. In the coming months, we’ll dig into —
We’ll tackle the questions you might be too embarrassed to ask anywhere else —
Whether you’re already a patient, thinking about your first appointment, or just someone who stumbled onto this and got curious, we’re glad you’re here. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, let us know—we’re always happy to help.
And if you’ve been putting off a screening or a consultation, consider this your gentle nudge. Our team is ready when you are—give us a call at (520) 742-4139 or visit azgastroenterology.com to learn more.
Arizona Gastroenterology is Tucson’s leading gastroenterology practice, offering compassionate, evidence-based care for digestive health. With over 45 years of experience, we’re committed to prevention, early detection, and excellence in gastroenterology.
Contact Us
📞 (520) 742-4139 | 🌐 azgastroenterology.com | 📍 7566 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite A, Tucson, AZ 85741