Published on Oct. 28, 2026
Many Orange County residents currently face long wait times or feel the need to travel far for advanced gastrointestinal screening and treatment. The MemorialCare Digestive Care Center helps bridge this gap with expanded expertise close to home in Fountain Valley and Laguna Hills.
“Timely diagnosis is critical in digestive health, whether managing chronic conditions or identifying more serious disease,” said Atif Iqbal, M.D., medical director, Digestive Care Center, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. “With expanded resources, we can evaluate patients sooner, diagnose more accurately, and move forward with care without unnecessary delays.”
Responding to rising demand, the MemorialCare Digestive Care Center expanded its team with seven board-certified gastroenterologists at Orange Coast Medical Center, while Saddleback Medical Center added four.
Expanded Diagnostic & Treatment Capabilities
The MemorialCare Digestive Care Center also has added advanced technologies that allow specialists to diagnose and, in some cases, treat GI conditions during the same procedure. MemorialCare began offering endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in Orange County in 2023—an advanced technique used to evaluate complex digestive conditions. Since, MemorialCare has invested in additional GI-related capabilities to help diagnosis more accurately and offer extensive minimally invasive treatment closer to home, with the PillCam capsule endoscopy, EndoFLIP, TIF and endoscopic ultrasound. In addition, South Orange County residents will have access to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and large colon polyp removal capabilities closer to home with the addition of Farid Jalali, M.D., to Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills.
“Expanding our digestive health footprint and investing in this advanced technology allows us to open access to academic-level GI care in a community hospital setting. As we continue to grow in South Orange County, our focus is to provide patients with accurate diagnoses and effective treatments—without the need to travel far or wait months for care.”
- Dr. Jalali
To better diagnose and treat conditions such as GERD, swallowing disorders, and pancreatic and bile duct disease, the Digestive Care Center offers advanced technologies that provide more accurate answers and less invasive treatment options, including:
- Advanced testing for GERD and swallowing disorders: BRAVO pH monitoring and EndoFLIP give physicians a more complete picture of how the esophagus functions. The BRAVO pH test uses a small wireless capsule to measure acid exposure over several days without the discomfort of a catheter, while EndoFLIP helps assess esophageal function and flexibility in real time. These technologies can help pinpoint the cause of symptoms and guide more personalized treatment.
- Endoscopic ultrasound-guided evaluation (EUS): By combining advanced imaging with endoscopy, EUS allows specialists to closely examine the pancreas, bile ducts, and digestive tract and perform targeted biopsies when needed. This often leads to clearer answers, fewer procedures, and faster treatment decisions.
- Minimally invasive GERD treatment: For patients seeking alternatives to long-term medication or traditional surgery, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) helps restore the body's natural anti-reflux barrier through the mouth without external incisions. For those with a hiatal hernia, cTIF combines hernia repair with TIF in a coordinated procedure designed to improve symptom relief and shorten recovery.
“We’ve expanded our GI care and capabilities to provide quicker access and less invasive care that supports faster recovery and greater comfort, for all patients; from younger and healthy to older adults and/or patients with complex health needs, who may not respond well to traditional treatment methods,” says Jose Aranez, M.D., medical director, advanced endoscopy, Orange Coast Medical Center. “These enhancements address the growing need for timely, specialized digestive care affecting an estimated half a million Orange County residents.”
MemorialCare’s Digestive Care Center gives Orange County patients access to comprehensive digestive care close to home, supported by hospitals recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Healthgrades. Why travel far distances. When the future of GI-related care is right here. And miles ahead.
Medically Reviewed by
Jose Aranez, M.D., medical director, advanced endoscopy, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
Atif Iqbal, M.D., medical director, Digestive Care Center, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
Farid Jalali, M.D., gastroenterologist, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
