Provider Spotlight – Q&A with Adnan Ahmad, PA-C
At Salem Gastro, we believe the best care happens when providers truly listen, educate, and partner with patients over time. In this month’s Provider Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce Adnan Ahmad, PA-C, one of the newest faces on our care team.
Adnan brings a patient-centered, goal-focused approach to gastroenterology, shaped by his diverse clinical background and deep dedication to long-term relationships. Here’s what he shared with us in a recent Q&A.
Meet Adnan Ahmad, PA-C
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your role as a GI healthcare provider?
Adnan: One of the most rewarding parts of my role is having continuity of care and building relationships with patients. I love seeing people over time and working with them to manage their care. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see someone’s health improve, whether after our first or tenth visit. I’m fully committed to each patient’s health and will do whatever it takes to help them feel better.
Adnan: One of the most rewarding parts of my role is having continuity of care and building relationships with patients. I love seeing people over time and working with them to manage their care. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see someone’s health improve, whether after our first or tenth visit. I’m fully committed to each patient’s health and will do whatever it takes to help them feel better.
Q: How would you describe your approach to patient care?
Adnan: My approach is all about aligning with the patient’s goals. I don’t assume that my goals as a provider automatically match the patients’. I take time to understand where they’re at and what they want to achieve with their GI health. Once we’ve clarified those goals, I do everything I can to support and guide them toward progress.
Adnan: My approach is all about aligning with the patient’s goals. I don’t assume that my goals as a provider automatically match the patients’. I take time to understand where they’re at and what they want to achieve with their GI health. Once we’ve clarified those goals, I do everything I can to support and guide them toward progress.
Q: What would you want referring providers to know about your background and style?
Adnan: I take a patient-centered approach that emphasizes education and shared decision-making, especially in GI conditions where lifestyle and diet can make a big impact. I appreciate when referrals include prior labs, imaging, and history so we can avoid redundant testing and streamline care. I always aim to manage conditions non-invasively when appropriate, but I escalate care when needed. I prefer EMR messaging for routine updates and phone calls for anything urgent.
Adnan: I take a patient-centered approach that emphasizes education and shared decision-making, especially in GI conditions where lifestyle and diet can make a big impact. I appreciate when referrals include prior labs, imaging, and history so we can avoid redundant testing and streamline care. I always aim to manage conditions non-invasively when appropriate, but I escalate care when needed. I prefer EMR messaging for routine updates and phone calls for anything urgent.
Q: Can you share a little about your personal background?
Adnan: I was born in a small village in Pakistan and raised in upstate New York. I’m a first-generation college graduate—neither of my parents attended higher education. They immigrated to the U.S. to give us better opportunities, and I’m forever grateful. My older brother is a family medicine physician, and my younger sister is an undergrad.
Adnan: I was born in a small village in Pakistan and raised in upstate New York. I’m a first-generation college graduate—neither of my parents attended higher education. They immigrated to the U.S. to give us better opportunities, and I’m forever grateful. My older brother is a family medicine physician, and my younger sister is an undergrad.
After finishing school, I moved to Oregon to grow personally and professionally. I love the outdoors—trail running, marathons, cycling, skiing—you name it. The Pacific Northwest is a perfect place for all of it.
Common Patient Questions—And How He Answers Them
Q: “When should I get a colonoscopy?”
Adnan: For most people, screening starts at age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer, polyps, or symptoms like bleeding or unexplained weight loss, you may need one earlier.
Adnan: For most people, screening starts at age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer, polyps, or symptoms like bleeding or unexplained weight loss, you may need one earlier.
Q: “How can I improve my gut health?”
Adnan: I always recommend a balanced diet with fiber, fermented foods, and plenty of water. Regular exercise, good sleep, stress management, and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics also help support a healthy gut microbiome.
Adnan: I always recommend a balanced diet with fiber, fermented foods, and plenty of water. Regular exercise, good sleep, stress management, and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics also help support a healthy gut microbiome.
Q: “Is my IBS due to stress?”
Adnan: IBS is often a diagnosis of exclusion—we usually get there after ruling out other causes. Stress and anxiety can make symptoms worse. IBS is complex, involving gut sensitivity, motility, and microbiome changes. Managing stress, adjusting diet, and working through triggers with a provider can make a big difference.
Adnan: IBS is often a diagnosis of exclusion—we usually get there after ruling out other causes. Stress and anxiety can make symptoms worse. IBS is complex, involving gut sensitivity, motility, and microbiome changes. Managing stress, adjusting diet, and working through triggers with a provider can make a big difference.
What Makes Adnan Stand Out
Adnan brings both warmth and precision to his work. His ability to connect with patients, honor their goals, and explain complex conditions in clear, encouraging ways makes him an exceptional addition to our care team. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Salem Gastro and excited for our patients to get to know him better.
