Gastroenterology Center
Mohamed Magdy, MD, MS
Mohamed Magdy, MD is the medical director of gastroenterology services at Valley View. He is a gastroenterologist and therapeutic endoscopist who completed extensive training to be able to provide the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond with services previously only available in Denver. Dr. Magdy is board certified and fellowship trained in gastroenterology and brings vast clinical, teaching and research experience to the Gastroenterology Center.
Dr. Magdy completed his post graduate research fellowship at Mayo Clinic’s digestive disease division in MN. Dr. Magdy completed residency training in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in OH. He then went on to pursue advanced training in two, impressive fellowship programs; gastroenterology at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and interventional endoscopy at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Magdy is the co-author of more than a hundred research papers and is the primary author of several milestone peer-reviewed studies published in the most prestigious gastroenterology journals. Dr. Magdy focuses on clinical trials and high impact translational research in therapeutic endoscopy. He is frequently studying conditions such as gastrointestinal cancer, achalasia and gastroparesis. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Gastrointestinal Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. See his publications here.
A leader in his field and an expert in digestive health, Dr. Magdy’s specialized skill set in advanced procedures makes Valley View Hospital unique on the Western Slope. He performs procedures such as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) including Cystgastrostomy Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Cholangioscope (Spy glass), EUS celiac block, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) resecting tumor from GI track, Small bowel Enteroscopy, and more. Dr. Magdy also has extensive experience in techniques that require specialty training including large or deep tumors which would otherwise require surgery. Dr. Magdy exceeds the national average for quality metrics in endoscopy. He has performed thousands of procedures with low complication rates and high success rates.
Dr. Magdy values his relationships with patients. His compassionate approach to care focuses on each individual patient and he enjoys creating meaningful relationships with his patients in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Outside of work, Dr. Magdy is a loving, caring father of two boys. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, swimming and enjoying the Colorado sunshine.
Expertise in Therapeutic Procedures
- EGD/Colonoscopy/Enteroscopy
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic Ultrasound
- Large polyp resection (EMR and ESD)
- EGD with dilation and stenting
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy POEM and Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy
- Antireflux therapies TIF
- EndoFLIP and ESOFLIP
- Endoscopic suturing for various indications
- EUS-guided biliary drainage; gallbladder drainage; pancreatic drainage; coil and glue injection of gastric varices
- EUS guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (Cystgastrostomy)
- Management of post-surgical complications including post-bariatric surgery leak, stricture and fistula
- Minimally invasive, incisionless weight loss therapies, including the intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
Eric Gochanour, MD 
Eric Gochanour is a gastroenterology physician at the Gastroenterology Center at Valley View. He is the region’s expert in hepatology (diseases of the liver) and has experience in general and transplant hepatology, as well as general gastroenterology.
Dr. Gochanour earned his medical degree from the Rush Medical College at Rush University in Chicago, IL. He completed residency training in internal medicine at East Carolina University/Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. He went on to complete two additional fellowships in general and transplant hepatology at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA and gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Dr. Gochanour has contributed to over 40 published articles and presentations over his career thus far and was named one of Albuquerque Magazine’s Top Doctors in 2022 and 2023 during his tenure at the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Gochanour grew up in Pueblo, CO before attending the University of Colorado at Boulder for his undergraduate degree. “I’ve been out of Colorado for about fifteen years, so this is certainly a homecoming for me,” he says. “I still have a lot of family living here and around the state, and it feels good to be back among them.”
Dr. Gochanour’s philosophy of care has two distinct—and very different—aspects. “An active lifestyle and smart eating habits promote overall health and gastrointestinal health,” he says. “However, I do enjoy the fact that endoscopy and surgery more generally allow us to diagnose disease in the moment and fix those issues. Healthy lifestyle as a preventative measure, along with in-the-moment diagnosis and care—both are vital and I’m glad my medical discipline allows me to promote both.”
Dr. Gochanour and his wife are both physicians at Valley View. (His wife, Juliana Oliveira, MD, works as a family physician at Silt Family Practice.) In their spare time, they enjoy spending time outdoors—gardening, hiking, tennis, and basketball are favorite outlets. In addition, they have two English bulldogs who love to tag along on road trips, though they tend to leave the hiking to the humans.
Paul Levy, MD 
Dr. Levy is a board-certified gastroenterologist from Clyde, NC and has been practicing gastroenterology for more than 30 years. He has expertise in many endoscopic procedures including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and other advanced procedures. He also has broad clinical experience in hepatology and chronic hepatitis treatments. His personal interest include hiking, biking, tennis, cooking and traveling.
Rachel Weaver Conklin, MMS, PA-C
Rachel Weaver Conklin, MMS, PA-C, is an advanced practice provider with the Gastroenterology Center at Valley View. She comes to Valley View most recently from academia, serving as faculty and working in clinical practice at Vanderbilt School of Medicine and its University Medical Center in Nashville.
Along with clinical practice, research and teaching, she has a deep background and training in cancer care and is an enthusiastic advocate for colorectal cancer screenings. “I’m inspired to do my part to make sure we have a strong screening rate in Glenwood and the region. I’m also excited to build a robust outpatient clinical practice, to meet the needs of all GI patients and support the physicians.”
Although Rachel is a new permanent resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, she and husband Dr. David Conklin are very familiar with the area, having regularly visited many of his extended family who live here. Dr. Conklin is new in his role as a psychiatrist at the Glenwood headquarters of Mind Springs Health. The couple are parents to two young children, and in their off time they enjoy hiking, skiing and live music.
Kristen Munks, PA-C 
Kristen Munks, MMS, PA-C is an advanced practice provider with the Gastroenterology Center at Valley View. She attained her Master’s Degree in Medical Science from Saint Frances University in 2015, and before joining the Valley View family she worked as a primary care provider in Oregon for five years.
Kristen initially came to the Roaring Fork Valley for a few rotations while in PA school and quickly fell in love with our community’s unique offerings. “I enjoy spending time outside, taking time for my mind to focus and recharge,” she says.
Having worked in larger clinical environments through much of her career, Kristen enjoys the collegiate nature of practicing in a close community. “I appreciate the time I am able to spend with my patients to get to know them and their history. With this, we are able to work together to implement the best treatment plan.”
“I have always been interested in GI,” she continues, “and staying informed to better assist my patients is a huge motivator to continue growing. I value reading across many topics, and my current position feeds my desire to learn while giving me the chance to provide the best care for my patients.”
In her spare time, Kristen engages in a particular creative passion: pottery. “I like to focus on functional things- primarily mugs and bowls, items that people can integrate into their everyday lives,” she says. “I had a garage studio in Portland, and hope to set one up locally as well.
Katie Puening, DNP
Katie Puening, DNP is an advanced practice provider with the Gastroenterology Center at Valley View. She is a licensed adult and geriatric nurse practitioner with experience in digestive health, chronic disease management, cardiology, and oncology. Katie also has a doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Colorado. “My focus is in improving patient care not from a data perspective,” she says, “but through looking at the whole person and individual care.”
She joins the Center most recently from Valley View’s Palliative Care practice, where she worked as a nurse practitioner supporting people living with serious or life-threating illness and providing pain relief, holistic support and peace of mind.
Prior to joining Valley View, Katie spent a large part of her career working in Chicago and Denver, two large metropolitan areas that make patient connection a challenge. “One of the things I love about my current job is the connection I get to make,” she says. “In a large hospital system, you rarely see the same patients twice. Here those patients are a part of the community, just like I am.”
In her current role as a gastroenterology nurse practitioner, Katie gets many opportunities to connect with her patients. “I love getting to know them on a very individual level,” she says. “I have a lot of opportunities to learn who they are and align that with the care we provide. Living in such a small community where connection is easier makes that relationship so much more intimate and productive.”
Anneliese Sullivan, FNP
Anneliese Sullivan is a certified family nurse practitioner with Valley View’s Gastroenterology Center, as well as After Hours Urgent Care. She has been with Valley View since 2014, working primarily in the Critical Care Unit while earning clinical experience as a nurse practitioner in Women’s Health, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Partners, among others. Anneliese earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Colorado Mesa University before completing her master of science in nursing from Regis University in Denver.
Armed with extensive medical knowledge and a commitment to her patients’ well-being, Anneliese brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to the forefront of her care. With a focus on gastrointestinal disorders, she skillfully navigates the complexities of inpatient and outpatient care. She strives to provide comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plans to all her patients. “My goal is to partner with my patients on their journey to digestive wellness and ensure an understanding of their path to a healthier life,” she says.
Anneliese lives in the Roaring Fork Valley, where she raises her two children, ages five and seven. She loves taking her kids rafting, going to the Glenwood Hot Springs, and heading up to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for fun.
Gastroenterology Center
Valley View Hospital | 1830 Blake Ave, Suite 207 | Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 | 970.384.7510