Sagal Mohamed Ali, MD

Why did you pursue a career in medicine, and why did you choose your particular specialty?

I pursued a career in medicine to provide care and comfort during vulnerable moments in a person's life. I chose to pursue gastroenterology because it is a diverse specialty that is growing every single day. The range of pathology is broad and it allows me the ability to treat both acute medical issues and chronic/stable disease. For these reasons, each day is unlike the other which keeps the practice of medicine exciting!

What types of conditions do your patients have, and what kinds of patients do you see?

I see all ages of patients ranging from age 18 to 100. Similarly, the conditions that are seen are broad as well ranging from life threatening gastrointestinal bleeding to chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

Do you perform any particular procedures or practice in any centers that you'd like to highlight?

I perform the standard gastrointestinal procedures including upper endoscopies and colonoscopies. These procedures often require interventions such as esophageal dilation, variceal banding, placement of manometry probes, tissue biopsies, and removal of polyps.

Why do you think patients should come to you and your team for treatment — what are some differentiating factors?

I think that patients should come to us for treatment because we offer diversity of care on every level. As a Black female physician I think it is important to have representation in medicine as we are a reflection of our community. During my gastrointestinal training I had the privilege of working with a wide variety of patients including the under-served and veterans.

Do you have a specific treatment philosophy that you'd like to share with prospective patients?

My treatment philosophy focuses on shared decision making, between the physician and the patient. I understand that each patient is different and that treatment plans should be individualized to reflect that.

Do you have any hobbies or interests you'd like to share?

I am a first generation Somali American. I enjoy traveling, cycling, puzzles, and doing the daily New York Times crossword.