At Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois, endoscopy All Star Dr. Ravi Prakash creates a trusting and supportive environment by understanding and prioritizing patients’ individual needs. Beyond his clinical expertise, he is a champion for the adoption of advanced medical technology and understands that traditional methods alone are outdated, given the rapid evolution of modern healthcare.
The hospital offers roughly 30 endoscopy bays for prep and recovery and four procedure rooms, and Dr. Prakash and his team offer a comprehensive range of endoscopic procedures, including EGDs, colonoscopy, ERCP, and EMR/ESD, among many other procedures.
Dr. Prakash is supported by a team of four technicians and roughly 10 procedural nursing staff members. He fosters team cohesion through dedicated initiatives focused on the comprehensive education and training of his collaborating staff.
His patient-centric philosophy means Dr. Prakash has a strong commitment to staying at the forefront of medical technology, and leverages tools like confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) as an invaluable adjunct to enable more accurate diagnosis and treatment of esophageal and gastric disorders.
One area where his expertise greatly excels is in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Barrett’s esophagus. By combining RFA and CLE with his thoroughness and attention to detail in the proceeding follow-up, he ensures earlier intervention and more optimal outcomes for his patients across their entire treatment journey.
Even amid high-intensity situations, Dr. Prakash says he tries to consistently maintain a calm attitude and composed manner, thereby cultivating a notably positive and stable environment for his staff.
Carmen Covarrubias, GI technician, said Dr. Prakash actively involves his staff during cases. “He goes above and beyond with his patients and staff, and he is very well respected amongst his colleagues,” Covarrubias said. “Dr. Prakash is a resource for many of his staff members, providing information and perspective on various different topics.”
Dr. Prakash is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology. He completed his residency at MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Prakash has expertise in treating colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, gastroenteritis, among various other conditions, which makes him highly recommended by patients, one of whom wrote, “Dr. Prakash is a kind and trusted practitioner and I appreciate the thorough, thoughtful dialogue we had during my appointment.”
Over its nearly 40-year history, Advocate Good Samaritan has evolved into a recognized national leader in healthcare. The hospital earned a Crystal Award from Truven Health Analytics in 2014 for being named to the 100 Top Hospitals list five times. It also is the only healthcare organization in the state to earn the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, achieving the honor in 2010.
Awards are just part of what makes working for Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s endoscopy team an interesting experience. According to Covarrubias, “There is never a dull moment when working in Dr. Prakash’s procedural rooms.”