Oh, my aching gallbladder!

With gallstone disease affecting well over 25 million people in the United States, chances are that you or someone close to you has either already suffered from gallstone disease or will face it in their lifetime. Read more >>

Janet E. Samples

A.P.N., N.P., C.G.R.N.

Janet was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Nursing and the Fort Sanders School of Nursing in Knoxville. As a registered nurse, she practiced gastroenterology nursing for more than six years at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center before completing her master’s degree training and certification as a family nurse practitioner.

She is also certified in gastroenterology and serves on the board of the Tennessee Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. She joined Gastrointestinal Associates in 2000 as its first gastroenterology nurse practitioner.

Most recently, Janet was selected as an adjunct faculty with UT Knoxville College of Nursing.

Her spare time is spent enjoying her twin granddaughters, Abigail and Caitlin.

Our Staff

Staff are the single most important piece to a successful practice.

Just as our physicians are committed to providing you with exceptional gastrointestinal health care, our exceptional office staff is committed to providing you with top-notch care and service. Whether it is working alongside your physician, scheduling an appointment or helping with medical billing, our staff is expertly trained and ready to offer you the very highest quality health care.

Bergein F. Overholt

MD, FACP, MACG

Dr. Overholt was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Medical School. He did his internship and residency at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Following this,  Dr. Overholt completed a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology at University Hospital in Ann Arbor.

During that time, he served in the Cancer Control Program of the U.S. Public Health Service in order to develop the flexible fibersigmoidoscope-colonoscope. He later received the prestigious Schindler Award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the William Beaumont Award of the American Medical Association for this development.

Dr. Overholt completed two additional years of training in gastroenterology at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. He has published numerous articles, written several chapters for books and recently co-edited the book “Office Endoscopy.”

Dr. Overholt has served as President of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and is a founding member and past President of the Tennessee Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

He was the chief of staff at St. Mary´s Medical Center from 1981 to 1983. Dr. Overholt serves as the Medical Director of the Laser Department of the Thompson Cancer Survival Center.

Dr. Overholt served on the Knoxville City School Board from 1972-1987 and as its chairman for three years. He served in the charter class of Leadership Knoxville. Dr. Overholt founded the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce´s B.E.S.T. educational program.

Dr. Overholt is married and the father of two children. Leisure activities include professional writing,  farming, beekeeping, raising chickens, the outdoors and six grandchildren.

Charles M. O’Connor

MD, FACG

Dr. O’Connor was born in Algona, Iowa, and was raised in South Florida. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry at Loyola University of the South in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He went on to obtain his M.D. degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida and then following this, completed a three-year residency in Internal Medicine as well as a two-year fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of South Florida. After completing his fellowship, Dr. O’Connor joined Gastrointestinal Associates.

Dr. O’Connor is married and the father of three children, daughter Chelsea and sons Sean and Kyle. His wife, Laura, is a dental hygienist, though she is not currently employed, but works full time raising their family. Leisure time is spent with family-oriented activities in the community, school as well as church.

Dr. O’Connor is an amateur musician, playing the trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and enjoys listening to jazz and classical music. He runs daily and enjoys racquetball and golf primarily when time permits.

Maria B. Newman

MD

Dr. Newman was born in Seville, Spain, and grew up in Puerto Rico. Her family moved to northern Virginia during her teen years. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Spanish literature, then returned to Puerto Rico for medical school at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

After medical school, she completed her Internship and Residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, followed by a three-year Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Florida, where she trained under a research grant sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Newman is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. Newman is married to Dr. Ed Newman, a nephrologist. They have two children, Julia and Jack. Leisure activities include spending time with family, reading and travel.

Raj I. Narayani

MD, FACG

Dr. Narayani was born in Bombay, India and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees at Vanderbilt University. He then began active duty service in the United States Air Force during which he completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Gastroenterology Fellowship at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortioum in San Antonio, Texas. He then served as an academic Gastroenterologist at David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis AFB, California, for 4 years before joining GIA in 2005.

His 10-year military career included an overseas deployment as a Critical Care Aeromedical Physician during Operation Enduring Freedom, and was further highlighted by earning a Meritorious Service Medal in 2005.

Dr. Narayani is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and a member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American Gastroenterological Association.

Dr. Narayani and his wife, Parul, have two children, Nikita and Kaden. Leisure activities include various sports and computer programming.

Stanley L. Miller

MD

Dr. Miller was born in Maryville, Tennessee but was reared in Carbondale, Illinois, before moving to Mississippi during junior high school. He is a cum laude graduate of University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

After medical school, Dr. Miller completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.  This was followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Dr. Miller is Board Certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Dr. Miller is a member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterologic Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Society of Hospital Medicine and Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society.

Dr. Miller works full time as a hospital based GI Specialist with interest in bile duct procedures and acute GI emergencies.

Dr. Miller is married to Phyllis, a registered nurse. They have two children, Jeremy and Luke. They are all active in church and sports activities. Dr. Miller enjoys long-distance running and gourmet cooking.

Barry V. Maves

MD, FACG

Dr. Maves was born in Kansas City, Missouri.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University with majors in psychology and chemistry and minors in theology and biology.  He graduated from Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit, Michigan. This was followed by three years of training in Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati.  He next completed a Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Iowa.  During this time he did research and published on the mechanism of action of various enzymes.  Another year was spent serving as a Staff Gastroenterologist at the University of Iowa.

He is on the medical staff at Tennova (formerly Mercy Medical Center St. Mary’s) and has served on various committees.  He is a member of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine, the Tennessee Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.  He is a member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, and a member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

Dr. Maves’ wife, Michele, attended the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa and has a Master’s Degree in Nursing.  They have two sons, Brian and Corey, who are presently in college.  The family attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Leisure activities include reading, especially history, fitness and music.

J. David Lee

MD, FACG

Dr. Lee was born in Kingsport, Tennessee. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1979 with a B.S. in Nursing. In 1987 he earned his M.D. degree from the Quillen School of Medicine at East Tennessee State University.

He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine and a two-year fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Louisville. Subsequently, he served as an assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the University of Louisville affiliated hospitals and VA Medical Center. He was a member of the Hepatic Transplantation Committee at the Jewish Hospital System.  He joined Gastrointestinal Associates in 1993.

Dr. Lee achieved Fellowship status with the American College of Gastroenterology in 1999.  He has served on several hospital, managed care, and community committees.  He has been very active in the yourh soccer program throughout the region.

Dr. Lee is married to Patricia W. Lee, a pulmonary physician. They have four children, Paul, Meredith, Kathryn and Alexandra. Leisure time activities center around his children’s sports and club affiliations.  “Hey, you never know what they and of course you will be into next, it’s fantastic!”