MEET OUR PROVIDERS

The physicians of Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates are board certified in Gastroenterology.  They are all active members of many of the medical societies and professional GI associations.  Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery, but do perform many specialized non-invasive procedures including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, liver biopsy, and endoscopic treatment of liver, gallbladder and pancreas disorders.  Nonetheless, gastroenterologists are often involved in helping to determine when surgery might be helpful.  While our doctors are also trained and certified in internal medicine, their focus will be on the management of digestive disorders.  Patients need to remain under the care of their primary care physician since the physicians at Bayfront Digestive Disease limit their care to diseases of the digestive system in adults.  Patients under the age of 16 need to seek the attention of a pediatric gastroenterologist.

David J. Levy, MD

Dr. Levy has held several positions within the Erie medical community including President of the Medical Staff, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Director of the Endoscopy Center all at Hamot Medical Center.  Dr. Levy started practicing gastroenterology in July, 1984 and founded Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates in June, 1985.  A Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, he is licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York State.
 

Robert M. Schwartz, MD

Dr. Schwartz attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook as an undergraduate and attained his M.D. degree in 1980 at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y.  He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York, N.Y.  He obtained his Gastroenterology Fellowship at the New York Medical College rotating through Westchester County Medical Center, Metropolitan Hospital in New York City and the Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, NY.  He is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Scott P. Henry, MD

Dr. Henry joined Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates in July, 1988 after completing his Fellowship in Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Liver Diseases at the North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.  Dr. Henry completed his undergraduate studies  at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. and achieved his M.D. degree at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. in 1983.  He completed his Internship and Residency at the Cornell Cooperative Hospitals; North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y.  He is Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Robert Hower, Jr., DO

Dr. Hower completed his undergraduate training at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and a Post Baccalaureate degree in 1997. He received his D.O. degree from LECOM in 2001. Dr. Hower completed his internship and his residency at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He also attained his Fellowship in Gastroenterology from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA in June 2007. Dr. Hower is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Dr. Hower joined Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates, P.C. in July of 2007. Dr. Hower is an active proctor for medical students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), in Erie, Pennsylvania.
 

Brian Y. Ng, MD

Dr. Ng earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.  He completed both an Internal Medicine residency and a Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.  He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.  Dr. Ng is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Gastroenterology and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Ng joined Bayfront Digestive Digestive Diseases in July, 2009.
 

Rita Mesley, CRNP

Rita Mesley received her (BSN), Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University, her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from Gannon University and her Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Edinboro University. She is nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Her clinical background entails experience in the medical-surgical arena, critical care and a speciality in cardiology.  She has been in the health field for the past 27 years.
  

Robin Oatman, CRNP

Robin Oatman received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Villa Maria College.  Her Master of Science in Nursing was received from Gannon University in 1992.  She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Gannon University in 1996.  Robin is Board Certified in Family Practice through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Robin began her nursing career in 1985 at Hamot Medical Center.  She has been in Advanced Practice since 1993.  Her clinical experience includes critical care and cardiology.  Robin is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Debbie Wnukoski, RN

Debbie Wnukoski received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Villa Maria College. Debbie began her nursing career in 1978 at Hamot Medical Center. Her clinical background entails experience in critical care and surgical nursing.

Debbie is currently working at Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates, P.C. as our infusion therapy nurse.

Birgitta Allgeier, PA-C

Birgitta Allgeier received her Master of Physician Assistant Science degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2004. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Gannon in 1984 with teaching certification in Biology and General Science. She worked in family medicine before joining Bayfront Digestive Disease Associates, P.C. in July of 2007. She is nationally certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician’s Assistants.

Birgitta is responsible for the management of patients with Hepatitis C in addition to providing care for patients with other gastrointestinal complaints.