Johnston Health recruits gastroenterologist to staff

December 13, 2011

Johnston Medical Center has added a gastroenterologist to its medical staff.

Alma Faye Jenkins, M.D., of Goldsboro is opening a practice in Suite 1610 of the Johnston Medical Mall in Smithfield. She will begin seeing patients in January.

A native of Selma, Dr. Jenkins has been practicing for more than 20 years. She has worked in practices in Atlanta and Mount Olive, and, most recently, in temporary assignments at hospitals in Virginia, Louisiana and Nebraska.

Jenkins earned her medical degree in 1979 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. and her B.S. degree from Elizabeth City State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is a 1971 graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School.

Jenkins completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Emory University Hospital Systems in Atlanta and a fellowship in gastroenterology at Bowman-Gray Medical Center. She is board certified in gastroenterology.

Jenkins encourages patients to take an active part in their health care. She enjoys speaking to groups about health topics, particularly the importance of colon cancer screenings. She hosts a weekly show called “Health Tips,” which airs at 8 p.m. on Saturdays on WHFL TV 43, a television station in Goldsboro.

“Giving patients information about preventive care can have an impact on our economy as well as our health,” she adds. “We’re so accustomed to treating diseases when they’re here; we’d be far better off preventing them.”

Starting Dec. 23, patients will be able to schedule appointments by calling (919) 938-7182. Her office is open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.