Endoscopy / Colonoscopy

Northwest Specialty Hospital sets a new standard of excellence for the treatment of digestive disorders. From advanced imaging and diagnostics, to highly skilled surgeons, we provide the highest level of treatment – all under one roof.

• GERD
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Achalasia
• Malignancy
• Esophagitis
• Hiatal Hernia
• Gastritis
• Gastroparesis
• Gastric Ulcers
• Gastric Tumors
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Splenectomy
• Liver
• Duodenal Ulcers
• Intestinal Bleeding
• Small Bowel Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Small Bowel Obstruction
• Colon Bleeding
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Colitis
• Diverticulosis
• Diverticulitis
• Colorectal Polyp
• Colon Cancer
• Appendicitis
• Large Bowel Obstruction
• Rectal Bleeding
• Colorectal Cancer
• Rectal Prolapse
• Hemorrhoids
• Inguinal Hernia
• Femoral Hernia
• Umbilical Hernia
• Ventral Hernia
• Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Thank you for your interest in joining Northwest Specialty Hospital. We focus on the whole patient, looking at both your physical and emotional needs.

Find the forms you need prior to your visit at Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery. If you can’t find a form, please contact us at 208.262.0945.

 General Surgery
 GERD
 Hemorrhoid

Dr. Dirks grew up in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with a BS in Biology and a minor in Spanish. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, IA. He completed the University of South Dakota general surgery residency program in Sioux Falls, SD. He finished his training with a fellowship in bariatric surgery at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. During his fellowship he was trained in bariatric surgery with the Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute and advanced foregut and colorectal surgery with The Oregon Clinic.

Dr. Dirks resides in Coeur d’Alene, ID with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys skiing in the winter and spending time hiking, biking, and time on the water in the summer.

Dr. Dirks is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Dirks has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Richardson grew up in Mammoth Lakes, CA. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Alpine Ski Team. He completed medical school and General Surgery Residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He then went on to complete an advanced surgical fellowship at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, the only fellowship program in the United States or Canada accredited in Advanced Gastrointestinal/Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy.

Dr. Richardson is trained in the entire spectrum of benign and malignant digestive diseases. He has completed accredited fellowship training programs. Fellowship training is beyond what is required in standard residency training and is the highest level of surgical training attainable. Dr. Richardson has completed this rigorous training in order to become the highest level expert in the medical and surgical aspects of gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Sarkis has been in practice in North Idaho since 1997. He has a special interest in the management of benign and malignant diseases of the breast and is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Sarkis performs endoscopy and a variety of minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical techniques, to diagnose and manage diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Sarkis received his medical education at Saint Joseph University School of Medicine in Lebanon. He completed his surgical training at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York and at New York Medical College. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons. He joined Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2001 to serve patients seeking state-of-the-art diagnosis and management of diseases of the breast and gastrointestinal tract. He offers minimally invasive, as well as more traditional surgical interventions for a variety of disease states.