Meet Dr. Michael Green, Our New GI Specialist … and Hutch Local!

Hutchinson Clinic is pleased to welcome our newest team member of the Gastrointestinal (GI) department, Dr. Michael Green! We were lucky to sit down with Dr. Green and speak with him about his journey in medicine, passion for GI care and local ties.

Tell us about your background. Why did you go into medicine, and into GI specifically?

Healthcare appealed to me because it is a combination of science, interpersonal connection and walking with people through life. With some patients, you’re going to work with them throughout their life or throughout the process of their disease. You really get to be part of someone’s life at a very critical moment.

Personal experience pointed me towards GI. I was actually diagnosed with Crohn’s disease early in medical school which has helped me understand how GI tract and gut health complications can affect people’s ability to live comfortably.

What is your care philosophy?

My goal with patients is to get you functional. A lot of times with a complicated disease, I won’t be able to achieve full normalcy for you – and that’s a hard conversation to have with patients. To me, the most important conversation is around functionality and how you can get back to living comfortably day-to-day.

I want my patients to achieve an optimal quality of life, so I work with them to tailor goals towards life function. We can’t always blanket away our life’s problems. But, if my patients can be functional and happy the majority of their days, then that’s my goal.

What drew you to Hutchinson Clinic?

I was born and raised in Hutchinson, actually. My brother-in-law works in the practice, and my sister used to, and they’ve both had great experiences. The Hutchinson community has helped me achieve my success stories along the way, and it’s a positive light in my life. I want to contribute to others in this community the same way by bringing and sharing my expertise.

I was immediately drawn to the opportunity offered by joining Hutchinson Clinic and their leading GI department. I have the chance to integrate myself into the community here. Interpersonal connection is fulfilling to me, and I’m excited about the ways that the clinic is thinking outside of the box to interact with patients.

At Hutchinson Clinic, because of the multispecialty capabilities here, I’ll have the opportunity to practice within the same walls of other specialties to help patients prioritize their health holistically.

What should people know about GI?

GI health is one of the underappreciated impacts in your life. We take for granted just how important this health is. It is one of the leading causes of work absences nationally – and, while colon cancer is amongst the deadliest cancers, it is preventable if detected early and proactively.

We benefit when we are honest about how we feel and how we are doing. Adequate and comprehensive GI healthcare in western Kansas is actually lacking, and our state only ranks 36th in the number of endoscopies performed. By joining Hutchinson Clinic, I’m able to be closer to the communities that need this care, and I am looking forward to connecting with patients and getting to know them on their care journey to map out treatment plans tailored to our community.

For patients needing an annual GI appointment or who need a check-up for concerns, please call us at 660-629-2500 for more information.