When it came time to choose a career, Dr. Jonathan Taylor wanted to work in a profession that could make an impact and allow him to help others. “As I got older, I realized that the most satisfying professions were the ones where you could do something for others,” he explains. “I was always interested in science and enjoyed connecting with people, so medicine seemed like the perfect career for me. As I see it, the practice of medicine involves educating patients, providing them with hope, and attempting to restore them to good health.”

A graduate of Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Dr. Taylor chose to become a gastroenterologist after completing his first rotation in the gastroenterology department while a medical resident. “GI work was very appealing to me because it allowed me to do complex technical procedures such as colonoscopy and endoscopy while offering many treatment options that could benefit my patients. In the clinic and hospital each day there are always new challenges that you have to face as a gastroenterologist. Patients have different problems and there’s a wide range of diseases we treat. Some of these problems are acute such as intestinal bleeding, and some are chronic like inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. Patients may need to have an endoscopy, colonoscopy or X-ray test to make a diagnosis, and subsequently be seen in the clinic to coordinate their care and treat their problem.”

Dr. Taylor is highly skilled in performing colonoscopy and endoscopy examinations. A colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the colon and the end of the small bowel using a color camera mounted on the end of a flexible tube. Colonoscopy is routinely recommended for colon cancer screening in patients who are 50 years old. If a screening colonoscopy is performed, precancerous colon polyps may be removed, and colon cancer may not only be prevented but may be detected at an earlier and more treatable stage.

Dr. Taylor enjoys the collaborative environment in the multi-specialty group practice at Reliant Medical Group. “All the doctors here work really well together and we have an excellent team of nurses, secretaries and administrators who are not only highly skilled but provide excellent care. In particular, my patients have made many favorable comments regarding the care they receive in our outpatient clinic and at The Endoscopy Center where we perform endoscopic procedures.”

When he is not busy taking care of patients, Dr. Taylor enjoys playing the violin and running at Walden Pond. “Living a healthy and active lifestyle is important for it not only improves my quality of life, but helps me convey to my patients the benefits of exercise.”