Ott to See Patients as Part of New GI Clinic

July 01, 2025

Kristi Ott, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, began seeing patients inside Marshall Surgical Associates this past month as part of a new GI Clinic, offered at Fitzgibbon Hospital. Ott will treat a myriad of gastrointestinal issues for patients in conjunction with specialist Yan Chen, M.D., who performs colonoscopies and other GI related procedures and diagnostic scopes.

Ott will see patients who have had procedures by Dr. Chen as well as providing assistance for patients who have been referred from other providers for GI follow-up.

“I have been doing GI since 2013. Prior to that I worked in endocrinology, and before that I was a nurse in the intensive care unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City,” said Ott. “I worked with Dr. Chen for almost 10 years at a previous practice in gastroenterology.”

Ott received her Master of Science in Nursing from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2006. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Missouri, formerly known as the Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Ott will treat patients who are referred for conditions such as dysphagia, better known as trouble swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, gastro-intestinal reflux disease (also called GERD), ulcers and general abdominal pain. She will set up procedures for Dr. Chen where appropriate. She also will be a resource for follow-up care in the event a diagnostic procedure finds an abnormality or other problem.

“One thing I envision for the clinic here is that I really want my patients to know that someone hears them and is listening,” said Ott. “Through the years I have seen many people with constipation or diarrhea that has been going on chronically for years. Sometimes it is as simple as taking a fiber supplement or evaluating their diet or regimen. I work with the patient to figure out what is the right balance to help their issue. I am really passionate about that.”

Ott recognizes that many individuals may be uncomfortable talking about bowel issues, but for her, it is just part of the body and a very significant part at that. She says she works very hard to make sure her patients feel at ease when talking about “not-so-comfortable” subjects.

“My joke with that is, this is GI where we talk about poop all day,” laughed Ott. “So this is where you talk about poop. That makes people feel comfortable and they tend to like be a little more descriptive and tell me more.”

To schedule an appointment with Kristi Ott, APRN, for any gastrointestinal issue, ask your primary care provider for a referral. She is based at Marshall Surgical Associates. Marshall Surgical Associates is located inside the Fitzgibbon Medical Clinic, and can be reached at (660) 886-7800.

If you do not have a primary care provider, staff at Marshall Family Practice, Missouri Valley Physicians and Mid-MO Family health in Marshall are all taking new patients. Call any of these practices to schedule. A complete listing of clinics and providers can be found at www.fitzgibbon.org.