Digest This: Dr. Ali’s Mission to Transform GI Care
At Oswego Health, we are proud to introduce our employees to one of the leaders transforming digestive health services for our community— Mohammad Fahad Ali, MD, FACG, FASGE, DABOM.
The Professional Side
Dr. Ali leads Oswego Health Medical Practice’s Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases and is also the Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Director of Endoscopy. He brings extensive expertise in treating a wide range of digestive health conditions, with a special interest in GI motility and inflammatory bowel diseases. He is triple board-certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, and Obesity Medicine and has published extensively in top medical journals.
His education and training include:
- Undergraduate: Columbia College, Columbia University, NY
- Medical School: SUNY Stony Brook Renaissance School of Medicine
- Residency & Fellowship: NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island
- GI Motility Training: Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Before joining Oswego Health in 2023, Dr. Ali served as Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Endoscopy at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. Nationally, he has been recognized as a Young Physician Leadership Scholar, awarded the ACG Social Media Acumen Award, and selected for the Doximity Digital Health Fellow Program.
Why Gastroenterology?
For Dr. Ali, the path to gastroenterology wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling. He was drawn to the specialty because it balances high-tech procedures with meaningful, ongoing patient relationships.
“I realized early on that I was good at doing procedures, but I didn’t want to lose the personal side of medicine,” Dr. Ali explains. “In GI, every upper endoscopy or colonoscopy isn’t just a procedure—it’s part of a patient’s story. I get to diagnose, treat, and follow them over time, which is incredibly rewarding.”
Gastroenterology also appealed to him because of its breadth and impact. From managing chronic conditions like IBD to preventing cancer through screening colonoscopies, the specialty allows him to make a tangible difference in patients’ lives— sometimes even saving them in the moment.
“There’s nothing quite like removing a polyp during a routine colonoscopy and knowing you’ve just potentially prevented a cancer from ever forming. Those are the moments that remind me why I chose this field.”
Why Oswego Health?
For Dr. Ali, joining Oswego Health wasn’t just about leading a program—it was about becoming part of a team.
“GI is a team sport. I take so much pride in my team here—clinic staff, OR nurses, anesthesiologists, techs, and leadership. Everyone works together, and leadership is incredibly accessible and responsive. The We Care mantra is genuine, and that makes all the difference.”
Since arriving, Dr. Ali has spearheaded several initiatives to elevate patient care, including:
- Standardizing workflows and documentation for greater efficiency.
- Implementing Provation, a software solution for GI providers
- Expanding services with advanced diagnostics like TissueCypher® and upcoming BRAVO Acid Reflux testing. He hopes to bring motility testing locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the community
- Introducing advanced biologics in the care of IBD patients and ensuring evidence-based care
- Introducing Open Access Colonoscopy, which helps patients get screened faster while freeing up GI appointments for those with symptoms.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants,” Dr. Ali says of Dr. Roy and Dr. Karthikeyan. “My role is to honor that foundation while growing and innovating for the future.”
Outside the OR & Clinic
When he’s not leading one of the most forward-thinking GI programs in the region, Dr. Ali is a proud family man. He and his wife, Umme Hassan, along with their two young daughters, Aneesa Ali and Amani Zuhaira Ali, are enjoying exploring the beauty of Upstate New York together.
A diehard Buffalo Bills fan, Dr. Ali also has a competitive side. He’s even hoping to start an Oswego Health pickleball league so providers can connect, have fun, and build camaraderie outside of work.
Travel, sports, and family fill his time away from the clinic, but he also draws life lessons from athletics:
“Life, like sports, is about critical moments. It’s about how you respond, react, and rally others. Perseverance and teamwork determine whether you win—and I strive to live by that every day.”
Why This Matters
At Oswego Health, our providers are more than specialists—they’re leaders, teammates, and neighbors who bring passion and heart to everything they do.
Dr. Mohammad Fahad Ali is a perfect example. A nationally recognized gastroenterologist and innovator, he is also a proud husband, dad, and sports fan who loves exploring Upstate New York with his family. His dedication to advancing care, supporting his team, and building strong connections with patients makes him not only an outstanding physician but also a valued member of our Oswego Health family.