Meet Dr. Luis E. Alvarez & His Medical Team

Dr. Luis E. Alvarez, MD 

Dr. Alvarez is a native of Puerto Rico. Still, as a teenager, he spent much of his time in New Iberia with his uncle, Dr. Oscar Alvarez. He grew to feel that Acadiana was his second home and, upon completion of his GI Fellowship, was excited to have the opportunity to open his practice here in 1994.

Dr. Alvarez has been involved in the research on Helicobacter pylori and is an active lecturer across the country on the bacteria that cause peptic ulcer disease and malignancy. He was one of only ten physicians in the nation to be selected to present at the North American Conference of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Alvarez is the owner and medical director of the GI Diagnostic Center, a state-licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center.

  • Tulane University, New Orleans, LA (1980-1982)
  • BS, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (1982‑1985)
  • MD, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico (1985‑1989)
  • Internal Medicine Internship, Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, LA (1989‑1990)
  • Internal Medicine Residency, Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, LA (1990‑1992)
  • Gastroenterology Fellowship, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX (1992‑1994)

  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • American College of Gastroenterology
  • American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • Louisiana State Medical Society
  • Louisiana Gastroenterology Society
  • Iberia Parish Medical Society
  • American Academy of Anti-Aging
  • The Anti-Aging Institute of the South
  • DeAge

  • 1994 American Board of Internal Medicine
  • 2000 American Board of Gastroenterology
  • 2001 American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine – Diplomate
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program (current)

Publications

  • Peer Reviewed Journals

    1. Crowe, S.E., Alvarez, L., Dytoc, M., Hunt, R., Muller, M., Sherman, P., Patel, J., Jin, Y., Ernst, P.B. Expression of interleukin 8 and CD54 by human gastric epithelium following Helicobacter pylori infection in vitro. Gastroenterology 108:65‑74; 1995.
    2. Haberle, H., Ernst, P.B., Alvarez, L., Reyes, V.E., Crowe, S.E. MHC class II and accessory molecule expression by gastric epithelial cell lines during inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. (In preparation)
    3. Haberle, H., Alvarez, L., Reyes, V.E., Crowe, S.E., Valdaya, S., Ernst, P.B. Expression of accessory molecules on gastric epithelial cells: Modulation during H. pylori infection and their role in CD4 T cell activation.

  • Abstracts

    4. L. Alvarez, J. Patel, P. Ernst, S. Crowe. Mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori‑induced gastric inflammation. North American Conference of Gastroenterology Fellows; 1994.

    5. Alvarez, L., Patel, J., Haberle, H., Reyes, V., Ernst, P.B., Crowe, S.E. Expression of adhesion molecules in gastric epithelial cell lines in response to cytokines induced by Helicobacter pylori infection. Gastroenterology 106:A644: 1994. (also submitted to the World Congresses on Gastroenterology)

    6. Alvarez, L., Patel, J., Haberle, Reyes, V.E., Ernst, P.B., Crowe, S.E.. Modulation of adhesion molecule expression in gastric epithelial cell lines in response to cytokines induced during Helicobacter pylori infection. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 89:1337; 1994.

    7. Kudisch, M., Alvarez, L., DuVall, G., Skolkin, M., Urrutia, F., Walden, D. Cystic artery stump pseudoaneurysm (CASP): A very rare cause of hemobilia. American Journal of Gastroenterology 89:1737; 1994.

Our Team Members

We recognize the trust our patients are placing in us and strive to maintain that trust. Our staff brings experience, training, compassion, and extensive GI knowledge to your care.

Our Administrative Team

  • Deborah (Receptionist)
  • Sandra (Office Manager)
  • Amaya (Insurance Specialist)
  • Diana (Billing)

Our team is instrumental in keeping the office running efficiently. They answer phones, greet patients, enter patient data, schedule appointments, and verify insurance eligibility. As office manager, Sandra oversees all aspects of the office, ensuring every patient receives the best and most efficient care possible.

Our Licensed Practical Nurses

  • Misti, LPN
  • Brandy, LPN

With over 30 years of combined GI experience, Misti and Brandy provide valuable assistance to Dr. Alvarez, instructing and educating patients on their medications and specific GI diseases.

The GI Diagnostic Center Team

The Endoscopy team

  • James, CRNA
  • Maria, RN
  • Shinell, RN
  • Brittany, Tech
  • Natalie, Tech
  • Kelsey, Tech

Join our gastro health care family; call 337-364-9225 to meet our team.