Our Approach to Gastroenterology in Columbus, GA

When you trust Southeastern Gastroenterology with your gut health, you can expect to receive the best gastroenterology care in West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama.

Our GI doctors, practitioners, and entire clinical staff deliver exceptional care that is as efficient as it is thorough. You should not have to wait to receive a diagnosis or treatment for your condition. From the moment you step into our office to the time you leave, you can count on our staff to provide the highest quality of attention, compassion, and care.

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Our Approach to Gastroenterology

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We Form a United Team

When you choose Southeastern Gastroenterology, you become a part of the team on the mission to treat, manage, or improve your or your loved one’s gut or GI tract. We unite with each patient, their family, and any caregivers, providing the individualized care and education needed to treat any gastrointestinal condition.

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We Lead With Compassion

Our team leads with compassion because we understand how challenging it can be to live with and treat a gastrointestinal issue. The GI system is complex, and treating related conditions or improving gut health is not always clear, easy, or straightforward. However, with skilled yet compassionate care, patients can benefit from effective solutions and improved health.

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We Remain Education-Focused

The gut doesn’t come with an instruction manual. That’s why we must educate our patients and their families or caregivers about the GI conditions that affect them. We focus on providing easy-to-digest information about conditions, improvement methods, and general gut-healthy habits. The more our patients know and understand, the more effective their care will be.

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We Go Beyond Treatment

Our world-class group of gastroenterologists provides exceptional GI services to address a problem or condition affecting the GI tract. However, we only consider it an accomplishment when we have gone beyond treatment to also provide clear communication, beneficial education, and anything else the patient or their family needs to care for their gut. Qualified gastroenterology service is available outside of our practice. Still, our dedication to the entire patient experience is what sets Southeastern Gastroenterology apart from the rest.

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Meet Our Gastroenterology Specialists

Our gastroenterologists, practitioners, and entire clinical staff provide exceptional diagnostic testing, services, and procedures to treat GI conditions and improve gut health.

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    Daniel Schoenborn

    DO

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    Carter Wallace

    MD

  • A man with glasses, dressed in a blue blazer and light blue shirt, smiles outdoors in front of vibrant green foliage.

    Humberto Rios

    MD

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera in a floral puff-sleeve dress, standing before lush green foliage.

    Jessica Stafford

    APP

  • A woman with medium skin, in a floral top, blue suspenders, and gold necklace, smiles with dark hair back before green foliage.

    Charlette Seals

    APP

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair in a blue blazer and white blouse smiles outdoors before green plants and a pale wall.

    Lori Liera

    DNP

  • A woman with blonde shoulder-length hair and glasses smiles on outdoor steps, wearing a rust top and hoops; iron railings behind.

    Leah Bowden

    APP

  • A woman with long brown hair smiles brightly while standing outdoors among green foliage, dressed in an orange blouse and black skirt.

    Rachel Warburton

    APP

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Our Team settings
A man with dark wavy hair and glasses smiles at the camera, wearing a blue and white checkered shirt against a blurred background.

Daniel Schoenborn

DO

Dr. Schoenborn grew up in Livonia, Michigan, outside of Detroit. He moved to Columbus for the warmer weather and southern charm to raise a family with great educational opportunities. He treats every patient as a unique individual. This approach to patient care allows him to better understand the nature of their medical complaints or troubles and how it impacts their daily lives.

Dr. Schoenborn married his high school sweetheart. They are raising four children, one boy and three girls. The girls are all active in volleyball and his son is a competitive gamer. When not working he enjoys spending time with his family — they are active in their children’s extracurricular activities. He considers himself a sports fanatic and is a diehard Michigan State University Spartan Alumnus.

Education

  • Fellowship — Gastroenterology: Botsford General Hospital, 2011
  • Internship/Residency — Botsford General Hospital, 2008
  • Medical Degree — Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2005
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Carter Wallace

MD

Dr. Wallace is a native Columbusite and is excited to move back home after completing his medical training in Birmingham. He believes that it is a privilege to practice medicine. Patients and their families deserve an advocate who will take time to listen and understand their concerns to develop the best treatment plan possible. When Dr. Wallace is not in the office or at the hospital, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Molly, and their three children.

Education

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology — University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2022
  • Pediatric Residency — University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2018
  • Medical School — Mercer University School of Medicine, 2015
  • Undergraduate — Furman University, 2005
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Humberto Rios

MD

Dr. Humberto Rios was born and raised in Venezuela. After becoming a licensed gastroenterologist in 1996 and working in his private practice, he partially moved to the US with his wife and daughters in search of a better life in 2010. Five years later, he closed his medical practice and finalized his migration, establishing residence in Florida.

His passion for the medical field led him to re-study internal medicine and gastroenterology after being a practicing physician for over 20 years in a different country. After his daughters moved to other states to advance in their professional careers, he and his wife decided to look for a charm-filled and quiet place where they could live and continue caring for his patients.

When Dr. Rios is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor activities such as hiking, and spending time with his pet Yorkie.

Education

  • Medical School — Experimental National University Francisco de Miranda (UNEFM)
  • Larkin Community Hospital – Internal Medicine Residency
  • Larkin Community Hospital — Fellowship, Gastroenterology
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Jessica Stafford

APP

Jessica Stafford is a recent graduate from Columbus State University’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program with her master’s degree in nursing. Prior to graduating with her FNP, she worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room at Piedmont Midtown for 4 years and in various healthcare roles since 2010.

While Jessica is originally from a small town outside of St. Paul, Minnesota, she now calls Columbus home with the community of friends that she considers family. As the newest member of Dr. Rios’ team, Jessica is excited to build her team of patients and will help improve patient accessibility and overall quality of care. Jessica truly wants her patients to feel involved in the decision making of their care. Jessica wants to work with you collaboratively to help relieve your symptoms and quality of life.

In her spare time, Jessica loves spending time outdoors with her young daughter and their dog. Jessica loves to read, travel, and visiting her mom and siblings in Minnesota every chance she gets!

A woman with medium skin, in a floral top, blue suspenders, and gold necklace, smiles with dark hair back before green foliage.

Charlette Seals

APP

Charlette Seals, born in South Bend, Indiana, was raised in a small town-Kilmichael, Mississippi. She has lived in Michigan, Louisiana, & California prior to her Georgia move. Although her heart has always been in healthcare, Charlette first graduated with a Bachelor’s in Forensic Science. She then felt it was time to pursue her lifelong dream of working in healthcare. While going to school to be a nurse, she recalls working as a waitress and patient care technician. Charlette has been a nurse for 8 years and says that nursing has always been the cornerstone of her current practice. Charlette spent time as a nurse working in Medical Surgical Units, Emergency Departments, and Intensive Care Units. She also has experience with being a Stat Nurse, Telemetry Monitory Technician, and currently serves as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Charlette graduated from Columbus State University with her Master’s in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner in December of 2023. She enjoys making a difference by impacting on the health of the people she serves. During her career as a healthcare professional, she has always been enthralled by how the digestive system works, recalling times when her colleagues would often ask her to assist with gastrointestinal procedures. She wants to assist with making a difference in how people in Columbus and surrounding areas experience digestive health. She feels that this will, in turn, impact the overall health of the community she serves.

When Charlette is not caring for patients, she enjoys reading high fantasy, science fiction, and horror books. She loves crocheting, gardening, and going on vacations to the beach.

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Lori Liera

DNP

Lori Liera is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in multiple pediatric specialties. Prior to joining Southeastern Gastroenterology Lori worked in primary care pediatrics, metabolic genetics, and pediatric gastroenterology. Lori spent over seven years caring for hospitalized pediatric
patients with severe gastroenterological diseases.

Lori, originally from Columbus, recently relocated from Texas and is proud to call Columbus home once again. As the newest member of Dr. Wallace’s team, Lori is excited to help the children of Columbus access the specialty care they need. Lori believes collaboration with parents and families is important in developing the best plan of care for a child. It is a privilege for Lori to serve the children of Columbus and surrounding areas.

In her spare time Lori enjoys spending time with her husband Kenneth, her children, and large extended family. Lori loves running, reading, and creative writing.

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Leah Bowden

APP

Leah Bowden, MSN, FNP-C, is a dedicated and highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with 15 years of clinical expertise and a compassionate approach to patient care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama in 2021, specializing as a dual-role Emergency and Family Nurse Practitioner. Now, as part of the Southeastern Gastroenterology (SGI) team, Leah is committed to delivering personalized, patient-centered care that enhances overall health and well-being.

Originally from Central Florida, Leah and her family relocated to Georgia due to her husband’s military service and have since made Columbus their home. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys the fulfilling pace of farm life with her husband and their five children— two boys and three girls—alongside a lively array of animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and a bonded donkey and goat duo. In her free time, she cherishes quality moments with her family and the simple joys of country living.

Leah is excited to continue her healthcare journey at SGI, where her passion for accessible, high-quality care drives her mission to serve the community. She strives to ensure that every patient receives the comprehensive, compassionate care they deserve, fostering better health outcomes for all.

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Rachel Warburton

APP

Rachel Warburton, FNP-C, is a highly skilled and compassionate family nurse practitioner with extensive experience in emergency and urgent care settings. She began her nursing career after earning her degree from Georgia College and State University in 2008 and went on to complete her master’s degree at Troy University in 2017. With a strong foundation in advanced clinical care, Rachel transitioned to urgent care, where she has spent the past seven years providing high-quality, patient-centered care to a diverse community.

Beyond her professional dedication, Rachel is a devoted wife and mother of two. She treasures family time, especially summers spent on the lake and cheering on her children at various sporting events. A passionate Alabama sports fan, Rachel enjoys the excitement of attending games with her sister, celebrating their shared love for the team.

Rachel is excited to join Dr. Rios’s team and is accepting all patients.

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Become a Part of Southeastern Cardiology

Are you interested in being part of a growing gastroenterology practice that combines exceptional patient care with a team-based company culture? Explore our careers page to learn more about joining the Southeastern Gastroenterology team.

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Explore Our Gastroenterology Services

From in-office testing to in-hospital procedures, we provide the services needed to understand the current state of your GI tract and treat or manage conditions.

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Discover Common GI Conditions We Treat

There are a variety of issues that we treat, from acid reflux to celiac disease, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and more. Learn about these conditions and others, as well as our treatment options for each.

Explore Conditions
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