Dawn Piercy, NP

Liver disease is a disease that’s stigmatized. Many people are embarrassed to say they have liver disease, and that’s because liver disease is associated with alcoholism or drug abuse. But most people have liver disease that’s not related to those issues at all. People who smoke cigarettes get bad diseases, and we try not to stigmatize them. So it’s very difficult to be a patient with liver disease. They often feel isolated. But what has struck me about all of my patients is that they are very supportive of each other, and their families tend to be very supportive of them. They weather their condition with great grace, and they’re very grateful for the help we can provide. One of the things that distinguishes the gastroenterology division at Duke is that we have a very balanced faculty. Many programs specialize in one thing or another. Duke really covers the spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases. We have the breadth of general gastroenterologists, but we also have the sub-subspecialties. Dr. Mae E. Diehl is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Her top areas of expertise are Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Visceromegaly, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Enlarged Liver.

I strive to offer patients at Duke Health the latest advancements and treatment options in the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disease. It is a privilege to partner with patients and their families in developing care plans that meet the needs and goals of each person. It is my passion to stand next to each of my patients and help them make important decisions about their own health. I remain involved in clinical research and am interested in the role of nutritional wellness in patients with liver disease and those awaiting transplant. When not working, my wife and I are busy with our two daughters. My love for them reminds me of the importance of care for others. Dr. Kappus is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). His top areas of expertise are Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.

Much of my work is with patients who have had liver disease for a long period of time. I also see patients who have liver disease that has come about abruptly, and I take care of patients who need more advanced liver-related care, particularly when it comes to issues regarding liver transplantation. Of particular interest, I enjoy helping women with liver-disease related issues, especially those who are pregnant or seeking to become pregnant and have chronic liver disease. A number of liver transplant patients are women of childbearing age, and I have a passion for trying to help them understand what it would mean to become pregnant and pursue motherhood with that kind of medical history. Patients who come to see me should know that I will spend a lot of time getting to know them and use the best available medical science while working with them in partnership to provide the best medical care possible. I desire to make sure that patients can come away from any appointment with me feeling as though I have heard their concerns and have cared for their needs. Dr. Brady is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Her top areas of expertise are Hepatitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Cirrhosis, and Liver Transplant.