Adrienne Forstner-Barthell, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Dr. Forstner is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, who founded a thriving female colon and rectal practice after returning to the Valley in 2006. She spent most of her career focused on anorectal as well as robotic and laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgical approaches to cancer. She helped to bring to the valley a revolutionary minimally invasive approach to rectal cancer resection, called Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery. She now focuses just on diagnostic and screening colonoscopies and treats all forms of benign colon and anorectal disease including anal pain, nutrition/IBS issues, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, fissure, fistulas, fecal incontinence, rectocele, rectal prolapse and constipation. She continues to pursue cutting edge approaches to issues such as the sacral nerve stimulator for fecal incontinence.

Dr. Forstner was chair of the Cancer Committee until it dissolved and participated in the Medical Executive Board at Banner Thunderbird Hospital from 2008-2017. She is an adjunct professor for AT Still University and trained PA students for this school and for Midwestern. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Forstner is also a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. She is on staff at hospitals in Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria. Dr. Forstner ran a Nicaraguan charity called “Por Ellos” for 10 years until civil war disrupted it, now she spends what free time she has traveling, serving in her church’s women’s ministry and hiking.