One can probably count on one hand the number of female gastroenterologists in San Antonio, which is why Dr. Donna McMyler is in high demand.

Yet, it’s an exciting time for the 39-year-old McMyler and other females in her profession because according to the American Gastroenterological Association, more patients – men and women – prefer a female gastroenterologist, which provides great opportunities for women in this field.

“I didn’t get into this profession because it is male dominated,” she says. “I did it because it has always drawn my interest. Also, my father-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer at (37 years old).”

Thus, McMyler, the newest partner at Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio, says it is her mission to fight colon cancer, adding that half of all people who should be screened for colon cancer are not. It is a highly preventable disease that affects men and women equally.

McMyler also has a special interest in female GI health issues. “Colon cancer does not discriminate by gender—not like prostate cancer,” she says. “Some women believe colon cancer is a man’s disease. I hope more women will get screened. A lot of women will take care of their family first. We take care of our kids, our husband, but women need to take care of themselves first so that they can continue to be there for their families.”

McMyler is a former registered dietitian and says nutrition is an integral part of gastroenterology. “What we put in our bodies can greatly affect our overall health,” she says.

She became a dietitian because she likes working with people and enjoys science.“However,I wanted to be able to assist patients in a more active role in their care.After discussing this with a physician mentor, she led me in the direction of changing my profession. It was one of the best decisions I made,” she says.

Prior to returning to medical school, McMyler was a RD for four years, which included working in a community hospital in McKinney for two years, and then as an outpatient dietitianfor two years at Kaiser Permanente in Dallas while obtaining her pre-requisites for medical school.

McMyler uses the knowledge from her nutritional background when treating patients with celiac disease and gastroparesis to more common conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux.

“People think peppermint is good after eating Mexican food. In reality, peppermint increases acid reflux, but so can tomato paste, caffeine and alcohol,” she says.

As the mother of two young “picky” eaters – Emma, 7, and Claire, 2 – McMyler acknowledges it isn’t always easy to make healthy choices. Her advice is to make the best of the situation.

“If we go to a fast food restaurant, we try to pick a fruit option instead of French fries or add a salad if we eat pizza,” she says.“It is important to always have healthy snacks available for my children.”

McMyler was around food growing up on a family farm 40 miles southeast of Temple. She worked in the wheat and cotton fields.

“We would get up at sunrise and go to bed at sunset,” she says. “It teaches you a good work ethic. But most important, it taught me that I needed to go to school and get an education.”

That education includes a M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and residency and fellowship training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. “I hope to be able to take good care of my patients, by listening to their concerns and promoting good health,” she says.

McMyler enjoys the diversity of her profession.

“GI is a great blend of cognitive skills and manual skills with endoscopy.GI encompasses all forms of pathology from infectious, auto-immune or neoplastic,” she says. “So while you specialize in one organ system, you still feel like you’re taking full advantage of all of your medical training.

“I have the best of both worlds.I get to seepatients in my office and I get to work in the endoscopy lab.I love both but I don’t think I’d like to do one or the other exclusively, so GI is a perfect blend for me.”