All professionals at Nashville Gastrointestinal Specialists maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in the medical field. Read on to learn more about our staff's experience and training.
Wendy Reynolds, FNP-C
Ms. Reynolds was born in Lawrence, Kansas, and raised in Texas. She returned to Lawrence in 1990 to attend the University of Kansas where she completed both a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in German and piano performance. After a brief performing career, she returned to school, attending Tennessee State University to complete a Masters of Science in Speech and Language Pathology with specialization in voice and swallowing disorders. She then practiced as lead therapist at St. Thomas Hospital for the next five years in both acute care and outpatient rehabilitation. Once again she returned to school, now at Vanderbilt University to complete a Masters of Science in Nursing- Family Practice graduating in August 2006 and completing certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in December of 2006 after which she joined Nashville Gastrointestinal Specialist, Inc. with Dr. Allan Bailey. She is currently in good standing with the American College of Gastroenterology.
Ed Conway, FNP-C
Ed is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, he attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as minors in Political Science and History. He then did graduate work at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville obtaining a Masters in Nursing in 1996. During his course of study, he was recognized by Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was initiated into the Nursing Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau. Upon graduation, he completed his boards and received certification by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. During his training, he specialized in Family Practice and obtained experience in Occupational Medicine as well. In the year 2001, he joined Nashville Gastrointestinal Specialists, Inc. He is currently a member in good standing of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterology Association, and the American Association of the Study of Liver Disease. In his free time, he enjoys the company of his beautiful wife and their two children as well as the two family dogs. He also enjoys golfing and exercising.
Susan Matthews, MSN, FNP-C
Susan Matthews received a Masters of Science of Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner from Grambling State University with a 3.92 GPA in 2000. She scored in the 92nd percentile in her national certification exam. Prior to receiving her degree, Susan had extensive experience in emergency and cardiology care, as well as serving as a surgical intensive care nurse. She worked as a nurse practitioner for 10 years prior to joining Dr. Mertz at Nashville Gastrointestinal Specialists in 2008. She was an instructor in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi and also served as a nurse practitioner for Gastrointestinal Associates in Jackson, Mississippi, and in cardiology at St. Barnabus Hospital in New Jersey.
Danelle Jacobus, M.S.B.S., PA-C
Ms. Jacobus is a native of Westerville, Ohio. She graduated from Milligan College in East Tennessee with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry after doing a study abroad semester at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia. She continued her education at the Medical College of Ohio, completing a Masters of Science in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Physician Assistant studies. During her course of study, she was recognized by Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She also received the award for Outstanding Research during her master’s program. Upon graduation, she completed a Fellowship in Hepatology specializing in Hepatitis C while working with Dr. Pruitt at Nashville Gastrointestinal Specialists where she began in March of 2000. She also works as sub-investigator on clinical research trials with Nashville Medical Research Institute. She is currently on the board of the local chapter of the American Liver Foundation and is a member in good standing with the GIPA Academy of Physician Assistants.