Caitlin Foley, MD, Ph.D., fearlessly goes where few have gone before. She enrolled in a brand-new engineering college. She completed a grueling program to earn a medical degree and a doctorate in genetics. She’s been involved with genetics-related cancer research.

And now, she’s working with St. Luke’s fellows to provide gastroenterological services in the new Jim Thorpe Gastroenterology office.

Dr. Foley joined St. Luke’s Gastroenterology in 2021, seeing patients in Palmerton and Allentown. As a gastroenterologist, she treats all the organs of the digestive system - esophagus, stomach, intestines and biliary organs, including the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder.

“We treat everything from cancer screening to autoimmune diseases of the GI tract like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease to more functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn and acid reflux.

“The variety is part of why I like being a gastroenterologist. Another reason is my love of food. I love to eat.”

Dr. Foley enrolled in the inaugural class of the Olin College of Engineering, in Needham, MA, intrigued by the prospect of helping to mold the program.

The ability to impact the course of events is why she’s passionate about colorectal screening, especially routine colonoscopies.

“Through colonoscopy, we can actually prevent people from developing colon cancer,” she said. “Colon cancer starts as a precancerous polyp that grows and turns into cancer. Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent someone from developing colon cancer. Or if you catch cancer early, usually you can cure the patient by surgery and other means.”

After college, she completed a dual medical and doctoral in genetics degree program at Tufts University, where she was involved in cutting-edge genetics research. The diversity of GI and the friendliness and easygoingness of the gastroenterologists drew her to gastroenterology. She completed her fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.

Recommendations from Penn colleagues, and the size and strength of the system and gastroenterology department, attracted her to St. Luke’s.

She particularly enjoys working in Palmerton because patients appreciate having specialty GI services close to home.

“Palmerton’s a nice little town,” she said. “It has an interesting mix of people who have been there for generations and retirees who have relocated from other areas. It has a small-town community feel, where patients often know the staff members.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Foley, call 484-526-6545.