Shannon H Townsend, PA-C

Shannon Townsend, PA-C, is a certified Physician Assistant at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates. Shannon sees patients at the Hanover office in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Tech (VT) in Blacksburg. She was President of Phi Sigma Biological Honor Fraternity and graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors.

Shannon received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Wake Forest University (WFU) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While at WFU, she completed 11 clinical rotations. During each rotation, she worked alongside a physician to learn about that particular field of medicine. 

Shannon was evaluated at the end of each rotation based on her performance during the rotation and a post-clinical written test. She received honors in 10 of the 11 rotations, the most honors received by any student in WFU history.

Shannon is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and is certified by the NCCPA. She has extensive experience as a Physician Assistant and previously worked at Digestive Health Specialists. She moved to Virginia to be closer to family and is delighted to now be a Richmond Gastroenterology Associates team member.

She cares for a wide range of conditions but especially enjoys treating liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and GERD. Shannon is also interested in helping women with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence due to pelvic floor dysfunction.

She understands the value of preventive medicine, especially regarding colon cancer. She works closely with her patients to identify their risk level for colorectal cancer and their screening options.

The readers of OurHealth magazine have recognized Shannon as a “Best Bedside Manner” winner for 2016 and 2017. 

Shannon enjoys spending a little extra time with her patients to get to know them, understand how their medical condition impacts their lives, and how she can best help. She believes in educating patients to become active participants in their care.

Shannon grew up in Charlotte and played sports throughout high school and college. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and boys and running, cooking, gardening, and volunteering at her church.