Additional Professional Staff
James J. Andrassy, M.Ed, PA-C
Mr. Andrassy holds a B.S. in Allied Health and graduated with honors from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. He holds an M.Ed. from Cleveland State University where his master’s project was entitled, “Advanced Computer Applications in Medical Educational Systems”. He received his degree as a Physician’s Assistant from Cuyahoga Community College in 1977, where he graduated top of his class in one of the first Physician Assistant Programs in the State of Ohio.
Prior to joining Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland in 1993, he worked for Urology Services, Incorporated for 12 years as their hospitalist at the old Saint Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to that, he worked in the Employee Health Clinic at University Hospitals of Cleveland for 5 years.
Mr. Andrassy oversees the day to day operations of Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland and the Cleveland Center for Digestive Health & Endoscopy as the Practice Administrator and HIPAA Security/Privacy Officer. Even though Mr. Andrassy works in a non-clinical capacity at this time, he still maintains all of his clinical certifications and if called upon can easily fill in for one of our physicians.
Did you know that Jim has played guitar for more than 40 years, his interests are Blues, Jazz and Fingerstyle Piedmont Blues and Slide guitar.
Joanne T. Longbons, PA-C
Ms. Longbons holds a B.A. degree in Medical Sciences from Lake Erie College, in 1980, at which time she received her Certificate of Completion from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Program. Immediately after graduation she worked for Lakewood Hospital in Lakewood, Ohio for 5 years. She then worked for the Cleveland Clinic/Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Program, eventually advancing to the Director's position.
Afterwards, Joanne was employed by the Lake Hospital Systems in Lake County for several years; as well as Logistics Health out of La Crosse, Wisconsin where she worked as part of a team preparing our military troops medically for deployment to the Middle East.
For many years, Joanne worked in the University Hospitals Urgent Care Clinics. In the late 1990’s, she worked directly with Dr. Frankel’s patients for 3 years before “retiring” to be a stay-at-home mom. She rejoined Dr. Frankel in 2009 and works part-time in the direct care of his patients.
Ms. Longbons is a high quality, high energy PA with over 25 years of experience in providing empathic care to our patients. She can be reached by calling 216-593-7700, press 3 then press 2 at the prompts.
Joanne works on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Any messages left on Monday or Wednesday will not be returned until her next scheduled workday.
LeeAnn E. Hritz, ANP-C
Ms. Hritz received a B.A. degree in Biomedical Humanities form Hiram College. She then received a B.S. with high honors in nursing from Cleveland State University graduating Summa Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Ms. Hritz worked for Hillcrest Hospital on the Renal, Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary medical surgical unit. Wanting more, she entered the Master of Science Nursing Program at Kent State University. After completion of her course studies, she attained certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and is licensed to work in Ohio.
Now employed by Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland as our “GI Hospitalist” at either Marymount or Hillcrest Hospitals, she assists our physicians with the day-to-day care of our hospitalized patients. Ms. Hritz can be reached by calling 216-593-7700, pressing Option 0 and asking our telephone operator to page her.