Lawrence GI Consultants

Alka Hudson, MD, earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center.
Board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Hudson is also a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She began practicing gastroenterology in the Kansas City metro in 2010 and joined Lawrence GI Consultants in 2024.
Dr. Hudson has been recognized multiple times by Castle Connolly, receiving the honor of Top Doctor in Gastroenterology in Kansas City and being named to their Exceptional Women in Medicine list.
Dr. Hudson chose gastroenterology because it perfectly blends clinical and procedural medicine.
“One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the diversity of patients I see. Being part of my patients’ journeys—whether through preventative screenings or treating chronic diseases—allows me to make a meaningful impact in their lives and the broader community.”
Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Hudson is also the mother of two vibrant children who keep her busy outside of work.

Amy Watkins, PA-C, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and graduated from Wichita State University with a Master of Physician Assistant degree.

Dr. Brooks is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.  He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he completed his residency training in internal medicine.  He completed a Fellowship in general internal medicine at the University of Kansas and a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.  He is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 

James W. Kim, MD, earned his undergraduate degree at the City College of the City University of New York and his medical degree from the College of Medicine at SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse. He completed his residency through the Brown University program in internal medicine and his fellowship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Kim is board certified in gastroenterology and is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Dr. Kim chose to work in medicine after being introduced to a medical program by a group of friends and working in a hospital during high school. His passion for patients and GI has led to a career that spans over 20 years.
“After doing a GI rotation, I realized all the different ways I could help my patients. All those ways excited me.”
His special interests include various esophageal disorders including GERD, eosinophilic esophagitis, achalasia, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer screenings, celiac disease, Hepatitis B and C, and Crohn’s disease.
Prior to joining LMH Health, Dr. Kim worked at Saint Luke’s. He wanted to be where patients and a community really needed a GI specialist, such as a community hospital.
“I want to be able to talk to my patients on a first name basis and assure them that procedures are being done as a preventative measure.”

Kara Joice, PA-C, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and her master’s degree from Wichita State University.
“I want my patients to be informed of the different treatments and options available to them and make sure they chose the decision that is right for them.”
Kara chose LMH Health because of the level of care and highly-qualified physicians who work for the hospital. Being a community hospital, she believes her patients will love the familial feel and care LMH Health provides.
She is a board-certified physician’s assistant and has been with LMH Health since 2009. Kara worked in the Emergency Department and at OrthoKansas before joining the team at Lawrence GI Consultants in 2021.

She is a board-certified internist and Gastroenterologist, and she focuses her practice exclusively on gastroenterology.  She completed her medical degree, residency and fellowship training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.