The Digestive Diseases Center at the University of Chicago Medicine is a collaborative, multidisciplinary network of physicians, researchers and allied health professionals who share a legacy of innovation and a common purpose: to improve the lives of patients who suffer from digestive diseases.
Within the Digestive Diseases Center, a database of material pertaining to more than 5,000 patients, is the vital infrastructure for clinical trials of conventional and novel medical therapies intended to diagnose and treat a wide range of digestive diseases. In hepatology, we are currently conducting research in the areas of liver transplantation, viral hepatitis and other inflammatory liver disorders. Our research in nutrition is studying
Atsushi Sakuraba, MD, PhD
the impact of lactose intolerance in minority health outcomes, as well as
Director, Clinical Trials
obesity and celiac disease. Other studies are examining the optimization of colorectal cancer screening for average and high-risk patients, the effects of genetic counseling, and the possibilities of chemoprevention. We are currently leading more than 200 research studies on human subjects with digestive diseases. This includes more than 20 IBD-related clinical trials, such as an NIH-supported human microbiome study that seeks to understand the role of intestinal
Kristi Kearney, RN Clinical Trials Manager
microbes in the development of IBD. Whether working independently or as part of multicenter research teams, we are asking—and answering—the questions that will lead to more effective treatments, better practice and better patient outcomes for healthcare professionals across the country and around the world.
Daniel Catenacci, MD, PhD Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Researchers Atsuhi Sakuraba, MD, PhD Director, Clinical Trials
Daniel V.T. Catenacci, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Director, Translational Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Kristi Kearney, RN Clinical Trials Manager for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Nutrition and Translational Research
Associate Professor of Medicine
Research Nurse
Clinical Trials in Digestive Diseases Novel therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Disparities in digestive diseases delivery of care Phase 3 clinical trials for Hepatitis C
Medical therapies for celiac disease Interventional trials related to advanced endoscopy The utility of chromoendoscopy in ulcerative colitis surveillance
Assessment of robotic and minimally invasive surgical outcomes Anastomotic leak prevention Innovative treatment trials in esophageal, hepatic, pancreatic, gastric and colorectal cancer
The role of the microbiome in IBD pathogenesis
Clinical Trials in Gastrointestinal Oncology Novel personalized and precision medicine therapies for gastrointestinal oncology including colorectal, gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct/gallbladder, small bowel, neuroendocrine and anal cancers
Investigational phase III, II, and I studies for various perioperative and advanced settings and evaluating novel targeted therapies, immunotherapies and vaccines, and chemotherapeutic strategies to improve the outcomes of our patients
Contact To learn more about our clinical trials, call: 1 (773) 702-5382
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Through our groundbreaking research and patient care, we remain proudly at the forefront of digestive disease care.� David T. Rubin, MD
VISION
Contents
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12
16
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20
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Center for Colon and Rectal Diseases
Center for Esophageal Diseases
Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT)
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28
30
Center for Liver Diseases
Pancreatic Disease Center
General Gastroenterology
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34
38
Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Basic and Translational Research
Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology
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44
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity
Celiac Disease Center
Center for Endoscopic Treatment of Obesity
Center for Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition
Clinical Research
We are steadfast believers in using interdisciplinary wisdom to improve the lives of our patients. Our legacy is one of relentless patient advocacy. We are steadfast believers in close collaboration across multiple disciplines to improve the lives of our patients. We are the Digestive Diseases Center at the University of Chicago Medicine. Our emphasis on patient-centric, collaborative medicine began when the visionary, driven and compassionate Joseph B. Kirsner, MD, joined the University of Chicago Medicine in 1935. He truly embodied the University of Chicago credo: We exist to change the world.
An Audacious Idea Throughout his storied 74-year career, Joseph B. Kirsner, MD, advanced a patient-centric model of care that encouraged prolific medical discovery and pushed clinical boundaries to change patient outcomes. Supported by the innovation of Nobel Laureates and other luminaries within the area of digestive diseases at the University of Chicago Medicine, Kirsner and his colleagues changed the face of digestive medicine. Kirsner’s combination of audacity, clarity of purpose and humility, as well as his fundamental belief in the power of interdisciplinary, patient-focused care, has continued to bring like-minded professionals to the University of Chicago Medicine. These bedrock principles remain the driving force behind the Digestive Diseases Center. We continue to set the standard for digestive disease care and are a preferred care destination for people from throughout the country and around the world.
The Next Generation of Care Kirsner’s colleague, friend and mentee, David T. Rubin, MD, was determined to keep the University of Chicago Medicine at the forefront of the field when he formed the Digestive Diseases Center in 2014. A visionary in his own right, Rubin organized the Center to be co-directed by a physician, and a surgeon—making it truly collaborative and innovative. This team structure, led by Rubin and surgeon Neil H. Hyman, MD, has resulted in some of our most groundbreaking research and surgical successes to date. Supported by one of the most advanced research and clinical teams in the world, the Digestive Diseases Center has eliminated the ever-present silos that can diminish innovation. The Center is staffed with passionate caregivers and scientists who actively collaborate to deliver patient-centered medicine throughout the entire lifecycle—not just until the patient has received a diagnosis or treatment. 2
Care Beyond Treatment Our exceptional care has made the Digestive Diseases Center one of the best in the country for gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. However, it is our emphasis on improving the patient experience that has made us a go-to referral choice by doctors and a destination for patients worldwide. Through bar-raising practitioner accessibility and practices that look at the whole patient, we strive to decrease the burden on patients and their families by: • Helping to arrange travel and appointments for patients living outside the Chicago area who have come to the University of Chicago Medicine for care • Building online networks, forums and information sessions to extend support to patients unable to travel to one of our locations • Decreasing appointment wait times for new patients to less than two weeks • Offering patients access to leading-edge minimally invasive surgeries and techniques, including our distinguished robotic surgery program Our goal is simple: Improve the lives of our patients. To ensure that goal is met, our involvement doesn’t end once we’ve delivered a diagnosis. Once a patient has joined the Digestive Diseases Center network, they are in our care throughout treatment, surgery, recovery and ongoing symptom management. Moreover, patients who come to the Digestive Diseases Center get access to world-class physicians who work with patients, their providers and their families to develop treatments that incorporate some of the best technology, research and intellect in the world. With discovery and innovation so deeply engrained in the work of our institution, we continuously push boundaries to remain at the forefront of advances in digestive disease care.
David T. Rubin, MD, (left) and Neil H. Hyman, MD For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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History First full-time academic section in gastroenterology founded by Walter L. Palmer, MD, PhD
First hospital to use a gastroscope to view organs of the digestive system
1934
1927
1935
1938
Joseph B. Kirsner, MD, joined the staff at the University of Chicago Medicine
Developed first animal models of inflammatory bowel disease and discovered that patients with active colitis lost high levels of protein
1940’s
William E. Adams, MD, and Dallas B. Phemister, MD, performed the first curative esophagogastrostomy for cancer with intrathoracic anastomosis in the U.S.
Developed surgeries to avoid the need for an ileostomy when removing the colon
1960s
1955 Lester R. Dragstedt, MD, played an instrumental role in the first successful separation of Siamese twins by dividing their liver
1962 Kirsner co-founded the Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation, for which he was a tireless fundraiser for medical research
Discovered the first Crohn’s disease gene (NOD2)
1990 Launched the NIH-funded Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
4
2001
2004 Identified roles of intestinal heat shock protein (Hsp70) in immunomodulation of intestinal lymphoid cells and host defense against invasive pathogens
2014 David T. Rubin, MD, formalized the University of Chicago Medicine’s Digestive Diseases Center The University of Chicago Medicine pioneered a new IBD treatment combining cyclosporin and similar drugs with vedolizumab to help patients with severe IBD avoid surgery
Developed vagotomy, still in use today, for treatment of ulcers
1943
1947
1944 Discovered the relationship between a shortage of dietary protein and decreased immune function and surgical infection
1985
1989
1988
First segmental liver transplant in the U.S
First split-liver transplant in the U.S.
Developed the “rat depletion model,” used to determine the minimum daily requirements for the essential amino acids, calories and potassium
First successful living donor transplant in the world
Performed the nation’s first back-to-back heart-liver-kidney transplants in two patients
Identified reovirus as a potential initiator of celiac disease
2015 Identified the genetic and microbiome drivers of pouchitis
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
2017
2018 John C. Alverdy, MD, received the American Surgical Association’s Flance-Karl Award for identifying the invasive bacteria that lead to surgical anastomotic leakage and failure
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Destination UChicago Medicine: Personalized Support for Traveling Patients Each year thousands of patients from around the world travel to Chicago to meet with and receive care from the medical teams at the Digestive Diseases Center.
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Our team is committed to making access to care seamless for those who travel to us. Our mission is to help reduce the anxiety that traveling for care can cause
”
through our empathic outreach.
Caroline Costello, Director, Destination UChicago Medicine
Understanding that traveling away from home can
during their visit to Chicago. The team assists with
be overwhelming, the University of Chicago Medicine
appointment scheduling, including the first visit and
established Destination UChicago Medicine, a patient follow-up needs, retrieval of medical records from concierge service for patients coming from outside
various providers, travel recommendations, hotel
the Chicagoland area to receive care at the University
information, reservations and local areas of interest,
of Chicago Medicine. The goal is to take care of all
as well as in-person help for any patient services
the planning and scheduling related to a patient’s
located on the medical campus.
stay in Chicago, and to ease the burden and worry of
“Our team is committed to making access to care
receiving care away from home.
seamless for those who travel to us,” said Destination
As one of the top medical centers in the field,
UChicago Medicine Director Caroline Costello. “Our
the Digestive Diseases Center sees patients from
mission is to help reduce the anxiety that traveling
all corners of the world. This draw makes the
for care can cause through our empathic outreach.”
Destination UChicago Medicine program incredibly
To access care or refer a patient to the program,
important for our patients and is a vital component
call 773-702-0525 or email DestinationUChicago@
of our patient-centric approach.
uchospitals.edu.
The dedicated Destination UChicago Medicine team supports patients before their arrival and
Kimberly Muhammad, Patient Navigation Coordinator, (left), Judy Gilbert, MHA, Program Manager and Natalie Jackson, Patient Experience Liaison For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE CENTER
Russell D. Cohen, MD
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center is committed to providing the highest caliber of care to patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other related conditions. From providing state-of-the-art medical therapies and nutritional counseling to using minimally invasive approaches for complex surgeries to decrease pain, scarring and recovery times, outstanding patient care is at the center of everything we do. In order to best serve our patients, we conduct ongoing medical research to advance our understanding of these conditions. We also deliver unique and highly relevant educational programs for patients and professionals. As one of only a limited number of research centers in the country testing new
Russell D. Cohen, MD Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
David T. Rubin, MD Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
IBD treatments, we can offer a variety of clinical trial therapies—the most advanced treatments available—at the earliest possible time in patients’ care. Every patient benefits from the expertise of our world-renowned clinicians and researchers, whose multidisciplinary, collaborative approach extends from patient care to advancing the science of medicine.
Neil H. Hyman, MD
Physicians
Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Adult Gastroenterology
Surgery
Russell D. Cohen, MD Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Sushila Dalal, MD Director, Program for Fertility, Pregnancy and Sexual Function in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Professor of Surgery
Assistant Professor of Medicine Ira Hanan, MD Professor of Medicine Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition Assistant Professor of Medicine Joel Pekow, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine David T. Rubin, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine Atsushi Sakuraba, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Pediatric Gastroenterology Ranjana Gokhale, MD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Roger D. Hurst, MD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Surgery Professor of Surgery
Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Eugene B. Chang, MD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Benjamin Shogan, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery Konstantin Umanskiy, MD Associate Professor of Surgery
Research Eugene B. Chang, MD Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center Director, Host-Microbe Core Associate Chief, Research
Ranjana Gokhale, MD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center Martin Boyer Professor of Medicine Christopher Weber, MD, PhD Professor of Pathology A. Murat Eren, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Roger Hurst, MD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Associate Professor of Pediatrics Ritu Verma, MBChB Medical Director, Celiac Disease Center Section Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Professor of Pediatrics For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Physicians
(continued)
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center Director, Integrated Translational Research Core
Specialty Pharmacy Shivani Patel, PharmD Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Vice Chair, Research, Department of Medicine Shivani Patel, PharmD
Director, Research for Celiac Disease Center
Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Professor of Medicine and Pathology and Pediatrics
Advanced Practice Nurses Gastroenterology Care
Surgical Care
Emily A. Dobrez, APN Jennifer Labas, APN Ashley Perkovic, APN Alexandra Masching, APN
Noelle Kakuk, APN Michele Rubin, APN Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Michele Rubin, APN
Ostomy Clinic
Associate Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Janice Colwell, APN Michele Kaplon-Jones, APN Paulina Petrishka, APN
Nutritionists Courtney Schuchmann, MS, RD, LDN Elizabeth Wall, MS, RD, LDN
Lori Welstead, MS, RD, LDN
Services Secondary or tertiary care for the most complex and difficult IBD cases Advanced mucosal imaging techniques for surveillance and detection of cancer and precancerous changes in the bowel mucosa (chromoendoscopy)
Upper GI endoscopy, colonoscopy Ileoscopy Pouchoscopy Wireless capsule endoscopy (“pill camera”) Ostomy care
CT/MRI enterography
Surgical services
Dedicated small bowel radiography
Bowel resections (traditional, minimally invasive, robotic)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Interventional endoscopy Enteroscopy, traditional and deep (balloon-assisted) Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy Positron emission technology (PET) scans Radionucleotide scanning
Strictureplasties “J” pouch formations Ileostomy, colostomy Specialized surgeries
Contact To learn more about the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/ibd For referrals and consultations, please call: 1 (844) UC GI DOC (824–4362) An IBD patient support group meets regularly. For more information, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/ibd-events
Number of patients seen in last 12 months More than
10
6,000
New Guidelines Help Ulcerative Colitis Patients Experience Sustained Remission At the Digestive Diseases Center, we are constantly working toward a better patient experience. For patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), which affects roughly one million Americans, this means relieving symptoms, preventing harmful secondary effects that may be brought on by treatment and helping patients into remission.
Since the previous guidelines were introduced in 2010, we’ve had tremendous advances in the management of UC, and we’ve moved from being reactive to being much more proactive to achieve sustained, stable remission and minimize complications. We looked to develop new guidelines that sufficiently reflect
”
today’s understanding and, in turn, provide better care for our patients. David T. Rubin, MD, founder and co-director of the Digestive Diseases Center
New guidelines for diagnosing and managing UC
They aim to help doctors better prevent and care
—developed by David T. Rubin, founder and co-
for patients with UC by shifting from managing
director of the Digestive Diseases Center, as well as
flare-ups to better monitoring and preventing them
chief of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition,
in the first place.
in collaboration with a team of experts – aim to do
In practice, these guidelines encourage a sustained
just that.
period of remission from inflammation and
The guidelines, published in the March 2019 issue of
ulcers and decrease the possibility of surgery or
The American Journal of Gastroenterology, represent
hospitalization and cancer risk—resulting in a better
a significant step forward in the treatment of UC and
quality of life. These new guidelines also rely less on
are now the official practice recommendations of the
traditionally used steroids.
American College of Gastroenterology.
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Ritu Verma, MBChB Medical Director, Celiac Disease Center
Stefano Guandalini, MD Founder, Celiac Disease Center
CELIAC DISEASE CENTER
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Research Director, Celiac Disease Center
Ritu Verma, MBChB Hilary Jericho, MD, MSCI Director of Pediatric Clinical Research
The University of Chicago Medicine’s Celiac Disease Center is an internationally recognized center of excellence providing comprehensive patient and professional education, expert diagnosis and treatment for both children and adults, groundbreaking bench and clinical research, and active leadership in advocacy efforts. Our mission is to cure celiac disease. As we focus on research toward a cure, we also strive to raise awareness and diagnosis rates through education and advocacy.
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Physicians Stefano Guandalini, MD Founder, Celiac Disease Center
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Director of Clinical Genetic Research, Celiac Disease Center
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Ritu Verma, MBChB Medical Director, Celiac Disease Center
Co-Director, Comprehensive Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Section Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Professor of Pediatrics Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Co-director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics
Director, Integrated Translational Research Core
Carol Semrad, MD Director, Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition Program
Vice Chair, Research, Department of Medicine
Director of Adult Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center
Research Director, Celiac Disease Center
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Pediatrics
Vijaya Rao, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Hilary Jericho, MD, MSCI Director of Pediatric Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Director of Clinical Genetic Research, Celiac Disease Center
Carol Semrad, MD Director of Adult Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Dieticians Lori Welstead, MS, RD, LDN Courtney Schuchmann, MS, RD, LDN
Macy Mears, MS, RDN, LDN Vicki Gainsberg, RD, LDN
Services Expert diagnostic practices and evidence-based, patient-focused and family-oriented care of adult and pediatric celiac disease patients
Lori Welstead, MS, RD, LDN
Activities Patient education and resources, including an online Answer Bank and Essentials of Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet guide
Contact To learn more about the Celiac Disease Center or explore our physician and patient resources, please visit: cureceliacdisease.org To refer patients to one of our celiac specialists, please call: 1 (773) 702–6140 for adults; 1 (773) 702-6169 for children
Number of patients treated in last 12 months Approximately
1,200
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
children and adults
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
13
Understanding Celiac Disease The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center research team, led by Dr. Bana Jabri, continues to make great strides in determining what triggers the abnormal reaction to gluten in celiac disease and is working toward finding a cure for the disease.
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Care Beyond Treatment
A 2017 study published in Science focused on
Recent research from Dr. Jabri and other researchers
reovirus as a trigger for celiac disease (and other
and physicians at the University of Chicago published in Cell found that the chronic inflammation in the
autoimmune disorders) and proved that intestinal viruses can induce the immune system to overreact to
small intestine caused when someone with celiac
gluten and trigger the development of celiac disease.
disease eats gluten can lead to permanent damage
Using two different reovirus strains, the researchers
to the intestine. The research found that chronic
showed how genetic differences between viruses
inflammation in celiac disease displaces the tissue-
can change how they interact with the immune
resident lymphocytes normally found in the healthy
system. The research has now put the experts at the
intestine and replaces them with new immune cells
Digestive Diseases Center in the position to precisely
that show sensitivity to gluten.
define the viral factors responsible for the induction
The study showed that chronic inflammation in
of the autoimmune response.
patients with celiac disease permanently scars the
The new research raises the possibility that vaccines
community of immune cells in the small intestine,
targeting viruses infecting the intestine could one
which may have a lasting impact on how the gut
day be used to protect children at risk for celiac and
responds in the future.
other autoimmune disorders.
The Possibility of a Vaccine Other recent research led by Dr. Jabri looks at the connection between celiac disease and reovirus, a common, but otherwise harmless virus.
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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CENTER FOR SMALL BOWEL DISEASE AND NUTRITION 16
Carol Semrad, MD
The Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition Program includes comprehensive management of small bowel bleeding, short bowel syndrome/intestinal failure, celiac disease and obesity. We were one of the first in the United States to perform double balloon enteroscopy for the treatment of small bowel bleeding and use expert radiologists in small bowel imaging and minimally invasive small bowel surgery. We are uniquely staffed by a multidisciplinary nutrition support team to diagnose and manage short bowel syndrome/intestinal failure, diarrhea/malabsorption syndromes, and patients with feeding difficulties. The team, established in 1980, provides expert administration of parenteral and enteral nutrition in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Our obesity management program is unique in its focus on nutrition education by a certified physician-chef. In addition to the education and treatments provided to our patients, we also are actively researching novel therapies in the treatment of celiac disease, short bowel syndrome and other intestinal disorders.
Physicians Gastroenterology
Surgery
Carol Semrad, MD Director, Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition Program
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Surgery
Director of Adult Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center
Mustafa Hussain, MD Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery
Professor of Medicine Hilary Jericho, MD Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Assistant Professor of Surgery Vivek Prachand, MD, FACS Chair, Surgical Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition Assistant Professor of Medicine
Carol Semrad, MD Director, Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition Program
Professor of Surgery
Dejan Micic, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yalini Vigneswaran, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
Nutrition Support Team Jean Herlitz, RN Physician Resource Nurse
Elizabeth Wall, MS, RD, CNSC, LDN
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD
Annie Widlicka, MS, RD, CNSC, LDN
Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition
Scott Lozano, PharmD, BCNSP Clinical Pharmacist
Services Video capsule endoscopy Double balloon enteroscopy Laparoscopic resection of small bowel lesions
Contact
Dejan Micic, MD
For referrals and consultations, call: 1 (844) UC GI DOC (824–4362)
Elizabeth Wall, MS, RD, CNSC, LDN
Dejan Micic, MD, (left), Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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CENTER FOR COLON AND RECTAL DISEASES 18
Neil H. Hyman, MD, (left), with resident Kristina Guyton, MD
The University of Chicago Medicine has a rich tradition of national leadership and innovation in the surgical management of complex colorectal disease, especially IBD and sphincter-saving approaches to rectal cancer. Our team, as part of the Digestive Diseases Center, continues to build on this legacy in the treatment of a wide range of challenging colon, rectal and anal diseases, including pelvic floor disorders and perianal disease. We are recognized experts in the surgical treatment of these diseases and, when appropriate, use some of today’s most advanced, leading-edge surgical techniques. In fact, more than half of colorectal surgeries we perform are done using minimally invasive techniques. Our collaborative team approach—including physician assistants, medical assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners, as well as highly experienced enterostomal and wound care nurses— has a profound effect on patient outcomes. Our combined expertise ensures that each patient receives the care he or she needs to thrive after surgery.
Physicians Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery Professor of Surgery
Benjamin Shogan, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery Konstantin Umanskiy, MD Associate Professor of Surgery
Roger Hurst, MD Professor of Surgery Neil H. Hyman, MD
Advanced Practice Nurses Noelle Kakuk, APN Nurse Practitioner
Meredith Stidham, APN, MSN, RN
Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Michele Rubin, APN, CNS, CGRN IBD Nurse Specialist
Wound Ostomy and Skin Care Nurses Janice C. Colwell, RN, MS, CWOCN, FAAN Stoma Nurse
Paulina Petrishka, APN Stoma Nurse
Michele Kaplon-Jones, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN Stoma Nurse
Roger Hurst, MD
Conditions and Services Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)
Oncology
Pelvic floor disorders
Colon cancer
Sacral nerve stimulation
Rectal cancer
Endoanal ultrasound
Anal cancer
Anorectal manometry, electromyography, and pudendal nerve testing
Second opinion services Management of hereditary colorectal cancer
Dynamic and MRI defecography and transit studies Prolapse repair Treatment of constipation Fecal incontinence
Polyposis Laparoscopic colon cancer surgery Robotic rectal cancer surgery Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS)
Colon and rectal disease
Diagnostic and surveillance colonoscopy
Complicated diverticular disease
Endorectal ultrasound and pelvic MRI
Presacral tumor excision Treatment of colonic volvulus Endometriosis Lower GI carcinoid
Perianal disease
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD
Inflammatory bowel disease Crohn’s disease
Benjamin Shogan, MD
Ulcerative colitis Perianal fistulizing disease
Hemorrhoids
Laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease
Anal fissure
Reoperative disease
Management of abscess and fistula
J-pouch procedure
Rectovaginal fistula treatment
Advance enterostomal nursing care
Sexually transmitted diseases
State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging
Janice C. Colwell, RN, MS, CWOCN, FAAN
Pruritis ani Pilonidal disease Paget’s disease of the anus
Contact To learn more about the Center for Colon and Rectal Diseases, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/colon-rectal-surgery
Michele Rubin, APN, CNS, CGRN
To schedule an admission, make a referral or request a consultation, please call UCM Physician Connect at: 1 (800) 824–2282
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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CENTER FOR ESOPHAGEAL DISEASES 20
Mitchell C. Posner, MD
The Center for Esophageal Diseases is one of the few centers in the U.S. dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disease. We bring together nationally and internationally recognized clinicians and researchers in a variety of related disciplines to provide patients with advanced options, resources and a level of experience and innovation available at only a handful of leading medical centers in the world. Our approach is both personalized and multidisciplinary, and our outcomes are considered a model for outstanding patient care.
Physicians Irving Waxman, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Surgery John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Surgery
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Mark K. Ferguson, MD Professor of Surgery
Tiffany J. Patton, MD Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Mustafa Hussain, MD Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery
Pulmonology
Robert T. Kavitt, MD, MPH Director, Center for Esophageal Diseases
Edward Garrity, MD Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Surgery Mitchell C. Posner, MD Chief, Surgical Oncology
D. Kyle Hogarth, MD Director, Bronchoscopy and Minimally Invasive Diagnostics
Chief, General Surgery Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Programs Physician-in-Chief, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Co-Director, Upper Aerodigestive Cancer Risk Clinic Medical Director, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Professor of Medicine
Thomas D. Jones Professor of Surgery Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chief Quality Officer, Department of Surgery
Ear, Nose & Throat Elisabeth Blair, MD Professor of Surgery
Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery Professor of Surgery
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Louis de Guzman Portugal, MD Professor of Surgery
Yalini Vigneswaran, MD, MS Assistant Professor of Surgery
Medical Oncology
Adult Gastroenterology
Daniel Catenacci, MD Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Robert T. Kavitt, MD, MPH Director, Center for Esophageal Diseases
Assistant Director, Translational Research
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine
Christopher Chapman, MD Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy Assistant Professor of Medicine Uzma Siddiqui, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics Professor of Medicine
Pathology
Mitchell C. Posner, MD, FACS
John Hart, MD Professor of Pathology
Chief, General Surgery
Chief, Surgical Oncology
Namrata Setia, MD Assistant Professor of Pathology
Nurses Megan Henry, RN, BSN
Leslie Mote, LPN
Services
Uzma Siddiqui, MD
Endoscopy Evaluation and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis
ENT evaluation of vocal cord problems related to GERD
Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Evaluation of respiratory disorders such as cough or asthma of unknown origin, IPF
Endoscopic dilatation Endoscopic ultrasound
Minimally invasive myotomy for achalasia
Radiofrequency ablation
POEM (Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy)
Endoscopic mucosal resection
Minimally invasive antireflux surgery
High-resolution esophageal manometry
Minimally invasive treatment of paraesophageal hernia
Catheter-based pH/impedance testing
Multimodal therapy for esophageal cancer
Wireless pH testing Radiology
Minimally invasive resection for esophageal cancer
Irving Waxman, MD
Cryotherapy
Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Contact To learn more about the Center for Esophageal Diseases, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/esophageal-diseases To make a referral or request a consultation, please call: 1 (844) UC GI DOC (824–4362)
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
21
CENTER FOR ENDOSCOPIC RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS (CERT) 22
Uzma Siddiqui, MD
CERT offers patients, and their referring physicians, the benefits of endoscopic expertise, as well as a comprehensive approach to patient care. Our resources—from leading-edge technology to physicians, advanced practice nurses and scheduling staff—are exclusively dedicated to serving CERT patients. Our state-of-the-art endoscopy suite, located in the Center for Care and Discovery, offers the most advanced complement of technologies in the region. We use these technologies to diagnose and/or treat a wide variety of complex gastrointestinal disorders, including esophageal and pancreatic cancers, large colon polyps, pancreatic and bile duct stones, pancreatitis and Barrett’s esophagus.
Physicians Irving Waxman, MD Director of The Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT) Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine, Surgery and The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center Uzma Siddiqui, MD Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT) Director, Advanced Endoscopy Training and Endoscopic Ultrasound Professor of Medicine
Christopher Chapman, MD Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy Assistant Professor of Medicine
Services Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Complex polypectomy
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of Barrett’s esophagus, radiation proctitis, and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)
Celiac plexus nerve block Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) Pancreatic pseudocyst drainage and necrosectomy
Cholangioscopy Ablation of cholangiocarcinoma with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Irving Waxman, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Endoscopic suturing Palliative stenting of GI tract and pancreaticobiliary malignancies
Lithotripsy of large biliary and pancreatic duct stones
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Ampullectomy
(ESWL) for pancreatic stones
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) Uzma Siddiqui, MD
Contact To learn more about the Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics, please visit:
Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
uchicagomedicine.org/cert To schedule an admission, make a referral or request a consultation, please call UCM Physician Connect at: 1 (800) 824–2282 or contact the center directly at: 1 (773) 702–1459
Christopher Chapman, MD Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy
Christopher Chapman, MD, (left), Irving Waxman, MD, and Uzma Siddiqui, MD
Number of patients seen in last 12 months More than
2,000
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
23
Michael Charlton, MD Director, Center for Liver Diseases Co-Director, Transplant Institute Professor of Medicine
Michael Charlton, MD
Andrew Aronsohn, MD
CENTER FOR LIVER DISEASES
Program Director, GI Fellowships
Ruba K. Azzam, MD Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program
For more than 20 years, the Center for Liver Diseases has helped set the standard of care for the management of many liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis C, which has now reached the pinnacle of its therapy. We also have helped shape the therapeutic journey toward a cure for chronic hepatitis B. Today, we are helping to find an effective treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and we are studying various biologic markers for the diagnosis and potential treatment targets of liver cancer.
Sonali Paul, MD Director, Metabolic and Fatty Liver Clinic
Our experienced team of hepatologists, mid-level providers and specialty nurses work with patients very closely to deliver personalized medicine that addresses each patient’s needs. Our liver transplant program is renowned nationally and worldwide. It is the oldest in the Midwest, and fourth oldest in the nation. Our program has the lowest waitlist mortality
Anjana Pillai, MD Medical Director, Liver Tumor Clinic
in Illinois—that is, patients on our waitlist have the lowest chance of dying before they receive a liver transplant. We also have excellent graft and patient survival rates that are either at or above expectations for our patient population.
Physicians Hepatology K. Gautham Reddy, MD
Michael Charlton, MD Director, Center for Liver Diseases Co-Director, Transplant Institute Professor of Medicine Andrew Aronsohn, MD Program Director, GI Fellowships Associate Professor of Medicine
Ruba K. Azzam, MD Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program Associate Professor of Pediatrics Sonali Paul, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Anjana Pillai, MD Medical Director, Liver Tumor Clinic Program Director, Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Associate Professor of Medicine
24
K. Gautham Reddy, MD Associate Professor of Medicine
J. Michael Millis, MD Vice Chair, Global Surgery
Helen S. Te, MD Medical Director, Adult Liver Transplant Program Professor of Medicine
Professor of Surgery Diego DiSabato, MD Director, Living Donor Liver Transplant Program Assistant Professor of Surgery
Surgery
Medical Oncology
John Fung, MD, PhD Co-Director, Transplant Institute
Chih-Yi “Andy” Liao, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Chief, Transplant Surgery
Helen S. Te, MD Medical Director, Adult Liver Transplant Program
Anu Neerukonda, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Professor of Surgery Talia Baker, MD Surgical Director, Liver Transplantation Associate Professor of Surgery
Advanced Practice Nurses Melanie Samardzija, APN, PhD Hepatology Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Reyna, MSN, AGNP-C Hepatology Nurse Practitioner
John Fung, MD, PhD Co-Director, Transplant Institute Chief, Transplant Surgery
Services Multidisciplinary evaluation and management of hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, benign liver masses, hepatic vascular disorders and other liver diseases Liver fibrosis assessments Hepatobiliary surgery Laparoscopic liver surgery Liver transplantation and multi-organ transplantation
Clinical trials for novel therapies of liver diseases and the complications of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and for novel immunosuppressive agents Innovative management strategies for challenging patient cases, including liver resection for large hepatic malignancies, liver transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma and more advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation for obese patients
Talia Baker, MD Surgical Director, Liver Transplantation
Contact We treat patients at several locations in Chicago, its suburbs and Northwest Indiana. For location details and more information about the Center for Liver Diseases, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/liver-diseases For referrals for liver transplantation, please call UCM Liver Transplant Intake Center at: 1 (773) 702–4500 For liver cancer referrals, as well as any other referrals and consultations, please call UCM Physician Connect at: 1 (800) 824–2282
J. Michael Millis, MD Vice Chair, Global Surgery Professor of Surgery
Diego DiSabato, MD Director, Living Donor Liver Transplant Program
Melanie Samardzija, APN, PhD
Sonali Paul, MD, (left), K. Gautham Reddy, MD, and Michael Charlton, MD
Elizabeth Reyna, MSN, AGNP-C For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
25
Breakthroughs in Transplant Surgery – The Legacy Continues The University of Chicago Medicine has a legacy of being at the forefront of medical breakthroughs in transplant surgery. We are known for a number of firsts: The first segmental liver transplant in the U.S. (1985), the first split-liver transplant in the U.S. (1988) and the first successful living donor transplant in the world (1989). At the Digestive Diseases Center, we are continuing
Both patients, Sarah McPharlin, 29, and Daru Smith,
and expanding upon this legacy. Our revolutionary
29, were in critical need of heart, liver and kidney
multi-organ transplant surgeries, spearheaded by
transplants. When the team was notified about
John Fung, MD, PhD, chief of the section of
donor matches for both patients, they immediately
transplant surgery, inaugural director of the
got to work.
Transplant Institute and world-renowned leader in
Daru and Sarah’s surgeries took 17 and 20 hours
the field of organ transplantation, have placed the
to complete, respectively. With time being such
Digestive Diseases Center at the top of national
a significant factor, the complex triple surgeries
rankings for such procedures.
highlighted the importance of coordination
Back-to-Back Triple-Organ Transplants
and collaboration throughout the process. By
In 2018, the Digestive Diseases Center hepatology team, including Fung, Talia Baker, MD, Yolanda Becker, MD, and Michael Charlton, MD, participated in performing the world’s first back-to-back heartliver-kidney transplants in two patients. 26
synchronizing efforts, the 22-person transplant team was able to minimize blood loss and trauma, giving both patients maximum chance for a positive outcome and a quicker recovery.
Autologous Transplant
not at risk for rejection, meaning patients are able to
Also in 2018, Fung performed a rare and highly
return to their lives faster and with fewer concerns
technical autologous transplant for a patient with a
about post-operative outcomes.
cancerous tumor found in part of the liver that made
An autologous transplant can be performed on
typical resection difficult and risky.
several types of organs, but only a handful of these
This innovative treatment for such a problematic tumor
surgeries take place nationwide each year, in part
involved removing the liver from the body and cutting the cancer out while the organ was on a table in the
due to the skill and experience required from the surgeon and surgical team. Fung has performed five
operating room. After an almost 13-hour surgery,
liver autologous transplants in his career.
Fung transplanted the patient’s own healthy organ.
Fung’s dedication to innovation has been recognized
Unlike traditional transplants from an organ donor,
by the American College of Surgeons, which invited
patients who receive an autologous transplant are
him to give the prestigious Ravdin lecture at the 2018 Clinical Congress.
John Fung, MD, PhD
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
27
PANCREATIC DISEASE CENTER
Sajan Nagpal, MD
Diseases of the pancreas require comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary and integrated team of experts. Our pancreatic disease team includes recognized leaders in specialties from gastroenterology to interventional radiology and pain management, and extends to include nutritionists, nurses and genetic counselors. Together, we offer unparalleled expertise in diagnosing and treating all types of pancreatic conditions, including severe acute and chronic pancreatitis, complications from pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst and walled-off necrosis, treatment of large pancreatic duct stones using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL); pancreatic cystic lesions; genetic conditions that affect the pancreas including CFTR, PRSS1, CTRC and SPINK; and autoimmune pancreatitis, among others. In conjunction with the Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics, we are leaders in the use of minimally invasive, per-oral techniques for complex conditions that might otherwise require major surgery. We are also leaders in early detection in patients who are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Our physician-scientists are involved in several multicenter research trials examining novel genetic links to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, new medications that improve outcomes after total pancreatectomy and islet autocell transplantation, and treatment outcomes after transmural treatment of walled-off necrosis, a complication from severe pancreatitis. 28
Physicians Gastroenterology & Interventional Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Pathology John Hart, MD Professor of Pathology
Sajan Nagpal, MD Director, Pancreas Clinic Assistant Professor of Medicine
Radiation Oncology Stanley Liauw, MD Associate Professor of Radiation and Cellular Oncology
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Ralph R. Weichselbaum, MD Chair, Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology Daniel K. Ludwig Distinguished Service Professor of Radiation and Cellular Oncology
Co-Director, Comprehensive Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics
Sajan Nagpal, MBBS Director, Pancreas Clinic
Radiology Abraham H. Dachman, MD Professor of Radiology
Uzma Siddiqui, MD Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Brian Funaki, MD Chief, Vascular and Interventional Radiology Professor of Radiology
Professor of Medicine Irving Waxman, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Jeffrey A. Leef, MD Associate Professor of Radiology
Medical Oncology
Surgery
Daniel Catenacci, MD, PhD Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Aytekin Oto, MD Chief, Abdominal Imaging Professor of Radiology and Surgery
Daniel Catenacci, MD, PhD Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology Assistant Director, Translational Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center Associate Professor of Medicine
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Surgery Mustafa Hussain, MD Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery Assistant Professor of Surgery
Hedy Kindler, MD Professor of Medicine
Hedy Kindler, MD
Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD Chair, Department of Surgery Dallas B. Phemister Professor of Surgery
Blase Polite, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Chih-Yi “Andy” Liao, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Anu Neerukonda, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Pain Management Magdalena Anitescu, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Anesthesia & Critical Care David Dickerson, MD Assistant Professor of Anesthesia & Critical Care
Mitchell C. Posner, MD Chief, Surgical Oncology Chief, General Surgery Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Programs Physician-in-Chief, Comprehensive Cancer Center Thomas D. Jones Professor of Surgery
Blase Polite, MD
Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chair, Surgical Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Professor of Surgery Kevin Roggin, MD Professor of Surgery
Pancreas Transplant Surgery Piotr Witkowski, MD, PhD Director, Pancreatic and Islet Transplant Program Assistant Professor of Surgery
Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD
Dieticians
Chair, Department of Surgery
Lori Welstead, MS, RD, LDN
Courtney Schuchmann, MS, RD, LDN
Services Minimally invasive pancreatic procedures and surgeries
Total pancreatectomy with islet autocell transplantation (autologous islet cell transplantation)
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis
Pylorus-preserving pancreatic resection (Whipple procedure) for benign and malignant disease
Minimally invasive pancreatic surgeries such as laparoscopic and video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD)
Vascular reconstruction for major cancer operations Duodenum-sparing pancreatic operations for chronic pancreatitis
Contact To learn more about the pancreatic diseases group, please visit: uchicagomedicine.org/pancreatitis To make a referral or request a consultation, please call: 1 (877) DOM–2730 For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
29
K. Gautham Reddy, MD
K. Gautham Reddy, MD
GENERAL GASTROENTEROLOGY
Ira Hanan, MD
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD
The Center for General Gastroenterology provides comprehensive and innovative endoscopic and medical treatment for a variety of digestive disorders. Our physicians have experience and expertise in managing conditions such as heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid-peptic disorders, colorectal cancer screening, occult and overt gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal infections and functional bowel diseases. Our general gastroenterologists are involved in robust
Dejan Micic, MD
clinical research programs including optimizing outcomes of patients hospitalized with upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and improving quality of colorectal cancer screening.
Physicians K. Gautham Reddy, MD Associate Section Chief for Clinical Operations Neil Sengupta, MD
Dejan Micic, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine
Neil Sengupta, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Ira Hanan, MD Professor of Medicine
Vijaya Rao, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition
Ruben Khan, MD Clinical Associate of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Services Vijaya Rao, MD
Screening and surveillance for Barrett’s esophagus Gastroesophageal reflux disease Peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori infection Gastrointestinal bleeding Diverticular disease Colonic diverticular disease
Ruben Khan, MD
Infectious colitis or infectious enteritis Iron deficiency anemia Colorectal cancer screening Chronic constipation Disorders of malabsorption Irritable bowel syndrome Functional bowel disease Celiac disease
Contact To learn more about the section of General Gastroenterology, please visit:
30
UChicagoMedicine.org/gi
Changing the Way Colorectal Cancer is Diagnosed and Treated Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States. Through our Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, colorectal cancer patients have access to a multidisciplinary team of experts focused on the causes and treatment of colon cancer. In addition to the University of Chicago Medicine’s
Translational Lab Research
outstanding care for colorectal cancer patients, our
In addition to clinical research surrounding CRC, the
team is at the forefront of research into this difficult and common form of cancer.
Digestive Diseases Center is also at the forefront of translational lab research to test the colon’s response
Clinical Research on Lynch Syndrome
to different protective and risk factors.
Among U.S. populations, African Americans have the
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine
highest CRC incidence and mortality. In order to better
have grown organoids from biopsy samples. These
understand why that is and what can be done to
organoids are then introduced to various factors that
intervene, the University of Chicago Medicine
affect the colon.
conducted a clinical study looking at the mutation
By studying how individuals respond to genetic
spectrum and risk of CRC in African American families
and environmental factors, our team can better
with Lynch Syndrome, an inherited cancer syndrome
understand how CRC develops and gain insight into
that increases a patient’s risk for CRC and other cancers.
prevention possibilities for patients—including those
The research, spearheaded by Sonia S. Kupfer, MD,
with genetic and racial risk factors
director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and
Making Colonoscopies a Thing of the Past
Prevention Clinic, found that the cumulative risk for CRC in individuals with Lynch Syndrome is similar, despite race and ethnicity, however minority patients, including African Americans, were significantly less likely to be referred for genetic evaluation. This has created a discrepancy in diagnosis and understanding of family history, which could be
Beyond research into the causes and ways to prevent CRC, the experts at the Digestive Diseases Center are also in the process of developing a groundbreaking new technique for colon cancer screening. Currently, patients over the age of 50 are screened for CRC through an uncomfortable, invasive and expensive
linked to the higher rate of CRC.
procedure: the colonoscopy.
As a result of this research, the University of
Experimental research conducted by Marc Bissonnette,
Chicago Medicine initiated an important discussion about how to increase identification of Lynch
MD, and invented by Chuan He, PhD found that 5hmC-based biomarkers of circulating cancer-free DNA
Syndrome and achieve universal screening among
were highly predictive of colorectal and gastric cancers.
all CRC patients.
This circulating DNA is extracted through a simple blood test, creating an equally effective, minimally invasive and more economical screening that could increase compliance rates among patients in the future.
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER RISK AND PREVENTION CLINIC
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD
The Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic offers personalized and precision medicine for patients who are at increased risk for gastrointestinal malignancies. As gastroenterologists, genetic counselors, oncologists and surgeons,
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
we work together in a multidisciplinary collaborative team to provide leading-edge cancer risk assessments, genetic testing, management of hereditary syndromes, and cancer prevention strategies, such as control of inflammation in colitis.
Physicians Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
David T. Rubin, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Co-Director, Comprehensive Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics
Carol Semrad, MD Director, Small Bowel Disease and Nutrition Program Director of Adult Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center
Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Professor of Medicine Uzma Siddiqui, MD Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery Professor of Surgery Blase Polite, MD Associate Professor of Medicine
Blase Polite, MD
Professor of Medicine
Kevin Roggin, MD, FACS Professor of Surgery
Affiliated Faculty Olofunmilayo Olopade, MD Director, Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics
David T. Rubin, MD
General Cancer Risk Program Director, HONC
Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics
Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Services GI cancer risk assessment and genetic testing
Pancreatic cancer screening for high-risk patients
Cancer prevention counseling
Gastrointestinal surgical procedures
Colorectal cancer screening and surveillance
Colitis prevention
Hereditary gastric cancer risk assessment and management
Contact
Uzma Siddiqui, MD
To make an appointment, call: 1 (773) 702-6140
Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
To learn more about the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention clinic, please visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI-cancer-risk
Number of patients seen in last 12 months More than
250
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
33
BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
Eugene B. Chang, MD (left) and A. Murat Eren, PhD
At the heart of the Digestive Diseases Center lies basic and translational research, the latter defined as the application of basic knowledge to clinical practice. In this regard, our program is uniquely and intimately connected with the clinicians and clinical research programs at the University of Chicago Medicine. Within the Digestive Diseases Research Core Center (DDRCC), we focus on providing the best possible patient care by building a better understanding of gastrointestinal diseases in order to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Our research programs are supported by investigator-initiated grants of nearly $10 million per year from the NIH, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation of Chicago, Broad Medication Research Program, and other sources of extramural and philanthropic funds. The DDRCC promotes collaborative, multidisciplinary development of research and technology, and is one of only 17 such centers in the U.S. Our support of GI research has led to the discovery of the first IBD gene (NOD2), new understanding of the causes and management of celiac disease, insights into the role of gut microbes in complex immune disorders, and elucidation of the genetic and dietary mechanisms causing colon cancer. 34
We are internationally renowned for our work on the gut microbiome, mucosal immunology, host-microbe interactions and cancer. Strong interactions and collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory and the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole (both affiliate research institutions of the University of Chicago) complement and extend our reach, as does our participation in SHARE, a consortium of seven research institutions whose pooled patient databases and other resources permit studies that otherwise could not be conducted by a single institution.
Eugene B. Chang, MD Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Physicians Eugene B. Chang, MD Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Director, Host-Microbe Core
Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Associate Chief, Research
Professor of Surgery
Director, Microbiome Medicine Program
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Co-director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Martin Boyer Professor of Medicine John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Associate Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Director, Integrated Translational Research Core Vice Chair, Research, Department of Medicine
Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Director, Research for Celiac Disease Center
Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Surgery
Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine and Pathology and Pediatrics
Dionysios Antonopoulos, PhD Joint appointment with Argonne National Laboratory Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD Co-Director, Comprehensive Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic
Assistant Professor of Medicine Daniel. V.T. Catenacci, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology Assistant Director, Translational Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center Associate Professor of Medicine B. Marc Bissonnette, MD Assistant Director, Translational Research Associate Professor of Medicine Alexander Chervonsky, MD, PhD Chair, Committee on Immunology, Department of Pathology Professor of Pathology Yan Chun Li, MD Associate Professor of Medicine Erika Claud, MD Professor of Pediatrics Sushila Dalal, MD Director, Program for Fertility, Pregnancy and Sexual Function in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Assistant Professor of Medicine A. Murat Eren, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Co-director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics Co-Director Physician-Scientist Development Program
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Associate Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Vanessa Leone, PhD Instructor Folker Meyer, PhD Computational Biologist, Argonne National Laboratory Professor of Medicine Cathy Nagler, MD Bunning Food Allergy Professor of Pathology and Medicine Joel Pekow, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
B. Marc Bissonnette, MD Assistant Director, Translational Research
Mitchell L. Sogin, PhD Marine Biological Laboratory Senior Scientist Christopher Weber, MD, PHD Assistant Professor of Pathology Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chief Quality Officer, Department of Surgery Professor of Surgery Yalini Vigneswaran, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
A. Murat Eren, PhD
Research Associates George Gulotta Database Manager
Kristi Kearney, RN Clinical Project Director, SHARE Research Program and Genesys Translational Research Core
Contact To learn more about the University of Chicago Digestive Diseases Research Core Center,
Kristi Kearney, RN
please visit: uchicagoddrcc.org For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
35
Microbiome Breakthroughs at the Digestive Diseases Center Our research and clinical teams are spearheading breakthrough work in the burgeoning field of the microbiome—the unique collection of microbes that live in each person’s gut. Our pioneering team, in collaboration with The Microbiome Center and Microbiome Medicine Program, is exploring the role the microbiome plays in patient illness, healing and recovery. Discoveries around the many ways the microbiome is associated with various health and disease states have the potential to have a sweeping impact across all areas of medicine.
36
We are approaching a new era of discovery that will lead to microbiome-based interventions and diagnostics that will become the future tools of precision medicine—and ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes and the prevention
”
and cure of many diseases.
Eugene B. Chang, MD, Director, Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
Microbiome to Medicine
best to treat—and prevent—them. Understanding
The Microbiome Medicine Program (MMP), co-directed the microbiome’s role in surgical infections has the by Eugene B. Chang, MD, and Marisa Alegre, MD, PhD, potential to revolutionize patient care, changing furthers the study of the microbiome in the context
the way clinical teams operate on patients, as
of human health. The program is examining changes
well as the ways they diagnose patients, prepare
metabolic systems, and in the development of acute
In recognition of the significance of this research,
and chronic diseases.
Alverdy received the 2018 American Surgical
in the collective human microbiome and the vital role them for surgery, and feed and rehabilitate them that gut microbiota play in shaping our immune and postoperatively.
For example, Chang’s work has highlighted the effects Association’s Flance-Karl Award, one of the world’s that high-fat, Western diets have on the gut microbiome. most prestigious recognitions of scientific achievement. In 2018, he published a study showing how such foods He also was invited to share his insights on microbiome can encourage the growth of gut microbes that aid in medicine by delivering the I.S. Ravdin Lecture in the the digestion and absorption of fats. This in turn can
Basic and Surgical Sciences at the American College
lead to obesity and increased risk for heart disease.
of Surgeons Clinical Congress in 2017.
Chang’s lab has also focused on the impact of the
Leveraging International Partnerships
microbiome on the development of inflammatory
Because of our unparalleled expertise in microbiome
bowel disease (IBD). In 2017, his lab published a study related research, the University of Chicago Medicine showing links between the use of antibiotics late in
was recently selected in a very competitive
pregnancy and increased risk for IBD in offspring. He international grant process to partner with the Hong is also currently collaborating with David T. Rubin, MD, Kong government and with the Chinese University and Mitchell Sogin, PhD, a microbiologist from the
of Hong Kong on a multiyear collaboration to study
UChicago-affiliated Marine Biological Laboratory, on
100,000 moms and their newborns to evaluate
a project to understand how the microbiome affects
the effect of microbiomes on the development of
certain forms of ulcerative colitis.
digestive diseases.
Leveraging the Microbiome to Reduce Surgical Infections
Additionally, research led by Cathryn R. Nagler, PhD,
John Alverdy, MD, and Benjamin Shogan, MD, have led groundbreaking research around the influence of intestinal microbes on pre- and post-operative treatments. Together, Alverdy and Shogan identified the invasive bacteria that leads to surgical anastomotic leakage and failure—potentially deadly complications of
in partnership with researchers at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, are exploring the origins of food allergies. The research has found significant differences in the gut microbiomes of healthy infants and those with cow’s milk allergy and demonstrated the critical role of the gut microbiota in the development of food allergy.
colorectal surgery. They found that virulent microbes This research could be used to identify specific bacterial can be the root cause of these complications, thereby species that protect against allergic responses to offering new insight into the mechanisms by which patients develop infections after surgery and how For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
food, helping to develop treatments for the millions of people worldwide with food allergies.
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
37
CENTER FOR GASTROINTESTINAL ONCOLOGY
Danial Catenacci, MD, PhD, (lef), and Kristine Bautista, RN
The Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology brings together experts from two of our nationally recognized programs: cancer and gastroenterology. Both programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation and include physicians who are internationally recognized for their expertise. Our approach to diagnosis and treatment is multidisciplinary and consensus-based, so that patients —including those with rare or complex diseases—benefit from collaborative problem solving among specialists in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, general surgery and gastroenterology. Whenever possible, we offer minimally invasive, including robotic, procedures for GI tumor biopsy and resection. Our team includes internationally renowned GI specialists and physicians who are pioneers in the use and development of endoscopy—including the use of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE). Our patients receive access to revolutionary clinical trials, offering the next generation of treatment to those with gastrointestinal cancer. Through innovative surgical and radiation techniques, investigational and established medicines, and novel molecular targeted therapies, our physicians offer patients the highest chances of success against a wide variety of cancers. Our center also ranks at the top nationally in multi-organ transplant procedures. In terms of both volume and experience, we have performed the greatest number of combined liver, heart and kidney transplants, and are fourth in combined liver and heart transplants in the country.
Leadership Medical Oncology
Interventional Gastroenterology
Daniel V.T. Catenacci, MD Associate Professor of Medicine
Irving Waxman, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Program Director, Interdisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Assistant Director Translational Research
Surgical Oncology Mitchell C. Posner, MD, FACS Chief, Surgical Oncology Chief, General Surgery Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Programs Physician-in-Chief, Comprehensive Cancer Center Thomas D. Jones Professor of Surgery
38
Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Radiation Oncology Stanley Liauw, MD Associate Professor of Radiation and Cellular Oncology
Principal Physicians Kevin Roggin, MD, FACS Professor of Surgery
Colon and Rectal Surgery Neil H. Hyman, MD Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Gastroenterology
Roger D. Hurst, MD Professor of Surgery
Karen E. Kim, MD Professor of Medicine
Benjamin Shogan, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
Interventional Gastroenterology
Daniel Catenacci, MD, PhD
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD, FACS Associate Professor of Surgery
Uzma Siddiqui, MD
Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Associate Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Assistant Director, Translational Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Medical Oncology
Professor of Medicine
Hedy Kindler, MD Professor of Medicine
Christopher Chapman, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
Blase Polite, MD Associate Professor of Medicine
Complex Foregut/Bariatrics John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson
Anu Neerukonda, MD Clinical Associate of Medicine
Professor of Surgery
Chih-Yi ‘Andy’ Liao Assistant Professor of Medicine
Mustafa Hussain, MD Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery
Mitchell C. Posner, MD, FACS
Surgical Oncology
Associate Professor
Chief, Surgical Oncology
Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD, FACS Chair, Department of Surgery
Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chief Quality Officer, Department of Surgery
Chief, General Surgery
Dallas B. Phemister Professor of Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Oliver Eng, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
Yalini Vigneswaran, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Programs Physician-in-Chief, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Xavier M. Keutgen, MD, FACS Assistant Professor of Surgery
Advanced Practice Nurses/Physician Assistants Medical Oncology
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Christine Racette, APN Kenisha Allen, APN
Noelle Kakuk, APN Michele Rubin, APN Meredith Stidham, APN
Angela Willis, APN
Surgical Oncology Emily Fenton, PA Barbara Gordon, MSN, APN Alaine Kamm, RN, APN
Ostomy
Irving Waxman, MD Director, Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
Jan Colwell, APN Michele Kaplon-Jones, APN
Services Minimally invasive esophagectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, hepatic resection, and colorectal resection Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy for pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and esophageal cancers
Segmental colectomy Total abdominal colectomy Total proctocolectomy Stoma creation
Laser confocal microscopy, using advanced technology that allows physicians to view live images of internal human tissues at the cellular level so they can identify and remove cancerous tissue sooner
Dedicated wound and ostomy care
Gene therapy for upper GI cancers
Beger procedure
Combined chemoradiation therapies
Frey procedure
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which targets tumors better than conventional radiation
Bern modification
Staging laparoscopy Transanal endoscopic microsurgery Duodenum-sparing pancreatic head resection
Spleen-preserving pancreatic tail resection
Organ preservation for patients with rectal cancer Small bowel resection
Stanley Liauw, MD
Endoscopic placement of pancreatic stents Pancreatic duodenectomy (Whipple procedure) Robotic surgery
Contact To learn more about the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, please visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI-cancer For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Leading-Edge Approach to Gastrointestinal Cancer Gives Patients New Hope At the University of Chicago Medicine Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, we understand that cancer is an incredibly difficult diagnosis for a patient and their family. This is why we place such an emphasis on being at the forefront of cancer treatments and surgeries. Our team is highly experienced in diagnosing specific gastrointestinal cancer, which helps us tailor treatment for each individual patient.
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Neuroendocrine Tumors
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) form in neuroendocrine Chemotherapy (HIPEC) cells, which are found throughout the body, particularly Hyperthermic (or Heated) Intraperitoneal in the small bowel, pancreas, stomach, adrenal glands, Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a surgical procedure that lungs, and thyroid. NETs are some of the most complicated tumors to treat because they do not cause symptoms early on and are consequently found at a more advanced stage.
gives new hope to patients with abdominal cancers. Only available at select centers, this state-of-theart procedure is performed immediately after a viable tumor is removed by circulating a 108-degree
In these later stages, NETs require more specialized
chemotherapy bath inside the peritoneal cavity
and advanced therapy. Our multidisciplinary and
to directly target residual cancerous cells in the
dedicated team, led by Xavier M. Keutgen, MD, has
abdomen. Our premier HIPEC team, led by Kiran
made the University of Chicago Medicine
Turaga, MD, MPH, includes nationally known HIPEC
neuroendocrine tumor program a destination center
surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists,
for patients. We offer leading diagnosis and therapy
radiologists, pathologists, nurses and cancer scientists.
options for patients, including:
Patients who undergo HIPEC at the University
• Advanced techniques for surgical removal of NETs,
of Chicago Medicine, one of a few institutions to
including minimally invasive and robotic procedures.
offer this treatment to adult and pediatric patients,
• Leading-edge technologies like precision-enhancing
benefit from fewer side effects than traditional
navigation-controlled ablation of liver tumors and
chemotherapy. HIPEC provides a deeper penetration
Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), a
of the medicine which allows doctors to treat
systemic, targeted approach that delivers radiation to incurable cancers more like a chronic disease and can often lead to a long-term cure for abdominal cancers. NET cells without damaging other organs. • The only medical cyclotron in the region for creating and using novel PET radiotracers for detecting NETs. • The only Von Hippel-Lindau Alliance-certified clinical care center in the state treating patients with NETs linked to hereditary conditions.
Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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CENTER FOR THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OBESITY 42
Mustafa Hussain, MD
Obesity is a multifaceted disease with many causes and treatments. Our program provides individualized, patient-centric, compassionate and multidisciplinary care to patients with severe obesity to achieve the best health outcomes possible. We make our recommendations based on the individual circumstances of our patients, so that they may be successful in attaining their desired or needed health goals. Our physicians work side-by-side with our dietitians and psychologists in the clinic—both preand post-operatively—and are committed to lifelong follow up with our patients. We are the only center in the region that individualizes recommendations and performs all four surgical options for the treatment of obesity. Our expertise in the treatment of super obesity (BMI >50) has garnered numerous invitations to present and demonstrate our approach and outcomes at local, regional, national and international conferences. We are the regionally recognized referral center for complications and other suboptimal outcomes following procedures performed at other institutions, and we routinely serve as educational hosts for visiting surgeons, dietitians and program managers as they initiate the incorporation of more advanced procedures and techniques into their practices.
Physicians John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition
Professor of Surgery
Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chief Quality Officer, Department of Surgery
Mustafa Hussain, MD Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery Associate Professor
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Professor of Surgery Yalini Vigneswaran, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Advanced Practice Nurses/Physician Assistants Caridad Macrae Bariatric Program Intake Coordinator
Alisha Wilson, BSN, RN Nurse Clinician
Augustine Owens Bariatric Program Intake Coordinator
Krystal Agnew, RN Nurse Clinician
Angela Willis, APN Bariatric Program Manager Mustafa Hussain, MD
Dietitians
Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery
Jackie Ferretti, RD Jessica Schultz, RD
Psychologists Jennifer Wildes, PhD
Services Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition
Laparoscopic duodenal switch Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding Revision of previous bariatric surgery Comprehensive management of complications of bariatric surgery
Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS Chief Quality Officer, Department of Surgery
John C. Alverdy, MD, FACS For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Christopher Chapman, MD
CENTER FOR ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF OBESITY
At the Center for Endoscopic Treatment of Obesity, we partner with patients who are struggling with weight and provide them with a nonsurgical option that uses endoscopic therapies as a powerful tool to facilitate or enhance weight loss. Though it is not a cure for obesity, when used properly, endoscopy can provide an effective way to achieve sustained weight loss, with patients averaging between 8 percent to nearly 20 percent of their total body weight.
Christopher Chapman, MD Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy
As the only program in Chicago currently offering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, we provide patients with the latest treatments for nonsurgical weight loss. In addition to performing a wide variety of procedures to best
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition
meet our patients’ needs, we also offer patients access to clinical trials, enabling them to benefit from novel treatment solutions not yet widely available on the market.
Physicians Christopher Chapman, MD Director, Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy
Silvana Pannain, MD Director, Chicago Weight Program
Silvana Pannain, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Director, Chicago Weight Program
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD Associate Director, Adult Clinical Nutrition Assistant Professor of Medicine
Advanced Practice Nurses/Physician Assistants Sarah Kosinski, DNP, FNP-BC Bariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy Nurse Practitioner
Rania Salah, CMA Intake Coordinator
Dietitians Lori Welstead, MS, RDN
Courtney Schuchmann, MS, RD, LDN
Psychologists Jennifer Wildes, PhD
Hana Zickgraf, PhD
Shannon O’Connor, PhD, MS, MA
Christine Daemicke, LCSW
Services Intragastric balloon Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty Aspiration therapy with AspireAssist Secondary therapies for weight gain after bariatric surgery
Contact To learn more about the Center for Endoscopic Treatment of Obesity, please visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/nonsurgical-weight-loss To schedule an admission, make a referral or request a consultation, please call UCM Physician Connect at: 1 (800) 824-2282 For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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CLINICAL RESEARCH
Kristi Kearney, RN
At the Digestive Diseases Center, clinicians, patients and researchers participate in, and benefit from, a rigorous, research-based approach to patient care. Year after year, we conduct or participate in more clinical trials than any other hospital in Illinois, offering patients, and the physicians who refer them, access to the most promising treatments and new standards of care. New ideas and new information shape our daily practice of medicine. They deepen our understanding of health and disease and amplify our ability to develop better treatments for all medical conditions, from the simplest to the most complex. 46
The Digestive Diseases Center at the University of Chicago Medicine is a collaborative, multidisciplinary network of physicians, researchers and allied health professionals who share a legacy of innovation and a common purpose: to improve the lives of patients who suffer from digestive diseases.
Within the Digestive Diseases Center, a database of material pertaining to more than 5,000 patients, is the vital infrastructure for clinical trials of conventional and novel medical therapies intended to diagnose and treat a wide range of digestive diseases. In hepatology, we are currently conducting research in the areas of liver transplantation, viral hepatitis and other inflammatory liver disorders. Our research in nutrition is studying
Atsushi Sakuraba, MD, PhD
the impact of lactose intolerance in minority health outcomes, as well as
Director, Clinical Trials
obesity and celiac disease. Other studies are examining the optimization of colorectal cancer screening for average and high-risk patients, the effects of genetic counseling, and the possibilities of chemoprevention. We are currently leading more than 200 research studies on human subjects with digestive diseases. This includes more than 20 IBD-related clinical trials, such as an NIH-supported human microbiome study that seeks to understand the role of intestinal
Kristi Kearney, RN Clinical Trials Manager
microbes in the development of IBD. Whether working independently or as part of multicenter research teams, we are asking—and answering—the questions that will lead to more effective treatments, better practice and better patient outcomes for healthcare professionals across the country and around the world.
Daniel Catenacci, MD, PhD Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Researchers Atsuhi Sakuraba, MD, PhD Director, Clinical Trials
Daniel V.T. Catenacci, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Director, Translational Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Kristi Kearney, RN Clinical Trials Manager for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Nutrition and Translational Research
Associate Professor of Medicine
Research Nurse
Clinical Trials in Digestive Diseases Novel therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Disparities in digestive diseases delivery of care Phase 3 clinical trials for Hepatitis C
Medical therapies for celiac disease Interventional trials related to advanced endoscopy The utility of chromoendoscopy in ulcerative colitis surveillance
Assessment of robotic and minimally invasive surgical outcomes Anastomotic leak prevention Innovative treatment trials in esophageal, hepatic, pancreatic, gastric and colorectal cancer
The role of the microbiome in IBD pathogenesis
Clinical Trials in Gastrointestinal Oncology Novel personalized and precision medicine therapies for gastrointestinal oncology including colorectal, gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct/gallbladder, small bowel, neuroendocrine and anal cancers
Investigational phase III, II, and I studies for various perioperative and advanced settings and evaluating novel targeted therapies, immunotherapies and vaccines, and chemotherapeutic strategies to improve the outcomes of our patients
Contact To learn more about our clinical trials, call: 1 (773) 702-5382
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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Digestive Diseases Center
L EG ACY
The primary research and treatment facilities of the Digestive Diseases Center at the University of Chicago Medicine are in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, six miles south of the downtown business district. We also see patients in several other locations in Chicago, its suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Please visit UChicagoMedicine.org/GI-locations for specific location information. It is our policy to see doctor-referred patients as soon as possible, within seven days for cancer diagnoses, and within 14 days for all other digestive diseases. Contact us GI Physician Connect 1 (844) UC GI DOC 1 (844) 824-4362 Referrals and consultations UCM Transfer Connect 1 (855) 834-4782 Urgent patient transfers
Joseph B. Kirsner, MD