Referring Providers
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Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Care, Education & Research
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is part of the Department of Medicine, offering world-class patient care, education and research programs.
Our doctors provide comprehensive treatment for all types of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. As one of the largest gastroenterology divisions in the country, we offer high-quality clinical care to thousands of people every year.
More About the Division
Care & Services
Digestive Disease Center Clinical Services
Prompt access combined with novel, specialized care distinguishes the Digestive Disease Center (DDC). Providers see patients with urgent needs on a same-day basis. Our center also has some of the shortest wait times in New England for screening colonoscopies, which are scheduled and completed within two weeks.
Our clinical service offerings include:
Patients are often able to see all necessary specialists in one visit for easy access and coordinated planning. The Digestive Disease Center facilitates:
- Confirmation of diagnosis and/or staging
- Quick access to the medical center’s tertiary resources
- Comprehensive care and/or second opinions
- Long-term patient management, as appropriate
- Entry into the most current clinical trials for advanced therapies
Forefront of Digestive Diseases Care
BIDMC is at the forefront of digestive disease care in New England with its attention to patient safety and quality, as well as our innovative, multidisciplinary approach.
Our patients benefit from close collaboration among renowned gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, pathologists, nurses and other GI specialists.
Our expertise is evident in the high volume care centers across DDC:
- BIDMC gastroenterologists perform more than 30,000 GI procedures annually, making it the highest volume center in New England.
- Tertiary specialists treat complicated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract with biological therapies and other medical breakthroughs.
Surgeons offer world-class expertise in rectal-sparing surgery, pouch operations, complex operations for Crohn's fistulas, stricturoplasties, laparoscopic colectomies and bowel resections.
Nutrition Services
BIDMC's Nutrition Services program offers nutrition counseling and consultation services. Our team includes registered and licensed dietitians to meet the needs of our patients.
Home Nutrition Support Program
The Home Nutrition Support Program is led by Nicholas Tawa, MD, PhD, from the Division of Surgical Oncology at BIDMC, alongside Susan McAreavey, RD, LDN, the program's Clinical Coordinator. Our team collaborates closely with home care providers to ensure safe and nutritionally sound intravenous nutrition support for patients.
We offer evaluations for new patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings, focusing on those needing parenteral (intravenous) feeding. While our primary emphasis is on parenteral nutrition, in certain cases, a combined approach using both parenteral and enteral (gut) feeding may be necessary for optimal care.
In addition to prescribing the Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) solution and metabolic management, our program also provides additional supervision of enrolled patients, with periodic outpatient visits to Dr. Tawa and telephone contact as needed. Our goal is to provide the TPN-dependent individual the most normal, unhindered, and healthy life possible.
Education & Training
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition provides a wide range of educational activities tailored for prospective students and academics. Our programs are designed to enhance understanding and foster expertise in gastrointestinal health and nutrition. Some of our programs include:
- Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship
- Celiac Disease Fellowship
- Colorectal Surgery Fellowship
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Fellowship
- Internal Medicine Residency Programs
- Nutrition & Dietetic Internship
We also have further opportunities in both surgical education and medicine medical education.
Research
The mission of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is to drive innovation and discovery in the field of gastrointestinal health through leading-edge research initiatives, including:
Celiac Disease Research
BIDMC clinicians are dedicated to advancing the scientific knowledge of celiac disease by conducting leading-edge research. The Celiac Disease Center is a world-renowned research site, investigating all aspects of the disease, including:
- Difficult-to-treat cases such as refractory celiac disease
- Metabolic issues
- Diagnostic testing
- Biomarkers, or signs of the disease
- New and non-dietary treatments
As a founding member of the HMS Celiac Research Program at Harvard Medical School, BIDMC staff share their expertise to advance research initiatives and education for people with celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.
Endoscopy Research
We are world leaders in advanced endoscopy research and innovation. Our team is investigating new technologies to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal cancers and pre-malignant conditions earlier and more effectively.
IBD Research
Our researchers have pioneered innovative treatment strategies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease that are now used around the world.
IBS, Bowel Function & Motility Research
The IBS & Motility Center is focused on advancing knowledge on the pathophysiology and treatment of functional gastrointestinal (FGID) and motility disorders. In addition to conducting research studies looking at the biological causes and psychosocial components of FGIDs and motility disorders, we are committed to investigating new potential treatments.
Besides participating in clinical trials for investigational new drugs, our Center is the leading center for complementary and alternative treatments for FGIDs.
