Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Procedures

• Colonoscopy • Endoscopy • Double balloon enteroscopy • Video capsule endoscopy • Ileoscopy • Sigmoidoscopy • Liver biopsy • Liver transplants • PH impedance

Gastroenterologists at the CCHA are dedicated to developing innovative solutions and familycentered approaches focused on the best outcomes for every child. Expertise is provided for conditions including complex liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic esophagitis and celiac disease.

Ritu Verma, MD

Professor of Pediatrics Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Co-Chief, Gastroenterology Service Line, CCHA Medical Director, Celiac Disease Center Vice Chair, Pediatric Ambulatory Strategy

Areas of Expertise

• Celiac disease • Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) • Eosinophilic esophagitis in children • Gluten-related disorders

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Chicago - South Loop • Oak Lawn

Ruba K. Azzam, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Hepatology Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program

Areas of Expertise

• Childhood obesity • Fatty liver disease • Pancreatic diseases • Hepatobiliary diseases • Liver transplant

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Orland Park • Oak Lawn

Marc Elias, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Areas of Expertise

• Celiac disease • Eosinophilic esophagitis • Failure to thrive • Nutrition education • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Naperville • Flossmoor • Tinley Park

DID YOU KNOW?

Our Pediatric Liver Transplant Program is one of the most innovative programs in the United States. Diagnoses that may signal the need for a liver transplant include: • Biliary disease • Fulminant hepatic failure • Metabolic liver diseases • Chronic hepatitis • Liver tumors • Crytogenic cirrhosis

Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition continued

Vicki Gainsberg, MSN, RD, LDN

Areas of Expertise

• Dietitian

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park

Mary Graham, RD, LDN, CSP

Areas of Expertise

• Dietitian

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park

Ranjana Gokhale, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program

Areas of Expertise

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) • Celiac disease • Growth problems • Nutrition education • Ulcerative colitis

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Naperville • Orland Park

DID YOU KNOW?

Our Celiac Disease Center was the first to create the Celiac Disease InTransit program, targeted to empower teens to manage their disease from a younger age and to provide them with the education, support and experience they need for a successful transition to young adulthood.

Hilary Jericho, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Clinical Research for the Celiac Disease Center

Areas of Expertise

• Video capsule endoscopy • Celiac disease • Small bowel disorders

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Merrillville

Macy Mears, MS, RDN, LDN

Areas of Expertise

• Dietitian • Nutrition support

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park

Tiffany Patton, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Areas of Expertise

• Food allergies • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) • Eosinophilic esophagitis in children • Pancreatic diseases • Constipation • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • Celiac disease

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Tinley Park • Merrillville, IN

DID YOU KNOW?

Comer Children’s is on top of the latest medical and surgical treatments for failure to thrive. Many of our physicians are also conducting research to uncover innovative approaches for treating diseases that contribute to failure to thrive.

Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition continued

Timothy A. S. Sentongo, MD

Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Nutrition Support Service Director, Pediatric Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Areas of Expertise

• Eosinophilic esophagitis in children • Pancreatic insufficiency • Growth and feeding problems • Malnutrition • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • Allergic intestinal disorders • Cystic fibrosis • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) • Short bowel syndrome

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park • Naperville

Anna Velazquez, MSN, RD, LDN

Areas of Expertise

• Dietitian • Celiac disease

Location(s)

Chicago - Hyde Park

DID YOU KNOW?

Research projects include a focus on safety and efficacy of new treatments for IBD, genetic research, ethics and feasibility of fecal microbiota transplantation, and the relationship between growth and inflammatory bowel disease. Research projects include a focus on: • Safety and efficacy of new treatments for IBD • Genetic research • Ethics and feasibility of fecal microbiota transplantation • The relationship between growth and inflammatory bowel disease