As the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, we care for common to complex digestive disorders through a variety of subspecialty clinical programs.
The digestive system is crucial for overall health and well-being. Our Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition team diagnose and treat diseases that affect parts of the digestive tract.
These specialists play a vital role in:
With more than 74 health care providers, the division is growing to support our patients with their digestive health.
Our team of experts can help you with:
We treat a variety of digestive, liver, and pancreatic disorders including gastric reflux, diarrhea, constipation, Crohn’s disease, cancers of the digestive system, GERD, gastroparesis, and IBS. Through comprehensive and compassionate care, our expert team gives you access to:
Your digestive health affects your overall health and well-being. We see you and your needs. Your team within AHN’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition will review your individual needs to provide a thorough treatment plan that addresses your specific digestive health issues.
Diagnosing digestive disorders starts with a physical examination and reviewing your medical history. To get a full picture of your health, we’ll order blood tests and imaging studies including ultrasounds and CT scans, and endoscopic procedures, possibly including a biopsy. Since your digestive health is unique to you, options for treatment vary depending on your needs. Those may include: medications, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and/or endoscopic procedures.
Hepatology is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on the liver. AHN hepatologists work closely with patients to monitor their liver function, manage symptoms, and prevent complications. They also play a crucial role in identifying patients who may be candidates for liver transplantation.
A liver transplant is a complex surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased liver with a healthy one from a deceased donor. It is a life-saving option for patients with end-stage liver failure, a condition where the liver can no longer perform its essential functions. AHN liver surgeons are at the forefront for using innovative treatments and approaches when it comes to liver transplants. From 2023, AHN liver transplant surgeons performed more than 60 successful liver transplants; that is the highest number performed since the area was created.
Your care team within the AHN hepatology and liver transplants is here to help you through this with education, understanding, and expertise.
When you have a gastrointestinal or digestive disorder, the right nutritional support and planning can help in your treatment plan and make it easier for you to enjoy foods safely and comfortably. AHN offers our nutritional services for gastrointestinal disorders. These services are specialized and tailored to your specific needs.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. When those with Celiac disease consume gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the small intestine. This causes damage, hinders nutrient absorption, and causes a wide range of health symptoms. AHN offers comprehensive care for Celiac disease that can help those with it live full and comfortable lives.
Those who experience functional and motility disorders understand the discomfort and disruption that can occur from diseases and conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, and chronic constipation. AHN is here to help you find relief from functional and motility disorders.
Treatment for pancreas and biliary diseases, including conditions like gallstones, pancreatitis, jaundice, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic cysts, varies widely depending on the specific condition and its severity. Your treatment may involve medication, minimally invasive procedures, surgery, or a combination of approaches, with the goal of managing symptoms, preventing complications, and improving quality of life. AHN’s team of doctors and specialists can provide guidance and care for your pancreatic and biliary disease.
If you are facing a digestive system cancer diagnosis, AHN’s team of gastroenterologists, oncologists, and specialists are ready to find the right treatment plan for you. Depending on your cancer type, your care may include an array of treatment options.
Cancers in the digestive tract include:
A colonoscopy is a crucial in preventing and detecting colon cancer. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 45 or those who have a family history of colon cancer have regular colonoscopies.
A colonoscopy can detect colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps early, significantly improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. Removing precancerous polyps prevents cancer from developing in the first place.
A colonoscopy can also diagnose other conditions affecting the colon, providing valuable information for maintaining overall health. Regular colonoscopy screening, recommended every 10 years for individuals over 45, provides peace of mind and helps ensure early detection and treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions. AHN has colon cancer screening locations throughout the service area so you can find one that works for you.
Using the latest and most minimally invasive technology, AHN endoscopic procedures can help treat an array of conditions. Endoscopic procedures allow a doctor to view and treat conditions inside the body without the need for large incisions. This means you are able to recover faster. Learn more about endoscopic procedures at AHN.
Advanced therapeutic endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope to diagnose and treat conditions in the digestive tract. The endoscope allows doctors to visualize the inside of the digestive system, take biopsies, remove polyps, stop bleeding, and perform other procedures. This approach offers a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery, leading to faster recovery times and fewer complications. Get more information on AHN therapeutic endoscopy for digestive disorders.
Fecal microbial transplant (FMT) is a procedure where healthy gut bacteria from a donor's stool is transferred into the recipient's gut. This is done to restore a healthy balance of bacteria in the recipient's gut, which can be disrupted by various factors like antibiotic use, infections, or certain diseases. The donor's stool is carefully screened and processed to remove harmful pathogens, then administered to the recipient through a colonoscopy, enema, or capsule. FMT is primarily used to treat recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff), but it's also being explored for other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBS. Learn more about fecal microbial transplants at AHN.
An upper endoscopy (EGD) is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted down your throat and into your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine. This allows a doctor to see the lining of these organs and look for any abnormalities, such as ulcers, inflammation, or growths. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Learn more about upper endoscopy and EGD at AHN.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the rectum and used to examine the lower part of the colon, called the sigmoid colon. This allows a doctor to look for any abnormalities, such as polyps, inflammation, or cancer. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Find out more about flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Similar to other endoscopic procedures, the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP) is a scope that is inserted in the mouth to view internal organs. The ECRP, specifically, is used to look at the digestive system, bile ducts and pancreas and identify any abnormalities. During the procedure, your doctor can perform biopsies, remove stones, or place stents to widen narrow ducts. Learn more about this minimally invasive procedure at AHN.
An endoscopic ultrasound is a procedure that combines an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera, and ultrasound technology to create detailed images of the digestive tract and surrounding organs. This allows doctors to diagnose and stage various conditions, including digestive cancers, as well as inflammatory conditions like pancreatitis and Crohn's disease, and infections. The ultrasound can also be used to identify and evaluate the cause of abdominal pain, assess the extent of tumor spread, and guide biopsies to confirm diagnoses. Often, an endoscopic ultrasound can also be used to take tissue samples for biopsy and drain fluid that collects in the pancreas. Most endoscopic ultrasounds at AHN are performed as outpatient procedures, helping you to recover more quickly in the comfort of your own home.
A capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that uses a tiny, swallowable camera to capture images of the small intestine. The small intestine isn’t easily reached with other endoscopic procedures. The capsule, about the size of a large vitamin pill, contains a camera, a light source, and a battery. After swallowing the capsule, it travels through the digestive tract, taking pictures as it goes. The images are transmitted wirelessly to a recording device worn by the patient. A capsule endoscopy can identify bleeding in the small intestine, diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, diagnose cancer and celiac disease, screen for polyps, and provide a detailed look at the esohpagus. Capsule endoscopies at AHN are minimally invasive and provide real-time monitoring from your doctor.
Gastroparesis is a condition that slows the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to food sitting in the stomach for too long. While there isn’t a cure for gastroparesis, gastroparesis treatment at AHN uses the latest and most minimally invasive treatment options including Gastrointestinal Peroral Endscopic Myotomy (G-POEM). G-POEM uses an endoscope to help alleviate and relieve symptoms of gastroparesis.
Our Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition physicians are nationally recognized for their work. This means you'll be cared for by physicians who are known for their expertise and specialize in your specific health concern.
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Quality Officer
Fellowship Program Director
Medical Director, AHN Celiac Center
Director of Research
Medical Director, Center for IBD
Medical Director, Liver Transplant and Hepatology Program
Medical Director, Nutrition Program
Associate Program Director, GI Fellowship
Program Director Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship Program
If you need digestive system care, we are here to help.
Patients can call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 during weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM to schedule appointments.
There are two ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN specialist and request their first appointment. You can:
For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.
After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist, view your patient's test results, treatment plan, and progress.
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If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, read: EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up, for user instructions and new account request forms.
If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:
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EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
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