Department of Medicine

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Chief's Message

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Welcome to the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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We thank you for your interest in our section and our clinical, scientific and educational missions.

We specialize in the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract and liver diseases and combine compassion and science with the most advanced tests and procedures. Our mission is to provide outstanding care to patients and their families, using state-of-the-art services to enhance their digestive and liver health. We also train and educate the next generation of gastroenterologists and hepatologists who will assume leadership roles as clinician scientists, clinicians and educators within and outside the United States.

Our section includes:

  • Outstanding, nationally and internationally recognized faculty members
  • A comprehensive, highly sought-after fellowship training program that offers a clinical and a NIH T-32-funded research training tracks. Ours is the only adult GI research-training program that is supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant in Texas as well as neighboring states.  
  • Diverse clinical practice in several medical facilities, including McNair Hospital, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Harris Health System, and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. In 2020, our affiliate Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center ranked 21 in the nation for Gastroenterology. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center GI section is one the largest GI sections among all Veterans Affairs hospitals nationwide. Ben Taub GI Service continues to provide the highest quality care to patients in Harris County, including cutting-edge advanced endoscopic procedures and multidisciplinary treatment of complex GI disorders. Our Advanced Endoscopy and Liver Transplant Programs are among the nation's best.

The Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology had another prosperous year. The section has expanded and now employs 185 people in total, including 70 faculty, 85 staff members, 9 postdoctoral associates, and 19 clinical postdocs. According to the U.S. News & World Report's Best Universities for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is ranked #22 overall in 2022 

This honor is a testament to the caliber of the intellectual work and study that our section members have produced. In the last two years, the research funding increased from $10.1 million and $7.6 million. Additionally, the section secured over $16 million in research funding. Respectively, there were 216 articles published in professional journals. The faculty continue to be pioneers in the study of liver and gastrointestinal diseases.

We successfully hosted two courses to show our continued commitment to our education purpose. The Houston Marriott hosted the 21st Annual GI and Liver Course of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Society in March 2022. This was the first year for the course to be hosted externally, away from a BCM facility. There was over 220 attendees and 20 exhibitors that made the event a success. Our 22nd Annual GI and Liver Course, which will address Innovations in Clinical Care, will take place at The Westin Houston Medical Center on March 25th-26th,2023.

We continue to introduce several innovations in our practices, including innovative advanced endoscopic procedures and multidisciplinary treatment of complex GI disorders. We play a vital role in training future clinicians and researchers.

I invite you to visit our 2022 Annual Report for more details about our section and us. 

 

Fasiha Kanwal, M.D., MSHS
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section