Division of Gastroenterology

Division Head: Kimberly A. Brown, M.D..

The Division of Gastroenterology offers expertise in digestive disorders and liver disease including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, ERCP, EUS, enteral stenting, large polyp removal of the colon/small intestine, disorders of the esophagus, peptic disease, gastrointestinal malignancies, pancreatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, disorders of the colon, gastrointestinal motility disorders, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, immune disease of the liver, metabolic liver disease, and liver transplantation.

Clinical highlights

Our clinical staff provides a team-based approach for evaluation and management of complex disease. The Division has been recognized in the U.S. News and World Report on best hospitals. Several staff members have been recognized both locally and nationally in Hour Detroit Top Docs, America’s Top Docs, as well as Best Docs in America. In 2012 our Division was recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for quality in endoscopy. Our multidisciplinary IBD Center was the first of its kind in Michigan and our Liver Disease Center is among the largest, providing a comprehensive treatment approach from medical management of liver disease to advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques and liver transplantation. Henry Ford Hospital is the largest liver transplant center in the state of Michigan and the only center providing adult to adult liver transplantation and multivisceral and intestinal transplantation.

Research

We aggressively pursue research to continually offer clinical trial therapies and advanced treatment options. Our large research team includes 14 RN and clinical research coordinators to manage multiple ongoing trials in gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, liver disease, liver transplantation, and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. The hepatology research section has focused on the treatment of viral hepatitis, primary liver cancer, fatty liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome. Gastroenterology investigators continue to research therapies for the treatment of IBD, clostridium infection, gastroparesis, and other conditions. Ongoing trials in advanced therapeutic endoscopy involve improvement in therapeutics and development of new techniques and devices for use in management of hepatobiliary diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. Collaboration with the Henry Ford Innovation Institute is encouraged and supported.

Education

The Division of Gastroenterology offers 5 positions annually for our 3-year fellowship program. Our fellows utilize the latest technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In addition, we admit one advanced therapeutic fellow yearly. Fellows are exposed to a broad range of gastrointestinal and liver disorders. With over 22 teaching faculty supporting the education of fellows, residents and students, our fellows enjoy significant support in their educational efforts. Fellows are mentored in research and endoscopy including advanced therapeutics, and rotate through our dedicated multi-disciplinary IBD clinic. The fellowship has a 100% first time board pass rate. In addition, fellows from around the state of Michigan rotate on the liver service to fulfill their hepatology requirements. As such, in addition to the Henry Ford Hospital fellows, over 100 external fellows have been trained in hepatology.

We also offer a 4th year advanced endoscopy fellowship offering training in all aspects of therapeutic endoscopy.