Clinical Operations

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh provides a full range of diagnostic procedures and treatments related to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. Procedures performed include endoscopy of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts; biopsy of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel and liver; polypectomy; sclerotherapy of varices; capsule endoscopy; tests of secretory function of the pancreas; pH probe testing for gastroesophageal reflux; and breath hydrogen testing.

For more information and to learn more about our specialty clinics in Hepatology, IBD, Motility, and Intestinal Care, please visit our website at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Hepatology and Liver Transplant Program

Directed by Dr. Patrick McKiernan, the program produces internationally recognized research and clinical studies in a wide array of childhood liver diseases.  Additionally, the Liver Transplant program treats a broad range of liver diseases with outcomes that are above national averages.  With the leadership of Dr. Jim Squires, the Hepatology Fellowship program trains a 4th year advanced fellow in Pediatric Hepatology and Liver transplant each year. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program

Directed by Dr. Sandy Kim and Dr. Leah Siebold as Associate Director, the program provides specialized care for children with IBD and conducts research into new treatments.  This past year, the program became a member of the international collaboration, the Improve Care Now (ICN) network, which establishes quality improvement indicators and benchmarks to rapidly advance patient care.  The IBD program at CHP is one of largest IBD centers in the nation and provides consultations to patients from throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Exocrine Pancreatic Center (EPC)

Directed by Dr. Kate Ellery, this is a comprehensive program that brings the latest treatments to children with disorders of the pancreas, including total pancreatectomy and islet cell autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis. 

Intestinal Care and Rehabiliation (ICare)

Under the direction of Dr. Jeff Rudolph, this is the only program of this type in western Pennsylvania and is one of the largest in the country.  The program provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to nutritional support, including parenteral and enteral feeding programs, for children with short bowel syndrome and other disorders resulting in intestinal failure, as well as those children who have had intestinal transplantation. 

Neurogastroenterology (Motility)

Under the direction of Dr. Vibha Sood, the Neurogastroenterology program, or Motility program, treats children with underlying intestinal motility dysfunction.  The program offers a wide variety of motility testing, including anorectal manometry, esophageal and antroduodenal motility, and colonic motility.

Feeding and Swallowing Clinic (FASC)

With the GI Medical leadership of Dr. Wendy Sevilla, this innovative and multidisciplinary program, combined with Rehabilitation Medicine and Newborn Medicine, cares for a large group of children with feeding and swallowing disorders.  

Gastrostomy Tube (GT) Clinic

Under the leadership of Dr. Maria Clavell this specialized clinic was developed to care for children with nutritional disorders requiring GT support (not already under GI care).  The program is a valuable resource for patients and their families.