The Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease treats the full spectrum of digestive tract, liver, and pancreas disorders.
Our physicians are committed to integrating superior clinical medicine and the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools into everyday patient care.
Disorders and diseases that we help our patients manage Patients
benefit from the skill and experience of our board-certified gastroenterologists
and hepatologist who treat diseases and disorders including:
Esophagus disorders
• Swallowing disorders
• GERD
• Esophageal cancer
Stomach disorders
• Abdominal pain
• Gastritis
• GI bleed
• Ulcer disease
• H. pylori infection
• Gastric cancer
Small bowel disorders
• Celiac disease
• Malabsorption
Colon disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colonic polyps
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Diverticulosis
• GI bleed
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Colon cancer
Liver and biliary tree disorders
• Viral hepatitis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Gallstone disease
• Liver cancer
• Alcohol liver disease
Pancreas disorders
• Acute and chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer
Gastrointestinal disorders of the HIV patient
Hepatic disorders of the HIV patient
Nutritional disorders of the HIV patient
Gastrointestinal disorders of the Elderly
Gastrointestinal disorders of women and of pregnancy
Procedures we perform to maintain our patients' health
Our treatments for digestive tract, liver and pancreas disorders are highly
individualized. Physicians tailor each treatment to each patient depending
on the particular disease, and the type and severity of symptoms.
We offer a full range of diagnostic and interventional endoscopy modalities,
therapeutic endoscopy procedures, and swallowing disorder tests.
EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
In this test, we pass a flexible videoscope through the mouth to examine the
esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
This enables us to evaluate disorders of the esophagus, ulcer disease and
abdominal pain.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
During this test, we pass a flexible videoscope through the rectum to evaluate
the anus, rectum and distal descending colon.
This enables us to evaluate the distal colon for bleeding from causes such as hemorrhoids.
Colonoscopy
With this test, we pass a flexible videoscope through the rectum to evaluate
the anus, rectum and the colon or large bowel.
We use this test to evaluate the colon for bleeding, polyp and colon cancer.
Esophageal motility test
During this test, we pass a small catheter through the nose and into the esophagus
to evaluate the motility of the esophagus, that is, its power to move spontaneously.
We can examine the esophagus for motility disorders that contribute to swallowing problems.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
Due to factors related to diet, environment and heredity, the bile ducts,
gallbladder and pancreas become the seat of numerous disorders that can cause
a variety of diseases or symptoms.
The ERCP test helps in diagnosing and often in treating these conditions.
During this test, we use a flexible video endoscope to inject dye into the patient's bile and pancreatic ducts. Then we take x-rays to outline the bile ducts and pancreas, and to identify problem areas.
We also use the ERCP test to treat or diagnose:
• Gallstones trapped in the main bile duct
• Blockage of the bile duct
• Yellow jaundice
• Undiagnosed upper-abdominal pain
• Cancer of the bile ducts or pancreas
•Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Research is an important element of improving patient care
Members of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease are on the faculty
of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and are
members of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center's Department of Medicine.
They are committed to participating in leading-edge research involving both
institutions.
We are conducting a variety of research programs involving
• AIDS and its impact on the gastrointestinal
tract
• HIV infection
• Nutrition
• Chronic liver disease
Links where you can obtain important medical information
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
The American Gastroenterological Association
The American Association for the Study of Liver
Diseases
The American College of Gastroenterology
The American Liver Foundation
St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Hospital Center Department of Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Contact the division for information, an appointment or consultation
Donald P. Kotler, MD
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties:
Phone: (212) 523-3670
Andrew Blank, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties:
Phone: (212) 961-5530
Lisa Ganjhu, DO
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties: Liver diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and women's health
Phone: (212) 492-5500
Gabriel Ionescu, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties:
Phone: (212) 961-5530
Kathryn E. Kirk, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties:
Phone: (212) 961-5530
Hyman L. Kirschenbaum, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties: ERCP, therpeutic endoscopy, biliary disease
Phone: (212) 315-2645
Edward Lung, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties: Barrett's Esophagus, Gastrointestinal Reflux, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, ERCP, Pancreatic & Billary Disorders, Diseases of the Esophagus, Colon Cancer & Screening Strategies
Phone: (212) 492-5500
Jean Saleh, MD
Attending, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Specialties: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Phone: (212) 492-5500
Samuel H. Sigal, MD
Attending
Specialties: Liver Diseases, Hepatitis, Chronic Liver Disease
Phone: (212) 523-7090