Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center

Director: Michael F. Vaezj, M.D., PhD., MS (epi)

The Vanderbilt Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center offers a comprehensive program to treat swallowing and esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus. Gastroenterologists, radiologists, pulmonary and ENT physicians, voice specialists, speech therapists and general and thoracic surgeons provide a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

The center uses the latest technology to assess patients’ symptoms and provide appropriate therapies. New technologies include wireless pH monitoring, impedance monitoring, high resolution manometry and bilitec bile monitoring. Vanderbilt is currently conducting multiple studies in the area o extraesophageal reflux disease as well as studies assessing clinical utility of diagnostic testing in esophageal diseases.

Patients with symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, asthma, chronic cough, voice disorders and throat problems are evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or swallowing difficulties. Our experts identify and treat those at higher risk for Barrett’s esophagus. If esophageal cancer is detected, we offer improved care due to prompt disease recognition and state-of-the-art treatments.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center

Director: David A. Schwartz, M.D.

The Vanderbilt Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center treats patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease – the two primary diseases associated with inflammatory bowel. Nearly 2 million Americans are affected by these diseases, which are highly disruptive to daily functioning and cause both physical and psychological distress.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s are similar in many ways and are often mistaken for each other. Making an accurate diagnosis is important so that an individual can receive the most effective treatment for his or her disease. The gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, nurses, psychologists and nutritionists in the IBD Center work together to provide individualized comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. Utilizing the latest diagnostic procedures and treatment options, they address the patient’s ongoing physical, nutritional and psychosocial needs.

The Vanderbilt IBD Center is a member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) clinical research alliance, a group of 70 medical centers testing new drug therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Hepatology and Liver Transplant Center

Director: David S. Raiford, M.D. (Hepatology)
Director: Michael K. Porayko, M.D. (Liver Transplant)

The Vanderbilt Hepatology and Liver Transplant Center is the largest program of its kind in Tennessee. Experts in all areas of liver disease participate in the evaluation, management, treatment and follow-up of our patients including options for transplantation. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care and to restore each patient to a full and productive life.

Our Hepatology group is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of acute and chronic liver disease. Special interests include viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver disease. We work closely with the patient and their referring physician to develop the best treatment and follow-up care to meet the patient’s needs.

Vanderbilt has performed over 800 transplants since it began the program in 1991. Innovative programs include adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation and transplantation for liver cancer. Use of the newest drug treatments has helped to significantly reduce transplant rejection.

Advanced Endoscopy Center

The Vanderbilt Advanced Endoscopy Center allows physicians to diagnose and treat a variety of intestinal disorders, including abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding from the intestinal tract. Benign growths of the colon may also be detected and removed. Special adaptations of the endoscope allow stones to be removed from the bile duct and pancreas.

The Advanced Endoscopy Center is a leader in developing new technology including endoscopic ultrasound. His technique allows very detailed views of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as neighboring structures such as the pancreas.

Our small bowel imagining center includes state-of-the-art video capsule endoscopy services as well as the most advanced small bowel endoscopic equipment available. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy allows endoscopic access to the deepest reaches of the small bowel. These specialized procedures can be performed in both the diagnostic and therapeutic settings.