Mission Statement

This Center was established based upon a rich history and tradition of interaction, collaboration and productivity between Penn GI and CHOP GI spanning back to the 1980s.

The main focus of the Joint Center is transitional medicine, helping adolescents take the step from Pediatric care to Adult care. Our goal is to establish joint clinics, where physicians from CHOP and Penn, will meet jointly with transition age patients, discuss medical histories, and future treatment options. With the help of clinical coordinators, we hope to make the transition process seamless for patients and their families.

The transitional medicine focus of the Joint Center will have equal emphasis in research and in education. Research will include basic, translational and clinical approaches. There is a deep commitment to the training and education of the next generation of leaders - students, residents and fellows.

The integrated programs in the Joint Center will revolve around the following:

1. Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease)
2. Medical Genetics/Liver (inherited predisposition to benign and malignant digestive disorders and diseases)
3. Autoimmune diseases (eosinophilic esophagitis, celiac sprue)
4. Nutrition

Directors:

Anil K. Rustgi, MD T. Grier Miller Professor of Medicine and Genetics Chief, Division of Gastroenterology Director, NIH Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive & Liver Diseases University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine	David A. Piccoli, MD Fred and Suzanne Biesecker Professor of Pediatrics Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Director, Biesecker Pediatric Liver Center Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine