The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Columbia

The IBD Center at Columbia is a dedicated team of inflammatory bowel disease specialists with years of experience treating even the most complex cases of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

Call (212) 305-9664 to see if the IBD Center at Columbia can help with your gastrointestinal needs or request an appointment.


About IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

IBD is used to describe several digestive conditions that cause constant, long-term inflammation of the digestive tract, most commonly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD impacts more than three million people in the United States each year. If left untreated, the condition can lead to more significant health issues.

A specialized doctor, a gastroenterologist, usually diagnoses and manages IBD and its associated symptoms. In some cases, medicine alone can help; in more severe cases, doctors can help surgically rebuild parts of the digestive tract. For even the most complex cases, specialists at the IBD Program at Columbia can help make life easier for those with inflammatory bowel disease.


Stories & Perspectives

Sara Musikoff shares her experience with severe inflammatory bowel disease, including the multiple operations that it took to repair her digestive tract. Now, Sara is out and about and living life to its fullest. Read the full story at nyp.org.


Our Services

From medical management to pouch repair, the Interventional IBD Center at Columbia has gastroenterologists and specially-trained medical staff to customize your IBD care at any stage. Our IBD-specific treatments and services include:

  • State-of-the-art care for treatment-resistant disease: Our robust investigational therapy options are useful for patients that do not respond to standard treatments for IBD.
  • Emotional and psychological support: Our team specializes not only in treating the physical symptoms of IBD but also has trained staff to help patients cope with their disease long-term.
  • Nutrition: We provide nutritional advice and specifics of diets that have been helpful to other IBD patients.
  • Minimally-invasive surgery: Our specialists are experts in new approaches to colorectal surgery, including the formation and repair of internal pouches.
  • Post-operative care: Our team of wound care nurses are all well-prepared to take care of IBD-specific wounds in locations closer to your home.
  • Patient Navigator: Our patients have access to a specialized nurse navigator who will organize and expedite your tests, procedures and therapy for more convenient appointments and visits to our locations.

Clinical Research

The IBD Center is at the forefront of research in the field. We organize and participate in numerous trials to improve standards of care.

Academics & Training

We are proud to train the next generation of IBD experts through our one-year advanced IBD fellowship program. Each year, one fellow will have the opportunity to advance their academic career while furthering their knowledge of the latest treatments for IBD.


Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with IBD? Call Columbia’s IBD Center at Columbia at (212) 305-9664 or request an appointment now.


Our Team

Columbia’s IBD Program is lead by international experts in IBD care. As part of New York’s #1 hospital, our IBD experts work collaboratively with leaders in all aspects of care - from imaging specialists to award-winning researchers, our team is ready to help restore life in those with inflammatory bowel disease.

Gastroenterologists

Dr Bo ShenBo Shen, MD, PhD, is the medical director of the IBD Center at Columbia. Dr. Shen is an internationally-recognized expert in interventional IBD care and oversees medical innovations and research related to advancing digestive care at Columbia.

Dr Le-Chu SuLe-Chu Su, MD, PhD, is an established gastroenterologist and nutritionist specializing in treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As a physician, Dr. Su is known for tailoring care specific to each of her patients. As a researcher, she is an internationally-recognized name in IBD and advanced gastroenterological disease research.

Colorectal Surgeons

Dr Cary B. AaronsCary B. Aarons, MD | Interim Chief, Division of Colorectal Surgery
book an appointment online »
 

Debbie Bakes, MDDebbie Bakes, MD | Chief, Colorectal Surgery/Westchester Section
book an appointment online »  
 

Ravi Kiran, MDP. Ravi Kiran, MD | Director, Advanced Colorectal Surgery, IBD & Pouch Institute

 

Dr James ChurchJames M. Church, MD | Director of Research, Section Head of Hereditary Cancer and Familial Polyposis, Division of Colorectal Surgery
 

Usama Ahmed Ali, MDUsama Ahmed Ali, MD | book an appointment online »

 

Dr Marco ZoccaliMarco Bertucci Zoccali, MD | book an appointment online »

 

Dr Beatrice DionigiBeatrice Dionigi, MD | book an appointment online »

 

Joseph Riad, MDJoseph Riad, MD | book an appointment online »

 

Dr David SchwartzbergDavid Schwartzberg, MD | book an appointment online »
 
 

Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse

Erin Testerman, RNErin Testerman, RN, BSN

 

Vanessa Marra, RN, BSNVanessa Marra, RN, BSN

 
 

Nutrition

Sabrina Oliver, MS, RDSabrina Oliver, MS, RD | (347) 712-0894

 
 

Our Offices

In order to help more people with IBD, our experts see patients in several offices more convenient to their homes and work. Our team sees patients in the following locations:

Washington Heights

Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-9664 | Request an Appointment

Midtown Manhattan

51 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 305-9664 | Request an Appointment

Upper East Side

12 East 86th Street, Suite #1
New York, NY 10028
(212) 305-9664 | Request an Appointment

Flushing Queens

3636 Main Street, Suite 2SD
Flushing, NY 11354
(212) 305-9664 | Request an Appointment


Call the IBD Center at Columbia to make an appointment at any of several locations at (212) 305-9664 or request an appointment now.


Learn more about the Colorectal Care team at Columbia