Message from the Chief
Welcome to the Stanford GI Website. Our division's goals are to harness the power of Stanford Science, ranging from molecular biology to mechanical engineering and provide innovative solutions that add value to the lives of patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The Division has been renowned for its pioneers in fundamental GI and liver research (see history) and more recently with its emphasis on translational research as well, in keeping with the mission of the Stanford CTSA. As part of its strategic plan, the Division houses key elements of the infrastructure required for such research including an Outcomes and Epidemiology Section and an emerging section of Molecular Medicine. At the same time, bench research activity continues to be a major strength of the Division, and encompasses a diversity of areas including stem cells (both neural and non-neural), cancer pathogenesis, drug discovery, microbiology and immunology, inflammation, pain, endoscopic imaging and therapeutics. The Division's research efforts are funded by a combination of a major NIH Center grant, other funding for individual investigators from various NIH institutes and non-federal intra- and extramural sources.
Our clinical presence is rapidly expanding with extraordinary support from both the School and the Hospital for the creation of a multidisciplinary Digestive Health Center, encompassing the activities of Surgery, Gastroenterology and Radiology with sites of operation both in the existing Stanford campus (where a state of the art endoscopy unit for complex and advanced endoscopy unit is being constructed) and the new ambulatory surgery center at Redwood City. The center will emphasize the care of patients with IBD, Motility and Functional Bowel Disorders, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, and GI/Liver cancer along with other subspecialties. These activities will be in concert with other areas of strength at Stanford such as the Cancer Center with its emphasis on pancreatic and other GI cancers and Obesity and Bariatric Medicine.
The Division also has another major mission: training the future leaders in our specialty. We have an NIH funded training program and our fellows (the "Lumenaries") are setting the example for innovation in their own right, with their own networking and educational website (G-tube). In addition we collaborate with other major programs at Stanford such as the Biodesign Program to train future innovators and entrepreneurs in gastroenterology as well as with the School of Engineering on a course for undergraduates called Technological Frontiers of Digestive Disease. Much of this will not have been possible without the active collaboration of our many distinguished and talented collaborators in other schools and departments. Such an interaction reflects the diversity of our Divisional interests, facilitated by Stanford's integrated campus.
The GI Division at Stanford, the school of “pioneers”, therefore welcomes you to visit our website and whether you are a patient, a trainee/student or a potential collaborator, encourages you to contact us to explore the opportunities.
Regards,
Pankaj Jay Pasricha
Division Chief
Professor of Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Professor of Surgery (by courtesy)