UCI Health gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery services ranked No. 49 in nation

U.S. News & World Report recognizes county’s only digestive health institute within an academic health system

Orange, Calif. — Gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery services at UCI Health are among the nation’s best, ranking No. 49 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

The nationally renowned specialists at the Chao Digestive Health Institute  — the only such program in Orange County that is part of an academic health system — provide expert, comprehensive care for patients facing the most complex GI conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel diseases, disorders of the liver and pancreas, GI cancers and bariatric surgery.

Pioneers in digestive disease care

From its inception in 2003, the institute’s world-class specialists have pioneered minimally invasive approaches to diagnose and treat a broad range of GI disorders, including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hernias, fatty liver disease and more.

UCI Health interventional gastroenterologist Dr. Jason Samarasena was among the first in the nation to perform endoscopic esophagectomies to remove esophageal cancer without external incisions.

Its gastroenterologists are among the most skilled in colorectal cancer screening, devising methods to better detect hard-to-spot polyps during colonoscopies. They also developed a colonoscopy preparation regimen that allows patients to eat low-residue foods rather than fast completely.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program has long been a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel conditions, providing multidisciplinary, individualized care.

Trailblazing research

As part of the University of California, Irvine, a nationally recognized research institution, UCI Health gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons and surgical oncologists lead trailblazing research and clinical trials to develop novel approaches to detect GI diseases and find the most innovative ways to treat them.

UCI Health offers more early phase clinical trials for gastrointestinal diseases, including rare and hard-to-treat cancers, than any other program in the region.

Its early phase STOPGAP clinical trial, developed at UCI Health, significantly extended survival for patients with deadly metastatic gastric cancer. A phase 3 trial called STOPGAP II has expanded the study to leading cancer centers across the country, offering hope for U.S. patients battling the intractable disease.

UCI Health is also leading the way in pancreatic cancer care, offering clinical trials of potentially breakthrough immunotherapies as well as a unique laser therapy treatment to destroy inoperable pancreatic tumors that envelop abdominal arteries.

No other organization in Orange County combines basic scientific discovery with translational and clinical research along with a commitment to improving medical, endoscopic and surgical treatments of GI oncology, foregut, hepatobiliary, colon and rectal disorders and inflammatory bowel disease.

At the forefront of digestive health

Over the past two decades, the Chao Digestive Health Institute has established a reputation for innovation, clinical excellence, scientific breakthroughs and education for the next generation of physicians.

This dedication has also propelled it to new heights of quality and safety for patients. Whether a patient is here for prevention, diagnosis or treatment, they benefit from a customized plan executed by a team of nationally recognized, board-certified physicians who are at the forefront of digestive health.