At UCI Health, our IBD specialists combine advanced therapies, academic expertise and compassionate support to help you manage symptoms, achieve remission and live well.

As Orange County's only academic health system, we provide comprehensive, leading-edge care for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis and related gastrointestinal conditions. Our multidisciplinary experts combine advanced treatments, compassionate support and innovative research to help you achieve remission and live well. 

To request an appointment, please call 888-717-4463 or complete the online appointment form.

Why choose UCI Health for IBD care?

Our specialists work together across disciplines to provide seamless care focused on you to address your immediate symptoms and long-term health goals. 

From your first visit, we take time to understanding your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle before recommending a care plan. Based on this understanding, we will tailor your care plan to your needs. 

Our program brings together a dedicated team, including: 

• Gastroenterologists
• Colorectal surgeons
• Physician assistants
• Dietitians
• Nurse navigators
• Social workers
• Integrative medicine specialists from the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Personalized care

You'll receive ongoing support through every stage of life. We have expertise in IBD in pregnancy and the transition from pediatric to adult care. 

We also offer bilingual, culturally inclusive care, which means that no matter who you are, we take time to get to know you. You also have access to UC-based research and clinical trials that give you early access to new treatments.  

Research and clinical trials

We offer clinical trials that investigate new drug and biologic therapies, diagnostic biomarkers and long-term treatment outcomes. If you participate in a clinical trial, you can receive early access to promising therapies not available elsewhere. 

Psychosocial support and community

IBD affects every aspect of your daily life, not just your physical health. That's why our team provides emotional, nutritional and peer support to help you and your loved ones feel empowered throughout your care journey.

You can also join the longest-running IBD support group in Orange County for peer support. You can also access a J-pouch buddy program that pairs post-surgical patients with peers. 

Treatments and services

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, our team designs a treatment plan to your condition and lifestyle. UCI Health provides the full range of medical, endoscopic and surgical treatments for IBD.

Medical therapy

Our specialists use biologics, immunomodulators and small-molecule medications to control inflammation and maintain remission. We personalize each treatment plan to maximize benefit and minimize side effects. We also offer therapeutic drug monitoring.

Endoscopic therapy

Our IBD gastroenterologists perform chromoendoscopy for dysplasia screening. Our interventional gastroenterologists also advanced procedures, including balloon dilation to treat intestinal strictures and endoscopic removal of large polyps. This means that you can go home the same day with minimal pain and less recovery time.

Surgical care

Our colorectal surgeons specialize in minimally invasive and bowel-sparing techniques, including: 

• J-pouch creation and revision
• Stricturoplasty to preserve bowel length
• Fistula repair and abscess drainage
• Ostomy creation and management
• Complex colorectal cancer surgery related to IBD

Supportive and integrative services

You will benefit from the following therapies to complement your treatment offered through our integrative health team: 

• Nutrition counseling
• Mindfulness and stress-management programs
• Acupuncture

Specialized IBD programs at UCI Health

Because everyone's experience with IBD is unique, our specialists collaborate across disciplines to provide additional support. We offer specialized programs designed for specific life stages and needs:

Pregnancy and postpartum IBD care

We coordinate with high-risk obstetric specialists to provide the best outcome for parent and their baby. 

Transition of care

We provide a structured program to help adolescents and young adults move smoothly from pediatric to adult IBD care.

Extra-intestinal complication management

Our specialists collaborate with rheumatology, dermatology and ophthalmology to maximize your overall health. 

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

We provide evidence-based pathways that improve your recovery and reduce your hospital stay after IBD surgery.