Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases

Edward Lebovics, M.D.
Interim Chair and Professor of Medicine, NYMC
Sarah C. Upham Professor of Gastroenterology
Director, Sarah C. Upham Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, NYMC
Chief, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Westchester Medical Center

The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases is composed of experts who are board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, employing cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas. Besides standard procedures such as upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, many tertiary services are offered at the facilities of NYMC’s major clinical affiliate Westchester Medical Center that are not widely available elsewhere.

The Division’s interventional endoscopists perform advanced pancreaticobilairy endoscopy, Spyglass cholangioscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, full-thickness resection and “third-space” endoscopy. The GI Motility Center provides high-resolution esophageal and anorectal manometry, as well as esophageal impedance and pH studies essential for evaluating patients with refractory reflux symptoms. Other advanced technologies include BARRx radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus, capsule endoscopy of the small intestine, and placement of the Enterra gastric pacemaker for gastroparesis. Management of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is a major focus. Specialists provide expert management with biologic drugs and small molecules, as well as minimally invasive interventions for complications. In the outpatient practice, located in the new Ambulatory Care Pavilion, referred patients with chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, functional bowel disease, and the full range of gastroenterologic disorders are managed.

The Division is also the medical arm of the acclaimed Westchester Medical Center Liver Transplantation Program. Inpatients and outpatients are managed both pre-transplant for the complications of liver failure, and post-transplantation to maintain graft function. The multi-disciplinary care of these complex patients integrates several specialties, as well as social workers, nutritionists, and coordinators.

The Division has a very robust academic program. Regular conferences, including grand rounds, case conferences, journal club, guidelines review, and focused specialty area conferences are held. Ample opportunity for clinical research under faculty mentorship is available.

Medical Student Education

Third-year medical students have the opportunity to gain a clinical overview of the field of gastroenterology through an elective during which they will participate as part of the clinical care team. Fourth-year medical students can further explore the field through a gastroenterology elective when they will participate in daily teaching rounds with attending physicians, regular clinical conferences, and observation of endoscopic procedures. Students may participate in clinical research projects under the direction of gastroenterology fellows and a faculty mentor.

Gastroenterology Fellowship

The NYMC Gastroenterology Fellowship Training Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in New York City prepares future gastroenterologists to be superlative clinicians, consultants, and investigators with special expertise in providing care to the medically underserved, who face barriers of race, ethnicity, economic hardship, language, and social stigmatization.

Program Director: Jennifer Harley, M.D.
Program Coordinator: Brenda Ramirez
(212) 423-6271

The NYMC Gastroenterology Fellowship Training Program at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, focuses on preparing gastroenterologists who are committed to the communities they serve and to providing care that is consistently excellent, responsive, and centered around every patient. St. Michael’s serves an urban community with a significant indigent population. Therefore, emphasis is placed on recruiting fellows with aspirations to support the community as attending physicians, as well as during their training.

Program Director: Mehul Shah, M.D.
Program Coordinator: Denise Coley
(973) 877-5488

NYMC’s major clinical affiliate, Westchester Medical Center, offers a Fellowship Training Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases. The program also offers a track for advanced training in transplant hepatology.

Program Director: Beth Schorr-Lesnick, M.D.
Program Coordinator: Denise Abreu
(914) 493-3554