Gastroenterology and Liver Disease
The Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system disorders. Based in Manhattan, our physicians are committed to integrating superior clinical medicine and the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools into everyday patient care.
Diseases We Treat
Patients benefit from the skills and experience of our board-certified gastroenterologists and hepatologist who treat a broad range of ailments, including:
Esophagus Disorders
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Swallowing disorders
Stomach Disorders
• Abdominal pain
• Gastric cancer
• Gastritis
• Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• H. pylori infection
• Ulcer disease
Small Bowel Disorders
• Celiac disease
• Malabsorption
Colon Disorders
• Colon cancer
• Colonic polyps
• Constipation
• Crohn’s disease
• Diarrhea
• Diverticulosis
• GI bleeding
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Ulcerative colitis
Liver and Biliary Tree Diseases
• Alcohol liver disease
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Gallstone disease
• Hepatitis
• Liver cancer
Pancreas Disorders
• Acute and chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer
Our GI specialists are also skilled in treating the GI disorders of special patient populations, such as HIV patients, pregnant women and the elderly.
Procedures We Perform
Our treatments for digestive tract, liver and pancreas disorders are highly individualized. Our physicians tailor the care to each patient’s particular disease and the type and severity of the symptoms.
We also offer a broad range of diagnostic and interventional endoscopy modalities, therapeutic endoscopy procedures and swallowing disorder tests, including:
EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
In this test, we pass a flexible videoscope through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. This enables us to evaluate disorders of the esophagus, ulcer disease and abdominal pain.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
During this procedure, we pass a flexible videoscope through the rectum to evaluate the anus, rectum and distal descending colon. This enables us to evaluate the distal colon for bleeding from causes such as hemorrhoids.
Colonoscopy
With this test, we pass a flexible videoscope through the rectum to evaluate the anus, rectum and the colon or large bowel. We use this procedure to evaluate the colon for bleeding, polyps and colon cancer.
Esophageal Motility Test
During this test, we pass a small catheter through the nose and into the esophagus to evaluate the motility of the esophagus, that is, its power to move spontaneously. We can examine the esophagus for motility disorders that contribute to swallowing problems.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
Due to factors related to diet, environment and heredity, the bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas become the seat of numerous disorders that can cause a variety of symptoms. The ERCP test helps in diagnosing and often in treating these conditions.
This procedure involves using a flexible video endoscope to inject dye into the patient's bile and pancreatic ducts. Then we take X-rays to outline the bile ducts and pancreas, and to identify problem areas.
We also use the ERCP test to treat or diagnose:
• Blockage of the bile duct
• Cancer of the bile ducts or pancreas
• Gallstones trapped in the main bile duct
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Undiagnosed upper-abdominal pain
• Yellow jaundice
In addition, our specialists employ other sophisticated diagnostic tools, such as the SmartPill capsule, an ingestible medical device used to evaluate the GI tract.
Advanced Services
The division features the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Program, which is dedicated to diagnosing IBS, one of the most common GI disorders in the US, and helping patients achieve relief from their symptoms. Another notable initiative is the Hepatitis C Program.
Cutting-Edge Research
Members of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease are on the faculty of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and are on staff at St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals’ Department of Medicine. They are committed to participating in leading-edge research projects at these institutions.
For example, our specialists have been involved in the following research programs:
• The Effect of Aging Upon Gastrointestinal Function
• Colon Cancer Prevention -- Use of Chemopreventive Agents
• AIDS and the Gastrointestinal Track
Our Healthcare Providers
The division is led by Don Kotler, MD, a noted gastroenterologist. It is also comprised of various other skilled specialists, including:
Andrew Blank, MD
Samuel J. Daniel, MD
Gabriel Ionescu, MD
Geraldine Y. Joseph, RPA-C, MPH
Edward Lung, MD
Il Joon Paik, MD
Ivonne Ramirez, MD
Jean Saleh, MD
Contact Us
For information, an appointment or a consultation, you can contact us at various locations in Manhattan, including the Upper West Side, West Harlem, Central Harlem, East Harlem and the Upper East Side.
UMPA at 59th Street
425 West 59th Street, Suite 8A
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-492-5500
Fax: 212-492-5555
UMPA Cardiology/GI Practice at 125th Street
374 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-280-3101
St. Luke’s Medical Group
2771 Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 147th Street
New York, NY 10039
Phone: 212-690-0303
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Program
St. Luke’s Hospital
1111 Amsterdam Avenue at 114th Street
New York, NY 10025
Phone: 212-492-5500
UMPA - Dr. Jean Saleh
950 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10028
Phone: 212-472-1412
UMPA at 81st Street
280 West 81st Street
New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212-496-2291
UMPA at Madison Avenue
1827 Madison Avenue at 119th Street
New York, NY 10035
Phone: 212-722-1441
Useful Links
SLR Department of Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
The American College of Gastroenterology
The American Gastroenterological Association
The American Liver Foundation
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy