Why Choose Us for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Care

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is one of the largest of its kind in the world, caring for thousands of patients each year. Our team is led by 60-plus pediatric gastroenterologists and includes hundreds of support staff. Together, we collaborate to treat children and adolescents with gastrointestinal (GI), liver and pancreatic disorders. We offer more than 30 specialty clinical programs focused on specific disorders, ranging from the common to complex. Last year alone, our division had approximately 50,000 outpatient visits and 14,000 inpatient encounters, and we performed nearly 9,000 procedures.

Recognized industry leaders

Patient outcomes and care at the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition are among the best in the world, placing us in the top tier of pediatric programs. We are consistently ranked as one of the top pediatric programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

A multidisciplinary approach to care

Our team includes physicians, surgeons, certified nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, psychologists and other professionals who coordinate your child’s care and work closely with you to ensure the very best outcomes for your child. CHOP is one of the top-ranked and largest children's hospitals in the nation. This means physicians from every specialty are here for your child if needed. We work with your family pediatrician and other specialty care physicians to support your child and ensure continuity of care.

Psychosocial support

A health diagnosis can be stressful for any child or adolescent. Our division has dedicated psychologists and social workers on staff to provide your child with the emotional and social support they need to thrive.

Family support

A child's illness can impact the entire family. Our staff members are skilled and compassionate, providing support to caregivers and siblings of children with GI, liver and pancreatic disorders.

To help answer your questions about how to care for your child, we offer:

Registered dietitians to teach you how best to meet your child’s nutritional needs
Ongoing education events and classes on specific conditions
Support groups for families and patients
Cooking and nutrition workshops

Expertise in pediatric disorders

At CHOP, our team of clinicians, scientists and researchers are committed to advancing our understanding of specific disorders and bringing breakthroughs in care to patients. We:

Lead and participate in groundbreaking research into the causes of GI, liver and pancreatic disorders to help develop new and better ways to treat these conditions
Actively lead and participate in clinical trials
Have published hundreds of research papers in recent years
Promote the sharing of information and knowledge by hosting symposiums and participating in national GI forums
Are on a path to continuous improvement by designing and updating programs in response to feedback from patients, families, staff and referring physicians

Advanced diagnostic tools

Gastrointestinal conditions can be complex to diagnose and stressful for families who are waiting for answers. To ensure patients are diagnosed quickly and accurately, we offer the most advanced diagnostic procedures for children in our state-of-the-art Kohl’s GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center.

Many routine tests are also offered at our CHOP Specialty Care and Surgical Centers located across the region to make testing and follow-up scans more convenient for families. The high volume of conditions we treat, coupled with the advanced diagnostic tools we offer, leads to more accurate diagnoses, customized treatments and children feeling better, faster.

Second opinions

Families come to us from around the world seeking second opinions about their diagnoses and treatment options. The pediatric gastroenterologists and surgeons in our Second Opinion Program will consult with you or your physician to provide confirmation of your child's disorder, treatment options and follow-up care.

Convenience

We offer:

Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition care at 13 locations around the region, in addition to our Main Hospital in Philadelphia.
Expanded hours to fit your family's schedule.
Quick scheduling of appointments. When you call the division to schedule your child's first appointment, our expert coordinators will gather initial information about your child and offer you a choice of the next available appointments at the most convenient location for you. You can also request an appointment online and a representative will call you to schedule your child's visit.
MyCHOP, a patient portal for families to schedule visits, access records, see test results, ask your doctor questions and more.
Help with insurance and billing issues.

Transition to adult care

The Transition to Adulthood for Young Adults with Chronic GI Conditions Program will ensure your child makes a smooth transition from pediatric to adult care by the time they are 22 years old. During your child's adolescence, the transition team will provide your teen with the tools and resources necessary for them to take added responsibility for their own healthcare and become more comfortable making their own decisions about their health.