The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center of Excellence at Virginia Mason, is a leader in the diagnosis, management and research of inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Each year, more than 2,200 patients from Washington, as well as Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii, are evaluated and treated by a team of specialists including gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, nutritionists, pathologists, advanced practitioners and nurse educators. Together, they provide comprehensive care for patients no matter what stage their condition.
In addition to providing multidisciplinary care, special attention is dedicated to colon cancer prevention, evaluation and management of nutritional issues, women's health concerns related to the management of IBD including pregnancy and other preventive and health maintenance interventions.
The IBD center participates in multiple international clinical trials dedicated to novel IBD treatments. Members of the IBD team are respected authorities in the field and are involved in basic and clinical research studies that help advance the understanding of the causes of IBD and may provide clues toward finding a cure. Virginia Mason has a long-standing partnership with the Benaroya Research Institute which is one of the nation's leaders in immunology and immune tolerance research.
More than 1.5 million Americans are affected by Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis and the frequency of these disorders appears to be increasing. Both are immune disorders of the intestine that can cause:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Anemia
- Weight loss
An accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal management and is one of the strengths of the group of specialists in the IBD center of excellence.
Patient's Corner
- GI Buddy Tool
- IBD Stoplight Tool
- Getting your flu shot
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation - Northwest Chapter
- IBD Clinical Trials