Clinical Services

The Division strives to provide exceptional patient care, which includes:

1. Easy access for our patients.  Clinics are offered at the University campus, the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Maple Grove , and the Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming.  A full array of endoscopic services is provided in our hospital based unit, and routine procedures are also offered in our outpatient facilities in Maple Grove and the Riverside Endoscopy Center.
2. In addition to practicing general gastroenterology, we maintain specialized focus in hepatology and liver transplantation, pancreas and biliary disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
3. We believe in a collaborative approach to treating complex problems, and work closely with transplant, bariatric, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, colorectal surgeons, gastrointerstinal pathologists, and radiologists.  This aspect of clinical care is a unique strength of our academic practice, and we enhance it through multidisciplinary clinics and conferences.
4. As a tertiary care practice, we greatly appreciate the referring physicians as our partners in providing care, and communicate with them promptly and frequently. 

Routine endoscopic procedures, which include colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, are provided at UMMC, Riverside Endoscopy Center and Maple Grove . 

The University of Minnesota Hospital Endoscopy Lab provides routine endoscopic services and an array of advanced procedures, which include: 

• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Capsule Endoscopy
• Deep Small Bowel Enteroscopy
• Balloon Endoscopy for diagnosing and treating small bowel pathology
• Bravo pH monitoring
• Hydrogen Breath Testing
• Esophageal Manometry 

To schedule appointments, please call: 

• 612-672-7000 (REFERRAL LINE)
• 612-672-7575 (24 hour physician contact line)

University of Minnesota Medical Center EUS-ERCP (612) 273-6753
University of Minnesota Medical Center Endoscopy (612) 273 4007

Prevention in Liver Disease Clinic

The Liver Clinic at the University of Minnesota began a new program in 2007 for patients with cirrhosis called Prevention in Liver Disease.

The Prevention in Liver Disease program is based on a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to cirrhosis care.  Patients continue to see their regular liver doctor yet meet annually with the nurse practitioner for a Prevention in Liver Disease visit.  During the Prevention in Liver Disease visit, patients undergo comprehensive screening and evaluation for concerns such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, sexual health, cognitive changes, nutritional issues, and quality of life.  Patients are also asked to set health goals and identify how we can assist in achieving those goals.  Patients receive cirrhosis education and self-care strategies, and if appropriate, medication or a specialty referral for managing some of these problems common for patients with cirrhosis.  Patients are taught about cirrhosis complications and screening tests utilized.  Patients are provided with primary care education which is unique and specific for patients with cirrhosis.  Patients receive an individualized Prevention in Liver Disease plan of care for managing these issues and a copy of their Prevention in Liver Disease visit is sent to their primary care providers.

The Prevention in Liver Disease program also includes a cirrhosis patient education lecture series for the 529 patients with cirrhosis at the University of Minnesota.  Patients and family are welcome to attend.  Non-University of Minnesota patients with cirrhosis are also welcome.  The quarterly evening session from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. features a University of Minnesota expert on various topics relevant tot patients with cirrhosis.  The session includes an informal presentation and discussion, time to meet other patients with cirrhosis as well as offers patients an opportunity to provide input on improving services, identifying resources, and future lecture series topics.

Through the Prevention in Liver Disease Clinic, medical screening test outcomes and vaccination rates are tracked, improvement in quality of life and other health concerns is monitored, and analysis on whether attendance in the Prevention in Liver Disease Clinic has had any impact on hospital admission and ER visit rates is underway.

Current University of Minnesota patients with cirrhosis have received information regarding the Prevention in Liver Disease program.  Referring providers should continue to refer patients as they have in the past yet know that their patients will be invited to participate in the Prevention in Liver Disease program.  To schedule a Prevention in Liver Disease appointment, please call (612) 626-6100 option 1.

Aynsley Smith, CNP
John Lake, M.D.
Mohamed Hassan, M.D.
Charmaine Stewart, M.D.
Coleman Smith, M.D.
Julie Thompson, M.D., M.P.H.

Pancreas and Biliary Clinic

The university has a unique, multidisciplinary clinic to evaluate and treat complex pancreatic and biliary disorders, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic and biliary cancers. This clinic is staffed by Gastroenterologists with a career focus in these disorders. Also present for simultaneous consultation are expert body-imaging radiologists, and Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgical Oncologists, as well as minimally invasive and bariatric surgeons. Gastrointestinal Oncology is included in evaluation and treatment of malignant conditions. This unique program allows incoming patients to have a multidisciplinary evaluation in the clinic, with active participation by a number of specialists who then confer before recommending diagnostic or treatment plans. Nurse coordinators work with all divisions, so that there is continuity of care for patients who are seeing multiple specialists. Two separate weekly or Bi-weekly conferences are held for discussion of patients with pancreaticobiliary tumors, and chronic pancreatitis, including total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantatiobn, a unique surgical treatment for chronic pancreattis which was developed at the University of Minnesota and which is revolutionizing the management of this disabling condition.

Mustafa Arain, M.D.
Rajeev Attam, M.D.
Martin Freeman, M.D.

Gastroenterology Clinic
The Gastroenterology clinic provides diagnosis and treatement for a wide variety of lumenal gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, swallowing disorders, upper GI and colonic neoplasia, colon cancer, small bowel diseases, recurrent GI bleeding, and many other conditions. The clinic is held simultaneously with Colorectal Surgery Clinic, Bariatric and Minamally Invasive Surgery Clinic, allowing immediate consultation for selected patients with disorders requiring appropriate multidisciplinary input.

Mustafa Arain, M.D.
Rajeev Attam, M.D.
Martin Freeman, M.D.
Christopher Shepela, M.D.
Ronald Soltis, M.D.

Affiliated Divisions (see Websites)

• Surgical Oncology
• General and Critical Care surgery
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Medical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery.
• Transplantation Surgery (total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation)