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Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

What We Treat

The specialized gastroenterology (GI) team at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta treats and manages general and complex pediatric gastrointestinal and digestive conditions, including:

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Celiac disease
  • Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
    Congenital metabolism problems
  • Constipation/diarrhea
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Feeding problems
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
 
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Hirschsprung’s disease
  • Pancreatitis (acute and chronic)
  • Poor growth
  • Reflux
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Vomiting

We also treat liver and nutritional disorders, including:

  • A1AD
  • Acute liver failure
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Biliary atresia
  • Byer’s disease
  • Cirrhosis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Enlarged liver
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Intrahepatic cholestasis (I, II and II)
  • Jaundice
  • Liver abscess
  • Liver cancer
  • Liver transplant
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Sclerosing cholangitis
  • Wilson’s disease

Services We Offer

We offer a number of specialized services for children and teenagers with gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders, including:

Aerodigestive Center

Our team is dedicated to finding the right answers and treatments for children with complex airway and digestive tract disorders.

Learn more about our Aerodigestive Center

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroenteritis services

We offer consultations from a gastroenterologist, allergist and nutritionist, all in the same clinic. Some of the conditions we treat include allergic gastrointestinal disease (gastroenteritis), eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT)

Fecal microbiota transplantation is a procedure that transfers a healthy donor’s stool into a recipient’s digestive system to eliminate “bad’’ bacteria such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff). The procedure replaces the infectious bacteria with healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

Contact Marie Gay at 404-785-7798 for more information.

Read Avery’s Story

General gastroenterology services

We provide general care to gastroenterology patients. We also have specialists who treat many conditions.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is a chronic disorder that causes an inflammation in the small and large intestines. IBD is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and teenagers.

Learn more about IBD care

Integrated enteral feeds advancement team (IEAT)

We have a multidisciplinary clinic for children with feeding tubes who may eventually be able to take most of their nutrition by mouth.

Learn more about IEAT

Intestinal Rehabilitation Program

We provide comprehensive care for children with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome. We offer a full range of services, from medical to nutritional and surgical management.

Learn more about our Intestinal Rehab Program

Pelvic and Anorectal Care Program

We care for children with surgical diseases resulting in constipation, diarrhea, soiling and/or pain as a consequence of the disease.

Learn more about our Pelvic and Anorectal Care Program

Liver Disease Program

We have one of the Southeast’s leading pediatric liver disease programs. We treat many liver-related conditions and complications.

Learn more about our Liver Disease Program

Neurogastroenterology and Motility Program

Our experts create highly specialized treatment plans for children who have digestion issues due to problems related to contractions of the gastric muscles (motility).

Learn more about our Neurogastroenterology and Motility Team

Strong4Life Clinic

Through our Strong4Life Clinic, we provide a holistic approach to obesity and weight-related conditions. Families complete a nutritional assessment with a dietician to develop family-based lifestyle changes—with medication, if needed—to improve long-term health.

Learn more about our Strong4Life Clinic

Procedures

  • Endoscopy: An endoscope is a lighted, flexible instrument containing a computer chip and camera that is attached to a TV monitor. It’s used to examine the upper or lower GI tract.
  • Capsule endoscopy: Capsule endoscopy uses a pill-sized video camera that is swallowed to allow a doctor to examine the middle part of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Upper endoscopy: Upper endoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to see the esophagus (food tube), stomach and the first part of the small intestine with an endoscope—a lighted, flexible instrument.
  • Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is a test that examines the large intestine by inserting a long, flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) into the rectum.
  • Bravo pH testing: The Bravo™ pH Monitoring System measures pH to test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in older children. The doctor implants a small, temporary device on the wall of your child’s esophagus during an endoscopy. The device collects data about acid levels.
  • pH probe study: A pH probe study measures the acid levels inside of the esophagus to test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in younger children. The doctor inserts a thin probe through the nose and into your child’s esophagus to record acid levels.
  • Manometry: Manometry is a test that examines how rectal muscles and nerves are working. The test helps determine the cause of anorectal constipation or encopresis (stool leakage). The doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into the rectum to record pressure. A small balloon attached to the tube may be inflated to assess reflexes.

Our Unique Approach

Children’s is home to one of the leading pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition programs in the country. In 2017-18, U.S. News & World Report ranked our Gastroenterology and GI Surgery Program as one of the best in the nation. Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in pediatric gastroenterology with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to provide outstanding care to children with digestive problems.

Meet the Team

Meet our gastroenterology team

  • Jeffrey A Blumenthal, MD

    Jeffrey A Blumenthal, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Jeffrey A Blumenthal, MD

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    Jeffrey A Blumenthal, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
    • Internship: Mount Sinai Medical Center
    • Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
    • Fellowship: North Shore University Hospital - NYU
    • Fellowship: University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Stanley A Cohen, MD

    Stanley A Cohen, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Stanley A Cohen, MD

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    Stanley A Cohen, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Alvin Jay Freeman, MD

    Alvin Jay Freeman, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Alvin Jay Freeman, MD

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    Alvin Jay Freeman, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
    • Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Jose M Garza, MD

    Jose M Garza, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Jose M Garza, MD

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    Jose M Garza, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Universidad Anahuac
    • Residency: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Ctr.
    • Fellowship: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Benjamin D Gold, MD

    Benjamin D Gold, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Benjamin D Gold, MD

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    Benjamin D Gold, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine
    • Internship: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Hospital for Sick Children

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Nitika A Gupta, MD

    Nitika A Gupta, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Nitika A Gupta, MD

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    Nitika A Gupta, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Jay A Hochman, MD

    Jay A Hochman, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Jay A Hochman, MD

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    Jay A Hochman, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Clinical Training: Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals
    • Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
    • Internship: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
    • Residency: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Tatyana Hofmekler, MD

    Tatyana Hofmekler, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Tatyana Hofmekler, MD

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    Tatyana Hofmekler, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Saul J Karpen, MD, PhD

    Saul J Karpen, MD, PhD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Saul J Karpen, MD, PhD

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    Saul J Karpen, MD, PhD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Mount Sinai Medical Center
    • Residency: Yale-New Haven Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Yale-New Haven Medical Center

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Patrice G Kruszewski, DO

    Patrice G Kruszewski, DO

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Patrice G Kruszewski, DO

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    Patrice G Kruszewski, DO

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Internship: Crozer-Chester Medical Center
    • Residency: A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children
    • Fellowship: Nationwide Childrens Hospital

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Subramaniam Kugathasan, MD

    Subramaniam Kugathasan, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Subramaniam Kugathasan, MD

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    Subramaniam Kugathasan, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Colombo
    • Residency: Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
    • Fellowship: University Hospitals of Cleveland

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Larry Glen Lewis, Jr, MD

    Larry Glen Lewis, Jr, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Larry Glen Lewis, Jr, MD

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    Larry Glen Lewis, Jr, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Post Graduate: Childrens Hospital Medical Center - Cincinnati
    • Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine
    • Internship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Childrens Hospital Medical Center - Cincinnati

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Jeffery D Lewis, MD

    Jeffery D Lewis, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Jeffery D Lewis, MD

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    Jeffery D Lewis, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    • Internship: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Boston Childrens Hospital

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Steven Liu, MD

    Steven Liu, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Steven Liu, MD

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    Steven Liu, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
    • Residency: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Seth B Marcus, MD

    Seth B Marcus, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Seth B Marcus, MD

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    Seth B Marcus, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly) Childrens Memorial Hospital

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Barbara Overend McElhanon, MD

    Barbara Overend McElhanon, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Barbara Overend McElhanon, MD

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    Barbara Overend McElhanon, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Tejas R Mehta, MD

    Tejas R Mehta, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Tejas R Mehta, MD

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    Tejas R Mehta, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    The Children's
    Care Network

    William F Meyers, MD

    William F Meyers, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    William F Meyers, MD

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    William F Meyers, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine
    • Internship: University of Florida College of Medicine
    • Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine
    • Fellowship: University of Utah Hospital

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Aminu Mohammed, MD

    Aminu Mohammed, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Aminu Mohammed, MD

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    Aminu Mohammed, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Ghana
    • Residency: Morehouse School of Medicine

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Nirav R Patel, MD

    Nirav R Patel, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Nirav R Patel, MD

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    Nirav R Patel, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: St George's University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Maria Fareri Children's Hospital
    • Fellowship: New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus)

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Dinesh G Patel, MD

    Dinesh G Patel, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Dinesh G Patel, MD

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    Dinesh G Patel, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Medical College of Georgia - Augusta University (formerly Georgia Regents University)
    • Internship: Baylor College of Medicine
    • Residency: Baylor College of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Edith Schear Pilzer, MD

    Edith Schear Pilzer, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Edith Schear Pilzer, MD

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    Edith Schear Pilzer, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
    • Internship: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Dellys M Soler Rodriguez, MD

    Dellys M Soler Rodriguez, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Dellys M Soler Rodriguez, MD

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    Dellys M Soler Rodriguez, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
    • Internship: Jackson Memorial Hospital
    • Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital
    • Fellowship: Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Rene Romero, Jr, MD

    Rene Romero, Jr, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Rene Romero, Jr, MD

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    Rene Romero, Jr, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine
    • Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Fellowship: Boston Childrens Hospital
    • Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Larry M Saripkin, MD

    Larry M Saripkin, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Larry M Saripkin, MD

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    Larry M Saripkin, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    • Internship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Fellowship: Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Cary G Sauer, MD

    Cary G Sauer, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Cary G Sauer, MD

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    Cary G Sauer, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Wisconsin Medical School
    • Residency: University of Virginia School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Bess T Schoen, MD

    Bess T Schoen, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Bess T Schoen, MD

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    Bess T Schoen, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Miami Leonard M Miller School of Medicine
    • Internship: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Olga M Sherrod, MD

    Olga M Sherrod, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Olga M Sherrod, MD

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    Olga M Sherrod, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Universidad Nacional Pedro Enrique Urena
    • Residency: Medical College of Virginia
    • Fellowship: Medical College of Virginia

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Gayathri J Tenjarla, MD

    Gayathri J Tenjarla, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Gayathri J Tenjarla, MD

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    Gayathri J Tenjarla, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Gandhi Medical College
    • Residency: Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
    • Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Miriam B Vos, MD

    Miriam B Vos, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Miriam B Vos, MD

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    Miriam B Vos, MD

    Pediatric Hepatologist

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
    • Residency: University of Louisville School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: University of Louisville School of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly) Childrens Memorial Hospital

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    MYchart
    Jordan H Weitzner, MD

    Jordan H Weitzner, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Jordan H Weitzner, MD

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    Jordan H Weitzner, MD

    Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Education

    • Medical School: Medical College of Georgia - Augusta University (formerly Georgia Regents University)
    • Residency: Medical College of Georgia
    • Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine

    Children's
    Physician Group

    The Children's
    Care Network

    Field F Willingham, MD

    Field F Willingham, MD

    Field F Willingham, MD

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    Field F Willingham, MD

    Education

    • Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
    • Residency: Baylor College of Medicine
    • Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Fellowship: Brigham and Womens Hospital

Helpful Resources

Having a child with a gastrointestinal condition can affect the entire family. Here are some resources to guide your family:

Locations

Egleston hospital

1405 Clifton Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30322

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Children's at Satellite Boulevard

2660 Satellite Blvd.

Duluth, GA 30096-5803

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Children's at Cobb

1371 Church Street Extension

Marietta, GA 30060-7913

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Children's at North Druid Hills

1605 Chantilly Drive NE

Atlanta, GA 30324-3269

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Emory Children's Center Building

2015 Uppergate Drive

Atlanta, GA 30322-1015

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St. Mary's Athens

1230 Baxter Street

Athens, GA 30606

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View all gastroenterology care locations