Changing Lives Through Groundbreaking Science

Kinga Skowron, MD is mission critical to UChicago Medicine’s rapidly growing colon and rectal surgery program. The GI Research Foundation proudly supports Dr. Skowron, who is helping define the best practices for gastrointestinal disease management across the country and around the world.

Neil Sengupta, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, is investigating novel approaches to improving colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. While the procedure itself is typically done under sedation with relative ease and comfort, some patients find preparation for a colonoscopy unpleasant and difficult, not to mention complicated. Preparation requires coordination with the procedure team and gastroenterologist, all while managing life at home.

“We are currently actively investigating novel outreach methods to reach patients to guide patients through every step of their colonoscopy. For example, we are using text messages: we enroll patients who are scheduled for a colonoscopy, and we text them through every step of the process. We tell them what bowel preparation to use, when to arrive for their procedure, when to take the first half of their preparation, when to take the second half, and so on. Upgrading these methods of communication can support patients to improve their outcomes and them make it their appointments.”

Thomas Cotter, MD investigates the underutilization of alcohol use disorder (AUD) pharmacotherapies and opportunities on how to increase AUD medication prescribing.

The GI Research Foundation invests in training the next generation of gastroenterologists and GI researchers as they go through rigorous training in clinical, research and educational rotations at a rapid pace.