Joel Lavine, MD Initiates and Develops Dedicated Outpatient Digestive Health Center for Children at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia Irving University Medical Center

Joel Lavine MD, the chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia Irving University Medical Center explains that one of the greater accomplishments of his career was being involved in the development of the dedicated outpatient digestive health center for children at this hospital. This was a huge project that was made possible thanks to a $15 million donation from Phyllis and Ivan Seidenberg. Here is more about this facility and why it is such a huge accomplishment for Dr. Lavine.

Why This Project Is So Important to Joel Lavine MD

Joel Lavine MD explains that the dedicated outpatient digestive health center for children at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia Irving University Medical Center is so important to him because it helps him to help children. Being the chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia Irving University Medical Center, Dr. Lavine knew that children could benefit from a center that focuses specifically on gastrointestinal and liver problems. However, without a facility dedicated to this, parents often struggled to determine where to take their children for the treatment they needed with a professional who understood their needs. This facility not only helps to treat children with these types of conditions, but it also does research to help find links, cures, and treatments for children who have gastrointestinal or liver-related problems, including celiac disease.

Joel Lavine MD Explains What Types of Discoveries Have Been Made Thanks to This Center

Joel Lavine MD states that not only does the Outpatient Digestive Health Center for Children at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia Irving University Medical Center help treat children, but it does research as well. One of the most recent discoveries that this center was able to find was a link between moody gut and depression. It is believed that low serotonin can cause both problems. The center was also able to put together a questionnaire tailored toward those with autism, to help diagnose gastrointestinal issues in those with autism that may go undiagnosed due to communication issues. Finally, the center was working on a link between celiac disease and non-coding RNA. This finding may help determine who is at risk for celiac disease, why the disease happens, and even treatments or cures for the disease.

Joel Lavine MD explains that one of the lesser-known facts about this story is that Dr. Lavine actually diagnosed two of the Seidenberg’s grandchildren with celiac disease. This is how the Seidenbergs’ came to know Dr. Lavine and came to want to help facilitate an outpatient digestive health center for children. Thanks to Ivan Seidenberg, the founder, and CEO of Verizon, and his wife, Phyllis Seidenberg, the center was able to open a few years ago and has since been helping children with their digestive health needs.