Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases that affect over one million people in the United States. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program is the only program in Northern New England exclusively dedicated to the care of patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. At our Program, we treat over 2,000 patients with IBD.
Treatment
Our providers have extensive experience using both standard and cutting-edge therapies. We aim to fine-tune medical therapies to get the most benefit possible to improve the quality of life of our patients. Our surgeons are skilled in the advanced techniques required to care specifically for patients with IBD.
Quality of care
In collaboration with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, the IBD Program is leading a national effort to improve the quality of care delivered to all patients with IBD. By measuring what we do well and identifying where we can do better, our goal of this patient-centered program is to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by IBD.
Our services
- Chromoendoscopy for colon cancer surveillance
- Dietitian counseling
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
- Infusion therapy
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery
- Office consultation
- Psychosocial support services
- Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy
- Wireless capsule endoscopy
Collaboration with your doctor
If you have been referred by your primary care physician or gastroenterologist, we will be happy to work with them in any way that you find most helpful.
Research
We have active research protocols for both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, allowing patients access to exciting new options for treatment. In addition, our researchers are funded by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to help further our understanding of IBD and its treatment. See which clinical trials are currently ongoing.
Patient education
Our partnership with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation provides our patients with multiple opportunities for support. This includes our annual patient education program that brings together our IBD Program team for an update and review of the most important topics in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Are you a Crohn's and Colitis Foundation member?
If you aren’t currently a member, we encourage you to become one. By becoming a member, you can connect with over 50,000 other members who are also living with IBD. Plus, you will have access to research, education, and support tools available only through the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. We can provide information for you during your appointment or you can visit their website at www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org for more details.
Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship
The IBD Program is proud to offer a 1-year fellowship program in clinical research and management of inflammatory bowel diseases for physicians who have completed a 3-year GI fellowship. Please visit our website for more details about our commitment to education in IBD and the application process.
Our team
We are proud of the comprehensive care we offer to our patients. Our team includes gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, a dedicated nursing staff with an IBD nurse practitioner and wound ostomy continence nurse, and research and quality coordinators. Our group has become an efficient team to help in every aspect of patient care, support and research. We meet weekly to review new developments in IBD care and collaboratively review individual patient treatment plans and progress.
Meet our directors
IBD Program Team
- Steve P. Bensen, MD
- Connie Dragnev, APRN, MSN
- Katrina Hacker, PhD
- Aubrie R. Mazurek, PA-C, MSM
- Siddhartha Parker, MD
- Jessica K. Salwen-Deremer, PhD
- Lauren K. Tormey, MD
- Angela J. Welch, PA-C
- Lauren R. Wilson, MD
- Matthew Z. Wilson, MD
- Michael W. Winter, MD
Additional team members
- Catherine Giguere-Rich, RDN, LD
- Kathleen Cross, RDN
How to reach us
Please visit our Appointments and Referrals page for information about making an appointment. Depending on the course of treatment, patients may need to contact the Medical Infusion or Colon Surgery departments.