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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program
The UCSF Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program provides comprehensive care for children living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is an umbrella term for several chronic conditions, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis and other disorders that result from an overactive inflammatory response in the intestines. Symptoms of IBD can include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fever, joint pain and weight loss.
At UCSF, we understand how seriously IBD can impact quality of life for kids, so we're committed to using all of our knowledge, technologies and resources to help your child live as happily and actively as possible.
Our team includes pediatric gastroenterologists specializing in IBD, nurse practitioners, nurses, registered dietitians, pediatric surgeons, pathologists, pharmacists, social workers and child life specialists. To address symptoms related to IBD, such as a joint problem or skin condition, we also work closely with specialists in immunology, rheumatology, dermatology, psychiatry and psychology, radiology, hepatology (liver care), infectious diseases and endocrinology. When needed, we coordinate with the UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center and the UCSF Colitis and Crohn's Disease Center to ensure seamless care for our patients.
We recognize the importance of involving families and children in their care. We work closely with you to identify and manage factors that may contribute to the condition or worsen symptoms. Treatment approaches may involve a combination of medications, nutritional therapies, surgery and other supportive approaches aimed at achieving remission or improving symptoms.
As one of Northern California's largest IBD programs, we are staffed by a diverse, multilingual group of experts who specialize in pediatric care. As part of the ImproveCareNow network, an international pediatric IBD system, we're leveraging our integrative therapies and world-class imaging and endoscopy center to help as many families as possible. We also partner with IBD-focused patient and family advisory councils, as well as the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health, to ensure that our services are tailored to meet the needs of our patients.
In addition to offering gold-standard FDA-approved medications for pediatric IBD, our experts are also conducting clinical trials to study the safety and efficacy of medications currently used to treat adults with IBD.
Getting an infusion
We collaborate with UCSF's pediatric infusion center to get our patients the transfusion and infusion therapies they need. Learn more or make an appointment at one of our Bay Area locations.
Our locations (7)
Our team
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Sabina Ali
MD
Pediatric gastroenterologist -
Sofia Verstraete
MD
Pediatric gastroenterologist -
Mel Heyman
MD, MPH
Pediatric gastroenterologist -
Lan Vu
MD
Fetal and pediatric surgeon -
Aaron Jensen
MD, MS, FACS
Pediatric and trauma surgeon -
Alice Y. Chan
MD, PhD
Pediatric allergist, immunologist and rheumatologist -
Morna J. Dorsey
MD, MMS
Pediatric immunologist and allergist -
Kelly M. Cordoro
MD
Pediatric dermatologist -
Nicole W. Kittler
MD
Pediatric dermatologist -
Susan Kim
MD, MMSc
Pediatric rheumatologist -
Geraldina Lionetti
MD
Pediatric rheumatologist -
Emily von Scheven
MD, MAS
Pediatric rheumatologist -
Erica F. Lawson
MD
Pediatric rheumatologist -
David K. Becker
MD, MPH, MA
Pediatrician and integrative medicine specialist -
Jenifer Matthews
MD
Pediatrician and integrative medicine specialist -
David Drevno
PNP, MSN
Pediatric nurse practitioner -
Laura Cooke
PNP, MSN
Pediatric nurse practitioner -
Abigail Lundin
RD, MS
Dietitian -
Carmen Tse
RD, CNSC, MS
Dietitian -
Megan Murphy
RD
Dietitian -
Makiko Omori
RD
Dietitian -
Cressy Potter
RD, MS
Dietitian -
Juhye Park
LCSW
Social worker -
Clarissa (Clari) Rivas
MSW
Social worker
Awards & recognition
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Ranked among the nation's best in 10 specialties
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Best in Northern California for gastroenterology & GI surgery
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related clinics (6)
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General Surgery Clinic
![](/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-bch/images/clinic/numbered-clinic-card/pediatric-primary-immune-regulatory-disorders-clinic-320x320-2x.jpg?rev=591c550f0eb44cfaaac823633499075a&hash=99C4E600C26C950F2C90B49226BBD53F)
Primary Immune Regulatory Disorder (PIRD) Clinic
Support services
Our research initiatives
Feeling at home
From bedside bingo to therapy dogs, we're here to help kids smile and feel more like themselves.
Visit Child Life services![](/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-bch/images/by-your-side-moment/bear/bys_footer_bear-neutral-2x.jpg?rev=81c20662c2cc4692822f4b8583f01035&hash=16F72F4D46749F5692334687A5843450)