A Closer Look: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Pediatric Clinical Update - January 2019

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition provides consultation and comprehensive care for all gastrointestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, and nutritional disorders of children and adolescents.  A specialized multidisciplinary team approach is available for inflammatory bowel diseases, eosinophilic esophagitis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and aerodigestive disorders. Focused specialty clinics for celiac disease, liver disorders, and pancreatitis are managed within the Division. The Division performs diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures (upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, polypectomy, variceal band ligation, dilations, feeding tube placement, fecal microbiota transfer), specialized diagnostic studies (video capsule endoscopy, high resolution esophageal and anorectal manometry, breath hydrogen testing, esophageal pH/Impedance), and biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinics are located throughout the Cleveland region with easy and rapid access for patients. Procedural and diagnostic services are performed at Rainbow, east side, and west side locations.

Clinic Locations:

• UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s - main campus
• UH Landerbrook Health Center
• UH Mentor Health Center
• UH Solon Health Center
• UH Twinsburg Health Center
• UH Fairlawn Health Center
• Rainbow Specialty Care - Youngstown
• UH Medina Health Center
• UH Parma Medical Arts Center, Bldg 4
• UH Westlake Health Center
• Firelands Regional Medical Center - Sandusky

Procedure Locations:

• UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s - main campus
• Rainbow at St John Medical Center - Westlake
• Rainbow at Ahuja Medical Center - Beachwood

Division contact:

Main number 216-844-1765 | Fax number 216-844-8750

FACULTY ROSTER

All faculty provide general pediatric gastroenterology consultation and follow-up care and have no restrictions on patient access. Additionally, the faculty have specialized interests and expertise.

Thomas J. Sferra, MD 
Chief, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Thomas.Sferra@UHhospitals.org
Special interests:  pancreatic diseases, cystic fibrosis, Clostridium difficile infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis, complementary approaches to GI disorders

Atiye Nur Aktay, MD
Fellowship Director, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Co-director, Rainbow Fecal Microbiota Transfer Program
Atiye.Aktay@uhhospitals.org
Special interests:  abdominal pain, fecal microbiota transfer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, complementary approaches to GI disorders

Virginia Baez-Socorro, MD
Virginia.BaezSocorro@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain

Maricruz Crespo, MD
Maricruz.Crespo@uhhospitals.org
Special Interests: pediatric hepatology, celiac disease, hepatitis C, obesity-related non- alcoholic steatohepatitis, abdominal pain

Ali Khalili, MD
Medical Director, Rainbow Endoscopy Unit
Alisalar.Khalili@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: short bowel syndrome, parenteral nutrition (TPN), advanced endoscopy, pediatric nutrition, and inflammatory bowel disease 

Ramy Sabe, MD
Co-Director, Rainbow Aerodigestive Diseases Program
Ramy.Sabe@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: aerodigestive disorders, advanced endoscopy, familial polyposis syndromes

Senthilkumar Sankararaman, MD
Senthilkumar.Sankararaman@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: nutrition medicine, feeding difficulties, food allergies,  obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, constipation

Judy Splawski, MD
Judy.Splawski@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: autoimmune gastrointestinal disease, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, protein intolerance, quality improvement for pediatric IBD 

Mary Alice Dombrowski, DNP, APRN-CNP
Maryalice.Dombrowski@UHhospitals.org
Special interests: dysfunctional elimination, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, infant reflux, cystic fibrosis

Sharon Perry, MSN, APRN-CNP
Sharon.Perry@UHhospirtals.org
Special interest: constipation, infant reflux, abdominal pain, infant reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, quality improvement for IBD