Specialties & Conditions Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment for infants through teenagers suffering from all types of IBD, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBD-unclassified, Very Early Onset (VEO) IBD and inflammatory bowel disease secondary to immune-defective/deficient disorders. We collaborate closely with a variety of departments at Lurie Children's, including pediatric surgery, radiology, and pathology, as well as with the adult IBD program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We are an active participant in the international Improve Care Now quality improvement and research consortium.
The IBD program is led by Jeffrey Brown, MD, and Jennifer Strople, MD. Dr. Brown and Dr. Strople each have over 15 years of experience caring for complicated children with IBD. Dr. Brown is the medical director of the IBD center and has had both Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF) and NIH funding supporting his research efforts in IBD. He is currently a member of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) IBD Committee. In addition to being a program specialist in IBD, Dr. Strople serves as Director of Fellowship Training at Lurie Children's, director of the local CCF pediatric professional education symposium, and serves as chair of the NASPGHAN Professional Education Committee.
We utilize a multidisciplinary approach incorporating physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse specialists, dietitians and social work. Our goal is to tailor each child’s assessment, testing, and treatment individually to achieve both physical and mental wellness.
The IBD center is active in numerous clinical studies and trials, including optimizing established treatment plans and testing new strategies.
Our primary center is located at the main hospital, but we also provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment at our Outpatient Center in Northbrook.
From top left: Caroline Lois, PA; Beata Borawski, APRN-NP; Ellen Boan; Gabby Vargas; Ali Balay, MSW; From bottom left: Amelia Cima, RN; Jennifer Strople, MD; Jeffrey Brown, MD; Jamila Acosta, RN; Sally Schwartz, RD; Not shown in this photo: Lisa Sharda, RD; and Mallory McFarren.
The program is led by Jeffrey Brown, MD, Medical Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Additional members of the team include:
All types of IBD, including:
If you'd like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS.DOC®) or visit our Appointments page for more information.
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.
