The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at Lurie Children's provides initial diagnostic evaluation and treatment plans as well comprehensive consultations for second or more opinions to hundreds of children —ranging from infants to teenagers —each year.
We are one of the large pediatric IBD centers in the US, caring for all types of IBD, including:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- IBD-Unclassified
- Very Early Onset (VEO) IBD
- Inflammatory bowel disease secondary to immune defective/deficient disorders
We are a member of the international, multi-institution pediatric IBD collaborative, ImproveCareNow, with a shared goal of improving care and outcomes in IBD patients. We collaborate closely with many other specialty areas at Lurie Children's, including pediatric surgery, immunology, rheumatology, radiology and pathology.
The diagnostic capabilities at the IBD Center include:
- Diagnostic and therapeutic upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy
- State-of-art imaging, including MRI/MRE, MRCP scans, CT scans, and fluoroscopy
- Non-invasive capsule endoscopy (Pill Cam)
- Deep, small bowel enteroscopy
- Interventional radiology services
- Surgical exam under anesthesia
In addition to our clinical services, we have numerous active clinical and research studies.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is ranked 16th in the nation for pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Why Choose Lurie Children's?
At Lurie Children's IBD Center, our goal is not only to treat the patient’s illness but to treat the whole family. IBD is a chronic, complex illness that affects children and their families, their day-to-day functioning, physical health, mental/psychological well-being and social interactions.
In addition to providing the most advanced medical therapies to our patients, we provide comprehensive care through our specialized team, which includes:
- IBD-nurse specialists: Address a wide range of issues—from straighforward to complex—in a timely manner to get families quick answers.
- IBD-specialized nurse practitioners (APN) and physician assistants (PA): Provide primary medical care as well as comprehensive education early after diagnosis; Offer a pre-college/high school graduation visit the spring/summer after finishing high school to better prepare patients for college or their post-high school plans.
- IBD psychologist: Assess and treat psychosocial concerns, including psychotherapy, biofeedback, and referral to psychiatry, if indicated.
- IBD dietician: Meet with newly diagnosed patients, patients identified with nutritional concerns or questions, or patients whose diet is considered as a primary or ancillary therapy.
- IBD social worker: Assists with information about school resources, insurance concerns/financial counseling and other barriers to care.
In addition to the most current, tailored medical therapies, we have a dedicated team of surgeons who utilize the latest techniques, including minimally invasive surgeries and robot-assisted surgery, and are leaders in enhanced post-operative recovery.
Finally, we collaborate closely with our adult colleagues at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, as well as other academic and private adult GI providers to help with transition to an adult provider when ready.
Our primary center is located at the main hospital in downtown Chicago on the Northwestern medical campus, but we also provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment at out Outpatient Centers in Northbrook and Skokie.
Meet Our Team of IBD Specialists
Physicians
Jeffrey B. Brown, MD
Medical Director, IBD Center
Associate Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Brown has over 20 years of experience caring for children with complicated IBD. He has had both NIH and Crohns and Colitis Foundation (CCF) funding for his research efforts and has served on the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) training and IBD committees.
Jennifer A. Strople, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Associate Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Strople has 20 years of experience caring for children with complicated IBD. In addition to her role in the IBD Center, she serves as Director of GI Fellowship Training and oversees all specialty training at Lurie Children’s. She has been a leader and advocate for patient education in both the CCF and NASPGHAN (member and chair of the professional education committee). She is the site lead physician for ImproveCareNow
Joseph M. Runde, DO
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Assistant Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Runde joined the IBD Center in 2020. In addition to his clinical expertise, he is the leader of numerous research projects investigating new drug therapies, advanced imaging techniques utilizing non-invasive ultrasound, and state-of the art molecular tissue analysis to tailor therapies in the future.
Jonathan S. Cordova, DO
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Amanda Gomez, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Advanced Practice Providers
Beata Borawski, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Beata is a nurse practitioner IBD specialist who joined the program in 2014. She provides primary clinical care, manages IBD patients admitted to the hospital and co-directs treatment of patients within our infusion center.
Caroline Lois, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Caroline is a Physician Assistant IBD specialist who joined the program in 2017. She provides primary clinical care, manages IBD patients admitted to the hospital and co-directs treatment of patients within our infusion center.
Psychologist
Lauren Potthoff, PhD
Pediatric psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Assistant Professor, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Potthoff joined the program in 2018. She is a member of both NASPGHAN and ICN.
Nursing Team
Emma Dyer, RN
Registered Nurse
Danielle Burkman, RN
Registered Nurse
Hannah Peterson, RN
Registered Nurse
Vannasay Thirakourne, RN
Registered Nurse
Clinical Dieticians
Angela Dennison, RD
Clinical Pediatric Dietitian
Caroline Salozzo, MBA, RD, CNSC, LDN
Clinical Pediatric Dietitian
Social Worker
Research Coordinator
Medical Assistants
Office Team
Elpidia Castillo
Program Coordinator, Sr. Administrative Assistant
Patrice Palmer
Administrative Assistant
Make an Appointment
We offer easy online scheduling for your child's GI needs.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny RoadNorthbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie
3722 W. Touhy AvenueSkokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600
Additional Resources
For more information, please visit the following websites:
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Philanthropy
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.