Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Infants and children with disorders that affect digestion and nutrition have a special place for help and hope at Lurie Children’s. The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is one of the leading programs in the country that offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating and treating childhood digestive disorders.
With highly-experienced doctors, state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and research that offers cutting-edge treatments, we see more children with digestive disorders than any other program in Illinois. Each year we have more than 14,000 patient visits and perform approximately 1,500 endoscopic procedures.
We believe in family-centered care, which means we focus on supporting the whole family along with the patient. We offer many family support services and provide space for support groups. A multidisciplinary team of experienced healthcare providers will care for your child. This team approach makes it easier for you to see every specialist your child needs under one roof and often in the same visit.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is ranked 16th in the nation for pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Digestive Health & GI Programs
We deliver comprehensive care in our subspecialty programs for children with inflammatory bowel diseases, eosinophilic esophagitis, GI motility disorders, pancreatic diseases, short bowel syndrome, feeding disorders and reflux, and nutritional problems in children with chronic conditions.
- 4GUT Program
- Aerodigestive Program
- Colorectal Center
- Comprehensive Chronic Abdominal Pain Program
- Constipation Management Program (iPoop)
- Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Program
- Feeding, Swallowing & Nutrition Disorders Program
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
- Intestinal Rehabilitation Program
- Intestinal Transplantation Program
- Liver Transplantation Program
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (Fatty Liver Disease) Program
- Neurointestinal and Motility Program
- POTS Program
- ThriveGI Integrative Health Program
Digestive Conditions We Treat
Our pediatric specialists treat children for all types of digestive disorders and liver diseases, including:
- Abdominal Pain
- Alagille Syndrome
- Ascites
- Biliary Atresia
- Celiac Disease
- Cholestasis
- Colic
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Dysphagia
- Encopresis
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
- Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Failure to Thrive
- Feeding & Swallowing Problems
- Feeding Aversion/Disorder
- Fetal Gastroschisis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hepatitis
- Hirschsprung's Disease
- Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
- Intestinal Malrotation & Volvulus
- Intussusception
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Jaundice
- Lactose Intolerance
- Liver Encephalopathy
- Liver Enlargement
- Liver Failure
- Norovirus
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Stool Retention
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vomiting
Gastroenterology Tests, Diagnosis & Treatments
With a mission to care for young patients with complex gastrointestinal (GI) and liver diseases, our division offers high quality tests and treatments with expertise not available anywhere else in the region.
Our Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists & Nutritionists
Our entire staff is dedicated to evaluating and treating infants, children and teens. All of our physicians are board eligible/certified in pediatric gastroenterology, with a wide variety of expertise in the care of children with diseases of the digestive system, including liver disease. Our division also has doctors who specialize in liver disease in children (pediatric hepatologists), and is a leader in the field of liver transplantation.
The team also includes:
- Pediatric nurse practitioners and nurses
- Dietitians/nutritionists
- Imaging specialists
- Liver and intestinal transplant specialists
- Pain specialists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
Our team also works closely with other Lurie Children’s specialists to provide integrated care, and has specialized programs with the Division of Allergy and Immunology, the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Division of Pediatric Surgery.
Barry Wershil, MD, directs the Division of Gastroenterology. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology, and has more than 25 years of experience in pediatric gastroenterology. He also is a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Barry K. Wershil, MD
Division Head, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Estella M. Alonso, MD
Medical Director, The Siragusa Transplantation Center; Sally Burnett Searle Professorship in Pediatric Transplantation
Valeria C. Cohran, MD
Medical Director, Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation; Attending Physician, Gastroenterology
Lee M. Bass, MD
Director of Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Jeffrey B. Brown, MD
Medical Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
Catherine A. Chapin, MD, MS
Medical Director, Hepatology and Liver Transplant; Program Director, Advanced Transplant Hepatology Fellowship; Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Jonathan S. Cordova, DO
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Bonnie S. Essner, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Mark H. Fishbein, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; Medical Director, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorder Program; Medical Director, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (Fatty Liver Disease) Program
John E. Fortunato, Jr, MD
Director, Neurointestinal & Motility Program; Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Amanda Gomez, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Maria T. Greene, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology
Natalie Hoffmann, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Batul Kaj-Carbaidwala, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Corie M. Klepper, MD, MS
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Alyssa A. Kriegermeier, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Mora V. Mocanu, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Suzanne P. Nelson, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Peter T. Osgood, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Maria E. Perez, DO
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Lauren Potthoff, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
C. Allan Pratt, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Joshua D. Prozialeck, MD, MSA
Clinical Practice Director and Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Joseph M. Runde, DO
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Caroline Salozzo, MBA, RD, CNSC, LDN
Registered Dietician
Adrienne Scheich, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Jennifer A. Strople, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Melissa Talley, RD, LDN, CNSC
Registered Dietitian, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Sharon Tam, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Ellen S. Wagner, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Joshua B. Wechsler, MD, MSCI
Medical Director, Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Program; Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; CURED (Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease) Foundation Research Scholar
Bridget A. Whitehead, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Beata Borawski, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Katherine Brennan, MSN, APRN-NP, FNP-C, CPN
Family Nurse Practitioner, Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation
Susan Buck, APRN-NP, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Caroline Lois, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Maria Manuel-Rubio, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Emily Santolin, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Melissa C. Semp, APRN-NP, CCTN
Family Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Melanie H. Shea, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Julie K. Shotwell, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Skyler A. Tomko, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Truc Vo, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Anil A. Kesavan, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology
Sheela Mahendra, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology
Randolph M. McConnie, MD
Attending Physician, Gastroenterology
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 at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
302 Randall Road
Suite 102
Geneva, Illinois 60134
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Arlington Heights
Busse Center for Specialty Medicine
880 W. Central Rd, Ste 6400
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
312.227.5410
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lake Forest
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital Campus
900 N. Westmoreland, Suite 110 (Bays Medical Office Building, 1st Floor)*
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
312.227.1010
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox
1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Westchester
Surgical Treatment Center
2301 Enterprise Drive
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.7900
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Grayslake
1475 E. Belvidere Rd. (Rte. 120)
Suite 285, Pavilion C
Grayslake, Illinois 60030-2012
312.227.2220
Lurie Children's Physician Office in Glenview
3633 W. Lake Ave.
Suite 103
Glenview, Illinois 60026
312.227.2250
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie
3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600
Rush Adult & Pediatric Primary Care
1645 W. Jackson Blvd.
Suite 215 Westgate Building
Chicago, IL 60612
312.942.3034
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Schaumburg (Opening Fall 2025)
1895 Arbor Glen Boulevard
Schaumburg, Illinois 60195
1.800.543.7362
Research
Our specialists actively conduct research to improve the treatment of digestive disorders.
Training & Education
Keeping with our belief that quality education is inseparable from our quality patient care, we partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the Feinberg School, we offer several opportunities for residents to further their education in a pediatric specialty. A program for foreign medical graduates focuses on science-based clinical practice. This program is designed for foreign students who anticipate returning to their countries of origin. In 1997, the program received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Review the Feinberg School’s information to learn how to apply for our fellowship programs.
Digestive Disorders News & Stories
Constipation in Kids: Causes, Types & Treatment
Our pediatric experts answer some of the most frequently asked questions about constipation in kids, including causes, symptoms and more.
Common Questions about Diets for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Our expert gastroenterologist answers some of the most common questions about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including symptoms, diagnosis, diet and nutrition, treatment and more.
What is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist?
Learn more about pediatric gastroenterologist specialists to better understand what conditions they diagnose and treat.
Lurie Children’s Is Again Ranked #1 Pediatric Hospital in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago continues to be recognized as #1 in Illinois in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings.
Finding Peace Through Pain: How Psychologists Help Chronic Pain Patients Cope
Chronic pain often causes disruption to normal childhood activities and affects a child’s mood, family and peer relationships, and their ability to do the things they care about. Psychologists are an integral part of these patients' care. Learn about the mental health professionals embedded within each program who address the emotional and mental well-being of their patients.
Newsweek Ranks Lurie Children’s Hospital #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Nationally
Lurie Children’s ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of 'America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2024,' and was listed in the top 10 in three other specialties.
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.