Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group
The IBD group provides world-class care for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease with members being actively involved in research and education. Members of the IBD group work at all four Calgary hospitals with most of the group being based at the Foothills Medical Centre in the University of Calgary IBD Clinic. This is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to providing world-class care to patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.
We strive for excellence in three key areas:
- Patient Care
- Clinical Research
- Patient/Physician Education
In addition to general inflammatory bowel disease care provided by physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals in clinic, there are several specialized clinics and services associated with the University of Calgary IBD Clinic.
Pregnancy in IBD Clinic
Dr. Cynthia Seow
Care during pregnancy for patients with IBD.
High-Risk IBD Clinic
Dr. Humberto Jijon and Dr. Yasmin Nasser
Rapid assessment and diagnosis of patients felt to be at high risk of having IBD.
IBD/IBS Overlap Clinic
Dr. Yasmin Nasser
Consultative services for patients with IBD with concomitant irritable bowel syndrome for management of symptoms.
Flare Clinic
Rapid access and assessment for patients with IBD followed by a gastroenterologist in Calgary to be assessed for a possible flare of disease and treatment.
Point of Care Ultrasound
Ultrasound (US) is a safe, reliable, non-invasive method of accurately evaluating the bowel - both large and small. This technique is well tolerated, requires no preparation and can be used to evaluate all 5 layers of the intestine, including the structures such as vessels and lymph nodes that lie outside the bowel. It can depict complications of the bowel secondary to chronic inflammation, such as narrowings (strictures), abscesses or fistulae. It is inexpensive, portable, and easily applied in the clinic as an extension of the physical examination.
The inflammatory bowel disease group at the University of Calgary is working to demonstrate the accuracy of this novel modality used in clinic for routine monitoring of inflammatory disease activity (through clinical research activities), ultimately aimed to assess patients beyond their clinical symptoms and ensure the health and 'healing' on medication. Dr. Kerri Novak, together with her research and clinical collaborator Dr. Stephanie Wilson, who is a world expert in bowel US, work closely together to provide a solid foundation in research and excellence in clinical care, with specific focus on US in IBD.