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Bright Futures

Articles and Updates from Phoenix Children's

September 08, 2020, Patel, Ashish, MD ,
Phoenix Children’s Gastroenterology: New Division Chief, New Vision

Hi, I am Dr. Ashish S. Patel, Phoenix Children’s new Division Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI). I am thrilled to join the Phoenix Children’s family and continue the work of our previous division chief, Dr. Gary Silber. I joined Phoenix Children’s because of its clinical excellence in pediatric GI, as well as its stellar reputation across pediatric disciplines. I am passionate about clinical care, partnered with cutting edge clinical research and education as a model for excellent comprehensive programs.

My vision for the Phoenix Children’s GI program is to continue the excellent clinical reputation as a foundation for our success, while expanding our focus on education, research, quality improvement, community involvement and program development. This work includes growing the faculty, starting a GI fellowship program, building the organization’s liver transplant service and enriching the division’s reputation at the local, regional and national levels. With a faculty of 17 pediatric gastroenterologists, seven advanced practitioners, four registered dieticians, 17 nurses and 16 medical assistants across six practice sites, we are one of the largest pediatric GI divisions in the country: It’s time we reflect nationally the work we achieve at Phoenix Children’s every day. Though we are already nationally ranked by US News and World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals, my long-term vision is to build on that ranking and continue to provide top-quality care to our patients.

I will focus on our flagship programs— aerodigestive, therapeutic endoscopy, eosinophilic esophagitis and inflammatory bowel disease as launching boards to national prominence. Additionally, I will build a GI fellowship program create an academic backbone for our division and be a great tool in developing future pediatric GI faculty here at Phoenix Children’s who can eventually represent our hospital on a nationwide pediatric GI community platform.

For our current and future families, and referring physicians, we will continue to provide high-quality clinical care in Arizona. We will partner with adult clinical colleagues in the community to assure safe and successful transition care for your children into adulthood.

As we navigate these unprecedented times and nationwide heightened awareness to infection, the Phoenix Children’s GI team is still doing everything possible to continue serving our patients, safely and efficiently. This work includes a commitment and investment in telemedicine.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s care with our GI program, our pediatric gastroenterologists and the entire clinical support team here at Phoenix Children’s. We understand the value of that trust and look forward to partnering with you in their care.

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