Helping Every Child Live Their Best Life With a Healthy Digestive System
At Phoenix Children's Division of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, our expert team—including 21 gastroenterologists and four nurse practitioners—treats all conditions affecting the digestive tract. With a focus on clinical excellence, cutting-edge research, and education and outreach, we help children reach optimal GI health so they can engage fully in all the experiences that shape their early years and beyond. In 2024, Phoenix Children's was named one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery.
- Clinical excellence: Recruitment of top-tier physicians has helped drive clinical excellence for children in need, including the recent development of our pediatric motility program. This means motility patient families can avoid traveling out of state for care while we expedite diagnoses, treatment plans and healing.
- Cutting-edge research: Our investigators are breaking new ground in areas such as transnasal endoscopy, an endoscopic procedure that can be performed without general anesthesia. This work has positioned Phoenix Children's as a leader in pediatric transnasal endoscopy.
- Education and outreach: In 2021, the GI fellowship program was launched with the aim of creating one of the best pediatric GI fellowships in the country. This fellowship, paired with fresh community outreach programs, has established a trusted pipeline for top talent and fostered community engagement.
None of this would be possible without philanthropic support from our generous community. Learn about priority funding needs at the Division of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery and find out how you can make a difference for our patients and their families.
2023–2024 By the Numbers
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the Division of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery is reaching new milestones.
550
children with IBD currently followed by the GI team
182
children newly diagnosed with celiac disease
80
children newly diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis
Priority Funding Needs
Philanthropic support allows us to advance pediatric gastroenterology at Phoenix Children's by providing the resources to evaluate and improve clinical care, conduct and publish cutting-edge research, attract top talent, and educate the clinicians and researchers of the future.
Offering endowed chairs to proven physician-leaders is essential to recruitment and retention. These coveted designations affirm their expert status while Phoenix Children's is assured a sustainable resource to continue our mission of providing hope and healing to children and families in Arizona and beyond. The investment would name the Endowed Chair, Gastroenterology, and provide the level of investment required to create a charitable endowment that will make an impact for generations to come.
Transformative research takes expert physician-scientists, equipment, laboratory space, and the burning desire to do better for the children in our community. GI research funds will support innovation, research and discovery to ensure children experience the best health possible and live to the fullest.
The Aerodigestive Clinic is the only facility of its kind in the Southwest, offering comprehensive, coordinated care for children with aerodigestive disorders. A sustainable program endowment is key to ensuring the Aerodigestive Clinic continues to be a resource for families from Arizona and across the U.S.
A program endowment will provide sustainable funds for patient care, research and continued growth for the program, which cares for over 400 children with IBD.
The Eosinophilic Esophagitis Program uses cutting-edge technology and has a strong research foundation to ensure world-class care for children with eosinophilic esophagitis in the Southwest.
As Phoenix Children's evolves this burgeoning destination program, the medical director will need the resources to build upon their vision of a destination for children to receive the best gastroenterological care. The Director's Fund will provide the necessary capital for program development, innovation and discovery.
Ensuring every child has access to world-class care requires the latest equipment and staff trained in cutting-edge technology. Gastroenterology relies on a vast array of equipment to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of children, including items such as ultrasound equipment, gastroscopes and motility equipment.
Research is needed across the spectrum to further our understanding of children who experience eosinophilic esophagitis. The program's research focus will continue to move the needle in eosinophilic esophagitis care.
Mental health is a key component of healing for critically or chronically ill children. In addition to gastroenterological care, psychological care is key to this patient population and their families. The fund will provide salary support for psychologists dedicated to this specialty.
Caring for patients includes focusing on their psychosocial needs, including mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. The fund will provide education, coping skills, support groups and a supportive community for patients while they are in our care.
This award explicitly addresses a gap in supporting the next generation of clinical trainees in pediatric gastroenterology. The award will be bestowed on a highly talented and qualified trainee to further foster subspecialty education and research experience. Additionally, it will help attract promising young individuals to the department and support the development of novel pediatric gastroenterology treatments.
Continuous investment in people with a passion for gastroenterology, patient care, education, research and leadership is critical. The fund will assist with staff education and training to ensure our medical professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to heal children.
- “Our 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.”Ashish Patel, MDPhysician-in-Chief, Phoenix Children's; Division Chief, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery
Stories of Hope and Healing
Samantha is a one-of-a-kind teen whose life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with several chronic conditions, including chronic ulcerative colitis, during her freshman year in high school.
Charity is on a mission to master martial arts as well as her health, fighting her way through a complex gastrointestinal disorder.
Despite living with Crohn's disease and other chronic health issues, Sutton maintains a positive attitude.
Division of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery Philanthropic Advisory Council
Jim Connell
Shannon Goldwater
Doug Stotlar
Julie Stotlar
Your gift will help ensure that every child has the chance to live their best childhood with a healthy digestive system and an optimistic outlook on life.
