Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program

Our specialists at Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health are some of the most passionate and skilled worldwide. Many top centers send patients to us for lifesaving IBD treatment.

The team of experts with the Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health focuses on providing subspecialty care to challenging cases. We find it gratifying to take on such complex cases and rewarding when we can help restore a patient’s quality of life.

Our patients drive our researchers and specialists to continue to learn and grow. Excellence happens when teams of health professionals share innovative research. The Houston Methodist Annual Lecture Series in Gastrointestinal Medicine brings together trainees, faculty, physicians and health care providers to bring awareness to the Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program and develop heightened clinical acumen from gastroenterology leaders. The mission of the Fondren Program is to provide preventive care and rehabilitation plans for patients suffering from a range of IBD symptoms.

Innovative GI Treatments & Research

Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Your doctor’s training prepares him or her to deliver the most effective results that account for a wide range of cultural, medical and socioeconomic factors. We achieve this mission through comprehensive, leading-edge diagnostics, treatments and research.

Our program offers clinical trials for new medications that are being studied prior to FDA approval to offer state-of-the-art options for patients who have failed conventional medications.

Our program offers noninvasive disease assessment, using intestinal ultrasound during clinic visits without having to fast, take bowel prep, or use sedation.

Our gastroenterologists are among the nation’s leaders, and they collaborate with surgeons, radiologists, research scientists, pathologists, nutritionists, psychologists and other medical specialists with decades of experience.

Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery. U.S. News & World Report has also named Houston Methodist Hospital the No. 1 hospital in Texas every year since the award began and one of the nation’s best as a nationally ranked Honor Roll hospital.

Patients Travel for Physicians Who Listen

Our distinguished reputation for patient care and vast IBD experience are two reasons why people travel from Texas and around the world to the Underwood Center for treatment. An estimated 3.1 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic IBD conditions that prevent them from working and reduce the quality of their lives. We are happy to receive referrals and candidates who self-select for examination. We tailor our discussions to feedback from patients and their families to take all needs into consideration.

Cohesive Teams Deliver Outstanding Care

Our doctors work in a nimble, synchronized and dynamic group to get patients in as soon as possible, many within 48 hours. We use advanced laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques to provide speedy recovery with less pain and small scars.

We offer advanced imaging studies:

• Computed tomography (CT) enterography – uses CT imagery and a contrast material to view inside the small intestine
• Intestinal ultrasound – noninvasive point-of-care testing in a clinic visit to assess both small bowel and colon for IBDMR enterography – a minimally invasive imaging test of the small intestine

  The center has many standalone facilities throughout Houston ready to provide the following therapies:

• Anorectal manometry and biofeedback training – distinguishes pelvic floor dysfunction and improves incontinence in those who can benefit from biofeedback
• Capsule endoscopy – a tiny, pill-sized wireless camera takes pictures of your digestive tract, an area difficult to study through conventional endoscopy
• Colonoscopy with high-resolution endoscopy
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – diagnoses primary sclerosing cholangitis—a disease that damages and blocks bile ducts of the liver, which can occur in some patients with IBD—with a flexible, lighted scope and X-ray to check the tubes (ducts) that drain the liver, gallbladder and pancreas
• Infusion therapy in an on-site infusion suite
• Upper endoscopy – explores possible upper gastrointestinal tract involvement

IBD Areas of Expertise

Ailments and services we cover include:

• Crohn’s disease
• Minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgical techniques with enhanced recovery
• Pregnancy and women’s health in IBD
• Transition of care from pediatric to adult care in IBD
• Ulcerative colitis