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faculty


Raymond K. Cross, D, MS, AGAF, FACG

Professor of Medicine Director of the IBD Program University of Maryland School of Medicine

Raymond K. Cross, M.D., M.S., A.G.A.F., F.A.C.G. is a Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He is also Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is Co-Director of the Digestive Health Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Cross received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Maryland and Baltimore VA Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Cross obtained a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Cross has authored over 100 journal articles, reviews, and book chapters. His research interests include application of telemedicine in the care of patients with IBD, disparities, outcomes research and clinical trials. He is Co-Chair of the Clinical Research Alliance, Research & Investigator Engagement Lead for SPARC IBD, past Chair of the Clinical Grants Review Committee and Patient Education Committee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and Scientific Co-Director of the Corevitas Registry.

Kian Keyashian, MD

Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program Stanford University, School of Medicine Redwood City, CA

Dr. Kian Keyashian completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Southern California. Given his increased interest in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, he completed an additional fellowship in inflammatory bowel disease to gain expertise in management of these patients. He is currently the Clinical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at Stanford School of Medicine. The management of inflammatory bowel disease continues to evolve, with the introduction of new biologic and small molecule therapies and new goals of treatment, with an emphasis on treating-to- target healing of the bowel. Dr. Keyashian’s career goal since graduation from IBD fellowship in 2012 has been to improve the outcomes and quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In line with these goals, his research has focused on investigating new noninvasive diagnostic tests, finding factors early in the disease course that might predict a more aggressive disease course and need for different therapies, and investigating new promising effective medications with less side effects. His research has also focused on older adults with inflammatory bowel disease, with an emphasis on diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Additionally, he has worked with the pediatric IBD team at Stanford to optimize the care of the adolescent patient population that is transitioning care to an adult provider. Through his work in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and the American Gastroenterological Association, he has worked to enhance programs for patient and provider education.

Vikesh K. Singh, M.D., M.Sc.

Professor of Medicine Director of Endoscopy, Johns Hopkins Hospital Director of Pancreatology Division of Gastroenterology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD

Dr. Vikesh K. Singh graduated with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics-Biology from Brown University in 1995. He graduated with an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2001. Dr. Singh completed his internship and residency training in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2004. He completed his fellowship in gastroenterology from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a M.Sc. in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2008. Dr. Singh completed his advanced endoscopy fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2010. He also served as an Instructor at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2008-2010. As of October 1, 2016, Dr. Singh is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also serves as the Director of the Pancreatitis Center and the Medical Director of the Pancreatic Islet Autotransplantation Program. Dr. Singh's research is focused on the medical as well as endoscopic evaluation and treatment of inflammatory disorders of the pancreas. He is also interested in improving our understanding and management of patients with chronic undifferentiated abdominal pain. He is also interested in developing new devices and technologies for the care of patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Santhi Swaroop Vege, MD, Master ACG, AGAF, FACP

Professor of Medicine & Consultant in Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology , President-Elect, International Association of Pancreatology, Editorial Board Member, Americn J Gastroenterol, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

I have 41 years of experience as a staff physician in academic gastroenterology and pancreatic diseases, with a special interest in pancreatitis. I have a proven track record in all 3 of Mayo Clinic’s shields, clinical, research and education. I have been the Director of Pancreas Group at Mayo Clinic for many years (stepped down recently for transition), which runs the only high volume daily clinic exclusively for pancreatic diseases with a dedicated group of pancreatologists along with pancreatic surgeons, radiologists, interventional endoscopists and radiologists, pathologists and basic science and epidemiology specialists. I am the Program Director of the Advanced Medical Pancreatology Fellowship (the only program in the country until recently) for many years (step-down recently for transitioning to younger colleagues). I have contributed several cards for Up to Date for nearly 10 years. I serve as a Co-director for GI courses in various countries such as UAE, Australia, Brazil, Spain, and India and delivered keynote talks in many countries and continents for various international associations. I successfully completed the pentoxifylline trial in acute pancreatitis, which was the only drug trial in acute pancreatitis from the US in decades. I served for several years in the leadership of AGA as the chair of pancreatic diseases for 2 years and on the AGA Council for 5 years and in many committees. I have served on several committees over the years for American College of Gastroenterology and have been awarded the prestigious Master of ACG few years ago. I have been on the Executive Council of International Association of Pancreatology for over 8 years and am the President elect for the same organization. There are several other important areas of involvement in medicine and gastroenterology. I received the prestigious award “Henry Plummer Distinguished Clinician” award at the Mayo Clinic.

David C Whitcomb, MD, PhD

Giant Eagle Foundation Prof. of Cancer Genetics Prof. of Medicine, Cell Biology & Molecular Physiology & Human Genetics Div. of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (Chief 1999-2016) Director, UPMC Precision Medicine Service (2016-2021)

Professor David C. Whitcomb MD PhD is a pioneer in the use of mathematics, genetics, neurosciences, immunology, epidemiology and clinical sciences to study complex inflammation disorders and cancer risks with a focus on the pancreas. He served as Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh from 1999 to 2016, building it into a top-tier Gastroenterology program. With >25 years of continuous NIH funding, he built one of the top human genetics programs for complex digestive diseases. His research, education and organizational innovations in precision medicine are studied and emulated by other programs throughout the world. Prof. Whitcomb completed a doctorate in physiology (PhD, 1983) and a medical degree (MD, 1985) at Ohio State University. Postdoctoral training at Duke University included medical residency, gastroenterology fellowship and postdoctoral training under Ian Taylor MD PhD. Dr. Whitcomb joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC as a physician-scientists in 1991. He holds the Giant Eagle Foundation Professor of Cancer Genetics (endowed chair), Professor of Medicine (with tenure), Professor of Cell Biology & Molecular Physiology, and Professor of Human Genetics. He is also Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. He served as president of the American Pancreatic Association (APA) and Chairman of the Pancreatic Disorders Section of the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA). He co-founded and has led the North American Pancreatic Study Group (NAPS2) and the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER). He founded and directs PancreasFest, an annual international translational meeting held every July in Pittsburgh. He has been recognized by his peers receiving four national and international lifetime achievement, mentoring and/or service awards.

Eugene F. Yen, MD

Gastroenterologist/ IBD specialist NorthShore Medical Group, Evanston, IL

Eugene Yen, MD, is a board certified gastroenterologist and the director of the IBD Program at NorthShore University HealthSystem, an affiliate hospital of the University of Chicago. While at NorthShore, he has gained a wide range of experiences, including developing and running a newly ACGME-accredited GI fellowship program, providing leadership as interim GI division chief during the pandemic, developing research programs in microscopic colitis and FMT in recurrent C diff infection, and strategically building an IBD referral practice in a community setting.

Elham Afghani, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Dr. Elham Afghani is an assistant professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She joins us from Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She received her medical degree from University of California, Irvine. She completed her internal medicine residency as well as an extra year as chief resident at the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center. She then completed her gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship with additional training in pancreatic diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With a unique specialization in pancreatic disease, she has participated in numerous research projects at the Cedars Sinai division of pancreatico-biliary diseases and was involved in a U01 Consortium for the study of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Afghani’s areas of expertise include acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

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