Houston Methodist Division of  Gastroenterology & Hepatology

While our team excels in general gastroenterology, we also have a strong focus on subspecialties. 

Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders 

This includes one of the busiest reflux and GI physiology laboratories in the US and providing clinical expertise in the assessment and management of esophageal disorders, gastroparesis, constipation and difficult defecation, irritable bowel syndrome, and other disorders of motility and brain-gut interactions. Gulchin Ergun, MD, provides extensive diagnostic capabilities related to all esophageal problems and actively conducts research in conditions like GERD and dysphagia. 

Division chief Eamonn Quigley, MD, is internationally known for his research on gastrointestinal motility disorders, primarily irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neuro-gastroenterology, and the gut microbiome and probiotics in health and disease. Eamonn Quigley, MD, has served as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Gastroenterology and is past president of the American College of Gastroenterology and the World Gastroenterology Organization. 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 

A dedicated team of faculty members provides expert care to complex cases of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and conducts clinical trials, longitudinal studies and translational research. To promote specialization in IBD we offer an advanced IBD fellowship program. Under the leadership of Bincy Abraham, MD, director of the Fondren IBD Program, we were the first adult IBD center to introduce intestinal ultrasound as a point-of-care test for the evaluation of IBD activity and complications. Our experts now train physicians to perform this procedure in centers across North America and the world in partnership with the International Bowel Ultrasound Group (IBUS). 

As Fondren Distinguished Professor in inflammatory bowel disease, Bincy Abraham, MD, was honored with the Houston Methodist Academic Institute Presidential Award for Excellence in Education in 2023 and as a 2024 Houston Woman of Distinction. 

Advanced Endoscopy 

Our team of advanced endoscopists performs interventional procedures like polypectomy of large and complex polyps, bile duct stone removal and stenting of strictures, and also performs innovative techniques for the management of achalasia, gastroparesis, GERD and obesity and metabolic disorders. We offer a nationally recognized Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship. 

Hepatology 

Our hepatologists support the nation's second-largest liver transplant program, featuring transplant hepatologists involved in clinical care and research, as well as fostering collaborations with MD Anderson in liver oncology. In close collaboration with the Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation and the Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, one of the top transplant programs in the nation, internationally recognized hepatologists and liver disease investigators conduct clinical and basic science research to advance innovation in the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. 

GI Cancer 

Our clinicians and researchers advance the treatment approaches of gastrointestinal cancers through high volume, complex clinical cases and research studies in collaboration with the renowned Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center. Our team furthers global understanding of disease pathogenesis, risk factors, prevention strategies and emerging management strategies for various GI cancers. Through a first of its kind digitally generated open access process we streamline colonoscopy screening for all eligible individuals.  

 

 

Our Faculty ➝   Our Physicians ➝ 

Our division integrates clinical care and research, benefiting patients now and in the future. The division’s funded research footprint is significant, allowing for our findings to garner national and international acclaim. We have a strong research presence, particularly for the study of inflammation and its holistic medical impact. 

 

We have a strong research presence in the study of inflammation in the GI tract, including clinical trials of new anti-inflammatory therapies and clinical and translational studies on the basic causes of gut inflammation and its impacts across the whole person. 

 

We are at the leading edge of advanced endoscopy procedures such as G-POEM, ESD, EMR and endobariatrics. 

 

Our pioneering investigations over the past several decades has included study of the way the function of the gut is affected in a variety of diseases and conditions, including chronic liver disease, high dose chemoradiotherapy and Parkinson’s disease. Research conducted by our division has led to innovations such as a vibrating capsule to treat constipation, a new capsule device to detect gases along the GI tract, as well as a new blood test for food allergies. 

 

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and MASH-related cirrhosis have been a major focus of our hepatology team including nationally renowned investigators, such as Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc and David W Victor III. 

 

Our faculty publish peer-reviewed articles, reviews, editorials, book chapters and case reports in the areas of gut motility, functional gastrointestinal disorders, GERD and more. We regularly present findings at DDW, ACG and other national meetings.  

In the Houston Methodist Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, we are dedicated to training the next generation of providers and researchers. As we provide the highest level of clinical care, gastroenterologists and hepatologists in our division regularly have residents, fellows and advanced practice provider trainees working alongside them learning the field.  

The division is recognized nationally for its academic contributions, leadership in professional societies and presence at major conferences. Faculty members frequently receive invitations to speak and moderate at prestigious national and international meetings such as DDW, ACG, ANMS, ILTS Congress, World Congress of Gastroenterology and more.  

Our ACGME-certified Gastroenterology Fellowship trains leaders in community and academic gastroenterology and hepatology through comprehensive education, mentorship and intensive training in clinical practice and research. This extremely competitive fellowship attracts around 3,000 applicants a year.  

Fellows in our ACGME-certified Transplant Hepatology Fellowship are trained in a diverse curriculum, working throughout the J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center and The Sherie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease & Transplantation. The training program exposes fellows to all aspects of liver transplantation as well as general hepatology across the full spectrum of liver disease. 

Our Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Fellowship, working through the Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health and paired with The Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program, delivers a comprehensive curriculum. The training program exposes fellows to all aspects of IBD, from mild presentations to complex medical refractory disease and providing training in intestinal ultrasound. 

Our ASGE-recognized Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship provides a one-year program to those who have completed gastroenterology training that encompasses the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures including ERCP and all related bilio-pancreatic procedures, EUS (diagnostic and therapeutic), management of large and complex polyps, EMR, ESD, POEM, gPOEM and bariatric endoscopy.  

Through the EnMed program, we teach the GI Hepatology Core to Texas A&M University medical students. The Bookout Center for Medical Innovation, Technology, Research and Education in the Houston Methodist Academic Institute is a unique environment for medical innovation, simulation and emerging technology, dedicated to advancing research and education in the field. 

Our weekly GI multidisciplinary conference is the longest running clinical conference at Houston Methodist. We present an Annual Underwood Symposium, a comprehensive review of current issues in GI and GI surgery, as well as an annual Lyn and Carl Schmulen Lecture in IBD, a Josephine Hughes Sterling Lecture in Neurogastroenterology and a Presidential Lecture – all delivered by invited internationally renowned experts in their field. Throughout the year and as a part of the fellowship programs we provide a comprehensive series of didactic lectures to cover the entire field of gastroenterology and hepatology and host journal clubs, as well as board review, research and M&M case conferences. 

Active in the community, we work with the Colon and Colitis Foundation, Celiac Society and Colon Cancer Prevention Awareness groups on numerous awareness events. Through the Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health we directly engage with colleagues in all Houston Methodist Hospitals across Greater Houston to advance patient access, promote the highest standards of quality in GI care, deliver evidence-based patient, health care provider and community education and develop collaborative clinical research.