Our Super Specialty: Advanced Pelvic Floor Disorders

The Advanced Pelvic Floor Disorders Program within the Global Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian is a world leader in the management of pelvic floor disorders.

Our team of experts can offer interventional, endoscopic and surgical treatments that are not available elsewhere.  We focus on conservative options that can avoid surgery, and in cases when surgery is needed, we use a minimally invasive approach that allows for rapid recovery. We are uniquely able to manage the complex colorectal issues in ways that dramatically improve quality of life.

To make an appointment with the Advanced Pelvic Floor Disorders Program at the Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy, please call us at (212) 342-1155.


Care at the Global Center

Group photo of the Columbia Global Center's Continent Ileostomy Program multidisciplinary team, featuring office administrators, WOCNs, PAs, MAs, RN, and surgeon.)

The Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery provides a unique blend of personalized care that combines medical, nutritional, interventional endoscopic, procedural, and surgical treatments for colorectal, IBD, and pouch conditions - all under one roof. 

The Global Center aims to serve as a 'last stop' for patients with colorectal conditions that could not be treated effectively elsewhere. From complicated and complex disease management to corrective procedures to address problems resulting from previous surgeries, the Center provides options for people who have been told they have none.


Who We Treat

Our mission at the Advanced Pelvic Floor Disorders Program is to achieve an accurate diagnosis and deliver effective treatment to all patients dealing with functional disorders of the pelvic floor and large bowel

Conditions We Treat

We offer combined medical/interventional endoscopic/surgical management for:

Disorders of the Pelvic Floor

The most common disorder of the pelvic floor is organ prolapse due to the effects of pregnancy/childbirth, aging, and straining on the muscles, fascia and ligaments holding the pelvic organs in place. Any of the pelvic organs can prolapse, including the uterus, vagina, bladder (cystocele), and rectum. Some patients have prolapse of multiple pelvic organs.

Functional Disorders of the Large Intestine

The two common functional disorders of the large intestine are constipation and incontinence. These symptoms can be related to pelvic floor abnormalities, or may be independent of them. Irritable bowel syndrome is defined as a combination of abdominal pain with constipation or diarrhea, or both.

Treatments We Offer

Effective treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and functional large bowel disorders requires a specialized and experienced team, using all the latest ways of investigating function and demonstrating the causes of dysfunction. At the Global Center, we provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach:

  • Non-surgical: Comprehensive pelvic floor biofeedback program
  • Endoscopy: Interventional endoscopy for internal prolapse and correction of surgical complications
     
  • Surgery: Ostomy avoidance with end of the road procedures for reconstruction, early recovery including same-day colectomy

Watch a surgical video of the Columbia technique for continent illeostomy (Be advised: graphic content)


Program Highlights

Unmatched Outcomes That Preserve Dignity and Quality of Life

The Global Center has excellent outcomes for patients with colorectal disease. Our patients consistently report a high quality of life post-surgery.

Thoughtful, Personalized Care

Our strategies always consider conservative, non-surgical approaches that integrate a combination of dietary, medical, and interventional endoscopy techniques that might postpone or avoid surgery.

World-Class Minimally Invasive Options

We are the preeminent Center for endoscopic colorectal procedures.

Advancing Care Through Research and Education

The Global Center works to improve the standard of care nationally and globally through our commitment to high-quality clinical research, global symposia, and the education and training of select fellows. The center’s leadership team has been recognized as top 10 worldwide in terms of impact and influence for the field of colorectal care.

Out-of-State Coordination of Care

For our out-of-state and international patients, the Global Center helps coordinate office appointments, testing, surgery, postoperative care, and follow-up to make travel and care easy for patients coming from far away. Information on accommodation in the NY/NJ area that allows easy access to the Global Center for consultations, procedures, and surgery is readily available.


Our Team

Our team possess an array of techniques not available elsewhere that in many cases can correct problems and reconstruct while avoiding a permanent ostomy even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Colorectal Surgeons

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Pokala Ravi Kiran, MD

 

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James M. Church, MD

James M. Church, MD

 

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Marco Zoccali, MD

Marco Bertucci Zoccali, MD

 

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Usama Ahmed Ali, MD

Usama Ahmed Ali, MD, PHD
 

 

Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse

Erin Testerman, RNErin Testerman, RN, BSN

 

Vanessa Marra, RN, BSNVanessa Marra, RN, BSN

 
 

Colorectal NPs

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Anna Varghese, NP

Anna Varghese, NP

 

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Louella Escoto-Ortaliz, MS, FNP-BC, NP-C, CNOR

Louella Escoto-Ortaliz, NP

 

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Venessa Smith-Wright, MS, FNP-BC, CNOR

Venessa Smith, NP

 

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Razia Khan, RN

Razia Khan, RN
 

 

Global Center Gastroenterologists

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Bo Shen, MD

 

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Le-Chu Su, MD, PhD

Le-Chu Su, MD, PhD, AGAF
 

 

Gastroenterology & Pelvic Floor NPs & RNs

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Princy Daniel, FNP-BC

Princy Daniel, FNP-BC

 

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Gerthy Michel, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Gerthy Michel, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

 

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Abigail Oberc, RN

Abigail Oberc, RN
 

 

Physician Assistants (Colorectal/Gastroenterology)

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Christian Munoz Pineda, PA Inpatient Colorectal Surgery/Gastroenterology

 

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Danny Shlomo, PA Inpatient Colorectal Surgery/Gastroenterology

 

Nutrition

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Sabrina Toledano, MS, RD, CSO, CDN

Sabrina Oliver, MS, RD | (347) 712-0894

 


Our Locations

Washington Heights

NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Main Campus)
Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10032-3784
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Midtown West

51 West 51st Street, Suite #380
New York, NY 10019
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Upper East Side

12 East 86th Street, Suite #1
New York, NY 10028
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New Jersey

330 Grand St
Hoboken, NJ 07030
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Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with the Advanced Pelvic Floor Disorders Program at the Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy, please call us at (212) 342-1155.

We accept a number of insurance plans, and our team can help confirm your coverage. 


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