Our Super Specialty: Enterocutaneous and Intestinal Fistula

The NYP/Columbia Global Center provides advanced care to patients with intestinal fistulas and other abdominal conditions secondary to inflammatory bowel disease, benign colorectal disease, and colorectal cancer.

In collaboration with specialists in plastic surgery, urology and gynecology, our surgeons are able to repair the involved organs, restore intestinal continuity, and reconstruct associated tissue including the abdominal wall. Surgeons at the center collaborate with specialists in gastroenterology, nutrition, enterostomal therapy, oncology and radiology, as these challenging conditions require a multidisciplinary approach.

To make an appointment with the Enterocutaneous and Intestinal Fistula Program at the Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy, please call us at (212) 342-1155.


Who We Treat

We can provide the highest-level treatment to anyone dealing with enterocutaneous and intestinal fistulas, regardless of the cause or severity.

Treatments We Offer

Interventional Endoscopy: In some circumstances endoscopic procedures can help control fistulae thus controlling symptoms. Our expertise in interventional IBD endoscopy and corrective endoscopy allows innovative techniques for the management of intestinal fistulae.

Surgery: Our experience with complex reoperative abdominal and pelvic surgery, sphincter preservation and ostomy avoidance coupled with world-class wound and ostomy care nursing expertise and the unique experience of our fistula center allows us to manage the most complex of fistulae including enterocutaneous, colocutaneous, enteroatmospheric and internal fistulae.

Enterostomal Therapy: our world-class WOCN care allows for the management of the most complex pouching issues for simple and complex fistulae. This allows for maintenance of quality of life during the time needed prior to surgery.

Nutrition: Our nutritional experts are able to provide outstanding help and support to maximize healing. This includes both enteral and parenteral (total parenteral nutrition, TPN) in the hospital and at home.


Program Highlights

A Focus on Quality of Life

The Global Center is focused on delivering treatment for colorectal conditions that emphasizes effective relief while minimizing the impact your treatment has on your lifestyle and self-image. Columbia offers treatment options not found at other centers, all designed around the goal of giving you the best quality of life possible.

Care With Your Goals in Mind

We understand your priorities—including how important it is to avoid the need for an ostomy bag. We have developed and refined our surgical approaches to meet that goal. Our surgeons have a proven track record for successful corrective surgery that avoids ostomy, even in the most complex cases.

Improving the Field of Colorectal Care

The Global Center leverages its combined expertise to help improve the standard of care nationally and globally through a focus on outcomes reporting, high-quality research, global symposia, and education of select fellows. The research and scholarship of our leadership team has been recognized as top 10 worldwide for the field in terms of impact and influence. Learn more about our Outcomes Research.

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

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 Enterocutaneous and Intestinal Fistula 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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