December 14, 2017, Morristown, NJ – The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program at the Atlantic Digestive Health Institute, part of Atlantic Health System, has been designated the first and only Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of Excellence in New Jersey the by Atlantic Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center is a highly specialized center that only treats patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The center’s multi-disciplinary team – made up of gastroenterologists, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, pathologists, and radiologists, techs and nutritionists – is dedicated to continuously improving patient outcomes through quality clinical care with cutting-edge treatments and technologies, research, and education. The center also helps community gastroenterologists best support their patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease when they need a higher level of specialized care.
“The entire Atlantic Digestive Health Institute team works each day to improve lives and advance research for our patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,” said Razvan Arsenescu, MD, co-director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center. “We are often one of the first centers in the state to implement programs and technology that enhance patient care – like biologic therapies targeting the immune system and advanced cancer surveillance through confocal laser endomicroscopy – and reduce the physical impact of the disease. It’s this constant need for improvement that helped drive our two-year process of becoming a Center of Excellence.”
Arsenescu is co-director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, and has more than 20 years of diverse experience in gastroenterology, and specializes in inflammatory bowel disease and is an international expert in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Arsenescu is spearheading an initiative to develop a center for phase 1 research studies that will bring together academic researchers as well as R&D departments from pharmaceutical companies dedicated to innovation in the field of IBD and other autoimmune conditions.
In addition to Arsenescu, The Atlantic Digestive Health Institute team includes:
- Rolando Rolandelli, MD, co-director, Chairman, Department of Surgery
- Michael Rothkopf, MD, Metabolic Medicine
- Elana Monchar, MD, Department of Psychiatry
- Kathryn C. Piotti, MD, Department of Pathology
- Justin Alpert, MD, Diagnostic Radiology
- Joel Rosh, Director, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology
In addition to the adult center, Atlantic Health System’s Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center is an internationally known center of excellence, and the largest of its kind in New Jersey for the treatment of pediatric IBD. The center cares for more than 700 patients annually.
The Atlantic Digestive Health Institute specializes in the treatment and prevention of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including:
- Esophageal disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gastric disorders
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Celiac sprue
- Colon cancer
- Liver disorders
- Pancreatic and biliary disorders
- Nutrition and obesity
- Short gut syndrome
“For patients with gastrointestinal disorders, sometimes traveling far distances is not an option, which is why we are adamant about providing best-in-class care right in New Jersey, eliminating the need for some of our patients to travel far distances,” Arsenescu said.
For more information, including locations and how to schedule an appointment >
About the Atlantic Affordable Care Organization
The Atlantic ACO, one of the larger ACOs in the nation, has united doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to provide coordinated care to Medicare patients in an effort to reduce cost and expenditure.
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System, headquartered in Morristown, N.J., is an integrated health care delivery system powered by a workforce of 16,000 team members dedicated to building healthier communities. The system is comprised of 350 sites of care, including six hospitals: Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Newton Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Atlantic Health System also supports communities through Atlantic Medical Group, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, Atlantic Home Care and Hospice, and its subsidiary, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation. Atlantic Health System sponsors the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization, one of the larger ACOs in the nation, and Optimus Healthcare Partners.