Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) recently launched a new Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (CIBD), a comprehensive program offering specialized care for patients with IBD and related colorectal conditions.
This center brings together a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, nutrition, and behavioral health experts to provide patients with personalized, coordinated care.
“We are excited to launch this new center, which will provide our patients with the highest level of care for IBD and related conditions,” said Rosario Ligresti, MD FASGE, Chief of Gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“Our team of experts is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that meets each patient’s unique needs,” Ligresti added.
The IBD Center at HUMC offers a wide range of services, including:
- Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services include the latest medical therapies, endoscopic procedures, and surgical interventions.
- Multidisciplinary care: Patients have access to a team of specialists who work together to develop individualized treatment plans.
- Nutritional counseling: A registered dietitian provides guidance on managing IBD through diet and nutrition.
- Behavioral health support: A psychologist helps patients cope with the emotional and social challenges of living with IBD.
- Clinical research: The center is actively involved in clinical trials, offering patients access to the latest advancements in IBD treatment.
Making the patient experience at the new IBD Center even more convenient, the goal is to coordinate appointments with the entire multidisciplinary team, all on the same day, offering many benefits to patients:
- Reduced travel time and cost: This is especially beneficial for patients who live far from their healthcare providers or have limited transportation options.
- Less time off work or school: By consolidating appointments, patients can minimize the time they need to take off work or school.
- Simplified scheduling: Coordinating appointments with multiple providers can be time-consuming and frustrating. Scheduling everything on the same day can streamline the process.
- More comprehensive care: Patients can receive a more comprehensive assessment of their health by seeing all of their providers on the same day.
- Less stress and anxiety: Coordinating appointments can be stressful, so consolidating them can help to reduce anxiety.
With nearly 800,000 new cases of IBD diagnosed in the United States each year and that number significantly on the rise in the Northeast recently, this dedicated IBD center will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive and specialized care for patients from around the tri-state region.
“The new center of excellence will serve as a beacon of hope for IBD patients,” said Alyssa Parian, M.D., director of the IBD Center at HUMC. “Within its walls, patients find not only advanced multidisciplinary medical care but also compassionate support, empowering them to navigate their sometimes difficult journeys with dignity and strength.”
“We believe that this comprehensive approach to care will significantly improve the quality of life for our patients with IBD and other colorectal diseases,” said Howard Ross, M.D., chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief. “We are committed to providing our patients with the resources and support they need to manage their condition and live fulfilling lives.”
Colon cancer is also on the rise and linked to IBD. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 150,000 new cases of colon cancer diagnosed in the United States this year – many of them in much younger people. “This alarming trend of increasing incidences of colon cancer in young adults highlights the urgency of addressing this issue and taking proactive measures to prevent and detect the disease early,” said Steven Lee-Kong, M.D., chief of Colorectal Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.
To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 551-996-3091 or click here.
About Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center, an 803-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital, was Bergen County’s first hospital founded in 1888. It is the first hospital in New Jersey and third in the nation to become a Magnet®-recognized hospital for nursing excellence, receiving its seventh consecutive designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2024. The academic flagship of the Hackensack Meridian Health network, Hackensack University Medical Center is the #1 hospital in New Jersey according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 and 2024-25 Best Hospitals lists. In addition to being ranked the top hospital in New Jersey, Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked #5 overall in the New York Metropolitan area as well as being home to the John Theurer Cancer Center,
named the best cancer center in New Jersey, ranked among the top 50 cancer centers nationwide. The hospitals’ rehabilitation services also ranked among the best in the nation. Additionally, Hackensack University Medical Center was recognized for 17 high performing procedures and conditions, and the following eight specialties are ranked in the Top 50 nationally: Urology (#17); Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (#22) – only New Jersey hospital nationally ranked in this specialty; Neurology and Neurosurgery (#23) – only New Jersey hospital nationally ranked in this specialty; Diabetes & Endocrinology (#25) – only New Jersey hospital nationally ranked in this specialty; Orthopedics (#25); Geriatrics (#34) – only NJ hospital nationally ranked in this specialty; Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery (#41); Cancer (#44). Named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2024 list, Hackensack University Medical Center is also the recipient of the 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ by Healthgrades as well as an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.
This award-winning care is provided on a campus that is home to facilities such as the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, ranked #1 in the state and top 20 in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 and 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospital Report. Hackensack University Medical Center is listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S.
The hospital’s comprehensive clinical research portfolio includes studies focused on precision medicine, translational medicine, immunotherapy, cell therapy, and vaccine development. In 2023, the hospital completed the largest healthcare expansion project ever approved by the state: construction of the Helena Theurer Pavilion, a 530,000-sq.-ft., nine-story building housing 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms with intraoperative MRI capability, 50 ICU beds, and 175 medical/surgical beds including a 50 room Musculoskeletal Institute.