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Crohn's & Colitis Center

Message from the Director

Professional Damas
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, affects an estimated 3.7 million people across the United States, with incidence rates continuing to rise. Once thought to predominantly affect specific populations, IBD is now recognized as impacting individuals across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with increasing prevalence observed in diverse communities worldwide.

When we established the University of Miami Crohn's and Colitis Center in April 2013, our vision was to create a world-class institution dedicated to IBD care and research that would serve the South Florida community. Over the past decade, the center has grown into a nationally recognized program committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of IBD.

Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Care

Our center provides specialized care through a dedicated multidisciplinary team with extensive IBD expertise. Gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and psychotherapists work collaboratively to address the complex medical, nutritional, and psychosocial dimensions of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
We offer on-site infusion therapy, nutritional counseling, mental health support, and access to advanced treatment options through our active clinical trials program. Our dedicated IBD pharmacist provides support for medication approvals, patient education, and disease monitoring. These comprehensive services reflect our commitment to delivering the latest therapeutic innovations and personalized care to each patient.

Excellence and Innovation

As a designated National IBD Center of Excellence, we train the next generation of IBD specialists through our fellowship program. Our center is among a select group of institutions nationwide offering intestinal ultrasound performed by IBD-trained physicians. This advanced, noninvasive imaging technique enables real-time assessment of intestinal inflammation at the point of care.

Research That Drives Progress

Our comprehensive NIH-funded research program investigates the environmental, dietary, and genetic determinants of IBD, with particular emphasis on diverse populations. Spanning from bench science to clinical trials, our work advances the understanding of IBD pathogenesis while developing more effective, personalized treatment approaches. Through this research portfolio, patients at our center gain access to cutting-edge disease prevention strategies, lifestyle-based interventions, and the latest pharmaceutical clinical trials.
The University of Miami Crohn's and Colitis Center remains dedicated to delivering exceptional care while pushing the boundaries of IBD research and innovation.

Oriana M. Damas, M.D.
Interim Director, Crohn's and Colitis Center
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine