Division chief: Kofi Clarke, MD

Division overview: The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Penn State College of Medicine provides comprehensive management of digestive disorders for adults and operates clinics focusing on general gastroenterology, celiac disease, hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease, motility and therapeutic endoscopy. 

Division faculty include clinicians, basic scientists and medical educators. Additional dedicated staff members provide patient- and/or research-related support services for faculty members.

Each year, the division manages more than 17,000 patient-visits at its four clinic locations and undertakes approximately 13,000 endoscopic and/or biopsy procedures at two endoscopy units. The division also maintains an active inpatient consultation service, providing specialty care for thousands of patients at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center each year.

Penn State Gastroenterology and Hepatology faculty are also actively engaged in clinical, basic and translational research, and investigators are funded through a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. Select research topics of interest include studies of altered intestinal permeability, assessment of motility disorders, management of gastrointestinal and liver cancer, complications of inflammatory bowel disease, development of advanced endoscopic techniques, fatty liver disease and abdominal pain disorders. The division also participates in a variety of cutting-edge clinical trials. 

Division faculty members are also involved in medical education and hold key roles in the Internal Medicine residency program, medical student clerkship and College of Medicine leadership.

Finally, faculty serve on several important institutional, regional and national committees related to leadership and/or administration of professional societies in gastroenterology and liver disease.