Our Program

The mission of USC’s Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis. We recognize the physical and emotional challenges that come with a diagnosis of IBD and we work with each patient to develop a customized approach to effective treatment that minimizes side effects. Our goal is to get patients feeling better and minimize the impact of the disease process on daily living.

Our Approach

Our multidisciplinary team includes specialized gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, nutritionists, radiologists, pathologists, and nurses that work closely to ensure patient-centered and evidence-based care. Our team meets regularly to discuss how each patient’s health, nutrition and overall quality of life can be improved through medical treatments, education and counseling.

Medical Expertise

Our specialized gastroenterologists have completed additional training in the care of IBD patients and are experienced with the most advanced and effective medical regimens that are available. They are committed to close monitoring for side effects of medications and of disease-related complications. They are also actively conducting research to better understand the causes of this disease and offer access to promising therapies not yet available at other institutions.

Promising clinical trials include:

Promising phase 3 trials of an oral (pill-form) medication called Mongerson for Crohn’s disease and a novel biologic for ulcerative colitis which blocks a key molecule (IL-23) in the inflammation cascade which is overactive in IBD
A large international study to determine the importance of regular monitoring of Crohn’s disease with colonoscopies to check for healing of intestinal mucosal lining, specifically if it avoids hospitalizations and surgeries over the long-term
Several medications from the anti-TNF class of drugs have been approved for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Keck Medicine of USC is evaluating another medication from this group, certolizumab, which appears to not cross the placenta, to determine its safety for pregnant and breastfeeding women

Surgical Expertise

We have surgeons that are board certified in colorectal surgery and national leaders in the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons. Together, they form one of the largest, most experienced, and most comprehensive colorectal surgery group in the region. They are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of complex disorders commonly found with IBD including fissures, fistulas, refractory colitis, strictures, and colorectal cancer. Their skills include advanced endoscopic, minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques, including ileoanal “J-pouch” surgeries and Crohn’s disease-related stricture repair/resection. Many of these can be performed thorough smaller incisions that allows faster recovery. While an intestinal stoma or bag is a common part of surgery, most of these are temporary. Our team can explain what options exist for a given problem, and how best to approach it. Many of these options are not available at other institutions.

Our Physicians

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Kyle G. Cologne, MD, FACS, FASCRS

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
Keck Medicine of USC - Pasadena
Keck Medicine of USC – Glendale
LAC+USC Medical Center
USC Healthcare Center 4
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Specializing In

Colorectal Surgery
Anal Fissure
Anorectal Diseases
Colon, Rectal, and Anal Cancer
Colonoscopy
Crohn's Disease
Diverticulitis
Endoscopic Polyp Removal
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Fistula
Hemorrhoids
Hereditary Polyposis Syndromes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Minimally Invasive Colon Surgery
Pilondial Disease
Pouch Surgery
Transanal Polyp Excision of Rectal Masses (TEMS/TAMIS)
Ulcerative Colitis

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Marjun P. Duldulao, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Medicine of USC – Palmdale
USC Healthcare Center 4
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital

Specializing In

Colorectal Surgery
Anal Fissure
Anal Manometry
Anorectal Diseases
Colon, Rectal, and Anal Cancer
Colonoscopy
Crohn's Disease
Diverticulitis
Endoscopic Polyp Removal
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Fistula
Hemorrhoids
Hereditary Polyposis Syndromes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Minimally Invasive Colon Surgery
Pilondial Disease
Pouch Surgery
Transanal Polyp Excision of Rectal Masses (TEMS/TAMIS)
Ulcerative Colitis

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Christine Hsieh, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Specializing In

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Caroline Hwang, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
USC Healthcare Center 2

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Andrew Ippoliti, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Medicine of USC - Beverly Hills
USC Healthcare Center 2

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Sarah E. Koller, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
USC Care Medical Group
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Specializing In

Colon and Rectal Surgery

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Yong K. Kwon, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Specializing In

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Kidney Transplant Surgery

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Sang W. Lee, MD, FACS, FASCRS

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Practicing Locations

Keck Medicine of USC – Glendale
USC Healthcare Center 4
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Specializing In

Anal Anal Fissure Anal Manometry Anorectal Diseases Colon, rectal and anal cancer Colonoscopy Continent Ileostomy Crohn's Disease Diverticulitis Endoscopic polyp removal Fecal Incontinence Fistula Hemorrhoids Hereditary polyposis syndromes HIPEC (KAISER/SHIN only) Inflammatory bowel disease Minimally invasive/laparoscopic colon surgery Pilonidal disease Pouch Surgery Transanal Polyp Excision of Rectal Masses (TEMS/TAMIS) Ulcerative colitis

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Sarah Sheibani, MD

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
USC Healthcare Center 2

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Joongho Shin, MD, FACS, FASCRS

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Practicing Locations

Keck Hospital of USC
Keck Medicine of USC – Glendale
USC Healthcare Center 4

Specializing In

Colorectal Surgery
Anal Fissure
Anal Manometry
Anorectal Diseases
Colon, Rectal, and Anal Cancer
Colonoscopy
Crohn's Disease
Diverticulitis
Endoscopic Polyp Removal
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Fistula
Hemorrhoids
Hereditary Polyposis Syndromes
HIPEC
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Minimally Invasive Colon Surgery
Pilondial Disease
Pouch Surgery
Transanal Polyp Excision of Rectal Masses (TEMS/TAMIS)
Ulcerative Colitis