The Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Where Patient Needs Meet World-Class IBD Care
About Our Center
The Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is dedicated to improving the lives of patients living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Our team provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care while advancing research and innovation in IBD treatment and prevention.
Working in collaboration with the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, and the Digestive Disease Center at BIDMC, we deliver world-class care to patients while leading clinical trials and pioneering new therapies. Our mission is to combine compassionate clinical care, cutting-edge research, quality improvement, and education to transform the future of IBD management. Our expert team combines cutting-edge clinical care with groundbreaking research, to ensure every patient can live fully and thrive.
Research and Innovation
Our faculty are recognized internationally for landmark contributions to the management of IBD, particularly in:
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM):
BIDMC investigators have been at the forefront of research and clinical implementation of TDM for biologic therapies. Our work has defined how drug levels and antibodies should be measured and applied in real-world practice. These contributions have revolutionized the use of biologic therapies and directly shaped national and international guidelines, allowing physicians worldwide to better personalize therapy, improve treatment durability, and avoid unnecessary medication changes. - IBD and Women’s Health:
Our center has led research studies and educational initiatives on the safety and management of IBD therapies across the lifespan, including fertility, pregnancy, lactation, and beyond. By generating real-world data and providing clinical expertise, we have helped ensure that women with IBD can achieve healthy pregnancies without compromising their own disease control. - Patient Reported Outcomes for Understanding Disease (IBD PROUD):
Our center maintains an active roster of patient-oriented studies, with topics frequently generated by our patients. In partnership with our patient cohort, we have led studies on family planning, dietary habits, health counseling and maintenance, and medication use. We believe that the best way to improve IBD care is by understanding and studying the issues that matter most to our patients. - BIDMC IBD Biobank:
Our IBD Biobank provides researchers with vital samples to better understand Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. By connecting patient data with laboratory studies, we are working to identify biomarkers and treatment pathways that can guide more personalized care. This resource is helping lay the foundation for future improvements in the lives of people with IBD.
- Ongoing Research Programs:
- Development and testing of new therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Investigations into immune pathways and the gut microbiome in IBD
- Preventive care strategies, including vaccines for immunosuppressed patients
- Personalized medicine approaches that tailor therapy to each patient
Quality Initiatives
Improving the quality and safety of care is central to our mission. Our center has developed and led multiple quality improvement initiatives, including:
- Preventative care bundles to ensure patients on immunosuppressive medications receive recommended vaccinations and health screenings.
- Standardized infusion center protocols to optimize biologic therapy delivery and safety.
- Enhanced communication pathways between physicians, pharmacists, and nurses to ensure closed-loop care.
- Patient education and support programs to empower individuals to manage their IBD effectively.
These efforts have become models for other IBD programs and have been shared nationally to raise the standard of care for all patients with IBD.
Patient-Centered Care
At the BIDMC IBD Center, patients are at the heart of everything we do. We provide:
- Comprehensive evaluation and management of complex IBD
- Expertise in medication optimization using therapeutic drug monitoring
- Specialized counseling and care for women with IBD before, during, and after pregnancy
- Access to advanced therapies and clinical trials
- Multidisciplinary care involving surgery, rheumatology, dermatology, nutrition, psychology, and pharmacy
- Preventive care and education to help patients live well with IBD
Education and Training
At the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, we are not only caring for patients today but also building the future of inflammatory bowel disease care. By training the next generation of gastroenterologists and clinician-scientists, we ensure that innovation and excellence in IBD care continue for decades to come. Our faculty are nationally recognized for their mentorship and leadership in areas such as therapeutic drug monitoring, pregnancy in IBD, and quality improvement. Many of our trainees have gone on to become leaders in academic medicine, research, and patient care, multiplying the impact of our work and bringing hope to countless patients and families worldwide.
Our Impact
Through our clinical care, research, and quality initiatives, the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease has:
- Established therapeutic drug monitoring as a global standard of care.
- Improved outcomes for women with IBD during pregnancy through evidence-based guidance.
- Led quality initiatives that have become national models for IBD care.
- Contributed to the approval and clinical adoption of new IBD therapies.
- Improved quality of life for thousands of patients living with IBD.
Support Us
Philanthropic support accelerates discovery, drives innovation, and expands access to leading specialists and clinical trials. To join us in shaping the future of IBD care, consider making a tax-deductible gift via the link below. Please designate the gift to support the IBD research and education fund.