About IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease involves chronic inflammation of all or part of the digestive tract and primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. IBD falls in the class of autoimmune diseases in which the body’s own immune system attacks elements of the digestive system. It’s estimated that 1.6 million Americans suffer from IBD.
- These chronic diseases tend to run in families.
- They affect males and females equally.
- While IBD can affect anyone, Caucasians are more likely than other ethnic groups to have IBD.
- The diseases are especially prevalent in Jews of European descent (Ashkenazi Jews).
- African Americans and Hispanics in the United States are increasingly affected.
A major philanthropic donation from longtime supporters Ruth and Bill Scott will allow UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, to become one of the top centers in the country for treatment and research of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“We are deeply grateful to the Scotts,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Their past generosity has already transformed our campus, and now with this gift, we will be able to enhance a world-class center for IBD.
“Although IBD is seldom talked about, it is a serious problem that is increasing as society ages. Successful, long-term treatments are lacking.”
Dr. Gold said the Scotts’ gift will create the Ruth and Bill Scott Presidential Chair of Internal Medicine. “We need to find answers,” he said. “The gift will enable us to recruit some more of the leading experts in the field to our campus.”
The Scotts’ substantial gift will not go toward a new building, Dr. Gold said, but rather will be used to enhance the building of a leading clinical and research program benefiting all Nebraskans.
Dr. Sorrell leads recruitment efforts
Michael Sorrell, M.D., will head the initial recruitment efforts to find a world-class physician to direct the new center.
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Michael Sorrell, M.D. |
Dr. Sorrell said the center will combine the existing institutional excellence in medical and surgical care, including intestinal rehabilitation and nutrition, into a single integrated unit.
“It will provide patient opportunities to benefit from and participate in basic and translational research,” he said. “It also will feature a multidisciplinary approach to patient care that will — by example — educate patients, physicians and other health care providers in the importance of team-based care.”
It’s anticipated that the funding will enable UNMC/Nebraska Medicine to recruit five to seven professional staff, including two physicians specializing in inflammatory bowel disease, a Ph.D. researcher, a physician assistant and a nurse. In addition, as the program becomes fully implemented, the plan is to add a colorectal surgeon who will join with the medical center’s two existing colorectal surgeons.
“Our gastroenterology program has always provided extraordinary care to our patients,” said Rosanna Morris, interim CEO of Nebraska Medicine. “However, with this generous gift from the Scotts, we will be able to improve upon our already high standards and raise the bar even further for the people of Omaha and the entire region.”
Research activity for the new center — the Frederick F. Paustian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center — will be based on the seventh floor of the Durham Research Center II on the west end of the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine campus. IBD patients will be seen in the Durham Outpatient Center. Creation of the new center is pending approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Deb Romberger, M.D., professor and chairwoman of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, said, “We are grateful and excited that our gastroenterologists will have the opportunity to recruit talented IBD physicians and scientists to join our group and offer even more novel therapies to patients with these difficult diseases.”
The med center is so fortunate to have such caring people who share their resources to better the lives of others. Thank you so much, Ruth and Bill Scott!
Thank you, Ruth and Bill Scott, for your continued support in UNMC's mission to become a world-class academic health center. Your commitment and generosity to our students, researchers and health providers has been out of this world!
Powerful, exceptional news for UNMC and the invisible, unspoken thousands of Nebraskans impacted by bowel disease. Thank you Ruth and Bill Scott. Truly great institutions contributing to the American Dream are known by great programs and inspiring, visionary and, unyielding champions who seek no acclaim and change the world for all. Dr. Michael Sorrell is such a person. His fingerprints are clear in building two of UNMC's most successful and powerful clinical and research programs — Cancer and Organ Transplantation– widely acknowledged as world-class leading programs. Next up, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a compelling need. Dr. Sorrell will be building a third tower of strength. Thank you Ruth, Bill for your exceptional gift and UNMC Today for your excellent reporting.
The Scotts' contribution marks another milestone in their impact on this campus. Donations for programs like the Scotts have targeted toward inflammatory bowel disease have an immediate impact on research and are particularly valuable to improving the future care of a complex disease like IBD.