The Division of Gastroenterology was founded in 1971 by Dr. Barton Smith. The Division has grown to 19 gastroenterologists, four hepatologists, and eight advanced practice providers. The members of the division strive to provide up-to-date, cutting-edge, compassionate care for all disorders of the GI tract and liver, utilizing the latest advancements in diagnosis and therapy. We work closely with our colleagues in other departments such as Hospital Medicine, General and Sub-specialty Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, and Radiology.

The Center for Liver Disease is an integral part of both the Division of Gastroenterology. The group has vast experience in evaluating and managing all liver diseases and guiding patients through the pre- and post-transplant phases of liver transplant. They work throughout Tower Health System, providing care to patients throughout eastern and south-central Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The Division participates in clinical research locally and as part of multi-center studies, and directs the Reading Hospital - Tower Health Gastroenterology Fellowship Program. In addition to clinical interests, the physicians participate in multiple clinical research projects both locally and nationally.

Clinical Services

  • Office and hospital-based consultation
  • Upper GI endoscopy
  • Colonoscopy, including open access for screening colonoscopy so that a pre-procedure office visit is not needed in most instances
  • ERCP (endoscopic approach to the bile ducts and pancreatic duct)
  • Small bowel enteroscopy
  • Capsule endoscopy of the small bowel
  • Endoscopic ultrasound
  • High-resolution esophageal manometry and anorectal manometry
  • Esophageal pH testing for acid reflux disease
  • Fecal incontinence therapy
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Fibroscan and Elastography (non-invasive scan for liver disease)
  • Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement
  • Infusion therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Advanced GI Therapies

  • Endoscopic mucosal resection of large lesions
  • Stricture dilatation
  • Placement of luminal and biliary stents
  • Endoscopic, non-surgical ablation therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and superficial esophageal cancer
  • Argon Plasma Coagulation therapy
  • Fecal transplant for refractory C. difficile diarrhea
  • Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids
  • Rubber band ligation of esophageal varices
  • Transluminal Incisionless Fundoplication for reflux

Research

  1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  2. Gastroparesis
  3. Johns Hopkins Biofilm Study of colon polyps and colon cancer
  4. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  5. Portal hypertension
  6. Liver masses
  7. Liver transplant
  8. Hepatorenal syndrome