Gastroenterologist; Prof. Emeritus Medicine & Psychiatry, UNC; Pres. Emeritus & COO @RomeFoundation, Authority on DGBIs, & patient provider communication.
Chapel Hill, NC
Joined December 2011
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Applications open! The Rome Foundation Douglas Drossman Award ($7,500) honors providers excelling in communication & patient-centered care in DGBI. MD/PhD/PsyD (10+ yrs) eligible. Apply or nominate by Jan 31, 2026 👉 theromefoundation.org/the-ro…
What we eat matters. A new NIH-AARP study found that replacing white meat with red meat raised colorectal cancer risk by 21%, with higher rates across the colon & rectum. Processed meat carried added risk.
These findings remind us how diet choices can shape long-term GI #health.
Red meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
sciencedirect.com/science/ar…
Eating isn’t just about food. Stress, social factors, and gut-brain disruption shape cravings and restrictive patterns, impacting quality of life. To help patients, care must look beyond what they eat to why they eat. #DGBI #GastroHealth news-medical.net/news/202509…
The vagus nerve is key to #GutHealth. Emerging research shows transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) may ease symptoms like pain, motility issues, and inflammation, pointing to a new frontier in gut–brain therapies. #GastroHealth @NewsMedical news-medical.net/news/202508…
Communication 101 helps clinicians simplify complex #DGBI concepts. With 32 short demos from 15 experts, it offers practical strategies to build trust, improve understanding, and enhance #PatientCare. Learn more below: communication101.org/vsl1586…
New research highlights WISH, a 9-week phone-based positive psychology program for #IBS. Participants saw improved mood, reduced anxiety and pain catastrophizing, better quality of life, and 61% no longer met Rome IV IBS criteria. Learn more below: #DGBI hcplive.com/view/positive-ps…
Independent physicians can boost care and efficiency with #automation. Personalized, proactive outreach improves adherence, supports preventive and chronic care, and frees staff for complex tasks, all while keeping patient #communication personal. medicaleconomics.com/view/ho…
#ClinicianShortages, burnout, and constant advances demand #resilient teams. Smart tools empower clinicians with real-time evidence, reduce fatigue, and build confidence. Supporting our workforce is essential for quality care and retaining top talent. wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-…
Being a #physician gives us the responsibility to do more: to advocate, educate, and act. #Compassion isn’t passive; it calls for action, extending our duty from the clinic to the #community and humanity at large. #PhysicianLeadership
Impressive stats! A #vegetarian diet appears to offer meaningful protection against several types of cancer, especially #colorectal, #stomach, and #blood cancers. Small dietary choices could add up to big health impacts over time. #CancerPrevention
Vegetarians have a 12%⬇️risk of developing cancer, with different effects by cancer type:
💩21% ⬇️ colorectal cancer
👛45% ⬇️ stomach cancer
🩸25% ⬇️ blood cancers
Consistent across vegetarian subgroups (vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian)
ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S…
#GIDiseases are linked to higher risks of #sleep trouble, sleep disorders, and shorter sleep duration, with depression partially mediating these effects. Addressing both #gastrointestinal and mental health is key to improving sleep quality. @BioMedCentral bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentr…
New research on 1M+ UK patients shows the gut-brain connection extends beyond #DGBIs. Anxiety/depression often precedes #GI diagnoses like IBS and FD. Medication history and prior gut infections may influence this, highlighting the need for holistic care. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/…
Johannah’s story shows how dismissed symptoms can mask gut-brain disorders. Together, we used a biopsychosocial approach to address body and brain, highlighting the power of listening, validation, and personalized care in #GI health. #DGBI podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
Despite advances, #IBS still disrupts daily life. This AGA survey shows patients miss 3.6 work/school days and 8 personal activity days per month. Open dialogue, patient advocacy, and tailored treatments remain essential to improving quality of life. gastro.org/press-releases/ib…
New research shows shame significantly worsens quality of life for patients with #DGBI, like #IBS. Empathy and compassion in care can help mitigate shame, highlighting the need to address both emotional and clinical needs. @NewsMedical news-medical.net/news/202508…
Trust in #PatientCare starts with connection. This study highlights 5 skills—respect, curiosity, listening, collaboration, and self-awareness—rooted in #authenticity that help physicians build meaningful, relationship-centered care: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/article…
Patients bring more than symptoms; they bring fears, hopes, and questions. In this video, I share why #empathy, listening, and clear #communication are essential to care as well as what patients should expect from their doctors. vimeo.com/382647101
In disorders like #IBS, effective #communication is just as critical as clinical expertise. That’s why my colleagues and I explored whether aligned, online education for both physicians and patients could improve care. The results were encouraging: journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltex…
This study reinforces the value of coordinated physician–patient education, not only to strengthen clinical interactions but to support shared decision-making in areas where #PX is central to diagnosis and management.
When both sides of the conversation are informed and aligned, we create space for better care. #PatientCare