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Meet The Faculty

Pediatric gastroenterology staff talking

Mayo Clinic's pediatric gastroenterology specialists treat conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including pancreas and liver conditions that affect children from birth to adolescence. Physicians offer a complete array of diagnostic and endoscopic services for the pediatric age group, including liver transplantation.

As a whole, the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine includes more than 100 pediatric and adolescent physicians specializing in more than 40 areas and providing care ranging from routine checkups to complex surgical procedures.

Annually, Mayo Clinic treats more than 50,000 children and adolescents, including some 5,000 hospital patients. Mayo Clinic pediatric and adolescent surgeons perform more than 8,000 procedures each year.

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology works in very close collaboration with the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Department of Medicine. This working relationship allows for interactions among the various interest groups that together form the largest gastroenterology and hepatology practice in the country.

Fellows have access to physicians in the Advanced Endoscopy Interest Group, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Interest Group, the Pancreas Interest Group, the Hepatobiliary Interest Group, and the Motility Interest Group, among others.

From the program director

Imad Absah, M.D.Thank you for considering the pediatric gastroenterology fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Our program provides an educational opportunity that embraces the three shields of Mayo Clinic: clinical practice, education, and research.

Our clinic encompasses patients referred regionally, nationally, and internationally. Mayo Clinic’s unique collaborative approach allows us to work closely with other pediatric subspecialties to provide expert, compassionate and coordinated care to complex patients with gastrointestinal complaints in our multidisciplinary and subspecialty clinics (aerodigestive clinic, celiac clinic, eosinophilic esophagitis clinic, liver clinic, motility clinic and nutrition/feeding clinic).

Our training program also affords the opportunity to learn about and participate in the care of children with solid organ transplant including kidney, heart, and liver transplants. Our close working relationship with our colleagues in adult gastroenterology provides opportunities to learn and collaborate with world experts in liver, IBD, motility disorders, pancreatic abnormalities, and advanced endoscopic techniques.

A large part of a fellowship is furthering one’s skills as an educator. Mayo provides fellows with opportunities to teach pediatric residents and medical students during both inpatient and outpatient rotations. Courses designed for improving teaching skills for aspiring clinician-educators are available.

Many opportunities for laboratory, translational, and clinical research abound at Mayo Clinic. In collaboration with adult gastroenterology, we offer a National Institutes of Health T32 training grant. This 3.5-year track prepares fellows for independent research careers. Fellows interested in translational and clinical research may obtain a master's degree or a postdoctoral diploma through the Center for Clinical and Translational Science during their research time.

In summary, our fellowship offers a variety of options and unlimited opportunities within the exciting world of pediatric gastroenterology. We provide outstanding tools, collaborators, and mentors to launch your clinical or research career.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions.

Imad Absah, M.D.
Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Director 

Faculty

In addition to caring for patients in their clinical practices, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields. You have direct access to these individuals throughout your training in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship.

Imad Absah, M.D.

Imad Absah, M.D.
Program Director
Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Vice Chair of Diversity, Inclusion, and Well Being, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Absah's PubMed citations

Erin Alexander, D.O.

Erin Alexander, D.O.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Senior Associate Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Dr. Alexander's publications

Yamen Ezaizi, M.D.

Yamen Ezaizi, M.D.
Senior Associate Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Dr. Ezaizi's PubMed citations

Michelle Gonzalez, M.D.

Michelle Gonzalez, M.D.
Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Gonzalez's PubMed citations

Sara Hassan, M.D.

Sara Hassan, M.D.
Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Hassan's PubMed citations

Puanani Hopson, D.O.

Puanani Hopson, D.O.
Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Hopson's PubMed citations

Samar Ibrahim, M.B., Ch.B.

Samar Ibrahim, M.B., Ch.B.
Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Physiology

Dr. Ibrahim's PubMed citations

Mhd Louai Manini, M.D.

Mhd Louai Manini, M.D.
Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Manini's PubMed citations

Michael Stephens, M.D.

Michael Stephens, M.D.
Consultant and Chair, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Stephen's PubMed citations

Dana Steien, M.D.

Dana Steien, M.D.
Consultant, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Director of Pediatric Nutrition, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine

Dr. Steien's PubMed citations

Advisers and mentors

During the Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, you have one-on-one access to faculty members who provide educational, mentorship, and personal support. These advisers serve as contact points, introducing you and your family to Rochester, Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic system.

Visiting professors

Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic each year. They present their work during lectures, participate in hospital rounds, and have informal discussions with trainees. You are encouraged to take full advantage of these educational opportunities.