USF Health continues to expand their comprehensive care services with the opening of a center focused fully on inflammatory bowel disease.

The USF Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, which opened March 1 in the Frank and Carol Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare, is the only one of its kind on the west coast of Florida and includes a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive and personalized care to patients to manage their disease and improve their quality of life.

USF Health leaders officially opened the new IBD Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 1 at the center location in the Frank and Carol Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare. From left to right: Michele Turman, USF Health patient and IBD Center donor; Mark Moseley, MD, president of USF Tampa General Physicians; Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine; Jennifer Seminerio, MD, director of the USF Health IBD Center and associate professor in the Morsani College of Medicine; and Jorge Marcet, MD, professor and director of the Division of Colorectal Surgery in the Morsani College of Medicine.

Jennifer Seminerio, MD, associate professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the USF Health IBD Center, said that certain chronic disease states require more specialized care and, often times, require multiple interventions, visits with physicians, and diagnostic procedures including endoscopy and colonoscopy.  Additionally, there are many psychosocial, nutritional and surgical components impacting IBD patients, as well.   In the worst-case scenario, especially without proper diagnosis and management, IBD patients may need to be hospitalized or experience long-term disability.   Dr. Seminerio and her team look to prevent these worst-case scenarios and help patients live the highest quality of life possible through early and aggressive intervention.

“These patients may not represent the most common condition in Florida, in the country or in the world, but, they do represent one of the most expensive conditions,” she said. “Because of that, USF Health took the opportunity to build a center where we can excel in the care of IBD patients and set the foundation for what the most advanced care can be,” said Seminerio.

IBD affects nearly 2 million Americans and encompasses two main chronic and incurable conditions: Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.  Crohn’s disease causes chronic inflammation anywhere within the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.  It most commonly affects the end of the small bowel at the beginning of the colon.  Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which small sores, or ulcers, can develop on the large intestine.

Jennifer Seminerio, MD, director of the USF Health IBD Center and associate professor in the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Seminerio explained several benefits and advantages to building the center within an academic medical center. First is the multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Patients of the IBD Center will receive care from providers and staff that are 100% dedicated to everything IBD.  Dr. Seminerio describes her team as “experts in everything related to IBD.”  The center will be a one-stop shop where patients can see multiple specialists, including nutritionists, colorectal surgeons and psychiatrists.

Second, the center will continue to build its research program, offer cutting-edge clinical trials to better understand IBD.  As a result, they will be able to speed up access to innovations that will help more patients on their path remission.

Lastly, is education and the ability to see and work with health students and other trainees.  Patients will interact with the future providers and specialists who want to learn everything they can about this disease.  “None of us here believe we know everything about this disease state and we are constantly learning,” Dr. Seminerio said.  “The best way to learn is by giving our trainees and our patients continual access to information about this disease.”

USF Health’s partner and primary teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital, is ranked among the best in the nation for gastroenterology and G.I. surgery by U.S. News and World Report.

USF Health continues to pave the way in other digestive disease-related issues including advanced endoscopy, small bowel/ lower gastrointestinal motility, liver disease and the Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing Disorders, all of which support the efforts of the IBD Center and its patients.

“When you think about the things you were given in life, this space is a blessing,” Dr. Seminerio said.  “I want this place to ultimately represent hope and faith in our ability to get this disease under control. I’m excited about this opportunity and am truly grateful to everyone who helped get this get this Center opened.”

Quotes from USF Health Leaders:

Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

“This is a great moment for USF Health.  Opening the IBD Center has been a top priority for us.  Especially as this is the only such center on the west coast of Florida.  We are really excited about being able to offer greater access to the latest treatments and clinical trials to more patients across Tampa Bay and beyond.  For patients with Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, access to this level of care is literally life-changing and I think you all will be just as happy as I am.” – Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Mark Moseley, MD, MHA, FACEP, USF Tampa General Physicians president, USF Health chief clinical officer and associate vice president, and Morsani College of Medicine vice dean for clinical affairs.

“This center is build on the expertise and commitment of so many wonderful physicians, staff members and senior leaders from over the years.  We have been caring for IBD patients for many decades.  But, we now have a home that is befitting the dedication and world-class care you render to our patients and their families every day.  For any of you out there this evening, who like me, have Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis, or love and care for someone who has IBD, this center is for you.” – Mark Moseley, MD, MHA, FACEP, USF Tampa General Physicians president, USF Health chief clinical officer and associate vice president, and Morsani College of Medicine vice dean for clinical affairs. 

Michelle Turman (center) with her husband Eric, son Nicholas, and mother Paula McQuillan. Michelle is a USF Health IBD Center patient, USF alumnus, and donor to the new center.

“I realized I needed to move all of my healthcare to USF Health to really create a comprehensive system of care because living with Crohn’s Disease had begun to affect so many areas of my body.  It was the best decision I made.  Living with Crohn’s is still not easy. But, my team, that includes Dr. Seminerio and her nurse Donna Ortiz, are on top of it and I know I’m not alone.  It is because of this level of care that let me to invest in the new IBD center.  I feel very blessed to be part of the USF family and to be here tonight, and feeling great, so that we can open the new IBD Center together.” – Michelle Turman, USF alumni, USF Health patient, and IBD Center donor. 

More photos from the grand opening:

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