IBD Center Opens at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is one of only a small handful of such centers in the U.S. providing nationally-recognized care to patients suffering from IBD and other related disorders, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Walter A. Koltun, MD, FACS, FASCRS, chief, division of colon and rectal surgery, and director of the IBD Center, says, “This past spring, since the doors to the new IBD Center opened, physicians specializing in IBD treatment work collaboratively to bring the full spectrum of IBD care under one roof. This dramatically streamlines care for patients with IBD, so that all or most of their needs are coordinated and provided in a single setting.”

Anne Bobb, RN, is the IBD Center’s dedicated nurse navigator who coordinates each patient’s schedule of care, including services provided by not only gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons, but also imaging specialists, rheumatologists, hepatologists, pathologists, nutritionists, dermatologists and gynecologists. A single call places patients in direct communication with Ms. Bobb, who then arranges appointments often consisting of simultaneous or same-day meetings with a primary gastroenterologist, as well as a colorectal surgeon. The IBD Center physician team meets regularly to review cases and treatment plans and discuss the newest IBD therapy options. Dr. Koltun notes, “The physical space brings us all together on a regular, daily basis. Working shoulder-to-shoulder in this way creates a high level of multi-specialty, collaborative care that prioritizes the patient’s schedule.”

The IBD Center, in collaboration with several other IBD Centers around the country, also engages in national and local physician education with video conferences and presentations at meetings. Physicians and scientists also engage in both clinical and pre-clinical research aimed at gaining a better understanding of IBD, related disorders and treatments, offering patients opportunities to participate in advanced research. Penn State IBD Center patients are also invited to participate in a monthly support group, as well.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact Anne Bobb, RN, nurse navigator for the Penn State IBD Center, at 717-531-3998 or visit pennstatehealth.org/inflammatory-bowel-disease.