Internationally Recognized Experts for the Management of Liver Disease

The Department of Digestive Health takes pride in our very qualified liver experts, specially trained in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Transplant/Hepatology. This team of highly credentialed experts have more than 100 cumulative years of practice and decades of experience and expertise across all areas of this clinical specialty. Additionally, they are internationally recognized in the management of liver disease so you receive expert medical care, right at home. For more information, visit VCU’s Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health website.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment

The hepatology specialists fully engage with all other clinical disciplines and can easily work with other experts within the health system, including radiology, cancer care, endocrinology, surgery and other experts across all medical specialties. Every one of our patients has a unique treatment plan where we take into consideration comorbidities and complexity of care.

Managing Every Aspect of Liver Conditions and Diseases

We manage every aspect of liver conditions and diseases, including all areas of liver care from acute and chronic, life threatening issues, transplantation and more. We perform non-invasive assessment of liver damage, including liver elastography (liver stiffness), which is not widely available in this area.

About 75 percent of our patients have these three conditions:

• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Viral hepatitis including Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B

We manage both acute and chronic liver disease patients across the spectrum of liver diseases from those with mild damage to those end-stage liver disease including those that require liver transplantation.   While some patients only require periodic monitoring, others may requires more specific treatments.  With the earlier recognition of liver disease symptoms and a quicker diagnosis, the more positive the outcome because patients can be treated when treatment is most likely to work.

Innovations for Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is one of the few viruses that can now be cured. Changes in care for hepatitis C have evolved to be more non-invasive and much more effective.  Our entire team of providers, nurses and pharmacy support work together to get people evaluated and on to treatment.

We assess liver damage with liver elastography, which has revolutionized how patients are evaluated. Using this test, we can determine damage through a painless assessment avoiding the need for liver biopsy. Treatment for hepatitis C has significantly progressed from a 1 year treatment regimen (shots with many side effects) to 3 months of oral medication treatment with little to no side effects that can cure Hepatitis C in over 90% of those infected, even in the presence of advanced scarring.

World Leaders in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Research

VCU Health has a world-class team researching the causes and symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Our research coordinators work with dietary and nutrition and endocrinologists with the bariatric surgery center on these studies.

Liver Transplant Program

VCU Health has one the largest programs in the country performing liver transplants. We provide an array of support services, including coordinators and social workers, to help patients take care of themselves before and after liver transplants.

Multifaceted Approach to Treating Liver Cancer

Our experts take a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treatment liver cancer. We have a weekly meeting with hepatologists, surgeons, radiologists and oncologists to determine the best course of treatment for the patient.  This individualized approach allows for the best outcome.

To Make an Appointment

For questions or more information about an appointment with our hepatology specialists, appointments can be made with your first call to the center at (804) 828-4060. Our telephone support staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.