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:

]]> https://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/blog/2023/02/15/eight-year-old-grateful-patient-thankful-to-dr-racha-khalaf/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:31:35 +0000 https://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/?p=37622 What started as a simple fall led to a diagnosis the Weiler family wasn’t expecting – 8-year-old Patricia Weiler has Crohn’s Disease. After the fall, Patricia’s mother, Annette, […]

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What started as a simple fall led to a diagnosis the Weiler family wasn’t expecting – 8-year-old Patricia Weiler has Crohn’s Disease.

After the fall, Patricia’s mother, Annette, immediately took her to their dentist, who prescribed antibiotics but the swelling persisted. Patricia then saw her pediatrician who referred them to a maxillofacial surgeon who noticed abnormal tissue architecture. She performed a biopsy, which confirmed granulomatous inflammation consistent with Crohn’s disease.

She was then referred to Racha Khalaf, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and a pediatric gastroenterologist.  Dr. Khalaf and her team performed several tests, including a biopsy of Patricia’s wounds.  When the test revealed several key indicators, Dr. Khalaf confirmed that Patricia has Crohn’s Disease.

Racha Khalaf, MD, USF Health assistant professor and pediatric gastroenterologist.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  It’s a progressive condition, meaning it can get worse over time if untreated, and an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract often causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss and fever.   Treatment goals for Crohn’s include symptom mitigation, endoscopic improvement, and remission.

Patricia goes to the Tampa General Hospital Pediatric Day Hospital every six weeks to receive an intravenous treatment of Infliximab, commonly prescribed for a variety of autoimmune disorders.  Patricia said her favorite part of her visits are being able to play with TGH Valor Service Dogs, who are there to provide a comforting presence to children in the hospital setting, and helped young Patricia quell her fear of needles.

Dr. Khalaf and other physicians who have met Patricia commonly describe her a “wise beyond her years” in the wake of her diagnosis.  She understands this will be something that will be with her for the rest of her life and understands that she needs to make certain lifestyle changes including limiting her sun exposure, the amount of processed foods, and reducing the amount of dairy she consumes.  Patricia still participates in her favorite activities including soccer, ballet, and playing with her dog Mitch and sister Annabelle.

Patricia Weiler (right) and her sister Annabelle with their dog Mitch.

Patricia has been in remission for more than nine months and mother Annette is very thankful for all of the doctors who helped get her pointed in the right direction for care and getting her questions answered.  She is especially thankful to Dr. Khalaf and her team for finally bringing an end to the mystery of Patricia’s health.

“From the first moment I met the team, they were very assuring.  They said they would become ‘best friends’ throughout this process and that’s exactly how it has been,” Annette said.  “It was scary at first, but the reassurance is what really helped us through this.”

“It’s not a disability, it’s just something with my body that I have to keep an eye on,” Patricia said.  “I’m very thankful that we found a team that helps me and my family with my problems, and we did it before it got worse.”

Video and photos by Freddie Coleman

Grateful patient Michelle Turman MA ’00 CFRE has made a $25,000 challenge gift to encourage other patients and donors to advance research and comprehensive care at the USF Health Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center.

Turman was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease 10 years ago and was on a medication that worked for about six years before she became immune to it. Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition, and when she saw signs that her health was deteriorating, she waited for the call back from her previous gastroenterologist. Weeks passed without a response.

Then she met USF Health’s Chief Medical Officer Mark Moseley, who lived with the same condition. He connected her with Dr. Reneé Marchioni Beery, who ran some tests and found that Michelle’s medications had quit working. They developed a new treatment plan, and shortly after Michelle started a new medication and found herself in remission.

“With Crohn’s, you don’t realize how much pain you’re in because you learn to tolerate it, and you don’t have to be in that pain. I never knew that kind of care before I came to USF Health.”

Now, Turman has transferred all of her health care to USF Health so that her doctors can coordinate their care without the burden of her continually having to restate her symptoms and concerns with all of her medical providers.

The USF Health IBD Center is a community of specialized healthcare providers trained in the field of IBD ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. As the only academic medical center on the west coast of Florida, the center provides cutting-edge treatment, technology, and research. The team of dedicated experts provides comprehensive care using state-of of-the the-art treatment and disease management approaches focused on IBD.

“What was being created here at USF Health with this new center was a continued center of care — one that could shepherd you and connect all of your doctors together on one platform,” said Turman. “It saved me the time and stress of having to coordinate all of my doctors, communicate the story numerous times, and making sure all the tests and results were in one place.”

This is the largest gift to date for the new IBD Center, which needs additional philanthropy as it upgrades its clinical space to improve patient care and facilitate coordination between its providers.

Turman’s USF roots run deep, as both of her parents were members of the university’s first graduating class. Turman received her master’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council. In addition to her gift to USF Health, Turman also created the Turman Study Abroad Scholarship in Ancient Studies in 2018 to provide undergraduates and graduates with the opportunity to study in Greece.

Turman is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Consulting Services and has nearly 30 years of nonprofit experience in the areas of executive search, organizational management, and fundraising. She has raised over $75 million for the Tampa Bay community and currently serves on the national board of Donate Life America and the Hillsborough County Cultural Assets Commission. She has been recognized by Tampa Bay Metro magazine as one of Tampa Bay’s Distinguished Women in Business and the Face of Nonprofit Change and was recently nominated by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce as The Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year.

To support the new Michelle Turman IBD Research fund at USF Health, visit usf.to/Turman.

Video by Torie Doll, USF Health Communications & Marketing

Story reposted from USF Health Office of Development and Alumni Relations