Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Clinical Trials | Support Group | IBD Resources | Support the IBD Center

Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel DiseasesThe Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (SECIBD) at the University of Florida and the Gainesville VA Medical Center is dedicated to the study and treatment of Celiac Sprue, Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The Center has a long-standing program of basic and clinical research in inflammatory bowel diseases and gut inflammation. Basic research interests include intestinal gene regulation and expression, gene therapy for intestinal inflammation, the role of intestinal bacteria in Crohn's disease, and immune tolerance in inflammatory bowel diseases.

The clinical program combines multidisciplinary efforts to provide the care required for the management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases including state of the art clinical trials that offer treatment options that are not available elsewhere.

The current members of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center include:

Adult Gastroenterology:

  • Steve F. Polyak, M.D. (Clinical IBD, Basic Research)
  • John F. Valentine, M.D. (Clinical IBD, Basic Research)
  • Cindy Schuhmacher, R.N., (IBD Clinical Coordinator)
  • Gretchen Simpkins, R.N. (IBD Clinical Trials Coordinator)
  • Amy Gunnett, R.N., (IBD Clinical Trials Coordinator)

Pediatric Gastroenterology:

  • Joel Andres, M.D. (Pediatric Gastroenterology: Clinical IBD)
  • Christopher Jolly, M.D. (Pediatric Gastroenterology: Clinical IBD)

Adult IBD Surgery:

  • Juan Cendan, M.D. (Clinical IBD Surgery)
  • Sanda Tan, M.D. (Clinical IBD Surgery)
  • Emina Huang, MD (Clinical IBD Surgery, Basic Research)
  • W. Robert Rout, M.D. (Clinical IBD Surgery)

Pediatric IBD Surgery:

  • Elizabeth A. Beierle, M.D. (Clinical IBD Surgery, Basic Research)
  • Mike Chen, M.D. (Clinical IBD Surgery)

Dermatology:

  • Stanton Wesson, M.D. (Dermatology)

Pathology:

  • Lisa Dixon, M.D. (GI Pathology)

Radiology:

  • Walt Drane, M.D. (Radiology, CT enterography, MR enterography, PET)

Basic Research:

  • Michael Clare-Salzler, M.D. (Pathology, Basic Research)
  • Harry S. Nick, Ph.D. (Neuroscience, Basic Research)
  • Volker Mai, Ph.D., M.P.H. (Emerging Pathogens Institute, Basic Research)

Other IBD Personnel:

  • Jill Wittbold, R.N.BSN, CWOCN, (Ostomy Nurse)
  • Sherri L. Findley, MS, R.D. (Nutritional and Dietary Counseling)
  • Gail Greenhut, LCSW (Social Work)

IBD Center Affiliates:
Digestive Health Center of Louisiana
8150 Jefferson Hwy
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: 225-927-1190
Fax: 225-927-0988
Email: berth@gastroenterologyasso.com

IBD Clinical Trials

The IBD Center is an active participant in national and international clinical trials that are evaluating the evolving therapies for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Listed below are the current ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of IBD at the Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

The University of Florida is also a recruitment site for a National Institutes of Health sponsored study examining the genetics of inflammatory bowel disease in African Americans. If you are African American and have inflammatory bowel disease and you wish to participate in this study or obtain more information, please contact Ms. Simpkins or Dr. Valentine at the numbers below.

Crohn's Disease

Bristol Meyers Squibb IM101-084
A Phase III, Multi-Center, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Induction and Maintenance Therapy with Abatacept in Subjects with Active Crohn’s Disease (CD) who have had an Inadequate Clinical Response and/or Intolerance to Medical Therapy

UCB C87059
A Phase IIIb multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the corticosteroid-sparing effect of certolizumab pegol in patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (COSPAR 1)

Several other trials are in the organizational phase and are expected to be up and running in the next few months. Please contact the study coordinator listed below for more information.

Ulcerative Colitis

Abbott M06-826
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Human Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibody Adalimumab for the Induction of Clinical Remission in Subjects with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. Patients in this study can not have been previously treated with other anti-TNF agents such as Humira, Remicade, or Enbrel.

Bristol Meyers Squibb IM101-108
A Phase III, Multi-Center, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Induction and Maintenance Therapy with Abatacept in Subjects with Active Ulcerative Colitis (UC) who have had an Inadequate Clinical Response and/or Intolerance to Medical Therapy

For more information about these trials and patient eligibility, please contact:

  • Gretchen Simpkins, R.N., Study Coordinator
    Phone: (352) 265-8971
    Fax: (352) 265-8979
    Email: simpkge@medicine.ufl.edu
  • Amy M. Gunnett, R.N., Study Coordinator
    Phone: (352) 265-8971
    Fax: (352) 265-8979
    Email: tormeam@medicine.ufl.edu
  • John F. Valentine, M.D.
    Phone: (352) 392-2877
    FAX: (352) 392-3618

The University of Florida IBD Support Group:

The Gainesville Crohn’s and Colitis Discussion Group is made up of patients, family and friends of people who have IBD. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm at the Hope Lodge. Meetings are relaxed and comfortable. You can choose to participate of just sit back and listen. Meetings are open to any subject for discussion. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information, please contact Mark Sears 352-495-0901 or 352-225-2996 (email: gvlccgroup@cox.net) or Gale Greenhut (352) 395-0224.

Winn Dixie Hope Lodge at the University of Florida
2121 SW 16th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-1417
Ph 352-338-0601

Directions to Winn Dixie Hope Lodge

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Resource Sites:

Need assistance paying for medications?

Other useful information

  • Philanthropy: The Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases needs your financial support to continue and expand our mission of IBD patient care, research, and education. Contributions are tax deductible and can be designated for specific projects, purchase of research equipment, support of research personnel, or the establishment of endowed professorships. Please contact Dr. Valentine or the associated link to discuss how you can support the center.
  • Gastroenterology links
  • Directions to the University of Florida Health Science Center

Primary Navigation