The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of Excellence at University Gastroenterology provides specialized care to patients who have ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Our doctors are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care using the latest diagnostic and treatment methods.
Some of the aspects provided by University Gastroenterology's IBD Center of Excellence include:
University Gastroenterology Infusion Center provides excellent service for patients in a convenient, comfortable setting that is often cheaper than treatment provided at the hospital. Watch the below video to learn more about infusion therapy at UGI.
The IBD Center of Excellence makes it a priority to treat the whole patient. To that end, we have formed several collaborative partnerships with other specialties to enable our patients to easily get the holistic treatment they need.
Nutrition
Effectively managing IBD often requires dietary changes. The dietitians at Evolution Nutrition Counseling can help make the process less daunting and individualize a plan specifically for you.
Kelly Markiewicz, RD, LDN, CDOE has been a Registered Dietitian with Evolution Nutrition for over ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Connecticut and completed her Dietetic Internship through Keene State College. She is also a Certified Diabetes Outpatient Educator. Kelly specializes in digestive health, including but not limited to treatment for IBS, Celiac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). Kelly has a passion for helping patients with gastrointestinal conditions find relief through personalized care.
Christina Bedetta Willett, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian who has been practicing at Evolution Nutrition for the past 3 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of New Hampshire and completed her dietetic internship through Marywood University. With an especially strong interest in the manifestation and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions, she has enjoyed learning from continuing education opportunities, such as the University of Michigan Digestive Disorders Nutrition and Lifestyle Program conferences. Christina is grateful for the opportunity to continue to provide nutritional guidance and support for those with digestive disorders
Meghan Bourne, RD, LDN, CDOE, CDCES has been working at Evolution Nutrition Inc., since 2010. She is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with over 10 years of experience working in outpatient nutrition counseling. Meghan completed her undergraduate degree at Johnson & Wales University and her dietetic internship at Keene State College. Meghan has a professional interest in helping patients with all types of gastrointestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She guides her patients using evidence-based research and her years of experience. Navigating food and symptoms is a journey unique to each person with IBD. Meghan finds helping patients with their personal IBD experience very rewarding. She values working as part of a multidisciplinary team to support her patients.
Psychotherapy
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than the general population. In fact, research has shown that the connection between gut and mental health is a two-way street, with each affecting the other. The following therapists from ME Psychotherapy are experienced in helping people with chronic health issues, like IBD.
Tyler Puryear, MPH, MS
Tyler is a masters level, prelicensed therapist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Tyler works with older adolescents, college students, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic illness, and life transitions. He specializes in working with LGBTQ+ clients who are exploring their sexual identity development and related issues. Tyler uses a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, along with elements of person-centered therapy and feminist theory.
Tyler is in the Providence office on Saturdays and offers Telehealth sessions during the week, mornings and evenings. He accepts United Community & NHP Access plans and offers a low sliding fee of $80 for clients with other insurance plans.
Jason Etting, MA Intern
Jason is a master’s level intern, currently pursuing a MA in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy from Adler Graduate School. Jason works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. He enjoys working with clients struggling with addiction, men’s issues, parenting, anxiety, and food/wellness. Jason works with clients to identify obstacles and create effective strategies for working towards goals. Adlerians believe that by gaining insight into challenges, people can overcome feelings of inferiority.
Jason is in the Narragansett office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, daytime and afternoon hours. He offers Telehealth on Wednesdays, daytime, and afternoon hours. He does not accept insurance plans but offers a sliding fee of $65.
Jill Murphree, MSW, LICSW
Jill is a licensed Rhode Island therapist. She has experience working within primary and specialty care clinics, working with clients with medical diagnoses that impact mental health. Jill works with adults and specializes in supporting clients in making lifestyle changes and adjusting to medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem issues related to new or chronic medical diagnoses. She has experience with Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Jill is in the Providence office on Thursday evenings. She also offers Telehealth on Tuesday evenings. She accepts Blue Cross, United, Student Resources, Harvard Pilgrim, NHP, Aetna, Cigna, and Tufts Commercial insurance plans.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often suffer from pain with intercourse and difficulty defecating. This is particularly an issue when there is an ileoanal pouch or perinatal disease.
Full Circle Pelvic Health is a physical therapy clinic in Rhode Island that’s dedicated to helping people with pelvic floor issues feel better through focused rehabilitation and specialized care. Melissa Nassaney, DPT is skilled at the highest level of training in pelvic health with over 14 years of clinical experience in pelvic floor physical therapy and over 30 years in health & fitness. She has been collaborating with University Gastroenterology for several years doing anorectal manometry and treating patients with snap and pelvic pain, chronic constipation, and fecal incontinence.
Full Circle Pelvic Health incorporates orthopedics, pain science and mindfulness, exercise science, manual therapies, athletic training, and yoga into therapy sessions in order to treat the whole person with a comprehensive approach.
Colorectal Surgeons
We share care and refer to the leading, board-certified colorectal surgeons in Rhode Island.
IBD Resources
University Gastroenterology and the IBD Center are committed to advancing the standard of patient care. To that end, we are often involved in ongoing clinical trials and studies involving new treatments. Click to see Ongoing Clinical Trials »
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of Excellence at University Gastroenterology provides specialized care to patients who have ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Our doctors are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care using the latest diagnostic and treatment methods.
Some of the aspects provided by University Gastroenterology's IBD Center of Excellence include:
Our Team
Director
Sheldon Lidofsky, MD
Jason Ferreira, MD
Lisa Mueller, MD
Peter Margolis, MD
Breton Roussel, MD
Kathleen Rassler, NP
Infusion Center
University Gastroenterology Infusion Center provides excellent service for patients in a convenient, comfortable setting that is often cheaper than treatment provided at the hospital. Watch the below video to learn more about infusion therapy at UGI.
Director
Phillip McAndrew, MD
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The IBD Center of Excellence makes it a priority to treat the whole patient. To that end, we have formed several collaborative partnerships with other specialties to enable our patients to easily get the holistic treatment they need.
Nutrition
Effectively managing IBD often requires dietary changes. The dietitians at Evolution Nutrition Counseling can help make the process less daunting and individualize a plan specifically for you.
Psychotherapy
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than the general population. In fact, research has shown that the connection between gut and mental health is a two-way street, with each affecting the other. The following therapists from ME Psychotherapy are experienced in helping people with chronic health issues, like IBD.
Tyler Puryear, MPH, MS
Tyler is a masters level, prelicensed therapist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Tyler works with older adolescents, college students, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic illness, and life transitions. He specializes in working with LGBTQ+ clients who are exploring their sexual identity development and related issues. Tyler uses a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, along with elements of person-centered therapy and feminist theory.
Tyler is in the Providence office on Saturdays and offers Telehealth sessions during the week, mornings and evenings. He accepts United Community & NHP Access plans and offers a low sliding fee of $80 for clients with other insurance plans.
Jason Etting, MA Intern
Jason is a master’s level intern, currently pursuing a MA in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy from Adler Graduate School. Jason works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. He enjoys working with clients struggling with addiction, men’s issues, parenting, anxiety, and food/wellness. Jason works with clients to identify obstacles and create effective strategies for working towards goals. Adlerians believe that by gaining insight into challenges, people can overcome feelings of inferiority.
Jason is in the Narragansett office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, daytime and afternoon hours. He offers Telehealth on Wednesdays, daytime, and afternoon hours. He does not accept insurance plans but offers a sliding fee of $65.
Jill Murphree, MSW, LICSW
Jill is a licensed Rhode Island therapist. She has experience working within primary and specialty care clinics, working with clients with medical diagnoses that impact mental health. Jill works with adults and specializes in supporting clients in making lifestyle changes and adjusting to medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem issues related to new or chronic medical diagnoses. She has experience with Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Jill is in the Providence office on Thursday evenings. She also offers Telehealth on Tuesday evenings. She accepts Blue Cross, United, Student Resources, Harvard Pilgrim, NHP, Aetna, Cigna, and Tufts Commercial insurance plans.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often suffer from pain with intercourse and difficulty defecating. This is particularly an issue when there is an ileoanal pouch or perinatal disease.
Full Circle Pelvic Health is a physical therapy clinic in Rhode Island that’s dedicated to helping people with pelvic floor issues feel better through focused rehabilitation and specialized care. Melissa Nassaney, DPT is skilled at the highest level of training in pelvic health with over 14 years of clinical experience in pelvic floor physical therapy and over 30 years in health & fitness. She has been collaborating with University Gastroenterology for several years doing anorectal manometry and treating patients with snap and pelvic pain, chronic constipation, and fecal incontinence.
Full Circle Pelvic Health incorporates orthopedics, pain science and mindfulness, exercise science, manual therapies, athletic training, and yoga into therapy sessions in order to treat the whole person with a comprehensive approach.
Colorectal Surgeons
We share care and refer to the leading, board-certified colorectal surgeons in Rhode Island.
IBD Resources
University Gastroenterology and the IBD Center are committed to advancing the standard of patient care. To that end, we are often involved in ongoing clinical trials and studies involving new treatments. Click to see Ongoing Clinical Trials »
Crohn's Disease
Ulcerative Colitis