MUSC Health highlights GI research

MUSC Health used National Digestive Disease Awareness Month on May 16 to spotlight its gastrointestinal research and care programs in a post on X. The Charleston, South Carolina-based academic health system pointed readers to pages describing digestive disease treatment, clinical trials and research infrastructure across gastroenterology and hepatology. The post did not announce a new study or product launch. It instead tied an awareness-month message to existing programs in inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and other digestive conditions, according to MUSC pages linked from the campaign. ### What did MUSC Health say in the May 16 post? MUSC Health said on May 16 that National Digestive Disease Awareness Month was a chance to highlight ongoing work in gastrointestinal conditions and patient care, according to the X post referenced in the card materials. The post directed readers to MUSC webpages on digestive health and research rather than to a single paper, trial readout or physician statement. The linked digestive health page says MUSC’s vision is to be a nationally recognized leader in multi-specialty patient care, research and education in digestive disorders. (muschealth.org) That page describes a care model built around gastroenterologists, hepatologists, GI surgeons, nurses and advanced practice providers, with services spanning diagnostics, surgery and long-term management. ### How large is MUSC’s digestive disease program? MUSC’s Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology says it provides clinical, research and educational services for patients across South Carolina and the Southeastern United States. (muschealth.org) The division page lists 9,045 new patient visits in fiscal 2024, 25,600 outpatient encounters in calendar 2024, 143 liver transplants in fiscal 2024 and $4.7 million in research funding in fiscal 2024. Garth Swanson, the division director and a professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, is named on the division page as the program’s lead. MUSC Health Charleston was also recognized as high-performing in gastroenterology and GI surgery in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report, according to the same page. ### Which diseases and research areas does MUSC list? MUSC’s research page says its gastroenterology and hepatology faculty work across discovery science, translational research and clinical investigation. (medicine.musc.edu) The listed focus areas include pancreaticobiliary and esophageal disorders, gastrointestinal cancers, nutrition, inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. The digestive health service pages say MUSC treats conditions ranging from acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome to Crohn’s disease, liver disease and gastrointestinal cancers. (medicine.musc.edu) A separate MUSC research page describes digestive disease work as multidisciplinary and spanning patient care, clinical research and basic science. ### What does MUSC say about clinical trials? MUSC’s research page says division investigators are conducting more than 100 active clinical studies. (medicine.musc.edu) The clinical trials page says those studies are part of a broader MUSC effort in which scientists and physicians work together to test treatments and advance medical understanding. The clinical trials page also says participation is voluntary and that studies are reviewed for participant safety by an independent committee. (muschealth.org) MUSC identifies that committee as its Institutional Review Board. ### What research infrastructure did MUSC highlight? MUSC says its division includes an NIH-funded Digestive Disease Research Core Center, one of 17 nationwide. The research page also says MUSC is the only institution in the country to house both a Digestive Disease Research Core Center and a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Digestive and Liver Diseases. (medicine.musc.edu) The same page says both NIH-funded centers received five-year renewals in 2025. (muschealth.org) MUSC names Don Rockey as leader of the NIDDK-funded core center and Stephen Duncan as leader of the NIGMS-funded COBRE in Digestive and Liver Diseases. ### Where can patients or researchers go next? MUSC Health lists digestive health appointment scheduling, provider directories and location information on its digestive services pages. (medicine.musc.edu) The system also provides a central clinical trials page with options to find a provider, find a researcher and search for a trial. MUSC’s digestive health pages say the Digestive Disease Center was established in 1995 by Peter B. Cotton. As of May 16, the next step for readers from the awareness-month post is to use those linked MUSC pages to review disease-specific services, research programs and active study information. (medicine.musc.edu) (muschealth.org)