Research: Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI)

With 20 disease-specific programs, Children's Health℠ delivers world-class gastroenterology care and surgery through more than 20,000 outpatient visits in Dallas, Plano, and beyond, every year. As one of the nation's busiest GI specialties, we treat a diverse population with a range of complex conditions, from biliary atresia to gastroschisis to IBD.

We also offer the latest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including single-balloon enteroscopy, biofeedback, EUS and ERCP, and we're home to the region's only multidisciplinary EoE and pediatric medical celiac program.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

Many of our conferences and events offer continuing education credits.

• North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) 2025 Annual Meeting | November 5-8 in Chicago, IL

Making life better for children starts with training

Fellowship and Residency Training

Children’s Health℠ partners with UT Southwestern to offer a wide variety of options for pediatric fellowship and residency training from gastroenterology and cardiology to anesthesia and emergency medicine. Our educational opportunities prepare health care professionals to achieve the best medical and quality of life outcomes for children.

View Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Brochure

Latest News

Rinarani Sanghavi, M.D., Featured in Dallas Morning News

Insights from Rinarani Sanghavi, M.D., on how the mind affects the rest of the body and recommendations for students and young athletes experiencing high levels of anxiety, especially in light of COVID-19.

Bradley Barth, M.D., Featured on CBS Dallas-Fort Worth

The rate of young children swallowing foreign objects has almost doubled in the last two decades. In 2018, nearly 700 children were treated at Children's Health for nonsurgical removal of objects like coins and batteries. Bradley Barth, M.D., Division Director of Pediatric GI at Children's Health, spoke with CBS DFW about why these numbers are growing and what parents need to do if their child swallows an object.

From Patient to Practitioner: Jody's Liver Transplant Story

Jody Mackling’s experiences at Children's Health not only saved her life, but also helped shape her future by revealing exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up: a nurse at Children's Medical Center Dallas who helps liver transplant patients.

As a child, Jody had primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) that led to a liver transplant in 1986.

"My experience in the hospital was amazing, and I had such a circle of caring people around me," Jody says. "I had a curious mind and found everything the nurses and doctors did so fascinating that I wanted to mimic them. When I went back home, I would bring out my home health supplies to play with like I would any other toy."

Over the years, Jody worked diligently to reach her goal, eventually returning to Children's Health for her first job after graduating from nursing school. She began working on the same floor that she had been a patient on just a decade earlier.

A few years later, Jody became a pediatric nurse practitioner and was able to reunite with the doctor that had made such an impact in her life early on – John Anderson, M.D.

"Dr. Andersen approached me about starting the inpatient nurse practitioner service on the GI floor to care for patients before and after they've received a liver transplant," Jody says. "I've known him since I was 8 years old and consider him one of my mentors, so it has been an honor to work with him again."

Jody's health journey often gives her a unique connection with her patients and their families, perhaps giving families a glimpse of what their child's future could look like.

"I am always willing to share my story with other families when asked," she says. "I think it helps give them a sense of hope that their child can live a healthy, fulfilling life – just like I am."

Work Life Balance / GI Team Gets Moving at Children’s Health

This summer, more than 50 GI team members participated in a half-day event, which consisted of an international potluck, workshops on work/life integration and preventing burnout, Zumba and team building.

With approximately 80 team members and three new Fellows, the GI Division has experienced many changes throughout 2019. Krys Guice, Practice Administrator, Ambulatory Services, and Norberto Rodriquez-Baez, M.D., Hepatology, organized the event to reaffirm that each team member plays a critical role in the department.

During the event, team members were informed about Children's Health and UT Southwestern wellness programs. The day ended with a 10-minute meditation and a Zumba exercise led by Dr. Rodriquez-Baez.

"The goal was to spread a message of unity across our team," Krys says. "It's important that our team members see one another not only in a professional sense, but also having fun and being human."

With 20 disease-specific programs, Children's Health℠ delivers world-class gastroenterology care and surgery through more than 20,000 outpatient visits in Dallas, Plano, and beyond, every year. As one of the nation's busiest GI specialties, we treat a diverse population with a range of complex conditions, from biliary atresia to gastroschisis to IBD.

We also offer the latest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including single-balloon enteroscopy, biofeedback, EUS and ERCP, and we're home to the region's only multidisciplinary EoE and pediatric medical celiac program.