The Seven Pillars Of Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman's Groundbreaking Work In Gastroenterology
Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is not just a clinician; she is an academic leader and a high-volume endoscopist whose research focuses on improving outcomes for conditions ranging from common reflux to life-threatening GI cancers. She is widely recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a testament to her expertise and the trust she has earned from both patients and peers. Her dual roles as a Professor of Clinical Medicine and the director of a major GI health center place her at the forefront of medical education, research, and clinical practice.
Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman MD: A Comprehensive Professional Profile
Dr. Schnoll-Sussman’s extensive medical training and professional appointments have established her as a preeminent figure in the field of Gastroenterology.
- Full Name: Felice H. Schnoll-Sussman, M.D.
- Primary Specialty: Gastroenterology
- Current Academic Appointment: Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Key Leadership Roles:
- Director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health.
- Founder and Director of the DIGEST (Dedicated Integrated GastroESophageal Treatment) Unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
- Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Graduated 1994).
- Residency: Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
- Hospital Affiliations: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
- Clinical Focus: Esophageal and swallowing disorders, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Achalasia, Motility Disorders, Endoscopy, and Colorectal Cancer Screening.
- Experience: Over 30 years in the medical field.
Pioneering Integrated Care: The Jay Monahan Center and DIGEST Unit
Dr. Schnoll-Sussman’s most significant contributions to patient care lie in her development of specialized, integrated treatment centers that address the full spectrum of gastrointestinal health, from prevention to complex disease management.
The Jay Monahan Center: A Hub for GI Cancer Prevention and Support
As the Director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman oversees one of the few comprehensive cancer and wellness centers in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to GI cancers. The center, named in memory of Katie Couric's late husband, Jay Monahan, focuses on three core pillars: treatment, support, and education.
The primary mission of the center is to encourage aggressive screening for colorectal cancer, a disease that is highly preventable when caught early. Under Dr. Schnoll-Sussman’s guidance, the center offers a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation therapy, and essential support services like nutrition counseling and psychological support. This holistic model ensures patients are treated not just for the disease, but as whole individuals.
The DIGEST Unit: A Novel Approach to Complex Motility Disorders
A major innovation founded by Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is the DIGEST (Dedicated Integrated GastroESophageal Treatment) unit at Weill Cornell/NYP. This program was created to address the fragmented care often experienced by patients with complex upper and lower gastrointestinal motility disorders, such as chronic GERD, Achalasia, and Gastroparesis.
The DIGEST unit's "novel approach" is defined by its integrated care coordination, bringing together a team of specialists—gastroenterologists, foregut surgeons, dietitians, and motility experts—under one roof. This patient-centric system streamlines diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that patients receive state-of-the-art medical and surgical care tailored to their specific, often refractory, conditions. The unit is a critical resource for patients who have failed standard therapies and require advanced diagnostic procedures like high-resolution manometry and pH monitoring.
The Cutting Edge of Research: Five Key Areas of Influence
Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is a prolific researcher with over 100 published works and thousands of citations, constantly pushing the boundaries of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Her research and clinical focus are on several key areas that are driving the future of digestive health:
- Advanced Endoscopy and AI Integration: She has been involved in studies evaluating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in endoscopy, such as the use of the GI Genius system. This technology assists endoscopists in detecting subtle lesions, including small and right-sided adenomas, thereby significantly improving the quality and efficacy of colonoscopy screenings.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment: A significant portion of her work is dedicated to esophageal health, including the latest insights into GERD treatment. She has highlighted the potential of new pharmacological agents, such as potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) like K-CAB, from the perspective of U.S. clinical practice, offering hope for patients who do not respond well to traditional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
- Colonoscopy Quality and Biomarkers: Dr. Schnoll-Sussman has contributed to research on improving colonoscopy quality, noting the importance of knowing a patient's positive DNA stool test results prior to the procedure. This knowledge can motivate endoscopists to perform more meticulous examinations and enhance the detection of precancerous polyps. She also studies combined cancer screening protocols, such as the "One-Stop Colon and Endometrial Screening (ONCE)" for high-risk patients with conditions like Lynch syndrome.
- Motility and Swallowing Disorders: Her primary clinical and research focus is on the treatment of patients with complex esophageal and swallowing disorders. This involves the investigation of conditions like Achalasia and other motility issues using advanced techniques to restore normal GI function.
- Infectious GI Diseases: She has also dedicated research efforts to the study of C. difficile and other enteric infections, which are increasingly challenging to manage in hospital settings. This work is crucial for developing better prevention and treatment protocols for these highly contagious and often severe infections.
The 'Food is Medicine' Philosophy and Patient Advocacy
Beyond her technical and academic achievements, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is a vocal advocate for the role of lifestyle and nutrition in digestive health. She is a proponent of the "food is medicine" philosophy, emphasizing that dietary choices and overall wellness are integral to preventing and managing gastrointestinal conditions. Her personal choice to be a pescatarian is often cited as a reflection of her belief in the power of diet.
Her patient advocacy extends to her role at the Jay Monahan Center, where education and support are prioritized. By integrating nutritionists and wellness experts into her treatment teams, she ensures that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses the root causes of their symptoms, rather than just treating the immediate effects. Dr. Schnoll-Sussman's multifaceted career—as a leading clinician, a dedicated researcher, an innovative program founder, and a passionate advocate for preventive medicine—makes her a true pioneer whose work continues to shape the future of gastroenterology.
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