Liver Disease Expert to Lead Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Program at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Andrew Feranchak, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in liver disease, has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Feranchak’s research interests include the mechanisms of bile formation, biliary secretion and liver cell volume regulation. His research uses innovative models and techniques to understand the basic mechanism underlying cellular bile formation. This research will provide a foundation for new therapeutic strategies to treat cholestatic liver diseases.

He comes to Children’s from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he had served as the division director of pediatric gastroenterology since 2011.

Feranchak is a native of Pittsburgh,  received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. He completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the University of Colorado and is board certified in pediatric gastroenterology.

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to come back to my hometown to join the physician leadership at one of the nation’s leading pediatric institutions,” said Feranchak. “I look forward to expanding the program, developing multidisciplinary clinical programs and helping our patients with gastrointestinal disorders lead full and healthy lives.”

Feranchak has authored numerous important publications in the field and has served on the editorial board for several leading journals, including the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Hepatology. He has lectured extensively and served in a variety of academic leadership positions, including the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), and the council of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR).

“Dr. Feranchak is an international expert in cholestatic liver diseases and a superb leader. We are thrilled to have him join our team at Children’s,” said Terence Dermody, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Pitt School of Medicine and physician-in-chief and scientific director at Children’s Hospital. “Under his leadership, we anticipate that the gastroenterology program will play an even larger role in enhancing Children’s ability to provide exceptional clinical care for our many patients and their families.”

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s is ranked 5th in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-18 Best Children’s Hospital specialty ranking for pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery. The division consists of experts in general clinical pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric hepatology and a broad range of specialty areas, including abdominal pain, acute and chronic pancreatitis, constipation, diarrhea, eosinophilic disorders, feeding disorders, gastroesophageal reflux and esophagitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal failure (short-bowel), irritable bowel syndrome, motility disorders, liver diseases and transplantation, metabolic disorders affecting the liver or intestines, poor growth, small bowel transplantation and ulcer disease. The division also provides a full range of diagnostic procedures and treatments related to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas.

For more information on Feranchak and the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, please visit www.chp.edu.