Crohn's & Colities Care Center

 

At GI Care Center our mission is to continuously improve the health of our patients and the personal service we render to both them and the medical community through teamwork and compassionate care. 

 

In order to fulfill our mission and assist patients who are diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease – primarily Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis, we developed the Crohn’s and Colitis Care Center.  Our team of board-certificated physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nutritionists, and infusion nurses combine their clinical expertise and experience to provide patients with a unique setting dedicated to the care of IBD patients.

 

Crohn's and Colitis Care Center patients will be provided with priority access to our medical staff whenever needed, via a special priority phone line and internet portal.  Our team understands the needs of IBD patients, therefore we will provide members with regular educational programs in the form of lectures, support groups, newsletters, websites, and patient portals specially designed for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis patients.  In addition, Crohn's and Colitis Care Center patients will be provided with the opportunity to access new medications and treatment options thanks to our research division. 

 

 

 

 

What is Crohn’s and Colitis?

•  Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which can involve any part of your gastrointestinal tract.

•  Ulcerative Colitis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disease that only involves the lining of the rectum and colon.

 

 What are the treatments available?

While currently there is no cure available today, there are many treatments that will help reduce  symptoms and increase the chance of long term, disease free remission. There are two stages to IBD treatment. The first involves timely treatment of symptomatic flares and the second is the development of a progressive, long term maintenance program.  Our  specialists are experts in the management needs of IBD patients and help control the disease through both short and long term treatment and care.

 

There are different treatments available that can reduce inflammation and other symptoms.

 

•      Biologic Therapies – Advanced therapy proven to induce and maintain remission. There are three types; Humira and Cimzia are both administered by injections, whereas Remicade is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion. 

•     Aminosalicylates 5-ASAs – Can reduce inflammation and help prevent flare-ups. 

•    Steroids – Most often used short-term to reduce inflammation in people who have not responded well to 5-ASAs. 

•     Immunosuppressants – Can be used to maintain remission and decrease the need for steroids.

 

Benefits

Though each of our physicians follows his or her patients individually, the specialists of GI Care Center practice as a group. We have a state-of-the-art medical facility for the convenience of our patients. We provide all Crohn’s and Colitis Care Center patients with all of the information and sources necessary to fight the disease.   Including but not limited to:

 

•      Priority Access Phone Line
•      IBD Annual Check-Up IBD Health Maintenance Checklist
•      Bone Density Risk Assessment
•      Membership Access - Crohn’s And Colitis Foundation Of America
•       Monthly Support Groups
•       Educational Programs and Newsletters
•      Websites With IBD Educational Content and Patient Web Portal

 

Research

Since 1996, we have concentrated on conducting pharmaceutical trials at phases I-IV and pride ourselves on accuracy, integrity and quality data. Our extensive research allows us to have the latest medications available for patients.

 

Capsule Endoscopy

Our specially trained physicians perform Pill Cam Capsule Endoscopies on patients to examine their small intestine. The patient ingests a video capsule that has its own camera and light source. While the video capsule travels through the body, it sends images to a data recorder that is worn by the patient.

 

In-Office Infusion

We offer an IV infusion treatment by two to six week intervals in the office, where patients receive Remicade to help reduce the symptoms from Crohn’s and Colitis Disease.

 

 

Treatment with Remicade is provided by a board certified nurse and takes about 2 hours to complete. Patients can take advantage of the time to relax and are recommended to bring in their MP3 players, portable DVD players, work on their laptop via WI-FI or simply read a book.

 

Diagnostic Imaging 

• Ultrasound - imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures within your body
• CT Scan - a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. It combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images of the inside of the body.

 

Endoscopy Center

Galloway Endoscopy Center is a Baptist Health facility, and is accredited by AAAHC.  It is a technologically advanced, state-of-the-art facility that offers efficient and cost-effective care.  We couple the latest equipment with quality professional assistance in performing world-class diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.  We perform over 16,000 procedures per year with our board certified physicians and our highly trained staff.

 

James S. Leavitt, M.D.

Crohn’s and Colitis Care Center - Director

Dr. James Leavitt has been in practice since 1980. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, Magna Cum Laude, and the State University of New York Downstate Medical School. He completed his medical internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami as well as his Gastroenterology fellowship. Dr. Leavitt is board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. 

 

We look forward to having you join the Crohn’s and Colitis Care Center.  Please ask your physician or a member of our staff how to become a member.

 

 

 Main Office

Galloway Medical Park

7500 SW 87^th Avenue, Suite 200

Miami, FL 33173

 

South Miami Office

6141 Sunset Drive, Suite 301

Miami, FL 33143