Digestive Disease Institute

Virginia Mason patients receive excellent digestive disease care from the experts within our Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department. These specialists are a core part of Virginia Mason's Digestive Disease Institute, led by Executive Director Richard Kozarek, MD. The Digestive Disease Institute is internationally known for bringing accomplished specialists together to create personalized, comprehensive treatment plans and optimize patient care through innovations in research, education, and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of digestive and liver diseases.

Collaboratively, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, endocrinologists and pathologists apply innovative, specialized techniques for diagnosing and treating even the most difficult cases. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call (206) 223-2319. 

• Virginia Mason is certified as a National Pancreas Foundation Center
• Five things to know about the Digestive Disease Institute

Explore services offered through the Centers of Excellence at the Digestive Disease Institute:

• Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence
• Esophageal Center of Excellence
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of Excellence
• Liver Center of Excellence
• Liver, Pancreas and Biliary Surgical Center of Excellence
• Nutrition Center of Excellence
• Pancreatic Center of Excellence
• Therapeutic Endoscopy Center of Excellence

Learn more about our areas of emphasis in the Digestive Disease Institute, including:

• Research — Clinical trials and investigator-initiated research
• Education — Comprehensive medical education courses, fellowships and patient education
• Quality Improvement — Data analysis and conferences lead to the best treatment options
• Innovation — Exploring new therapies and technologies for treating patients

Digestive Disease Institute's Recent Recognition:

Healthgrades®, based on the annual Hospital Quality in America report, has announced top honors for the care of digestive disease at Virginia Mason: 

• Healthgrades Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™ for Nine Years in a Row (2010-2018)
• Healthgrades General Surgery Excellence Award™ for Six Years in a Row (2013-2018)
• Top Five Percent in the Nation for Overall GI Services for Seven Years in a Row (2012-2018)
• Top Five Percent in the Nation for General Surgery for Six Years in a Row (2013-2018)
• Top Five Percent in the Nation for GI Medical Treatment for Nine Years in a Row (2010-2018)
• Five-Star Recipient for Esophageal/Stomach Surgeries for Eight Years in a Row (2011-2018)
• Five-Star Recipient for Colorectal Surgeries for Three Years in a Row (2016-2018)
• Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of GI Bleed for Nine Years in a Row (2010-2018)
• Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Bowel Obstruction for 13 Years in a Row (2006-2018)

Virginia Mason is the ONLY hospital in the State of Washington to be named by Healthgrades as:

• America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care for Seven Consecutive Years (2012-2018)
• America’s 100 Best Hospitals for General Surgery for Six Consecutive Years (2013-2018)

In addition to these awards, Virginia Mason received five-star ratings for: gastrointestinal medical treatment; gastrointestinal procedures and surgeries; treatment of gastrointestinal bleed; treatment of bowel obstruction; and treatment of pancreatitis.