Meet our Pediatric Celiac Disease Team
Our world-renowned experts are at the forefront of celiac disease research and clinical care for children. Our vast network of pediatric specialists work together to further our mission and are a reliable resource for navigating a diagnosis as well as disease management and education. We’re supported by a dynamic team of doctors, nurses, and registered dietitians who are true experts in the field.
Our Pediatric Celiac Disease Physicians
Our Clinic
Clinic Staff
Our clinic staff are with you and your child throughout your journey at our center. They perform a variety of vital tasks and bring decades of experience and knowledge to the table.
Celiac Center Leadership Team
The Celiac Disease Center is led by Medical Director Ritu Verma, MD, Executive Director Rachel Lieberman alongside Research Director Bana Jabri, MD, PhD. The Celiac Disease Center builds on the University of Chicago’s long history of celiac disease care and research.
Celiac Education
The Celiac Disease Center education team is led by Lindsey Yeakle and offers many learning opportunities for patients of all ages and healthcare professionals.
Dietitians
Our Celiac Disease Center dietitians, including Audrey Roen, RDN, LDN, Vicki Gainsberg, MS, RD, LDN and Mary Graham, RD, CSP, LDN see pediatric patients with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions. They help each individual develop realistic, gradual changes to their unique lifestyle. This is vital for putting them on a path towards success.
Giving Team
Philanthropic support plays a vital role in advancing our research, education, patient care, and advocacy work. If you are interested in supporting our Celiac Disease Center, please reach out to Josh Levine, Director of Individual Giving, at 773-702-4811.
Research Team
Led by Dr. Bana Jabri, Research Director and one of the leading researchers of celiac disease in the world. Dr. Jabri’s multidisciplinary team includes Valerie Abadi, PhD, Research Associate Professor. Our expert team is at the forefront of celiac disease research and through coordinated efforts and dedicated work, our researchers have contributed novel data and groundbreaking findings – continuously exploring the mechanisms of celiac disease and finding new ways to understand, treat, and cure this disease.
Our History
The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center was founded in 2001 by Dr. Stefano Guandalini, a world-renowned pediatric gastroenterologist and celiac disease expert.
Largely meant to combat the misconception that celiac disease is a rare disease and to properly educate both the general public and the medical profession, The Celiac Disease Center got its start as The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program with the help of Robin Steans and Leonard Gail, parents of one of Dr. Guandalini’s celiac patients at The University of Chicago.
Determined to raise awareness, education, and diagnosis rates, and to get research underway, Dr. Guandalini joined forces with the Steans-Gail family and established a passionate advisory board. In 2007, as a result of its success, the organization was renamed The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center and updated its mission to focus on research toward a cure.
Since its founding, The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center has directly assisted more than 100,000 people throughout the United States. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center continues to advance, maintaining its status as a leading authority on celiac disease.
Request an Appointment
We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-888-824-0200 to schedule your appointment.
You can also schedule an appointment instantly for in-person and video visits through our online scheduling portal.
If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
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