About Ohio GI

Established in 1948 by Dr. Stuart A. Safdi, Ohio Gastroenterology and Liver Institute (“Ohio GI”) is the most comprehensive and integrated private Gastroenterology and Liver medical practice in the Tri-State area.  Covering numerous office locations in Cincinnati, Fairfield and the surrounding suburbs and counties with 20 full-time gastroenterology physicians (many on Cincinnati Magazine’s “Top Doctors” list) and several certified physician assistants, Ohio GI is unique in that it effectively combines unparalleled personalized expertise with prompt appointments in geographically convenient offices and “neighborhood” Endoscopy Centers. We also provide inpatient and outpatient care at most of our area’s leading private hospitals.

In addition to general Gastroenterology procedures such as Endoscopy and Colonoscopy, Ohio GI offers a broad range of specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including ERCP, Endoscopic Ultrasound (performed to evaluate gastrointestinal and non-GI cancers and other conditions), Liver Ultrasound and Biopsy, Capsule Endoscopy (a pill-sized camera for evaluating the small bowel), Bravo® devices for testing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a variety of Breath Tests (for example for irritable bowel syndrome/small bowel bacterial overgrowth), non-surgical Hemorrhoid treatments, ablation of Barrett’s esophagus, and others. Ohio GI has also positioned itself to be Cincinnati’s community leader by bringing the latest GI medical technology to our Endoscopy Centers as well as to various local hospitals.

Ohio GI offers distinguished consultative and procedural expertise by employing physicians who sub-specialize in important areas such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Pancreatic Diseases, Esophageal/Swallowing Disorders, Hepatology/Liver, Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy, and Women’s Digestive Health, in addition to general Gastroenterology. For example, Drs. Alan Safdi and Michael Kreines are noted national experts and speakers in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Drs. Pradeep Bekal, Steve Martin, Christopher South, Matt Atkinson, and Amit Gajera perform advanced therapeutic procedures; Drs. Mark Jonas and Ravi Ravinuthala are UNOS-Approved Transplant Hepatologists and are Cincinnati’s only private practice physicians who are Board Certified in Transplant Hepatology.

Ohio GI also operates a major national Medical Research Center. The research center, Consultants for Clinical Research, has divisions in Cincinnati and Florida and has conducted over 1,000 Gastroenterology and Liver clinical trials over the past 3 decades. It has participated in several pivotal trials that have led to approval of new treatments for Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, GERD, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Duodenal and Gastric Ulcers and for the eradication of H. Pylori. A few of the notable landmark studies are the Remicade® (Infliximab) protocol (led by Dr. Michael Safdi) and Humira® (Adalimumab) protocol (led by Dr. Alan Safdi), both for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dr. Mark Jonas has been the Principal Investigator for Ohio GI’s Liver studies with innovative trials for the treatment of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

The physicians of Ohio GI are also actively engaged in Cincinnati’s local and regional medical community and national Gastroenterology societies. Dr. Michael Kreines was the driving force behind re-establishing the local Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation chapter, is the Colorectal Mission Chair at the American Cancer Society local chapter, national medical advisor to the Colon Cancer Alliance, and has served as ACG Southern Ohio Governor.  Dr Alan Safdi has served as the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee for the CCFA and is the Vice President/Secretary of the Ohio GI Society. In addition, Ohio GI physicians are active in teaching medical students and medical residents at The Christ and The Jewish Hospitals.

All of our Gastroenterologists are experts in the performance of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Colonoscopy (including Colon Cancer screening) and in the treatment of all GI and Liver diseases and disorders.