UVA is one of nine new centers designated by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) for advanced treatment of pancreatitis and related disorders. These newly designated centers join 38 others around the country which have passed a rigorous review by the NPF to ensure they have the required expertise to provide cutting-edge, multidisciplinary care to patients with pancreatitis. In addition, centers certified by the NPF are actively engaged in research to improve future care for these patients. UVA is the only medical center in Virginia with the “NPF Center” designation.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology faculty member Daniel Strand, MD, spearheaded the effort to win NPF center status, and will head up UVA’s pancreatitis center going forward. According to Strand, the NPF center designation will “help spotlight UVA’s excellence in clinical care of pancreatitis currently offered through its Digestive Health Center [the clinical arm of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology]. It will also encourage collaborative research efforts with other institutions through the NPF’s National Patient Registry.”
Fellow Division of Gastroenterology faculty member Andrew Wang, MD, who is Section Chief and Director of Interventional Endoscopy, said Strand has worked hard to acquire expertise in advanced procedures necessary to care for complex patients with pancreatitis, including pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy, and pancreatic function testing. “Dan’s hard work and clinical expertise in this area was critical to securing our spot in this program,” said Wang.
Pancreatitis affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Acute pancreatitis, often caused by gallstones, can lead to three to five days of intense pain and often requires hospitalization. And chronic pancreatitis can lead to diabetes.
According to the NPF, care for those diagnosed with pancreatic disorders can be inconsistent. The “NPF Center” designation aims to encourage development of high-quality, multidisciplinary approaches to care, advance research on pancreatitis and related conditions, and promote knowledge among community physicians, allied health professionals, patients, families and the general public.
Approved NPF Centers must meet criteria developed by an expert task force composed of subject-matter experts and patient advocates. Centers must have the required physician specialists, including gastroenterologists, pancreas surgeons, and interventional radiologists, as well as patient-focused programs such as a pain management services and psychosocial support.
For more information about the NPF Centers program of the National Pancreas Foundation, visit https://www.pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/npf-centers-info/.
The complete list of centers is available at: https://www.pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/npf-centers-info/npf-centers/.
For more information, see the 10/28/16 press release from the National Pancreas Foundation.
Daniel Strand, MD, a specialist in pancreatic disorders, will head UVA’s new NPF-designated pancreatitis treatment center.
Pancreatitis: Quick Facts
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Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, causing digestive enzymes to become active inside the pancreas and damage pancreatic tissue.
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Pancreatitis has two forms: acute and chronic.
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Common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and heavy alcohol use.
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Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid pulse.
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Acute pancreatitis can become chronic if pancreatic tissue is permanently destroyed and scarring develops.
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Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, and oily stools.
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