Ugo Iroku, MD, MHS

Ugo Iroku, MD, MHS

Why did you choose to specialize in gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is a unique field in medicine with two major aspects. The first involves being willing to care for people through very challenging intestinal symptoms and diseases. This requires demonstrating compassion, thoughtfulness, thoroughness and advocacy towards making sure all issues are adequately understood and then addressed. I enjoy this immensely and the long-term collaborative relationships with my patients that this allows. The second aspect of gastroenterology involves the use, when appropriate, of cutting-edge technology and procedures like upper endoscopies and colonoscopies to diagnose internal illnesses and in some cases, to treat them on the spot. This requires procedural expertise which I greatly enjoy as well.

What are your areas of special interest and expertise within gastroenterology?

I have training in a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders including colon cancer prevention and screening, acid reflux and ulcers, hemorrhoids, gas and bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, gallbladder diseases, and liver diseases. Additionally, I am very interested in public health issues in gastroenterology including empowering my patients and the general population to make informed health choices.

Do you have any special honors, recognition, or achievements in your medical career that you would like to share?

• Aesculapian Club Inductee, Harvard Medical School.
• Harvard-Tuskegee HIV and Bioethics Fellow, Harvard AIDS Institute
• Founding Board Member of the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists

What do you and your family enjoy doing during your spare time?

Swimming, traveling, reading and following the exploits of Chelsea Football Club.