University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital Chicago, IL
Ritu Verma, MD1, Katie O'Sullivan, MD1, Ishani Patel, MS1, Rachel Lieberman, BS2, Natalie Pabijan, BS3, Derrick Mrowca, BA4 1University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL; 2University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, Highland Park, IL; 3University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, La Grange Highlands, IL; 4University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, Justice, IL Introduction: Managing pediatric patients with overlapping autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease and diabetes is complex and often fragmented. Traditional care models separate specialty care, leading to inefficiencies and increased burdens for families. The University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital launched the Celiac and Endocrinology Multidisciplinary Clinic—an collaboration between pediatric gastroenterology and endocrinology which provides coordinated care for children with celiac disease and coexisting endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, poor growth, low bone density, and type 1 diabetes. Given that 3–8% of patients with type 1 diabetes also have celiac disease, an integrated approach is timely and necessary. Methods: This provider-driven clinic is structured of a pediatric gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, dietitian and access specialist. Clinical referral criteria were developed for this clinic to outline the flow of patients into this unique care model. Operationally, shared EPIC resource scheduling templates and communication pools were implemented to streamline coordination. Integrated workflows and case discussions were developed to facilitate team-based planning. Billing structures were adjusted to reflect the dual-specialty format and ensure sustainable operations. Results: Since its launch in 2022, the clinic has grown substantially, increasing from 9 initial visits to over 60 in academic year 2025—representing a 566% increase. The no-show rate has remained at 0% with only one late cancellation, far outperforming the ~15% average in traditional pediatric clinics in the region. Families have reported high satisfaction, citing the convenience of combined visits and confidence in care plans developed collaboratively in real time. Discussion: Beyond patient impact, the clinic has improved provider efficiency by reducing fragmented communication and fostering cross-specialty learning. Gastroenterologists have expanded their knowledge of diabetes management, while endocrinologists have become more familiar with gastrointestinal autoimmune issues such as celiac disease. This model has served as a catalyst for additional multidisciplinary clinics at Comer Children’s Hospital, addressing conditions such as cystic fibrosis, obesity, eosinophilic esophagitis, and autism. The Celiac and Endocrinology Clinic demonstrates a scalable, high-value model of pediatric care that enhances coordination, improves satisfaction, and supports provider collaboration.
Disclosures: Ritu Verma indicated no relevant financial relationships. Katie O'Sullivan indicated no relevant financial relationships. Ishani Patel indicated no relevant financial relationships. Rachel Lieberman indicated no relevant financial relationships. Natalie Pabijan indicated no relevant financial relationships. Derrick Mrowca indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Ritu Verma, MD1, Katie O'Sullivan, MD1, Ishani Patel, MS1, Rachel Lieberman, BS2, Natalie Pabijan, BS3, Derrick Mrowca, BA4. P4041 - One Stop, Two Specialists: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pediatric Celiac Disease and Endocrine Disorders, ACG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Phoenix, AZ: American College of Gastroenterology.
