Penn Staff Spotlight:
Andrew Weber, MD
Andrew Weber, MD
The I3 Research Team had the pleasure of interviewing one of Penn Medicine GI's IBD Doctors, asking him questions about his work and his experience working in the GI field and supporting IBD patients.
Here is what he had to say:
Q: What inspired you to specialize in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Andrew: I worked extensively with an IBD physician Tina Ha early in my internal medicine residency. I worked with her in clinic and helped her on small research projects. I was really inspired by her as a physician and observed how dedicated she was to her patients. This work also permitted be one of the first foundational experiences working with patients dealing with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and I was drawn to the longitudinal relationships between physician and patient, as well as the ever-evolving nature of the field.
Q: What do you wish more patients or caregivers understood about IBD?
Andrew: When patients are newly diagnosed with IBD, some begin to think that they will need to settle with GI symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue as the new norm. I wish more patients understood, and I try to convey to them, that IBD is generally very treatable and that our treatment goals are to achieve remission. With remission, we aim for patients to be symptom free and regain a high quality of life.
Q: What role does clinical research play in improving IBD Treatment
Andrew: Clinical research is essential in improving IBD treatment. While huge strides have been made in the medical treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis over recent decades, even our best medications are imperfect. An individual advanced therapy like a biologic or small molecule may work extremely well for one patient while not seeming to result in any significant improvement for another. We still have some patients who do not seem to respond to multiple advanced therapies utilizing different mechanisms of action. Clinical research can help identify whether novel treatment targets are effective, overall helping to bridge some of our remaining gaps in IBD treatment.
Q: What’s one of the most important advancements you’ve seen in IBD care or research over the last decade?
Andrew: The development of small molecule therapies like tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ozanimod, and etrasimod have resulted in new treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease which offer both new mechanisms of action but also a means of addressing some of the shortcomings of monoclonal antibody-based biologics.
Q: If you could change one thing about how IBD is diagnosed or managed today, what would it be?
Andrew: I wish we possessed better means of determining which medication mechanism of action would work best for an individual patient. This would help us get patients in remission sooner by practicing more personalized medicine.
Q: If you could instantly solve one mystery about IBD, what would it be?
Andrew: A better understanding of environmental factors contributing to the development of IBD would be huge. It is one of the first questions a patient newly diagnosed with IBD will often ask, and our answers at this time are filled with unknowns and leave a lot to be desired.
Q: What is your favorite meal that is actually gut friendly?
Andrew: I am frequently advocating for a Mediterranean Diet for my patients with IBD. I will sometimes make salmon in the air fryer and have found this to be an easy and tasty way of incorporating Mediterranean-style Diet principles into what I eat.
Q: What is the most unforgettable thing a patient has ever said to you that either made your day or made you smile?
Andrew: Any time a patient leaves an office visit with me expressing that they feel like they have a better understanding of their IBD-diagnosis or management, this makes me smile. I want patients that follow with me to feel empowered, and a better personal understanding of the disease process they are dealing with can be a major part of this.
Here is what he had to say:
Q: What inspired you to specialize in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Andrew: I worked extensively with an IBD physician Tina Ha early in my internal medicine residency. I worked with her in clinic and helped her on small research projects. I was really inspired by her as a physician and observed how dedicated she was to her patients. This work also permitted be one of the first foundational experiences working with patients dealing with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and I was drawn to the longitudinal relationships between physician and patient, as well as the ever-evolving nature of the field.
Q: What do you wish more patients or caregivers understood about IBD?
Andrew: When patients are newly diagnosed with IBD, some begin to think that they will need to settle with GI symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue as the new norm. I wish more patients understood, and I try to convey to them, that IBD is generally very treatable and that our treatment goals are to achieve remission. With remission, we aim for patients to be symptom free and regain a high quality of life.
Q: What role does clinical research play in improving IBD Treatment
Andrew: Clinical research is essential in improving IBD treatment. While huge strides have been made in the medical treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis over recent decades, even our best medications are imperfect. An individual advanced therapy like a biologic or small molecule may work extremely well for one patient while not seeming to result in any significant improvement for another. We still have some patients who do not seem to respond to multiple advanced therapies utilizing different mechanisms of action. Clinical research can help identify whether novel treatment targets are effective, overall helping to bridge some of our remaining gaps in IBD treatment.
Q: What’s one of the most important advancements you’ve seen in IBD care or research over the last decade?
Andrew: The development of small molecule therapies like tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ozanimod, and etrasimod have resulted in new treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease which offer both new mechanisms of action but also a means of addressing some of the shortcomings of monoclonal antibody-based biologics.
Q: If you could change one thing about how IBD is diagnosed or managed today, what would it be?
Andrew: I wish we possessed better means of determining which medication mechanism of action would work best for an individual patient. This would help us get patients in remission sooner by practicing more personalized medicine.
Q: If you could instantly solve one mystery about IBD, what would it be?
Andrew: A better understanding of environmental factors contributing to the development of IBD would be huge. It is one of the first questions a patient newly diagnosed with IBD will often ask, and our answers at this time are filled with unknowns and leave a lot to be desired.
Q: What is your favorite meal that is actually gut friendly?
Andrew: I am frequently advocating for a Mediterranean Diet for my patients with IBD. I will sometimes make salmon in the air fryer and have found this to be an easy and tasty way of incorporating Mediterranean-style Diet principles into what I eat.
Q: What is the most unforgettable thing a patient has ever said to you that either made your day or made you smile?
Andrew: Any time a patient leaves an office visit with me expressing that they feel like they have a better understanding of their IBD-diagnosis or management, this makes me smile. I want patients that follow with me to feel empowered, and a better personal understanding of the disease process they are dealing with can be a major part of this.
Penn Staff Spotlight:
Maureen DeMarshall, BSN, RN
The I3 team had the pleasure of interviewing Penn Medicine's Clinical Research Nurse Manager in GI Research, asking her questions about her work and her experience working in the GI field and supporting patients.
Here is what she had to say:
Q: What is your position here at Penn Medicine?
Maureen: "I am the Clinical Research Nurse Manager in GI Research"
Q: What led you to work in IBD Research?
Maureen: "I have been in GI Research for 14 years, but IBD research is fairly new to me, and I am still learning a LOT about the disease and treatment. My focus of research was esophageal research before I took this position. I love that I am still learning after so many years working in GI"
Q: What is something you wish patients knew more about in regard to clinical trials?
Maureen: "I wish patients would be more open to doing studies for several reasons: They will gain access to investigational treatments, including new drug or therapies that are not yet available to the public. They will also receive more frequent and comprehensive health checkups and tests and 24/7 access to the research team. Finally, participating in a clinical trial can empower patients to take a more active role in managing their health and contribute to advancing medical research"
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to grow in clinical research?
Maureen: "There is a lot to learn -- you must be extremely organized and able to prioritize daily. My best advice is more general -- get to now your patients and that will be the most rewarding part of your job"
Q: If time and budget were not a factor, what is one clinical trial you would love to spearhead?
Maureen: "Hmmmmmm, probably something related to curing cancer, quickly!"
Q: If you could re-name your job title, what would you rename it to?
Maureen: "That's a tough one. I really love my job and position, but if it had to be different, I would say 'Research Nurse Patient Advocate', or something like that :)"
Here is what she had to say:
Q: What is your position here at Penn Medicine?
Maureen: "I am the Clinical Research Nurse Manager in GI Research"
Q: What led you to work in IBD Research?
Maureen: "I have been in GI Research for 14 years, but IBD research is fairly new to me, and I am still learning a LOT about the disease and treatment. My focus of research was esophageal research before I took this position. I love that I am still learning after so many years working in GI"
Q: What is something you wish patients knew more about in regard to clinical trials?
Maureen: "I wish patients would be more open to doing studies for several reasons: They will gain access to investigational treatments, including new drug or therapies that are not yet available to the public. They will also receive more frequent and comprehensive health checkups and tests and 24/7 access to the research team. Finally, participating in a clinical trial can empower patients to take a more active role in managing their health and contribute to advancing medical research"
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to grow in clinical research?
Maureen: "There is a lot to learn -- you must be extremely organized and able to prioritize daily. My best advice is more general -- get to now your patients and that will be the most rewarding part of your job"
Q: If time and budget were not a factor, what is one clinical trial you would love to spearhead?
Maureen: "Hmmmmmm, probably something related to curing cancer, quickly!"
Q: If you could re-name your job title, what would you rename it to?
Maureen: "That's a tough one. I really love my job and position, but if it had to be different, I would say 'Research Nurse Patient Advocate', or something like that :)"
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's 2025 Fundraising Event
Join Penn's GOTS the RUNS for Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis as they raise research funds to CRUSH CROHN'S & COLITIS!
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WHEN: Friday, May 9th, 2025
5pm Lot P Tailgate w/ Food Trucks 6pm Festival Opens 6-8pm DUNK the Doc! 6:45pm Line up to DUNK Dr. Nandi! 7pm Program Begins 8pm Raffle announcements 8:20pm Fireworks Show! WHERE: Citizens Bank Park- Home of the Philadelphia Phillies! WHAT: Join us for a celebration with rock bands, singing, dancing, face paint, magicians, superheroes, and free swag. Also joining us this year is a special feature- the dunk tank!!! The team will enjoy a walk on the field its self and private VIP tours of the locker room! Registration: https://takesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/team/PennsGotTheRuns |
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COMING SOON:
CORE-IBD website is live as of today!
This is a project that provides support and information to individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as their families, friends, and caretakers. The CORE-IBD portal provides access to resources like education, communication tools, and connections for a diverse population of people diagnosed with this disease.
To see more information about this and access the website- follow the button below!
Penn Staff Spotlight:
Anna Jung, Pharm D. and Chisom Amaeze, Pharm D.
The I3 team had the pleasure of interviewing two of Penn Medicine's specialty GI pharmacists, asking them questions about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and their experience working in the field and supporting patients.
Here is what they had to say:
Q: What is your role for patients at Penn who are diagnosed with IBD?
Anna: "We create clinical initiatives to improve quality of care for not only IBD patients but our GI clinic patients as well. We are focused primarily on IBD...so I'd guess it's about 80% IBD and then 20% other specialties. We provide medication education, injection training, laboratory monitoring, and then we follow up with patients to make sure they are staying adherent to their meds. We wear many hats and do a lot of behind the scene responsibilities... Chisom is going to laugh but I always say we work together as a team, and our role differences can be analogous to the Philadelphia Eagles... I am like Jalen Hurts and Chisom is like Saquon Barkley"
Chisom: "I'm not mad at it... they are good at what they do"
Anna: "I've been in the clinic for 10 years now and a pharmacist for 20 years... Chisom came on board 3 years ago and she is an amazing pharmacist and is an amazing asset to the department and to the clinic."
Chisom: "Sometimes I like to give myself the name of 'chaos coordinator'...a lot of things are going on in my position and it kind of requires you to be flexible, a jack of all trades. I am handling education on one front, access issues, being a patient advocate... whatever the patient needs me to be in that moment to help get their medication is what I have to be. Right then and there."
Q: Are there any barriers that come to mind when thinking of an IBD patients trying to manage their disease?
Chisom: "Insurance. Number one... it's always Insurance. Insurance has their own rules and own dictations as to what can and can't be done before a patient tries a therapy. A doctor can have all this knowledge and experience... they know what would work best for the patient, and the insurance could say 'No, we want the patient to try something else first'. And then it becomes this back and forth... resulting in delays in therapy. Therefore, it's possible a patient cant get started on medication right away and it may take a couple weeks which can significantly impact the patient and their care"
Anna: "Like one of our IBD doctors here at Penn always says, 'You may have a plan in place and then insurance comes and bursts your bubble'. "
Chisom: A lot of our biologics, they're not cheap. As a result, they're not cheap for the patients. So even if the insurance will cover some of it, a lot of the copay is left is up to the patient, and that can still be in the thousands. Luckily, there are copay cards or manufacturer cards that can assist with this financial burden, but there are still scenarios where unfortunately patients cannot afford the medications they are prescribed."
Q: What is some advice you would give to patients with IBD?
Anna: "I always want to convey to patients that we are your team here. We want to partner with the patients and want them to be successful in their health goals, whether it be achieving remission or controlling symptoms. But at the same time, even though we are here as a team to support the patient, the most important person is the patient themself. With that mindset, we want to always make them feel empowered that they can do something too, by becoming informed. Like to Chisom's point, there is a lot of resources available and even though insurance puts up a lot of frustrating barriers, it's important for patients to be knowledgeable and aware of what they can do, what their rights are, and how they can advocate for themselves too. These biologics, again, are not cheap. It takes a lot of navigating on how to get things approved for our GI patients."
Chisom: "I always tell patients, whenever I reach out to them in the initial time they are starting new medications, 'You have my number. Save it. Please call me'. They have this resource and sometimes it can be difficult to get a direct number, so I recommend them to please use it."
Here is what they had to say:
Q: What is your role for patients at Penn who are diagnosed with IBD?
Anna: "We create clinical initiatives to improve quality of care for not only IBD patients but our GI clinic patients as well. We are focused primarily on IBD...so I'd guess it's about 80% IBD and then 20% other specialties. We provide medication education, injection training, laboratory monitoring, and then we follow up with patients to make sure they are staying adherent to their meds. We wear many hats and do a lot of behind the scene responsibilities... Chisom is going to laugh but I always say we work together as a team, and our role differences can be analogous to the Philadelphia Eagles... I am like Jalen Hurts and Chisom is like Saquon Barkley"
Chisom: "I'm not mad at it... they are good at what they do"
Anna: "I've been in the clinic for 10 years now and a pharmacist for 20 years... Chisom came on board 3 years ago and she is an amazing pharmacist and is an amazing asset to the department and to the clinic."
Chisom: "Sometimes I like to give myself the name of 'chaos coordinator'...a lot of things are going on in my position and it kind of requires you to be flexible, a jack of all trades. I am handling education on one front, access issues, being a patient advocate... whatever the patient needs me to be in that moment to help get their medication is what I have to be. Right then and there."
Q: Are there any barriers that come to mind when thinking of an IBD patients trying to manage their disease?
Chisom: "Insurance. Number one... it's always Insurance. Insurance has their own rules and own dictations as to what can and can't be done before a patient tries a therapy. A doctor can have all this knowledge and experience... they know what would work best for the patient, and the insurance could say 'No, we want the patient to try something else first'. And then it becomes this back and forth... resulting in delays in therapy. Therefore, it's possible a patient cant get started on medication right away and it may take a couple weeks which can significantly impact the patient and their care"
Anna: "Like one of our IBD doctors here at Penn always says, 'You may have a plan in place and then insurance comes and bursts your bubble'. "
Chisom: A lot of our biologics, they're not cheap. As a result, they're not cheap for the patients. So even if the insurance will cover some of it, a lot of the copay is left is up to the patient, and that can still be in the thousands. Luckily, there are copay cards or manufacturer cards that can assist with this financial burden, but there are still scenarios where unfortunately patients cannot afford the medications they are prescribed."
Q: What is some advice you would give to patients with IBD?
Anna: "I always want to convey to patients that we are your team here. We want to partner with the patients and want them to be successful in their health goals, whether it be achieving remission or controlling symptoms. But at the same time, even though we are here as a team to support the patient, the most important person is the patient themself. With that mindset, we want to always make them feel empowered that they can do something too, by becoming informed. Like to Chisom's point, there is a lot of resources available and even though insurance puts up a lot of frustrating barriers, it's important for patients to be knowledgeable and aware of what they can do, what their rights are, and how they can advocate for themselves too. These biologics, again, are not cheap. It takes a lot of navigating on how to get things approved for our GI patients."
Chisom: "I always tell patients, whenever I reach out to them in the initial time they are starting new medications, 'You have my number. Save it. Please call me'. They have this resource and sometimes it can be difficult to get a direct number, so I recommend them to please use it."
Click the hyperlinks below to learn more on how to get involved in Public Health!
- Dr. Bewtra's Homerun for Health Initiative in Omaha
- Dr. Bewtra's Vaccine Campaign W/ UNICEF
- Importance of Donating Blood and Why You Should Donate
- Where You Can Help to Donate Blood to Save Lives
- Open Enrollment and what is it?