Photo of John W. Birk, MD, FACG

John W. Birk, MD, FACG

Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
NPI Number:
1609801547
Academic Office Location:
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-8074
Phone: 800-535-6232
860-679-7692
Website(s):

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Gastroenterology-Hepatology Fellowship Program

Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
BSUniversity of VermontBiological Science
MSRensselaer Polytechnic InstitutePhysiological Psychology
MDMount Sinai School of MedicineMedicine

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
InternshipState University of New York at Stony BrookInternal Medicine
ResidencyState University of New York at Stony BrookInternal Medicine
FellowshipState University of New York at Stony BrookGastroenterology

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
American College of Gastroenterology FellowAmerican College of Gastroenterology

Advanced Endoscopy
Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases

2004: Course Director, Common Gastroenterology Problems: Practical Solutions, Stony Brook University, Seminar in Medicine 2005-2007: Course Co-Director, Long Island Fellows' Endoscopy Course (included hands-on laboratory), Boston Scientific and Pentax sponsored 2009: Course Instructor, First Year Fellows' Endoscopy Course (lectures and hands-on laboratory), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2010: Moderator, 11th Therapeutic ERCP/EUS Workshop, Yale University School of Medicine

Clinical outcome studies on GI bleeding, endoscope design, and endoscopy reporting software design

Journal Articles

Books

  • Coash, M.; Devuni, D.; Johnson, M. and Rangasamy, P. A Practical Guide to Reflux: Causes, Consequences and Care 2011 Jan;

Book Chapters

  • Gastrointestinal Health and Healthy Aging
    Pradeep K. Siddappa, John W. Birk Healthy Aging: A Complete Guide to Clinical Management. 2019 Mar;
  • Argon Plasma Coagulation
    John W. Birk, MD and Antarpreet Kaur, MBBS Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology: An Illustrated Guide 2011 Jan;

Abstracts

Editorials

Letters

Other

Reviews

Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
Terino M, Birk J, Ahmad I, Bortniker E and Levine JB. The Effect of H. pylori on Colonic Polyp Patterns: A Right Shift and an Increase in Overall Number.DDW2018Washington, DC
Rezaizadeh H, McCarty TR, Njei B and Birk JW. Daily proton pump inhibitors are cost-effective in reducing Barrett's induced esophageal adenocarcinoma mortality. Presidential Poster Award.ACG2016Las Vegas, NV
Gullickson D, Chaudhary R, Campagnola P, Forouhar F, Handel J, Olson E and Birk J. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Intensity Imaging for Evaluation of Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus.ACG2016Las Vegas, NV
Gullickson D, Chaudhary R, Campagnola P, Forouhar F, Handel J, Olson E and Birk J. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Anisotropy Imaging for Evaluation of Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus.ACG2016Las Vegas, NV
Dedania B, Ahmad I, Ballesteros E and Birk J. Gastric Ulcer Masquerading as Mantle Cell Lymphoma.ACG2015Honolulu, HI
Bortniker E, Tadros M & Birk JW. Surveillance Colonoscopy Interval: A Regression Model that Renders Pathology Unnecessary.ACG2014Philadelphia, PA
Njei B and Birk J. Esophageal Cancer Survival in U.S. Adults from 1973-2009: A SEER Database Analysis of Temporal Trends, Independent Predictors of Mortality and a Novel Prognostic Score.Plenary LectureDDW2013Orlando, FL
Anderson JC and Birk JW. Insertional Efficacy of a Colonoscope with a Technically Improved Insertion Tube: Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blinded Study. Presidential Poster Award.ACG2013San Diego, CA
Tadros M, Bagavathy K, Devuni D, Bortniker E, Rose S, and Birk J. Cecal Intubation Rate is a Better Milestone than Polyp Detection Rate in Fellowship Endoscopy Training.ACG2013San Diego, CA
Majumder S, Baker WL and Birk JW. A Meta-Analysis Comparing Transmural and Transpapillary Approaches of Endoscopic Pancreatic Pseudocyst Drainage: Is a Preferred Method Emerging?DDW2013Orlando, FL
Corredine T, Rezaizadeh H, Majumder S, Birk J and Hegde P. Are Granular Cell Tumors a Long Term Complication of Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy? A Case Report and Review of the Literature.ACG2013San Diego, CA
Njei B, Ditah IC, Appiah J, Jinjuvadia R and Birk JW. Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of epidemiologic evidence. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 30(suppl 4/Feb 1 suppl):408(2012).Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium2012San Francisco, CA
Njei B, Ditah IC, Kumar S, Jaiyeoba CO, Birk JW and Lim JK. Preventing Hepatitis B Materno-fetal Transmission in Late Pregnancy: A comparative meta-analysis of lamivudine versus hepatitis B immune globulin.DDW2012San Diego, CA
Njei B, Kumar S, Ditah IC, Ditah CM, Birk JW. Telaprevir-Interferon-Ribavirin Trio versus Interferon-Ribavirin Duo Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Sequential Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.DDW2012San Diego, CA
Njei B, Appiah J, Ditah IC, and Birk JW. Chemoradiotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for resectable esophageal cancer: A systematic review of randomized control trials. Journal of Clinical Oncology.30(suppl 4/Feb 1 suppl):94(2012).Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium2012San Francisco, CA
Tadros M, Ardalan K, Forouhar F, Campagnola P and Birk J. Second Harmonic Generation Laser Anisotropy: Useful in Evaluating for Dysplasia in Colonic Polyps.ACG2012Las Vegas, NV
Njei B and Birk J. The Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation for All Types of Barrett's Esophagus: A Markov Simulation Model.ACG2012Las Vegas, NV
Devuni D, Tadros M, LaVallee J, Vaziri H and Birk J. A Risk Score to Predict the Need for Emergent Endoscopy in Patients with Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.ACG2012Las Vegas, NV
Rezaizadeh H and Birk J. Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report.ACG2012Las Vegas, NV
Rangasamy, P, Vaziri, H, Rustagi, T, Soriano, M, Devuni, D, Anderson, JC and Birk, JW. Aspirin Use is Negatively Correlated with the Need for Therapeutic Endoscopy in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.DDW2011Chicago, IL
Caballes FRM, Myers M, Versland M and Birk JW. Age: The Most Important Epidemiological Factor in Propofol Dosing in Colonoscopy.DDW2010New Orleans, LA
Moezardalan K, Birk JW, Tadros M, Forouhar F, Nadiarnykh O, Anderson JC and Campagnola PJ. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Laser: Useful in the Diagnosis of Malignant Colonic Polyps.DDW2010New Orleans, LA
Anderson JC, Kahanda RY, Walker G, Birk JW and Alpern Z. Utility of a Tapered Prototype Colonoscope in Female Patients: Results of a Randomized Trial.DDW2007Washington, DC
Oommen, S., Birk, JW., Walker, G., Gold, J. and Brand, D. The bravo pH capsule reviewed: an analysis of its safety and performance in 342 cases. ASGE2006
Anderson JC., Birk JW., Von Althen I and Alpern Z. Performance of the Pediatric Variable Stiffness Scope (PVSS) as compared to two Prototype-Tapered Colonoscopes in Female Patients. DDW2005Chicago, IL
Anderson, JC., Alpern, ZA., Dakhlallah, F., Martin, C., Hubbard-Ells, PM. and Birk, JW. In a Screening Colonoscopy Population High Body Mass Index Increases Risk for Colorectal Neoplasia in Females More than Males.Plenary LectureACG2004Orlando, FL
Li M, Kessler S, Heinemann A, Maini G, Birk JW. Is FNA biopsy useful in the evaluating of all gastric sub mucosa tumors?ACG2002
Kessler S, Li M, Birk JW. EUS guided single time needle drainage of pancreatic pseudo cysts is often adequate therapy. ACG2002
Anderson JC., Messina CR, Kessler S, Ells PF, Alpern Z, Pollack BJ, Brand D and Birk JW. Is there an association between type of alcohol consumed and colorectal neoplasia?DDW2001Atlanta, GA
Anderson JC., Chandra S., Ells PF., Kessler S., Ells PF., Alpern Z., Pollack BJ. and Birk JW. Women with breast cancer : Is the lower risk of colorectal neoplasia due to lifestyle changes? DDW2001Atlanta, GA
Kuan HM, Birk JW, Amanullah SF, Ashaf K, Pollack BJ. An accurate simple measure of patient radiation exposure during ERCP by portal film dosimetry. ASGE2000
Anderson JC., Alpern Z., Ells P., Messina C., Pollack B., Brand D. and Birk JW. Anatomic Location of Significant Colorectal Neoplasia in Male Patients Who Smoke. ACG2000New York, NY
Anderson JC, Messina CR,Ells PF, Alpern Z, Pollack BJ, Brand D and Birk JW. Grape vs. Grain: Is Wine Associated with a Lower Risk of Colorectal Polyps?ACG2000New York, NY
Birk JW, Cyzner R, Khan A, Comer G, Pollack B, Marcin S. Reuse patterns of "Single Use Only" ERCP supplies: Results of a national survey. ACG1999
Anderson JC., Messina K. and Birk J. Colorectal Cancer Screening : Do we practice what we believe?DDW1999Orlando, FL
Birk JW, Khan A, Gress F. The use of endoscopic ultrasound to evaluate response to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin in the treatment of Achalasia. ACG1998
Khan A, Anderson J, Smith C, Georggson M, Comer G, Park T, Birk JW. A prospective randomized placebo-controlled double- blinded trial of misoprostol rectal suppositories in the prevention of acute radiation proctitis in prostate cancer patients. ACG1998
Khan A, Comer G, Sheikh A, Birk JW. Visual inspection is not adequate in determining reusability of "Single Use Only” devices. ACG1998
Makam SK, Birk JW, Ells P, Hanson R. Pressor support for hypotension in Child 'C' cirrhotic patients is not a futile therapy.ACG1997
Gress F, Ciaccia D, Schmitt C, Catalano M, Affronti J, Binmoeller K, Stevens P, Savides T, Bhuttani, Roubein L, NickI N, Faigel D, Birk JW, Lightdale C. Interobserver agreement among endosonographers for staging of pancreatic cancer by endoscopic ultrasound.ASGE1997
Gress F, Schmitt C, Catalano M, Affronti J, Binmoeller K, Stevens P, Savides T, Bhutani M, Ciaccia D, NickI N, Faigel D, Birk JW, Roubein L, Lightdale C. Evaluation of interobserver agreement for assessing lymph node staging in pancreatic cancer using current endoscopic ultra sound (EUS) criteria. ASGE1997
Birk JW and Lowenheim M. A review of the safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in new borns and small children less than 6 kilos. DDW1996
Birk JW, Brand D, Georgesson M, Hubbard P, Brugge W, Meyers M. The use of endoscopic ultrasound, manometrics and esophagram to evaluate pneumatic dilatation in the treatment of achalasia. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) 1996
Das A, Reddy R, Birk JW, Comer G. Self-expandable wallstent endoprosthesis in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. American College of Physicians1995
Davis W, Arias R, Onken J, Cotton P, et. al. ERCP before laparoscopic cholesectomy: Indications and results in academic and community-based practices. ACG1994
Gallo F, Birk JW, Comer G. Short course treatment with high dose urosodeoxycholic acid and biliary stenting in the treatment of retained common bile duct stones.DDW1993
Birk J, Lake-Bakaar G. Endocrine insufficiency is not correlated with acinar cell destruction in chronic pancreatitis. Digestive Disease Week (DDW)1991
Merchant A, Birk JW, Cheng E. Serum cholesterol in patients with and without adenomatous polyps on colonoscopy. American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)1990