James Aisenberg, MD

Why did you choose to specialize in gastroenterology?

In gastroenterology, we use our hands and our head to solve problems. I love the balance between doing endoscopic procedures and thinking through complex clinical puzzles. GI is an optimistic field since gastroenterologists are able to achieve positive outcomes and make a difference for most patients. I enjoy the mix of disease treatment and prevention and the rapid uptake of new medications, procedures, and technologies. GI comprises a wide variety of diseases, some complex and some straightforward, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, so I am always learning.

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

I am fortunate to have a busy endoscopic and consultative GI practice. My approach is guided by my belief that listening carefully to the patient will most often reveal a path to solving their clinical complaint. My work with patients is also informed by the gastroenterology research which I have conducted at NYGA over the past 30 years. I have led studies that were among the first to describe a hard-to-detect variety of precancerous colon polyp, and others that analyzed the risks to the GI tract of common blood thinners and pain relievers. These efforts reflect my interest in the intersection of science and clinical medicine, and my effort to use both to advance the safety and effectiveness of patient care.

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

I am a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, a Medical Director at the Endoscopy Center of New York, and a founder and Managing Partner of New York Gastroenterology Associates. I have authored over 100 publications and have spoken and taught on topics in gastroenterology across the United States and abroad. I am a co-author of the textbook Practical Colonoscopy. In 2003, I co-founded The Digestive Disease Research Foundation (www.digestivedisease.org), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing the careers of young physician-scientists and to promoting research and management of GI illnesses.

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

We live on the Upper West Side and like escaping New York City on the weekends. I enjoy running, exploring the outdoors, building things out of wood, reading, and hanging out with my wife, sons, and friends.