TOP DOCTORS 2024: Pediatric Gastroenterology Q&A

Dr. Orhan Atay, director of pediatric neurogastroenterology, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters; associate professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk

Other medical specialties: General pediatrics

Education: Medical degree, Howard University College of Medicine; pediatric residency and chief resident, Michigan State University; pediatric gastroenterology fellowship, Cleveland Clinic

Family: Kara, wife of 25 years and amazing mother to our two children, Jake, 15, and Kaylee, 18, both honors students and varsity athletes

Career mentors: Dr. Donald Greydanus, pediatric residency program director; Dr. Robert Wyllie, chief of Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Institute; and the late Fred Rogers, television host, producer, author, Presbyterian minister and more importantly a hero to so many children

Podcast recommendation: “Bowel Sounds” — a podcast on all things related to pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition

What is it like working at a children’s hospital? Since earning my medical degree 20 years ago, I have dedicated my life to helping vulnerable and sick children in need. It has been such an incredible and humbling experience for me and a privilege to bear witness to the courage and perseverance in the hearts of these children.

What treatments would you like to see emerge over the next five to 10 years for pediatric gastro conditions? I believe medical genetics, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence will lead the way in developing future medical treatments. We have already made tremendous progress in treating serious, lifelong conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and transplant medicine. My hope is that treatment objectives will shift from remission goals to ultimately curative outcomes.

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