A world-leading institution
Welcome to the Digestive Health Centre, a world-leading hub of research, training and clinical care for people in British Columbia living with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders.
a new location to best serve our patients
Countdown to 2028.
While the DHC currently operates from three locations (St. Paul’s Hospital, The IBD Centre of BC and Pacific Gastroenterology Associates), we will collaborate under one roof in the Clinical Support and Research Centre on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus. See the timeline that gets us there below.
2021
The inception
The concept of a collaborative hub came to live.
2022
Priority for the New St. Paul’s Hospital
Key stakeholders in the medical sector identified the need to prioritize digestive health in BC.
2023
DHC is incorporated as a Non-Profit
DHC was established as an organization.
2024
First steps to establish DHC
Staff, equipment and events are one of the few first elements under the DHC umbrella.
2025
Construction is expected to begin
The CSRC will become the home of the DHC.
2028
DHC to open its doors at the new Hospital
A long-awaited moment that patients, scientists and care providers are eagerly awaiting today.
What we Believe in
We are driven by a mission to improve our patients’ quality of life and to remove barriers to care.
The pressure to meet the growing demands in clinical care and the need for expanded research to advance treatment for the next generation of patients with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders is a priority for the collaborative teams of doctors, surgeons, nurses, clinicians, counsellors and trainers who will be part of the DHC.
Our Services
A groundbreaking collaborative hub of research, training and clinical care, the DHC is organized into six pillars for patients dealing with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders.
01 Therapeutic endoscopy
Endoscopy, a non-surgical procedure in which a physician inserts a slim flexible tube with an integrated video camera into the stomach (gastroscopy) or colon (colonoscopy), plays a critical role in early diagnosis of GI cancers.
02 Colon cancer screening
In Canada, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death by cancer. Colon screening detects cancer at an earlier stage, when it’s easier to treat in otherwise asymptomatic adults.
03 Colorectal surgery
Of the 15 fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons in BC, five will be based at the DHC. It will be the provincial centre of excellence in this field for surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, IBD and all other colorectal disorders for patients from BC and Yukon.
04 Inflammatory bowel disease
IBD is a complex, chronic illness that impacts nearly every facet of a patient’s life. It is estimated that more than 230,000 Canadians suffer from IBD and more than 4,500 new cases of ulcerative colitis and 5,700 new cases of Crohn’s disease—both forms of IBD—are diagnosed each year.
05 Liver disease
There are more than 100 liver diseases caused by a variety of factors, such as viruses, toxins, genetics and alcohol. According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, nearly one in four Canadians suffer from liver disease.
06 Nutrition
Patients with health care plans that include nutrition support have access to the BC Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Program (BC HPEN) currently located at St. Paul’s Hospital. This care will move to the DHC once it opens.
A truly Integrated Team
Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, hepatology, nutrition, and therapeutic endoscopy dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.
They work collaboratively to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of digestive disorders. By integrating clinical practice with innovative research and continuous professional development to ensure that patients receive the most advanced and effective care available.
Latest Updates
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The inaugural DHC Forum is coming soon!
Keep reading: The inaugural DHC Forum is coming soon! -
Unparalleled Collaboration: Colorectal Surgeons and Gastroenterologists
Keep reading: Unparalleled Collaboration: Colorectal Surgeons and Gastroenterologists -
CSRC, future home of the DHC
Keep reading: CSRC, future home of the DHC
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“I’m just thankful for the path I’m on now. Knowing that the Digestive Health Centre will be there for my daughter and myself makes it a lot easier to deal with our digestive health issues.”
Patti T.
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“I love the idea of the Digestive Health Centre because it’s a one-stop shop. Having IBD and digestive care concentrated in one place is going to make a lot of people’s lives easier.”
Elyssa K.