A Non-profit academic centre integrating care, research, education, and innovation for people in BC living with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders
a new location to best serve our patients
Countdown to 2029.
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 life.
2022
Priority for the New St. Paul’s Hospital
Key stakeholders in the medical sector identified the need to prioritize research, education, care and innovation in digestive health in BC.
2023
DHC is incorporated as a Non-Profit
DHC was legally established as a non-profit organization.
2024
First steps to establish DHC
Staff, equipment and events are one of the few first elements under the DHC umbrella.
2025
Construction began
Excavation started during the 2nd half of 2025. Construction will follow in early 2026. The CSRC will become the home of the DHC by mid-2028.
2029
DHC to open its doors at the new CSRC building
A long-awaited moment for the overall digestive health community in BC.
What we Believe in
DHC is an organization dedicated to advancing digestive health through integrated research, care, education, and innovation across BC.
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 that translates knowledge across gastrointestinal disorders.
01 Therapeutic endoscopy
Supports innovation and research in early detection and minimally invasive treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including GI cancers. As a non-profit academic centre, DHC integrates clinical excellence with research, innovation, and advanced training to improve outcomes across the province.
02 Colon cancer screening
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Early detection through organized screening significantly reduces mortality.
DHC plays a key role in supporting evidence-based colon cancer screening initiatives, improving access to timely diagnostics, and advancing research aimed at optimizing screening strategies.
03 Colorectal surgery
DHC integrates surgical care with multidisciplinary research, education, and system-level collaboration. The Centre supports advanced surgical training, contributes to clinical research, and provides specialized care to patients from across BC and the Yukon.
04 Inflammatory bowel disease
DHC builds on the established leadership of a registered charity: The IBD Centre of BC to provide integrated, multidisciplinary care for patients living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis..
05 Liver disease
Liver disease affects nearly one in four Canadians and encompasses more than 100 conditions caused by viruses, metabolic disorders, toxins, genetics, and alcohol.
DHC’s liver program brings together clinical expertise, education, and research to improve early detection, disease monitoring, and long-term management. As part of its public-benefit mission, DHC works to advance knowledge translation, professional education, and collaborative research aimed at reducing the burden of liver disease provincially..
06 Nutrition
Nutrition plays a critical role in digestive health, particularly for patients requiring enteral or parenteral support. The BC Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Program (BC HPEN), will transition to DHC upon opening.
As a non-profit centre, DHC supports interdisciplinary nutrition education, research, care and coordination province-wide. DHC is committed to strengthening access to specialized nutrition services while advancing training and best practices in digestive health.
A truly Integrated Team
Our multidisciplinary team includes scientists in gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, hepatology, nutrition, and therapeutic endoscopy dedicated to developing innovation with patient-centered care in mind.
By integrating their clinical expertise with innovative research and continuous professional development, DHC ensures that patients have access to the most advanced and effective care available.
Latest Updates
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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.