Faculty and Staff
There are 17 gastroenterologists on staff who supervise subspecialty fellows in caring for patients in the areas of inpatient, outpatient and procedural services. The GI and IRL teams also include NPs, advanced practice nurses, PAs, RNs and inpatient and outpatient dieticians, as well as two clinical psychologists.
Ian Leibowitz, M.D. | Division Chief
Dr. Leibowitz has a special interest in IBD and quality improvement. He came to Children’s National with years of experience as chief of pediatric gastroenterology at INOVA Fairfax Hospital and as medical director of our affiliate subspecialty clinic, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia.
Dr. Badaylan graduated from Children's National GI fellowship program, during which time he completed research training at the National Institutes of Health. He is the Director of Celiac Program and lead physician in the Multidisciplinary Celiac Disease Clinic.
Ali Bader, M.D.
Dr. Bader's primary area of expertise is his clinical skill and experience as a general GI practitioner and expert proceduralist. Dr. Bader also helps precept trainees in fellow’s continuity clinic.
Geetanjali Bora M.D.
Dr. Bora completed her pediatric residency at Metrohealth Medical Center, Case Western University at Cleveland, OH and pediatric gastroenterology fellowship from the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI. She treats all general pediatric gastroenterology disorders and has a special interest and expertise in treating GI motility and functional disorders.
Dr. Coburn is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She has been an integral part of the division’s Comprehensive Celiac Disease Program and has a special interest in patient-physician communication.
Carmelo Cuffari, M.D. | Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program and Program Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship
Dr. Cuffari leads the multidisciplinary Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, bringing with him many years of experience in IBD. Dr. Cuffari also has a special interest in medical education.
Dr. Darbari joined our faculty in 2010 and has developed our Comprehensive Motility Program. He is one of a few pediatric experts experienced in the full spectrum of motility procedures, and is the GI lead in the multidisciplinary Colorectal Clinic.
Neera Gupta, M.D.
Dr. Gupta is a physician scientist and the Director of Research for the Division, which includes working to enhance the research program for GI fellows.
Christopher Hayes, M.D.
Dr. Hayes joined our faculty in 2021, after having been in private practice for several years. He has been particularly active in fellowship education, and will be helping to oversee endoscopic training during our new fellows’ orientation.
Iris Jo-Shi, D.O.
Dr. Jo-Shi works primarily at Pediatric Specialists of Virginia and performs some weeks in the in-patient service at Children’s National. She has particular interest patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal rehabilitation.
Dr. Mani is a graduate of our fellowship program, having focused her research on the neonatal microbiome. She is an active clinician in the general GI clinic.
Diana Moya, M.D.
Dr. Moya is the new Fellowship Program Director and a lead physician in the IBD program and IBD multidisciplinary clinic.
Teena Sebastian, M.D.
Dr. Sebastian is a graduate of our fellowship program. She is the Physician lead for Improvement Care now (ICN) for Children’s National and is interested in quality improvement and general gastroenterology.
Sona Sehgal, M.D. | Inpatient Medical Unit Director
Dr. Sehgal is the GI lead in our multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Clinic. She also has a special interest in pancreatitis.
Clara Torres, M.D. | Director, Intestinal Rehabilitation/Transplant/Liver Program
Dr. Torres has developed a national and international reputation as an expert in intestinal rehabilitation and transplantation. She has developed an active clinical research program with a special focus on short bowel syndrome.
Bernadette Vitola, M.D.
Dr. Vitola is board-certified in Pediatric Transplant Hepatology, and is on staff at both Children's National and Georgetown University. She leads the Liver and Transplant Consult service at Children's National, and regularly precepts fellows in our Liver Clinic.
Nada Yazigi, M.D.
Dr. Yazigi is is board-certified in Pediatric Transplant Hepatology, and provides clinical care at both Children's National and Georgetown University. She is actively involved in precepting fellows in the Liver and Transplant clinics, and is close collaborator in managing or liver and small bowel transplant patients.