The Team

The LCH Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology/Hepatology is continuing to grow. The team includes four physicians, two nurse practitioners, a dietitian, a social worker, a nurse, a medical assistant, and an administrative assistant. Dr. Victor Pineiro is the Director of the program. Dr. Gopalareddy is our liver transplant specialist. Dr. Caicedo joined the division in December 2008 and Dr. Jason Dranove joined the team in August 2009. Our newest member, Dr. Ammesh Shah,  joined the team in May. In addition to the main center at the Levine Children's Specialty Center in Medical Center plaza we also have a satellite clinic in Gastonia and Ballantyne.

Program Updates

• New Intestinal Motility Equipment for a full spectrum of intestinal manometric studies: With the help of the Children's Miracle Network, a grant was obtained to purchase intestinal motility equipment that will allow us to perform the full spectrum of intestinal manometric studies previously not done in Charlotte.
• Bravo wireless esophageal pH studies: LCH was the first to offer "Bravo" wireless esophageal pH studies in our area. This allows prolonged studies in children that are much better tolerated. Endoscopic placement of videocapsule endoscopy allows us to do studies in children.
• Visits: Last year we had over 1500 outpatient visits, 1000 inpatient encounters and over 300 procedures.
• Liver Transplant Program at Levine Children's Hospital
• Dr. Vani Gopalareddy, MD is the Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program
• First liver transplant was done in April 29, 2008. 
• First pediatric split liver transplant in Charlotte was done on September 25, 2008.

Services provided and conditions diagnosed and treated include:

• Abdominal pain
• Celiac Disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Colic
• Constipation/Hirschsprung's disease
• Diarrhea
• Dyspepsia
• Encopresis
• Esophageal varices
• Failure to thrive
• Feeding disorders/swallow dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as:
• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Liver disease
• Malabsorption disorders
• Motility disorders (problems with movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract)
• Nausea/ Vomiting
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Problems with food absorption
• Reflux and vomiting
• Retrieval of swallowed foreign bodies using the endoscope
• Short gut syndrome

Meet the Team:

Victor M. Pineiro, MD-Director
Ricardo A. Caicedo, MD
Jason Dranove, MD
Vani V. Gopalareddy, MD
Ammesh A. Shah, MD

Midlevel Providers: 
Jerome Menedez, FNP-C (Transplant)
Ryan Shonce, FNP-C (GI)  

Location and Contact Numbers:
LCH Division of Gastroenterology
LCH Children's Specialty Center-Medical Center Plaza
1001 Blythe Blvd. Suite 200-E
Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-381-6850
Fax: 704-381-8836

Why Levine Children's Hospital?

• Board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists have clinical experience in the treatment of common and complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders
• The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology was the first to offer esophageal impedance studies in Charlotte which enables us to diagnose non-acid refux in children with extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux.
• First in the area to perform simultaneous placement of PEG and placement of gastrojejunostomy feeding tube to allow gastric decompression and simultaneous jejunal feedings in infants and children as risk for aspiration or with severe gastroparesis
• First in the area to use a 12F PEG tube that allows safe placement of gastrostomy tube in neonates as small as 2.5 kg or with orofacial malformations (micrognathia, cleft palate, etc). Approximately 20 neonates and infants done to date.