Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases

04/19/2026

For Rasheed Clarke, managing his ulcerative pancolitis – a severe form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where the entire colon is inflamed – felt like he was putting his life on hold. Rasheed would go to the bathroom 30 times a day, each time with blood in his stool.

In 2013, he made the difficult decision to remove his colon and undergo a j-pouch surgery, where an internal pouch is created from the small intestine to restore bowel function. He was referred to Sinai Health’s Dr. Zane Cohen, who pioneered the j-pouch surgery in Canada, and Brenda O’Connor, who co-leads the IBD peer support group at Mount Sinai Hospital.

“Brenda was a consistent source of support, and Dr. Cohen’s quiet confidence made me believe the surgery could help put me on a path to better health,” says Rasheed. “That support group meeting was the first time I met anyone with IBD and the fact they were living well after their operations solidified my decision to have my colon removed.”

Today, IBD is more of a background player in his life.

“I can run, cycle, work, travel and be present for my loved ones. It’s all normal stuff, but it feels wonderful after normal had been taken away from me,” says Rasheed. “I feel deep gratitude for the staff at Mount Sinai who helped me get back to living.”

To express his gratitude, Rasheed makes a donation to Sinai Health every year on his “pouchiversary” to support other patients like him.

“I give each year as a “pouchiversary” gift to the hospital,” says Rasheed. “To remember how lucky I am and how incredible the people at Mount Sinai were to me.”

We are grateful to Rasheed for supporting IBD research and care at Sinai Health. Join him with a donation of your own! 🔗 https://bit.ly/482Tstl

02/17/2026

01/15/2026

Dr. Ken Croitoru, a clinician scientist at The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, part of Sinai Health, and his team have shown that a blood test can predict Crohn’s disease years before symptoms appear in individuals who are at risk.

The findings shed light on the early events leading to the disease, raising hopes of early diagnosis and potentially prevention.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4px1PTJ

12/12/2025

How compassion — and expert IBD care — helped Anil reclaim his life.

When Anil was wheeled into Mount Sinai Hospital, he had lost hope after months of pain and rapid weight loss. Then, Dr. Mantaj Brar, a colorectal surgeon who had stayed past his shift to greet him, offered a simple promise: "We’re going to take care of you."

That moment marked the turning point in Anil’s journey with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-term inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and re**um.

Learn how expert surgical care and compassion at Sinai Health’s world-leading Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease helped him reclaim his life. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3KTAkWg

12/03/2025

Sinai Health’s Advanced IBD Fellowship continues to draw fellows from around the world, offering the largest and most comprehensive IBD training experience of its kind.

Based at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Zane Cohen Centre, the program blends hands-on clinical learning with collaborative research, helping shape the next generation of IBD specialists.

In this inside look at the program, Fellowship Director Dr. Zane Gallinger and second-year fellow Dr. Cathy McShane share what sets it apart: a rare blend of advanced clinical training, mentorship, and research integration, which is strengthening IBD care in Canada and beyond.

Read the full story to learn how the fellowship is advancing IBD care: https://bit.ly/48KD1Cx

11/17/2025

Michelle Abbott was 13 when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing severe stomach pain and bloody stools. It would take five years for Michelle to find a medication that helped her manage her symptoms. Today, she receives care from Dr. Adam Weizman, Medical Director of the Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital.

“I’ve seen the evolution of treatment throughout the years. When I was a child, I was on a trial drug and at the age of 35, I went under the knife to remove most of my large intestine,” says Michelle. “I no longer have the same stomach aches I used to have, but there is still no cure for IBD.”

Along her journey with IBD, Michelle met Stacey Gitlin through their husbands, who had gone to school together. They quickly discovered they were both teachers and both had IBD – and became fast friends. When Stacey and her husband Jonathan started Spin for Sinai, a community fundraiser to raise funds for IBD research, there was no question that Michelle would join them. Michelle’s doctor, Dr. Weizman, also participates every year.

“Since I was 13, there’s been so many advancements in care and treatment,” says Michelle. “I’m glad I can do my part now as an adult, through Spin for Sinai and through the help of my friends, Stacey and Jonathan, to give back to the people who cared for me.”

Michelle will surpass $30,000 raised this year and we are grateful for her support of Sinai Health.

Join Michelle in making a difference for patients with IBD with a donation. ➡️ https://give.supportsinai.ca/event/spin-for-sinai-2025/donate?utm_source=so&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=20_cs_26&utm_content=michelleabbott_story