Changing Veterans' Lives: Houston VA Becomes the First VA Center of Excellence for Pancreas Care

The hospital's innovative new Pancreas Clinic aims to provide comprehensive care for Veterans suffering from pancreatic diseases.

Charles Morgan, an Army Veteran from Cleveland, Texas, recently benefited from the Houston VA's pancreatic care after years of struggling with chronic pancreatitis.

"I was dealing with recurring pancreatitis, and it seemed liked no one could figure out how to stop my pain," he said.  "Now, with my dedicated team at the Houston VA, I was able to have my surgery and get a clear treatment plan and the support I need. It's been life changing."

The Houston VA Pancreas Center of Excellence offers Veterans a wide array of services, including specialized diagnostic testing, endoscopic and surgical treatment options, and patient education programs. Veterans from around the country travel to Houston for this specialized care.

"We can help Veterans with not only the diagnosis of pancreas disease but also with pain management, surgery, nutritional guidance, chemical dependency programs, and psychosocial support," said Dr. Shifa Umar, an interventional gastroenterologist and pancreatologist who played a key role in establishing the Houston VA's Pancreas Center of Excellence. "Our objective is to have the best patient outcomes by treating the whole Veteran and improving their quality of life."

The pancreas, located behind the stomach, produces insulin and digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is a debilitating condition that significantly affects the quality of life for many Veterans. According to the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society, about 67,000 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed annually, with Veterans facing a higher incidence than non-Veterans.

NPF Centers of Excellence are top-tier healthcare facilities that undergo rigorous audit reviews to ensure they focus on a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pancreas disease. The Houston VA, one of the largest and most complex VA Medical Centers in the country, is one of only four hospitals in the state of Texas designated as an NPF Center of Excellence—and the first VA in the nation.

“We are honored to be recognized as a leader in the treatment of pancreatic diseases,” said Dr. Christy Chai, chief of Houston VA's General Surgery and Surgical Oncology. “Earning this official national recognition will help us create further awareness that outstanding, caring, and innovative pancreatic treatment is available right here for Veterans at the Houston VA.”

Morgan, who served as a nurse in the Army back in the 1990s, says his confidence in the doctors at the Houston VA is what makes him drive hours to the medical center for care—even though there are VA clinics much closer to his home. “I am so impressed with Dr. Umar,” he said. “She is so smart, listens so intently and cares so much. It really makes her unstoppable as a doctor.”

Umar is director of the Pancreas Center of Excellence at the Houston VA and also serves as an assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. She joined the Houston VA after completing a pancreatology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and an interventional endoscopy fellowship at the University of Chicago.

“I’m in awe of the strength and determination I see in my Veteran patients,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to care for those of who served our country. The world-class care we provide them at the Houston VA is a testament to the dedication and resilience of both the healthcare providers and the Veterans we serve.”