Dr. Stephen Hanauer is an internationally recognized authority in inflammatory bowel disease with over four decades of distinguished clinical and academic leadership. He currently serves as the Clifford Joseph Barborka Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of the Digestive Health Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, a position he assumed in January 2014 following a highly successful 31-year tenure at the University of Chicago. His academic journey began after earning his MD from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine in 1977, followed by residency and fellowship training at the University of Chicago where he rose to become the Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition from 2000 to 2013.
Dr. Hanauer's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced the understanding and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, conditions affecting more than one million Americans. With an impressive scholarly output exceeding 475 peer-reviewed journal articles, 83 book chapters, and 13 books, his work has established critical standards in clinical management and therapeutic development for IBD. His expertise in designing and leading clinical trials has directly influenced the development of multiple leading IBD therapies, with his guidance sought by pharmaceutical companies worldwide. As former Editor-in-Chief of Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology and current Section Editor for Gastroenterology & Hepatology, he has shaped the dissemination of knowledge in the field for over a decade.
Beyond his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Hanauer has provided indispensable leadership to the gastroenterology community through his roles as past President of the American College of Gastroenterology, former Chair of the FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee, and member and former Chairman of the International Organization for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. His commitment to excellence has been recognized through prestigious honors including the 2018 Berk/Fise Clinical Achievement Award from the American Gastroenterological Association and recognition from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation for Clinical Research. Patient testimonials consistently highlight his compassionate care and world-class expertise, with many traveling globally to benefit from his innovative approach to managing complex IBD cases. He continues to advance the field through his dual focus on optimizing current treatments while mentoring the next generation of gastroenterologists who will further transform inflammatory bowel disease care.
