About SHED
Contact Information
Swallowing, Heartburn and Esophageal Disease Center
Wang Building, 4th Floor
15 Parkman Street
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-724-1020
Email: MGHShed@partners.org
Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Near Public Transit
Accessible
Explore This Program
About the Program
As part of the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center, the Swallowing, Heartburn and Esophageal Disease Center (SHED) brings together a multidisciplinary team of gastroesophageal specialists who provide expert diagnosis, cutting-edge medical and surgical interventions and ongoing care for benign throat, esophagus and stomach disorders.
Our board-certified digestive health specialists work together to help patients diminish episodes of discomfort, including:
- Chronic cough
- Chronic heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Noncardiac chest pain
- Postsurgical esophageal symptoms
Diagnosis and treatment may include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, endoscopic therapies and, when appropriate, surgical procedures.
Advanced Diagnostic Motility Evaluation Services
The SHED team provides highly specialized, expert analysis for a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Our endoscopists are available to confer with referring physicians. Diagnostic services include:
- Endoscopic ultrasound, which creates an image of the esophagus using sound waves
- High-resolution manometry, which measures pressure within the gastrointestinal tract using special sensors
- Esophageal motility test, which measures the esophagus’s ability to move
- pH probe testing, used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux
- Wireless Bravo pH testing
- Impedance/pH testing to determine if stomach contents are coming up into the esophagus
- EndoFLIP, cutting-edge technology for evaluating esophageal motility
Our diagnostic radiology team comprises dedicated imaging specialists whose practice focuses specifically on GI scans. They are nationally recognized for expertise in all forms of sophisticated imaging and offer a full range of advanced diagnostic techniques, including:
- Fiber optic evaluations, which measures a patient’s ability to swallow
- Video-fluoroscopic swallowing studies, which captures video X-rays after the patient has taken barium
- Barium esophagrams, which captures images after the patient has taken barium, an element that helps with X-ray imaging
- Speech pathology assessments to identify speech and language deficits
Leaders in the Medical Management of GI Motility Disorders and Surgical Treatment of GERD and Hiatal Hernias
SHED's collaborative physicians specialize in the surgical treatment of GERD and hiatal hernias. In addition, we are a leading resource for patients who have had previously unsuccessful antireflux operations.
As a high-volume center, we have achieved excellent results in repairing hiatal hernias and relieving patients of GERD symptoms. Nearly 75% of patients undergoing surgery can discontinue acid suppressive medications and more than 90% of patients undergoing surgery at Mass General expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their outcomes. [Source: D.W. Gee et al. (2008). Measuring the Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication: Long Term Results. Archives of Surgery 43, 482–487.]
Easy Access for Patients and Referring Physicians
We pair patients and referring physicians with an experienced care coordinator who helps assess patient needs and coordinates all necessary appointments and tests.
All requests are triaged the same day, and the patient and referring physician will be called back to schedule an appointment within one business day. Patients and referring physicians may request an appointment online or call 617-724-1020 to speak with our care coordinator.
Clinical Research Studies and Trials
SHED physicians are active in clinical trials and research studies related to gastroesophageal and swallowing disorders, allowing us to bring our patients promising new treatments as quickly as possible.
Our surgeons have helped evaluate first generation endoluminal therapies, such as the NDO Plicator and the Bard EndoCinch Suturing System, involving minimally invasive surgeries performed through the esophagus. We are currently evaluating newer developments in this area such as the Esophyx Totally Intraluminal Fundoplication (TIF).
Our Team
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- Thoracic Surgery
- Department of Surgery
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- Gastroenterology
- Department of Medicine
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- Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, Department of Surgery
- Surgical Director, Mass General Weight Center
- Section Head, Swallowing, Heartburn and Esophageal Disease Program
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- Director of Endoscopic Innovation, Technology, and Education for Gastroenterology
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- Gastroenterology
- Department of Medicine
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- Co-Director Gastroesophageal Surgery Program
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- Gastroenterology
- Department of Medicine
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- Chief, General Surgery and Acute Care Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
- Associate Chair of Surgical Education, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
- Associate Program Director, Surgical Residency Program, MGH
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- Director, Gastrointestinal (GI) Motility Laboratory
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- Gastroenterology
- Department of Medicine
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- Nurse Practitioner, Outpatient Gastroenterology
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- Lead Advanced Practice Provider, Gastroesophageal Surgery Program, Gastroenterology/Medicine Dept.
Grand Rounds
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Medical Grand Rounds is a CME-accredited weekly seminar series dedicated to improving patient care and presenting new approaches in medicine and surgery.
Combined Medical/Surgery Grand Rounds
Multidisciplinary Management of Benign Foregut Disease: New Advances and Future Frontiers
A Top Hospital in America
Mass General is recognized as a top hospital on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
Telehealth at Mass General
Virtual visits allow you to conveniently meet with your provider from home—either online (over your computer or device) or by phone.
Contact Us
The Swallowing and Heartburn Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center provides both primary treatment and second opinion evaluations for throat, esophagus and stomach disorders.