Children's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
X
Clinical Services (Gastroenterology/Nutrition):
Our Physicians: Spotlight on Dr. Nurko
Dr. Nurko
Dr. Samuel Nurko
An internationally recognized expert in motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders, Samuel Nurko, MD, MPH, is at the forefront of his field. That, coupled with his warm and easy-going demeanor, immediately puts people at ease. Perhaps that's why children and parents alike find him so easy to talk to when it comes to gastrointestinal and bowel disorders.

"Although some of the issues kids have and the procedures we perform can be embarrassing for kids," says Dr. Nurko, "once they realize they're not the only ones with these problems, they quickly open up."

Putting patients and their parents at ease can also be attributed to Dr. Nurko's patient-centered approach. He works with the entire family to find the best treatment options for that particular child. One of the most important parts of any visit, he says, is to listen specifically to the child's concerns -- not just the parents'.
Early influences

Dr. Nurko's interest in gastroenterology was sparked early on. "Being from Mexico, I was always interested in finding better ways to treat malnutrition and diarrhea, which are serious but common problems there," he says.

After receiving his medical degree from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Dr. Nurko completed his pediatric residency at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Children's Hospital Boston.

After completing his training here, Dr. Nurko returned to his native Mexico where he developed a unique and groundbreaking formula designed to treat malnutrition and diarrhea.
Creating unique programs at Children's
Dr. Nurko returned to Children's in 1993, where he created a state of the art motility unit, and has introduced many new tests and innovative treatments for children with motility disorders.

He now heads the Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders at Children's where he cares for children with common motility problems ranging from gastroesophageal reflux to constipation as well as more complex issues like Hirschprung's disease, pseudo-obstruction and achalasia. The center takes care of complex patients from all over the city, state, the United States and the world.

Dr. Nurko is also a founder and key member of the Continence of Urine and Bowel (CUB) Program, which treats children with fecal and urinary incontinence. The first of its kind, the CUB program at Children's offers a unique multidisciplinary model that coordinates the complex care needs of patients who are often under the care of many specialists at one time.

Rewarding work
"What's so rewarding about CUB," says Dr. Nurko, "is that we have really improved the quality of life for our patients by helping them with the social issues that accompany incontinence disorders, as well as addressing the surgical issues."

With the success of the CUB program, Dr. Nurko has recently collaborated with physicians from Children's pulmonary medicine, otolaryngology and other specialties to launch the Center for Aero-Digestive Disorders (CADD). CADD uses a model similar to CUB to treat children with airway, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal disorders. Also in the works at Children's is a Center for Functional Bowel Disorders.

At Children's and beyond
Teaching is a high priority for Dr. Nurko; besides training fellows and residents at Children's -- many of whom have gone on to direct motility programs at other hospitals throughout the United States and internationally -- he provides education and outreach to the community and parent groups. Of particular interest to him is mentoring students, particularly minority students, who are thinking about becoming doctors.

When not working, Dr. Nurko enjoys classical music and spending as much time as possible with his family.

X
X The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice,
which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.
X
X Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.