Text Size: S M L
Search

Focus on Chien-Huan Chen, MD, PhD

Chien-Huan Chen, MD, PhD is an assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology. His areas of interests include hereditary gastrointestinal cancer, small intestinal diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Dr. Chen sees patients at two convenient locations:
Center for Advanced Medicine, 4921 Parkview Place, Suite 8C.
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, 10 Barnes West Drive, Medical Building Two.

FOR AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE PHONE 314 747-2066.

What happened in the course of schooling to make you choose your specialty?

It’s a combination of several things. What comes to mind first would be my role models. When I was in medical school there were well-respected doctors that happened to be gastroenterologists. I had a positive experience with them and that inspired me to become a gastroenterologist also.

Over the course of training, I found that gastrointestinal problems are complicated. People have a lot of complaints that might be common, but still can be difficult to figure out -- like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You need to sit down and think through the problem to get to the diagnosis – is it from the stomach, bowel, nerves or something else? It’s not easy. The process of solving the puzzle was what attracted me to this field.

Dr. Chien-Huan Chen and family
What brought you to Washington University?

The reputation of Washington University is very strong – in both clinical care and research. When I looked for a residency position, I coordinated it with my wife, who is on the psychiatry faculty here. We both have good opportunities here.

I came to St. Louis from Baltimore, Maryland. I like the Midwest, the cost of living is more affordable and the people are nicer --just look at the way everyone drives.

Which aspect of your practice do you find most interesting?

Gastroenterology is appealing to me because it provides both a cognitive and procedural aspect of medicine. I can think and work on a wide variety of problems, from the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, to the colon. I also do endoscopies, which provide hands-on opportunities to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal problems. I also like that I have the opportunity to meet people from a large geographic area and all walks of life.

Are there any developments in your field that you are most excited about?

The advances in genomics allow us to decipher the structures and functions of genes much more easily. By comparing the genes of a healthy individual with an affected one, we can pinpoint the molecular defects that lead to various kinds of diseases, whether it is cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases. We also study the interactions of humans and their environments at genetic levels. We are able to manipulate the genes of plants, bacteria, or viruses to benefit our health. I think that is very exciting.

The development of new instruments and techniques opens many new fields for us. For example, the small intestine used to be considered a “black box” in gastroenterology, because we could not see it and we could not reach it. Now, capsule endoscopy allows us to examine the entire small bowel in detail – something that we previously could not do. With a capsule endoscopy, the patient swallows a capsule that contains a miniaturized lens and camera. It transmits images of the small intestine to a recorder worn by the patient. The images are then downloaded to a computer to be viewed by doctors. If small intestinal problems are found on the capsule endoscopy, we have specialized endoscopes to biopsy and treat small intestinal diseases.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Taiwan. I met my wife in medical school there and we came to the United States in 1994. I did my PhD graduate study at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. I subsequently came to Washington University for my internship, residency and fellowship.

Is there a particular award or achievement that is most gratifying?

When I came to Washington University, I was awarded the opportunity to be a member of the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). PSTP allowed me to have great opportunities in doing research, and to integrate scientific knowledge with the art of practicing medicine in gastroenterology. PSTP is great.

It is also very satisfying to receive letters from patients telling me that they liked the way I treated them and that they are grateful for what I did for them. Those kinds of compliments are really gratifying.

Are you involved in any of the research you mentioned?

I am involved in the ongoing research effort in our division in areas such as hereditary GI cancer, colon cancer, and small bowel diseases
.
What do you do when you are not working?

I think I probably work too much. When I am not working, I spend time with my family- working around the house, watching my kids play sports, taking them to ball games, hiking, or camping.
.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

It depends on advice for what – life or work. One of the Zen masters said “every day is a good day”. It sounds so simple, but the real meaning is to be happy every day, look at the bright side of everything and be content with what you have. Do your best. I think that’s a good one for life.

My PhD thesis advisor told me to “follow your heart”. If you are interested and excited in an area, just follow it and it will lead you somewhere. Don’t be afraid to take risks. If you fail, that’s OK, do it again or try something different.

Is there a lifestyle change you feel could most benefit our health?

From my experience of practicing medicine in this country, I feel that people need to eat more fiber, more fruits and vegetables. You’d be amazed at how many people have diverticular disease, which is thought to be a problem caused by lack of fiber in the diet. I guess people are more interested in having a big piece of meat at the center of their plate and they ignore the side dishes and salads. A low-fat, low-meat, and high-fiber diet is good for the digestive system, and is also good for the overall health in general.

It’s also important to exercise. Exercise and keeping weight down have been shown time and time again to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even cancer.
Lastly, our mental health affects every part of our body. It’s important to be peaceful, relaxed, and to just enjoy life as it is.
Washington University Physicians are the medical staff of  Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Children's Hospital - St. Louis Employment   About Us   Top Stories   For Your Protection      Site Map
Copyright 2009 Washington University School of Medicine
Copyright 2009 Washington University School of Medicine