Colon & Rectal Surgery at the University of Louisville -- Patient Information

"Work in Progress" Newsletter

The British Connection
Colliver & Crawford

British surgeons can choose to do their research fellowship anywhere in the world, so what then led two doctors from Swindon, England, to select the University of Louisville? British surgeon Philip Burgess, MD, a former University of Louisville Price Fellow.

After fifteen years, Burgess remains a strong advocate for the University's fellowship programs. He recommended U of L to Nigel Crawford, MD, who began his fellowship in 2001.

Crawford's experience as an integral part of the Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery's team of researchers has inspired him to pursue a doctorate in physiology.

"I really enjoy the challenges of research," Crawford says, "I hope to apply the skills I have learned at the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside."

Following in the footsteps of his longtime friend Crawford, Daniel Colliver, MD, enrolled in the Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery's fellowship program in March 2002.

Daniel Colliver, MD "In England, medicine is very competitive," explains Colliver. "To get an edge, surgeons must complete a research fellowship. After exploring various programs, I decided the Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery is where I wanted to be."

Honing Their Research Skills
While in the States, Crawford is taking advantage of microarray or "gene chip" technology to identify "IBD susceptibility loci" (areas on chromosomes thought to be involved in IBD). Doctors hope that genetic research will better help them differentiate Crohn's colitis from ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis. This distinction is often difficult to make based on clinical findings and biopsies alone.

"These diseases require distinct surgical treatments. Yet, about 30 to 40 percent of patients with Crohn's colitis are misdiagnosed as having ulcerative colitis," Crawford explains.

Using the same microarray technology, Colliver hopes to help determine why some patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis develop colorectal cancer while others do not. "Answers to these questions may help prevent, better manage, or treat colorectal cancer in these patients," he says.

At the end of July 2003, Colliver will be returning to England where he proudly serves in the Territorial Army -- the British equivalent of the U.S. Army Reserves. Crawford, who enjoys sampling "Southern" cuisine, confesses, "I'm completely addicted to fajitas."

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