Shifat Ahmed, M.D.

Dr. Shifat Ahmed is a board-certified gastroenterologist with Arizona Digestive Health. He performs routine GI procedures such as upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in the diagnosis, screening and surveillance of gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. In addition, he specializes in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, and Barrett’s esophagus. He is fluent in English and Bangla. He is an invited lecturer for the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix and Creighton University — Phoenix.

Why did you choose to specialize in Gastroenterology?

Early in my career, I made a pledge to pursue a specialty path that I felt the most passionate about, and that would make me the most useful to patients.

As a medical student, I was drawn to internal medicine because of its various pathologies. I have enjoyed diagnosing and managing complex and atypical presentations for diseases across medical specialties, but I found those in gastroenterology and hepatology the most interesting. When I was in training for a gastroenterology fellowship, I quickly realized that the cornerstone of being an adept gastroenterologist is strong clinical acumen and the use of procedures to pursue clinical intuition. Moreover, having the opportunity to develop meaningful long-term patient relationships via outpatient medical management of chronic conditions and also performing inpatient endoscopic interventions for emergencies continues to be very gratifying to me.

Gastroenterology is a specialty that continues to provide meaningful challenges intellectually and procedurally. I hope to continue lifelong growth by practicing evidence-based medicine in the care of my patients.

Do you have a specialty of interest in Gastroenterology?

I have been very fortunate to have trained under experts in almost all aspects of gastroenterology. I feel comfortable managing acute and chronic conditions associated with gastrointestinal and liver disease. I am committed to providing individualized and comprehensive care for what challenges my patients may have in their digestive health care.

Do you fluently speak any other languages in addition to English?

Bangla

What do you and your family enjoy doing in your spare time?

Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, family and friends. Since I was very young, I have enjoyed working with my hands. As a result, I often utilize my free time performing home improvements, refinishing vintage furniture, painting, and, more recently, learning how to perform clay sculpting. I am also a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan and motorsport enthusiast.

Board Certified in Gastroenterology – Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Education

• Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
• Residency: University of Louisville
• Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
• Undergraduate: Arizona State University

Published Studies

• Abidali, Hussein, Aida Rezaie, Anam Omer, Cris R. Molina, Shifat Ahmed, AL-Jashaami Layth, Paul Kang, Ali M. Abbas, and Teodor C. Pitea. “Su1427 EUS-DIRECTED TRANSGASTRIC ERCP VERSUS DOUBLE BALLOON ENTEROSCOPY-ASSISTED ERCP IN PATIENTS WITH ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS ANATOMY: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE.” Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 91, no. 6 (2020): AB340-AB341.
• Mann, Sarabdeep, Shifat Ahmed, Layth Al-Jashaami, Paul Muna Aguon, and Yasmin Alishahi. “Better Prep Is Just One Phone Call Away: Quality Improvement in Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation Through Telephone Education.” Gastroenterology 159, no. 2 (2020): e36.
• Suchartlikitwong, S., Vutthikraivit, W., Haddad, N., Aguon, P.A.M., Pradhan, F., Al-Qaisi, M.T., Omer, A., Mann, S., Ahmed, S., Layth, A.J. and Fallon, M.B., 2020, May. IMPACT OF DAILY ASPIRIN THERAPY ON RISK OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. In Gastroenterology (Vol. 158, No. 6, pp. S1400-S1400). 1600 JOHN F KENNEDY BOULEVARD, STE 1800, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-2899 USA: WB SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC.
• Ahmed, S., Patel, C., Schmitt, C., Parajuli, D.. A Deadly Connection: Aortoenteric Fistula as a Cause of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding. American College of Gastroenterology Case Reports. Accepted 12/2015.
• Shah, H. Wendorf, G. Ahmed, S. McElmurray, L. Lahr, C. Hughes, M. Beauerle, B. Miller, E. Stocker, B. Abell, TL.. Treating an Oft Unrecognized and Troublesome Entity: Using Gastric Electrical Stimulation to Reduce Symptoms of Malignancy Associated Gastroparesis. The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology. 2016, August.
• Mehta, M., Ahmed, S., Dryden, G. (2017). “Immunopathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease: how genetics link barrier dysfunction and innate immunity to inflammation”. Innate immunity, 23(6), 497-505.
• Chaudhary, D., Ahmed, S., Liu, N., & Marsano-Obando, L. (2017). “Acute liver failure from herpes simplex virus in an immunocompetent patient due to direct inoculation of the peritoneum.” ACG case reports journal, 4.
• Mehta, M., Ahmed, S., & Dryden, G. (2018). “Refractory pouchitis improves after administration of the green tea polyphenol EGCG: a retrospective review.” International journal of colorectal disease, 33(1), 83-86.
• Burk, MJ., Bishop, L., Rahman, T., and Koch, J. “Louisville Lectures: FOAMed Meets Internal Medicine Residency.” The American Journal of the Medical Sciences 353, no. 3 (2017): 263-264. (Honorable mention)
• Ahmed, S.. Countering the Physician Brain Drain in South Africa.. The Triple Helix – The Science in Society Review. 2008, Jan; 4(1): 23-24.
• Ahmed, S.. The Effect of Universal Health Care Coverage on Rural Communities in Canada and The United States. The Triple Helix – The Science in Society Review. 2007, Sep; 3(2): 27-28.