Galen Cortina, M.D., Ph.D.

I have chosen to specialize in the anatomic pathology of the gastrointestinal system. My practice is largely that of surgical pathology and occasionally autopsy. The range of specimens include esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas. The range of diseases include tumors, infectious/inflammatory/ischemic diseases, as well as transplantation. The volume of material is large and I work closely with 1-2 fellows in GI pathology and our surgical pathology fellows and residents. My other professorial activities include the medical school teaching efforts as well as formal and informal post graduate settings. From a creative standpoint, I contribute to the body of literature in GI disease and pursue investigative work in Barrett esophagus and immunodeficiency related GI disease.

Dr. Cortina received a bachelors degree in biology from UCSB in 1985, his Ph.D was awarded in 1991 in the field of Microbiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also graduated medical school in 1993. Dr. Cortina practices gastrointestinal (GI) surgical pathology. The largest part of his practice consists of endoscopic biopsy interpretation, but biopsies and resections from all gastrointestinal sites, liver and pancreas are covered. Material from UCLA, UCLA Outreach Services, and personal consultations make up the practice. Dr. Cortina's eduational activities range from medical student teaching to peer teaching at national and international venues. The bulk of teaching occurs in a hands on setting devoted to the GI pathology fellowship and resident training. His research interests are primarily in the area of unusual enteropathies. One major subtype of unusual enteropathies includes endocrinopathies of the GI tract. Other rare pathological conditions related to intestinal failure, intestinal transplant, HIV enteropathy, NSAID injury, also contribute to the spectrum of unusual enteropathies studied by Dr. Cortina. His research activities include providing expert surgical pathology consultation to investigators of Barrett esophagus, pancreatic cancer, liver disease, and colitis.