Conrad R Cole, MD, MPH, MSc

Hello, my name is Dr. Cole, and I currently serve as professor and division chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition within the University of Florida Department of Pediatrics.

I was inspired to become a physician through the influence of my own pediatrician, whose encouragement ignited my passion for medicine. With the insightful guidance and expertise of my mentor, Dr. Fima Lifshitz, I was driven to pursue an interest in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition research.

As a pediatric gastroenterologist, I strive to continuously contribute to the body of knowledge that leads to improvement in care for children with nutritional deficiencies and intestinal failure. My goal is to see zero incidents of central line infections and decrease the time spent on parenteral nutrition in children who have been diagnosed with, or who are at risk of, intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome. Additionally, I aim to diversify the workforce within the area of pediatric gastroenterology while also focusing on mentoring junior faculty staff and trainees.

After my undergraduate studies, I earned a medical degree from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. I received pediatric training at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, formerly Miami Children’s Hospital, and training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. My educational training continued at Ohio State University, where I earned a graduate degree in public health before receiving a graduate degree in clinical research at Emory University.

Prior to arriving at UF, I served as the interim director of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. I led the division for two years, helping the center earn national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital rankings. While there, I also took on other responsibilities, acting as the inaugural fellowship director for the Advanced Nutrition Fellowship program and serving as the medical director of the division for 7 years and also the medical director of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Center. I was honored to lead important initiatives as the diversity liaison and co-director of the Diversity Strategic Plan for the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics from 2020 to 2024.

My clinical and research interests focus on improving outcomes for children with intestinal failure, as well as studying the epidemiology of micronutrient deficiencies in this population and at-risk minority children. I am also interested in identifying and researching potential agents, such as GLP-2 analogs and amino acids, that promote intestinal adaptation following resection. Additionally, my research includes preventing central line infections and line occlusions using 4% tetrasodium EDTA, an area for which I have received external funding.

I have published more than 70 research papers that have greatly influenced management strategies for children with intestinal failure and those at risk of intestinal failure. I am active in several national organizations, serving as the executive council of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. I am passionate about leading impactful initiatives for improving nutrition and eliminating health disparities in children. Meanwhile, I’m focused on fostering professional development and collaboration among my colleagues.

Outside of helping patients improve their health, you can find me enjoying a good book, hiking, running, and traveling.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology

  American Board of Pediatrics
• Pediatrics

  American Board of Pediatrics

• Clinical Nutrition
• Gastrointestinal Physiology
• Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant