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Department Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.7000
Desk:
216.444.6513
Fax:
216.444.6305

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopy
  • Esophageal Band Ligation
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Hydrogen Breath Test
  • Polypectomy
  • Pouch Center
  • Pouchoscopy
  • Therapeutic Endoscopy
  • Variceal Band Ligation
View all 11 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Collagenous Colitis
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Microscopic Colitis
  • Ulcerative Colitis
View all 6 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

View All Plans
Biography

About Jean-Paul Achkar, MD

Jean-Paul Achkar, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Department of Gastroenterology of the Digestive Disease Center, located on the main campus of Cleveland Clinic. From 2002 to 2007, he served as Director of the Cleveland Clinic Gastroenterology Fellowship Program. He is certified in gastroenterology by the National Board of Examiners, and his specialty interests include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Dr. Achkar received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also conducted his internship and residency in internal medicine at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University, where he served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. He then went on to conduct his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he was Chief Fellow.

He is principal or co-investigator in several research trials that have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. He has also contributed chapters to several medical textbooks in his field. He is the recipient of research awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Cleveland Clinic, GlaxoSmithKline Institute for Digestive Health and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Achkar has also received the Physician of the Year Award from the Gastroenterology Department of Cleveland Clinic, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Premier Physician Award, two Senior Fellow Teaching Awards, and the American College of Gastroenterology Governors Award for Best Scientific Paper. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
1998

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Pittsburgh, PA USA
1998

Residency - University Hospitals of Cleveland
Internal Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
1995

Internship - University Hospitals of Cleveland
Internal Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
1992

Medical Education - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
1991

Undergraduate - Tufts University
Biology and French
Boston, MA USA
1987

Professional Highlights

  • National Institutes of Health K23 Grant Award for Genetic Studies in Crohn’s Disease

Certifications

  • Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology

Specialty Interests

Crohn's Disease, IBD including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis

Awards & Honors

  • Physician of the Year Award, Gastroenterology Department, Cleveland Clinic
  • Premier Physician Award, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
  • Two Senior Fellow Teaching Awards
  • Governors Award for Best Scientific Paper, American College of Gastroenterology

Memberships

  • Chair, Educational Affairs Committee, American College of Gastroenterology
  • Board member, Northeast Ohio Chapter Board of Trustees, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
  • American Gastroenterological Association
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Jean-Paul Achkar, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 11/24/2023, Dr. Achkar has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

275 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

55 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

I really appreciate Dr. Ashkar.

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

He is such a great doctor, great bed side manners!

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2024

Dr. Achkar and team took excellent care of me.

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2024

Very impressed with doctor

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024

I've been with J P Achkar since 2001. He's THE BEST!

Reviewed on Feb 13, 2024

Dr Achkar has been my gastro doctor for years. I trust his knowledge and care he gives me.

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2024

I really like the plan that the doctor set up for me and normally they don't give me any insight into what will happen in the future, but setting a plan with me helps me feel more confident

Reviewed on Jan 22, 2024

Dr Achkar, Dr Timko and Tianna ate always so helpful and patient

Reviewed on Jan 22, 2024

Not only is Dr Achkar so knowledgeable but he is one of the most compassionate medical professionals I've come across

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2024

Dr. Achkar and staff are excellent!I'm so fortunate to have found them!

Reviewed on Dec 21, 2023

Very good doctor

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2023

Truly one of the best doctors and teams that the Cleveland Clinic has.

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2023

Dr. Ackhar and his team are first rate! Perfect experience.

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2023

Dr Achkar is a wonderful Dr. He answers my questions and is very understanding of my needs as a patient.

Reviewed on Nov 17, 2023

Dr Aschar & his assistant ( Dr. White) were very good at explaining the procedure. The nurses monitoring me & Assisting the Doctors were so efficient, professional, & caring. Everyone made me feel very comfortable.

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2023

We are very happy with Dr. Achkar!

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2023

Dr. Achkar has always provided good care.

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023

Dr Ashkar worked to give me the best possible updates.

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Dr. Achkar listened very patiently while I explained my acute symptoms and recent hospitalization. He repeated the most important details back to me to confirm his understanding and reviewed his direction about my plan of care a second time before ending our appointment. That is an indication of an excellent physician! I became Dr. Achkar's patient because the GI that had been my doctor for 20 years retired. While I was very reluctant to change to a new doctor, Dr. Achkar was VERY highly recommended to me. He is everything and more that I was told about him. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone facing the challenges of IBD. He is a gem!!

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2023

Excellent DrAschar was so thorough patient and a concerned Dr. Answered all my questions and was infirmative

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

Dr. Ashkar is a very good Dr. He takes his job seriously and spends time with patients!

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

I have been with Dr Achkar for twenty four years. In that time never once did he not treat me with respect and kindness. You Cleveland Clinic are very lucky to have Dr. Achkar.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Again can't say enough about Dr Achkar. Great doctor

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2023

Dr. Achkar was great! We had a virtual appointment and I could tell he spent a lot of time reviewing my case. The appointment was very informative and he answered all of our questions regarding some of the possible treatment options. After being sick all summer and being in the hospital, it was so helpful to meet with him.

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2023

Very pleased with my experience with Dr. Ankar

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023

Over the top service from the Cleveland clinic. Your company makes me feel good and when I need something everyone from the Dr to the nurses to the staff even the cleaning folks make me feel comfortable

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023

2 thumbs up for my Doctor excellent experience

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023

I had an excellent experience at The Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Jean Paul Achkar is an excellent, caring, kind physician.

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023

Dr. Achkar is an amazing physician

Reviewed on Aug 28, 2023

I had an in-person visit that I thought was virtual. When I realized my error, I desperately tried calling Dr. Achkar's staff. I spent 15 minutes going through the phone tree/on hold, before being connected to someone who promptly hung up on me. I called back, and had to repeat the phone tree/on hold. Eventually - after the start of my appointment - I was connected to someone in Dr. Achkar's office, who rescheduled my appointment. She then told Dr. Achkar about my dilemma, and he graciously agreed to see me virtually that day.

Reviewed on Aug 28, 2023

Dr. Achkar is fantastic! He accomodated his schedule to meet with me virtually after I screwed up. The problem is Cleveland Clinic's crazy system in trying to reach an individual provider/practice.

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023

I realize Dr Ashker is very busy and I thought getting to see him in 2 months was good

Reviewed on Aug 7, 2023

Best Doctor Award!

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2023

Really like Dr Achkar. He's always polite and always looking out for what's best for me as his patient.

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2023

Dr Achkar is caring, thorough, and a very good communicator.

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023

Dr Achkar takes the time to ask good questions, keeps engagement, allows for time to think through the process, make it personal and truly cares about me.

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2023

Dr. Achkar, staff, and colleagues are all exceptional. Thank you

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2023

Great Dr. And wonderful staff

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2023

The Dr was very caring and made me feel comfortable

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2023

Although I wish I didn't need care I'm getting the best care with Dr. Achkar. He listens and gives me options.

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2023

I know how busy Dr Achkar is but I always get an appointment.

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2023

Dr Achkar is best especially with patients with IBD. He knows that I understand the disease and research new treatments and is always prepared.

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2023

Excellent Dr took time to talk to me about my problems and explained treatment plans thoroughly

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2023

My initial virtual meeting with Dr. Acharya was very informative.

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2023

Dr. Achkar was patient and answered all of our questions. He made us feel like he cared.

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2023

Dr Achkar is the very best!!!

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2023

The Doctor is the best I have ever had.

Reviewed on May 19, 2023

My Doctor was very concerning to me.

Reviewed on May 18, 2023

Absolutely wonderful physician and facility. I came from Eastern Kentucky to see him and I'm grateful I did!

Reviewed on May 1, 2023

Dr Achkar is wonderful. I was so upset when Dr B retired, but thank goodness he recommending me going Dr Achkar. He is very thorough and takes his time and answered all my questions. Very pleasant visit.

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2023

Dr Achkar is the best GI I have ever had- kind, understanding and responsive. My only wish is that he had more availability.

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2023

Dr. Achkar is genuinely kind and compassionate. He talks to me, not at me. He explains everything and takes his time with me. He is a comfort.

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023

Dr. Achkar Is terrific. He knows my condition inside and out. He always is thorough and involves me in my treatment. I trust his expertise.

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2023

First visit with Dr Achkar; I have nothing but good things to say about his care and professionalism.

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2023

Excellent provider and physician

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