Emergency icon Important Updates
Title Director, Center for Human Nutrition
Department Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • 24 Hour Esophageal pH Test
  • 48-hour Bravo Esophageal pH Test
  • Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
  • Avoiding Dehydration, Proper Hydration
  • Blood Tests
  • Cancer Screening
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopy
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Esophageal Band Ligation
  • Esophageal Dilation
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Gastroenterology
  • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • Hydrogen Breath Test
  • Ileoscopy
  • Intestinal Transplant
  • Lactose and Glucose Hydrogen Breath Test
  • Nasojejunal Tube Placement
  • Outpatient Care
  • Parenteral Nutrition
  • Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
  • Polypectomy
  • Small Bowel Transplant
  • Therapeutic Endoscopy
  • Variceal Band Ligation
View all 27 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Anemia
  • Bowel Incontinence
  • Celiac Disease (Celiac Sprue)
  • Collagenous Colitis
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Diseases of the Small Bowel
  • Diverticulosis
  • Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
  • Esophagitis
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) Motility Disorders
  • Helicobacter Pylori
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Intestinal Failure
  • Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
  • Malabsorption
  • Malnutrition
  • Microscopic Colitis
  • Mitochondrial Disease
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease
  • Scleroderma with GI Issues
  • Short Bowel Syndrome
  • Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
View all 27 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?

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
Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2008

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Gastroenterology
Chicago, IL
1984

Residency - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Internal Medicine
Chicago, IL
1982

Internship - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Internal Medicine
Chicago, IL
1980

Medical Education - The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Washington, DC
1979

Undergraduate - The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
with Special Honors in Zoology
Washington, DC
1975

Professional Highlights

  • Director, Center for Human Nutrition
  • Medical Director, Intestinal Transplant Program
  • Fellowship Director, Nutrition Support Fellowship
  • Professor of Medicine

Certifications

  • Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine

Specialty Interests

Celiac disease, constipation and fecal incontinence, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal motility disorders, gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GI motility disorders, H. pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease, intestinal transplantation, insulin resistance, malabsorption, management of enteral and parenteral nutrition, medical school education and education of fellows/residents, metabolic syndrome, motility disorders, nutritional problems as they relate to the GI tract, obesity, peptic ulcer disease, short bowel syndrome, therapeutic endoscopy including difficult colonoscopy and polypectomy

Awards & Honors

  • Cleveland Magazine "Top Doctors" - Gastroenterology 2011 -2021
  • Best Doctors in America 2011-2021
  • Richmond Magazine "Top Specialist in Gastroenterology" 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008

Memberships

  • American College of Physicians - Fellow
  • American College of Nutrition - Fellow
  • American College of Gastroenterology - Fellow
  • American Gastroenterological Association - Fellow
  • American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition - Member
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Donald Kirby, 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 1/2/2024, Dr. Kirby 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

168 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

42 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

I'm happy with the response time from Dr Kirby and his staff.

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

Dr Kirby addressed all my questions and concerns and offered helpful suggestions and follow up.

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

Dr Kirby covers everything and has a great understanding of my condition. He has done much to help me manage my symptoms and live as well as I can. He is professional and friendly. I can always call and get information from a nurse or get a response quickly when I send a MyChart message.

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2024

Very easy to get connected with Dr.Kirby's office

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2024

I already recommended Dr. Kirby to a friend with digestive difficulties.

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2024

Dr Kirby took the time to answer our questions. He did not attempt to minimize or explain away troublesome ongoing issues.

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024

I've been through so much since 2009 and Dr. Kirby has by far been the most caring and considerate doctor!

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2024

Dr. Kirby's schedule is usually pretty full but understandable he's an amazing doctor. Our last visit with him he offered virtual visit unless new health issues develop. Greatly appreciated. This is by no means a complaint we always receive the best care and compassion at Cleveland.

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2024

Dr. Kirby and staff are excellent in providing care. Have been a patient for over 10 years. Trust & respect his recommendations above all others. Keeping me doing well.

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

Very good appointment with Dr Kirby. Good exchange of ideas.

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

Both Dr Kirby and dietician were concerned and engaged in finding a solution to my health problem

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Dr Kirby is excellent and one of the best Doctors I've had in dealing with my chronic condition 35 years

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

I have been cared for by Dr. Kirby for many years. He is a conscientious caregiver and because I have many unusual & rare situations, he has been consistently dedicated to the best care.

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Dr. Kirby runs a great team! And they have great respect for him.

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

I hope he's around in 5 years and thank you all for being a great team.

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024

Dr Kirby was thorough and personable. I felt very comfortable. He had clearly reviewed my history and understood my needs. I was impressed.

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024

Dr Kirby listened to my health concerns and acted quickly to address

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024

Dr. Kirby has almost literally saved my life, or at the very least, dramatically improved the quality of my life. He's a very kind and caring professional.

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024

I felt a couple times the doctor wasn't listening to everything I was telling him. I have a lot going on and seemed to only address 1 issue

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Dr Kirby is amazing. Very kind and attentive. Includes me in my plan of care.

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Overall our experience with Dr Kirby has been great. MyChart questions and issue have been addressed quickly. Trying to call has been a little more difficult. Numerous calls with no answer and messages left with no return call. I have found getting answers through MyChart has been the best communication.

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024

Dr Kirby has always treated me with me with the uptmost respect and kindness.

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2024

Dr.Kirby is an outstanding physician and I've appreciated his care for many years.

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2024

Dr. Kirby is Avery compassionate and thorough doctor

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024

Dr. Kirby is the Absolute Best! He has been my doctor for almost 10 years and my parents and I love him. Dr. Kirby saved my life and we trust him completely. He and his nurse, Ann, have gone above and beyond, countless times. Dr. Kirby's expertise and experience are unparalleled. He is also very patient and very compassionate. These qualities make Dr. Kirby extremely rare and irreplaceable!

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2024

When in person, I was impressed by the completeness of his physical examination. He was very thorough in taking my medical history. I found him to be very kind and understanding of my situation as well

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

Very happy with my my provider

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2024

Dr Kirby is outstanding in his field. I am fortunate to be his patient.

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2024

Everyone was professional from front desk to Dr.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2024

Dr. Kirby is excellent- I appreciate his professional and kind care.

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2024

Dr. Kirby is an exceptional doctor and he is very kind, compassionate and treated me with much respect before, during and after my procedure. He answered my questions about the procedure and took the time to explain, and made me feel at ease and relaxed during the conversation before my colonoscopy. I was very impressed by his genuine kindness and concern for my well being. I highly recommend him! He is one of the finest physicians I have ever had the honor to be seen at Cleveland Clinic!

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2024

Dr. Kirby is the BEST!!!!!

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2024

Dr. Kirby is extremely knowledgeable and very caring. What a great combo! He is #1!

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023

Dr Kirby spent time with me and thouroughly answered all my questions and concerns

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023

Dr Kirby was ever nice and professional. His nurse was not when it came to getting an appointment.

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023

There was a lot of problems getting appointment with Dr Kirby's nurse.

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2023

Dr. Kirby is very caring and helpful.

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2023

Dr. Kirby conducted an effective online visit. Comprehensive and compassionate, Dr. Kirby's online care mirrors his excellent in-person care.

Reviewed on Nov 27, 2023

Very busy physician - Had to wait 6 wks. for appt.

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2023

Dr. Kirby is always excellent.

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2023

Doc kurby is the best

Reviewed on Nov 8, 2023

Dr. Kirby was wonderful. I had never met him prior to my procedure and I could not have been more pleased with my experience. He was respectful and knew my medical history even though we not met before. This was very reassuring.

Back to Top