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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)
  • 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

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Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2008

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Gastroenterology
Chicago, IL USA
1984

Residency - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Internal Medicine
Chicago, IL USA
1982

Internship - Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Internal Medicine
Chicago, IL USA
1980

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

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

Professional Highlights

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

Certifications

  • Internal Medicine
  • Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology

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 9/23/2023, 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

218 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

51 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023

Dr. Donald Kirby is a very kind and considerate person. I am so blessed that he is one of my doctors at the CC.

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2023

Very caring, thorough and knowledgeable physician. I see him once a year and he always remembers me as well as my circumstances and health issues. I love the care Dr Kirby provides.

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Dr Kirby is one of the best in the country!

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023

I was very pleased with Dr. Kirby. He is very knowledgeable and took the time to discuss and explain. Very nice and he listens.

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2023

This was our first visit with Dr Kirby and we were very pleased. Felt very comfortable with him. He was extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Truly felt cared for

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

Dr Kirby is kind, caring and professional.

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

I trust Dr Kirby completely

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

I have recommended Dr Kirby to my very good friend. She met with him and was very happy with his diagnosis

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

Dr. Kirby is always attentive and caring.

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2023

Excellent physician! I would definitely come back and recommend to others. Very knowledgeable with great bedside manner.

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2023

Dr Kirby was amazing kind and respectful. Recommend him highly

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023

Dr. Kirby is the 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 compassionate. Dr. Kirby is irreplaceable!

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Dr. Kirby was very experienced and reasurring and listened very well to my input.

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Dr. Kirby was top notch.

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023

Dr. Kirby is an exceptional physician

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

I am very pleased with Dr Kirby's care

Reviewed on May 25, 2023

I am grateful to be under the care of Dr. Kirby. Our new patient visit was so very reassuring.

Reviewed on May 22, 2023

Dr. Kirby and his staff were absolutely wonderful. I felt as if I may have been the only patient there.

Reviewed on May 17, 2023

Dr Kirby and his office are wonderful

Reviewed on May 10, 2023

My experience with Dr. Kirby is always top notch.

Reviewed on May 10, 2023

I have never had a bad experience dealing with the scheduling for Dr. Kirby

Reviewed on May 10, 2023

I have recommended Dr. Kirby because he and his staff are so amazing and caring

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2023

I felt Dr. Kirby was excellent in his approach to my problem. I was confident in his expertise and his knowledge of my situation.

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2023

I feel lucky to have Dr Kirby. Not only is he brilliant in his field but he has a rare ability to listen carefully to the patients and to "connect the dots" even when theirIssues are coming from more than just digestive problems. I feel well being even when he Is performing potentially dangerous procedures. I have been able to learn about my SPECIFIC issues and how I should proceed. (Example: focus on Diverticulitis more than IBS for the best results)

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2023

Dr Kirby took the time to answer all of my questions. He was extremely helpful.

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2023

Dr. Kirby is the best - he is kind, thoughtful and is curious about your health and quality of life. There is no one I choose to monitor and treat my health - other doctors would benefit from not only his wisdom but his bedside manner, because if you don't trust your doctor - you won't act on their advice nor believe what they are telling you.

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2023

Dr. Kirby and staff made the appointment so easy

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2023

Love Dr. Kirby. Top notch doctor!

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Outstanding care, timely response fr Dr Kirby and staff. I am so grateful for their dedication.

Reviewed on Feb 7, 2023

Dr.Kirby is wonderful. He really cares and has helped give me the best quality of life I can with all my issues

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2023

Dr. Kirby is the 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. His expertise and experience are unparalleled. He is also very patient and empathetic. Dr. Kirby is irreplaceable!

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2023

Dr. Kirby is the best doctor I have.

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2023

We love Dr Kirby he so good with me and my family and actually cares about his patients

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2023

This particular Dept is top notch from Dr Kirby, the Nutritionists and all others. The professionalism and expertise is incredible. I've mentioned my experiences with my sister in law who is a nurse and she's amazed with them!

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2023

Dr Kirby was extremely patient with me. I am deaf and need an interpreter. He spent a lot of time with me and my husband. He answered many questions and explained everything I needed.

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2022

The doctor was wonderful! He explained the procedure ahead of time, put me at ease, and was very kind. He said something about getting "wonder medicine - as in, 'I wonder where I was.'" which I thought was very funny.

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2022

Doctor was very attentive.

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2022

Excellent doctor visit

Reviewed on Dec 9, 2022

Great care by Dr. Kirby

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2022

Well run office with great nurse and doctor

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2022

Great doctor and expertise!

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2022

Direct phone number to Dr. Kirby's secretary was most useful when Dr. Kirby asked mr to arrive early in the day.

Reviewed on Nov 15, 2022

Dr. Kirby is the best!!!

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2022

Dr. Kirby and his nurse Chris are a very professional team and address all concerns when contacted via my chart or phone quickly.

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2022

Dr Kirby is knowledgeable, professional and personable. I have several medical sources and he was familiar with them all.

Reviewed on Oct 24, 2022

Very happy with Dr Kirby care

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2022

DR. Kirby is always very thorough and I know that I am in good hands whenever he is caring for me.

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2022

Dr Kirby is very good but the clinic overall is only so so

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2022

Dr. Kirby is wonderful! Absolutely no complaints.

Reviewed on Sep 15, 2022

I've been lucky enough to be blessed by Dr. Kirby and his staff and the wonderful care they always give me.

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2022

Dr Kirby is the Best!

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