Ramona Rajapakse, MD, FRCP(UK), FACG, gastroenterologist at Mather Gastroenterology, a practice of Harbor View Medical Services, will accept the honor of Distinguished Physician at the 2020 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation – Long Island Chapter’s Virtual Immersive Gala “Getting Closer to a Cure” on November 6, 2020.
Dr. Rajapakse is being honored in recognition for her 20 years of service to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients on Long Island and for support of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in its mission to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, improve the quality of life for those affected by these diseases, sponsor clinical research, offer educational programs for patients and healthcare professionals, and provide supportive services to help people cope with these chronic intestinal diseases.
Dr. Rajapakse, a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, spearheaded and became the director of Suffolk County’s first multidisciplinary Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook University, prior to joining Harbor View, and has been a teacher and mentor to countless students, residents and fellows. She has participated in numerous Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) educational programs including the Foundation’s inaugural women’s program in 2005. She also created a Suffolk County patient education program and IBD Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs for healthcare professionals. Dr. Rajapakse has educated scores of IBD physicians, some of whom have gone on to make important contributions to the field themselves. She has lectured widely and written papers and chapters on IBD. On a national level, Dr. Rajapakse has represented the interests of IBD patients on Capitol Hill. She serves on the Long Island Chapter’s Medical Advisory Committee and has led a Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Take Steps Walk Team for Eastern Long Island for several years.
Join us in congratulating Dr. Rajapakse for her achievements in the field of gastroenterology and providing excellent quality care for our patients and the community.