Lavanya Viswanathan, MD, MS, FACG, FASGE, FACP
Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Lavanya Viswanathan
Dr. Lavanya Viswanathan is Associate Professor within the department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
While trained in pan-gut motility disorders, she specializes in lower motility disorders. She has built the first comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center in the Texas Medical Center for lower motility disorders to include constipation, fecal incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. She sees all types of patients, to include those without cancer diagnosis.
She served with distinction in the United States Air Force, where she was Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Motility at David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA. During her Air Force career, she practiced medicine internationally as the only motility-trained Gastroenterologist in the Department of Defense and built a comprehensive motility lab at David Grant Medical Center.
She also holds several editorship and leadership positions within Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
In the News
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Gastroenterology, Hepat,& Nutr, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Clinical Interests
Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction
Anorectal and Pelvic Floor Dysmotility
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2011 | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, US, M.D |
| 2005 | Georgetown University, Washington, DC, US, Physiology and Biophysics, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, M.S |
| 2004 | University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, US, Biological Anthropology, B.A |
| 2004 | University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, US, Physiology and Neurobiology, B.S |
Postgraduate Training
| 2015-2018 | Clinical Fellowship, Gastroenterology, Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia |
| 2012-2014 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, Texas |
| 2011-2012 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2023 | TX State Medical License |
| 2018 | ABIM Gastroenterology |
| 2014 | ABIM Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Gastroenterology, Hepat,& Nutr, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 2020 - 2024
Clinical Professor, Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 2018 - 2024
Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 2015 - 2020
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chief, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Motility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA, 2020 - 2024
Staff Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Motility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA, 2018 - 2020
Other Professional Positions
Lieutenant Colonel, 2007 - 2024
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Core Curriculum Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Opiate Induced Constipation Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Representative, Clinical Effectiveness Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2027
Editorial Activities
Deputy Editor, Annals of Internal Medicine, FreshLook, 2023
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | Meritorious Service Medal, United States Air Force |
| 2021 | Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force |
| 2019 | Military Health Service Female Physician Leadership Scholarship Award, Department of Defense |
| 2018 | Presidential Poster Award, American College of Gastroenterology |
| 2018 | Young Physicians Leadership Scholars Program, American College of Gastroenterology |
| 2017 | Gastroenterology Research Group Fellow Abstract Prize, American Gastroenterological Association |
| 2016 | Outstanding Resident in Volunteerism and Advocacy Award, American College of Physicians |
| 2015 | Major, United States Air Force |
| 2014 | Outstanding Provider Coin, Department of Defense |
| 2012 | Texas Chapter Grant Recipient, American College of Physicians |
| 2011 | American College of Physicians, Military Chapter Internal Medicine Award, Uniformed University of the Health Sciences |
| 2011 | Captain, United States Air Force |
| 2011 | Medical Student Award, Air Force Chapter; American College of Physicians |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Regional Presentations
- 2026. Updates on GI Motility Devices. Invited. Sawyer General Gastroenterology Conference. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2026. Pan-Gut Dysmotility: Achalasia to Dyssynergia in a Single Patient. Invited. Motility Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. From Bloat to Bliss: Transformative Strategies for Relieving Constipation. Invited. ACP Texas 2025 Annual Chapter Meeting. Austin, TX, US.
- 2025. Winning as a Woman. Invited. TSGE, US.
- 2024. From Glass Slippers to Glass Ceilings: How to Deal with Microaggressions at Work. Invited. Women in GI Southwest Regional Workshop, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Wireless plans: Updates in capsule-based motility testing. Invited. Denver, CO. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2026. Chronic Abdominal Pain - Expanding the Differential. Invited. SGNA Annual Meeting. Jackson, MS, US.
- 2025. Reduction in gastrointestinal visits and portal messaging following tenapanor (IBSRELA) initiation for community gastrointestinal patients. Poster. American College of Gastroenterology. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2025. Ninety-Six-Hour, Ambulatory pH Monitoring Is Not Superior to 48-Hour pH Monitoring in Establishing Pathologic Esophageal Acid Exposure in Patients With GERD Symptoms. Poster. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting, US.
- 2025. Motility Matters: Is Dyssynergia in Cancer Patients Being Ignored?. Poster. ACG Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2025. Prolonged esophageal pH monitoring for 96 hours is not superior to 48-hour pH monitoring in establishing a diagnosis of GERD. Poster. ACG Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2025. Not Just Lip Service: A Peer-Led Initiative That Moves the Needle on Gender Equity in GI. Poster. ACG Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2025. Utility of DRE in Cancer Patients: Has It Lost Its Touch?. Poster. ACG Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2025. Beyond the Endoscopy Suite: A Survey-Based Study of Microaggressions and Workplace Bias in Gastroenterology. Poster. ACG Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2025. Navigating the Complexities of Chronic Abdominal Pain: Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for APPs. Invited. 2025 FOCUS GI: APP GI Immersion. San Antonio, tx, US.
- 2024. Take Another Look: Beyond IBS. Invited. ACG Scientific Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2024. Lower Motility for the Practicing Gastroenterologist. Invited. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, US.
- 2022. Two Sides of the Same Coin: Sliding Along the Functional Dyspepsia/Gastroparesis Spectrum. Invited. ACG Scientific Meeting, US.
- 2022. Optimizing Mentorship for GI Mentees and Mentors. Invited. ACG Scientific Meeting, US.
- 2021. Motility Disorders of the Anorectum: Identify when to order, how to interpret and how to optimize treatments of various anorectal disorders using anorectal manometry. Invited. ACG Scientific Meeting, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Thriving on the Glass Cliff – Turning Challenges Into Triumphs. Invited. Women’s Initiative for Success and Empowerment in Gastroenterology Leadership Course (WISE GI). Phoenix, US.
- 2024. From Glass Slippers to Glass Ceilings: How to Deal with Microaggressions at Work. Invited. American Gastroenterological Association, US.
- 2023. Dealing with Dyssynergic Defecation. Invited. American Gastroenterological Association, US.
Formal Peers
- 2026. Pan-Gut Dysmotility: Achalasia to Dyssynergia in a Single Patient. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Navigating the Complexities of Chronic Abdominal Pain: Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies, US.
- 2025. Gut Feeling Gone Wrong: A Neuropathic Tale from Skin to Colon, US.
- 2023. Difficult Motility Cases. Invited, US.
- 2021. Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines: Impact of Updates on Healthcare Disparities. Visiting. Albuquerque, NM, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Menon R, Wali S, Ahuja R, Black S, Pabani A, Grover S, Garg S, Song G, Thomas A, Viswanathan L, Shafi MA, Wang Y. Constipation Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Salim H, Chowdhury A, Viswanathan L. Avoid Getting Stuck: A Practical Guide to Managing Chronic Constipation. GI & Hepatology News, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Owo C, Goad A, Velez C, Shah, E, Soto M, Albhaisi S, Viswanathan L. ACG Summer Scholars: Shaping the Future of Gastroenterology Through Diversty, Equity and Inclusion. ACG Magazine:37-41, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Viswanathan L, Hosseini-Carroll P, Surawicz CM. From Glass Slippers to Glass Ceilings: Will We Ever Stop Walking on Broken Glass?. Am J Gastroenterol 119(1):5-9, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37466417.
- Viswanathan L, Rao SS. Intestinal Disaccharidase Deficiency in Adults: Evaluation and Treatment. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 25(6):134-139, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37199899.
- Qaseem A, MacLean CH, Tierney S, Jr CJ, MacDonald ST, Goldweig CL, Fitterman N, Viswanathan L. Performance Measures for Physicians Providing Clinical Care Using Telemedicine. A Position Paper from the American College of Physicians 176(5):694-698, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Singh SP, Panigrahi MK, Patel A, Viswanathan L, Rath MM, Kar SK, Harrison SA. Comparison of Clinical, Biochemical, and Histopathologic Profiles between NAFLD in Asian-Indians and United States Adults. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 12(Suppl 1):S15-S18, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36466104.
- Viswanathan L. Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation vs. Sham for Fecal Incontinence in Women: Neuromodulation for Accidental Bowel Leakage Randomized Clinical Trial, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Viswanathan L. GI Jane: Life in the Trenches. American College of Gastroenterology Magazine, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Viswanathan L. The Health Care Crisis Nobody is Talking About. Annals of Internal Medicine Fresh Look, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Viswanathan L. Of Masks and Men. Annals of Internal Medicine Fresh Look, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Viswanathan L. Colorectal Cancer Screening: 45 is the New 50. Annals of Internal Medicine Fresh Look, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Kluesner JK, Whang SC, Viswanathan L, Olatunbosun ST. Visual Vignette. Endocr Pract 26(7):799, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33471651.
- Viswanathan L, Rao SSC, Kennedy K, Sharma A, Yan Y, Jimenez E. Prevalence of Disaccharidase Deficiency in Adults With Unexplained Gastrointestinal Symptoms. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 26(3):384-390, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32380581.
- Daniel H, Erickson SM, Bornstein SS, Health, of Physicians PPCOTAC, Kane GC, Gantzer HE, Henry TL, Lenchus JD, Li JM, McCandless BM, Nalitt BR, Viswanathan L, Murphy CJ, Azah AM, Marks L. Women's Health Policy in the United States: An American College of Physicians Position Paper. Ann Intern Med 168(12):874-875, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29809243.
- Butkus R, Serchen J, Moyer DV, Bornstein SS, Hingle ST, Health, of Physicians PPCOTAC, Kane GC, Carney JK, Gantzer HE, Henry TL, Lenchus JD, Li JM, McCandless BM, Nalitt BR, Viswanathan L, Murphy CJ, Azah A, Marks L. Achieving Gender Equity in Physician Compensation and Career Advancement: A Position Paper of the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 168(10):721-723, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29710100.
- Daniel H, Bornstein SS, Kane GC, Health, of Physicians PPCOTAC, Carney JK, Gantzer HE, Henry TL, Lenchus JD, Li JM, McCandless BM, Nalitt BR, Viswanathan L, Murphy CJ, Azah AM, Marks L. Addressing Social Determinants to Improve Patient Care and Promote Health Equity: An American College of Physicians Position Paper. Ann Intern Med 168(8):577-578, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29677265.
- Vasant DH, Sharma A, Bhagatwala J, Viswanathan L, Rao SSC. Apprenticeship-based training in neurogastroenterology and motility. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 12(3):215-222, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29140124.
- Viswanathan L. Trial Evaluating Ambulatory Therapy of Travelers' Diarrhea (TrEAT TD) Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing 3 Single-Dose Antibiotic Regimens With Loperamide. Clin Infect Dis, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Manas P, Shivaram S, Anish P, Lavanya V, Sanjib K, Stephen H. Comparison of Clinical, Biochemical, and Histopathologic Profiles Between NAFLD in Asian-Indians and United States Adults. J Clin and Exp Hepatology 5(S2):S21-S26, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lavanya V, Manas P, Shivaram S, Anish P, Sanjib K, Stephen H. Comparison of Clinical, Biochemical, and Histopathologic Profiles Between NAFLD in Asian-Indians and United States Adults, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Viswanathan L, Patel A. Hepatotoxicity Associated with Herbal Tea Containing Kelp. ACG Case Rep J 1(1):55-7, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 26157821.
- L Viswanathan, A Carlos, A Patel. Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome. Consultantlive, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Viswanathan L, Vigersky RA. The effect of herbal medications on thyroid hormone economy and estrogen-sensitive hepatic proteins in a patient with prostate cancer. Arch Intern Med 172(1):58-60, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22232148.
- Viswanathan L. Diprosopus Twins, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Lubinski C, Aberg J, Bardeguez AD, Elion R, Emmanuel P, Kuritzkes D, Saag M, Squires KE, Weddle A, Rainey J, Zerehi MR, Ralston JF, Fleming DA, Bronson D, Cooke M, Cutler C, Ejnes Y, Gluckman R, Liebow M, Musana K, Mayer ME, Purtle MW, Reynolds PP, Viswanathan L, Weiss KB, Yehia B. HIV policy: the path forward--a joint position paper of the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American College of Physicians. Clin Infect Dis 48(10):1335-44, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19385087.
- Ginsburg, Jack, Taylor T, Barr MS, Ralston J, Fleming DA, Bronson DL, MD, FACP, Cutler C, Ejnes Y, Gluckman R, Liebow M, Musana K, Mayer ME, Purtle MW, Reynolds P, Viswanathan L, Weiss KB, Yehia AB. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care. American College of Physicians Policy Monograph, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Arnold JT, Gray NE, Jacobowitz K, Viswanathan L, Cheung PW, McFann KK, Le H, Blackman MR. Human prostate stromal cells stimulate increased PSA production in DHEA-treated prostate cancer epithelial cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 111(3-5):240-6, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18621129.
Review Articles
- Viswanathan L, Moshiree B. Advances in Diagnostics for the Evaluation of Neurogastroenterology & Motility Disorders: Are They Ready for Prime Time?. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 27(1):45, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40571832.
- Desai M, Viswanathan L, Gupta N, Kennedy KF, Repici A, Hassan C, Sharma P. Impact of Electronic Chromoendoscopy on Adenoma Miss Rates During Colonoscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Dis Colon Rectum 62(9):1124-1134, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31162375.
Editorials
- Viswanathan L. P is for Physician, 2019.
- Viswanathan L. Sexism in medicine is a public health issue. KevinMD, 2016.
Abstracts
- Prasad P, Viswanathan L. Motility Matters: Is Dyssynergia in Cancer Patients Being Ignored?. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Viswanathan L, Rao SSC. Pseudo-Allergic Reaction and Arthritis from Pancreatic Enzyme Therapy. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Viswanathan L, Christianson BE, Pucar D, Sharma A. A Case of 1:1 Correlation Between PET/CT Scan and Endoscopic Findings of Diverticular Disease. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Viswanathan L, Hamade N, Kennedy K, Gupta N, Thota PN, Vargo J, Cash B, Sharma P. Use of Prague Classification as a Quality Measure in the Management of Barrettʼs Esophagus. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Viswanathan L, Sharma A, Rao SSC. Pan-Disaccharidase Deficiency: Symptom Patterns and Association With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Weeber K, Kluesner J, Whang C, Viswanathan L. Adefovir-Induced Fanconi Syndrome: Missed Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Romick J, Ramos B, Viswanathan L. Pre-Workout Peril: Drug-Induced Liver Injury in a Young Deployed Service Member. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Menon R, Wali S, Ahuja R, Black S, Thomas AS, Viswanathan L, Shafi MA, Wang Y. Hypomotility of Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Post Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Arellanes AC, Owo C, Viswanathan L. Utility of DRE in Cancer Patients: Has It Lost Its Touch?. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Elhariri A, Naz S, Triadafilopoulos G, Viswanathan L, Richards D, Shafi MA. Ninety-Six-Hour, Ambulatory pH Monitoring Is Not Superior to 48-Hour pH Monitoring in Establishing Pathologic Esophageal Acid Exposure in Patients With GERD Symptoms. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Fossa A, Scott L, Khapra A, Viswanathan L, Staller K. Reduction in Gastrointestinal Visits and Portal Messaging Following Tenapanor (IBSRELA) Initiation for Community Gastrointestinal Patients. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Owo C, Viswanathan L. Not Just Lip Service: A Peer-Led Initiative That Moves the Needle on Gender Equity in GI. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Owo C, Viswanathan L. Beyond the Endoscopy Suite: A Survey-Based Study of Microaggressions and Workplace Bias in Gastroenterology. American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
- Fossa A, Staller K, Viswanathan L, Khapra A, Scott L. LATICA Electronic Health Record (EHR) Study: Patient Factors Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)Treatment Changes. American Gastroenterological Association.
- Lavanya Viswanathan. Patient Factors Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation Treatment Changes.
Book Chapters
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Shafi, MA, Viswanathan, L. Tests for Gastrointestinal Sensory-Motor Assessment, 75-82, 2025.
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Richards, DM, Shafi, MA, Viswanathan, L. Pharmacotherapy of Gastrointestinal Sensory-Motor Disorders, 207-222, 2025.
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Richards, DM, Shafi, MA, Viswanathan, L. Illustrative Cases in Onco-neurogastroenterology, 275-312, 2025.
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Viswanathan, L. Tests for Gastrointestinal Sensory-Motor Assessment, 83-94, 2025.
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Viswanathan, L. Regional Disorders of Sensory-Motor Dysfunction, 177-193, 2025.
- Triadafilopoulos, G, Shafi, MA, Viswanathan, L. Regional Disorders of Sensory-Motor Dysfunction, 155-175, 2025.
- Viswanathan L, Rao, SSC. How to Set Up an Endoscopy Center. In: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedure in Gastroenterology: An Illustrated Guide, 2018.
- Richard S, Viswanathan, Lavanya, Sharma, Prateek. Medical Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus. In: Pearson’s Textbook of Thoracic Surgery, 2017.
- Viswanathan L, Sharma P. Barrett's Esophagus (Am I going to get cancer? What should I do to avoid it?). In: Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: A Point-of-Care Clinical Guide, 2017.
Books (edited and written)
- George Triadafilopoulos, Lavanya Viswanathan, David Richards, Mehnaz Shafi. Onco-Neurogastroenterology. Ed(s) 1. Springer Nature, 2025.
Web Publications
- Viswanathan L. P is for Physician, 2019.
- Viswanathan L. Sexism in medicine is a public health issue, 2016.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 28, 2026