Science, Complicated Pharmacology, Patient Relationships Drew Alan Moss, M.D., to Crohn’s and Colitis

First of five parts

In an era of U.S. healthcare that can make for fleeting and fragmented relationships between patients and clinicians, Alan Moss, M.D., has had different experience, sometimes seeing patients over many years and different stages of their lives.

“I have had patients who were in high school, then they’re in college, and (then) they’re trying to carve out a career, they’re getting pregnant. And all those things bring up a whole new batch of questions,” Moss said in a recent wide-ranging interview with Managed Healthcare Executive.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation announced on Sept. 25 that Moss had been named the organization’s chief scientific officer. Moss is also the director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Program at Boston Medical Center. Prior to Boston Medical Center, he conducted research and took care of patients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which is also in Boston.

In addition to the enduring patient relationship, Moss said he was draw to a career in inflammatory bowel disease care and research by complexities of the scientific understanding of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and the pharmacology of the treatments.

In this video segment of his conversation with MHE, Moss also discusses the research, education and advocacy aspects of his new job at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.