Pictured: Dr. Ankur Jain, MD
By UH Med Now
Dr. Ankur Jain, MD, FACG (Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology), did not graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) medical school, but he was raised in Hawaiʻi and certainly works to advance learning at the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). He is one of our more than 1,200 volunteer physicians, who helps JABSOM train the future MD workforce.
The Punahou graduate has been named one of the “Top Docs” of Hawaiʻi, and was again so honored in 2018. We thought we would catch up with the Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, who also is
the American College of Gastroenterology Governor for Hawaiʻi.
Where did you study medicine?
After graduating from Punahou in 1995, I was admitted to the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University and attended college and medical school there. I later completed a residency in internal medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where I was selected as Chief Resident, and a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles. My wife and I decided to move back to Hawaiʻi in 2013, after she completed her gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Ankur Jain and his life and work partner, wife Dr. Shilpa Jain.
We are so glad you came back home to practice! Where are you working?
After returning home to Hawaiʻi I started my own gastroenterology practice with my wife Shilpa Jain, who is one of the few female gastroenterologists on the island. Our clinic is located in Saint Francis Medical Center on Liliha Street. As proud parents of a twin boy and girl we are constantly juggling our busy work schedules with our schedules at home, which would not be possible without the help of our awesome parents. I enjoy traveling, playing basketball, watching movies, and playing board games with my family.
What opportunities do you see in your profession or practice to advance the health of the people in Hawai’i perhaps even in a new or novel way?
I have a special interest in colorectal screening and have published several articles and given various presentations on this topic throughout the island. We have seen an increase incidence of colon cancer in younger patients, especially here in Hawaiʻi. As Hawaiʻi’s Governor of the American College of Gastroenterology, I have been advocating a decrease of the colorectal screening age from 50 to 45 due to this rise in early onset colorectal cancer.
What inspired you to practice medicine and continues to inspire you?
I was first introduced to the field of gastroenterology at a young age by my father Amod Jain, a long time gastroenterologist here in Hawaiʻi, and have always been fascinated by the mix of clinic and procedures. Now, having practiced myself for many years, I have had the opportunity to diagnose and manage a wide variety of complex digestive and liver diseases. Besides just the intellectual aspect of gastroenterology however, I enjoy the personal interaction with patients. In clinic, I emphasize to my patients the importance of proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes because it is always better to prevent disease than to try to find a cure.
What are your fondest memories of JABSOM? How did JABSOM influence your professional life?
I learned about JABSOM from my father who has been an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at JABSOM for many years. He has met countless JABSOM faculty, staff, and students over the years and has always spoken very highly about the medical school. After moving back to Hawaiʻi from the mainland, I immediately sought a faculty position at JABSOM to establish my own connection with the program. The medical students and residents from JABSOM are always very bright and inquisitive and many of the JABSOM alumni are respected colleagues in the community.
What about being a clinical faculty member inspires you?
I am an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at JABSOM and medical students/residents regularly rotate through my outpatient clinic. I have also volunteered as a Clinical Skills Preceptor, teaching physical exam skills to first year medical students. As a Chief Resident in Internal Medicine, I was responsible for teaching medical students and residents at our program and really enjoyed the experience. I think teaching is a good way to give back to the medical community. It also keeps me on my toes!
What community do you live in?
I live in Haʻikū Plantations in Kaneʻohe, on the Windward side of Oʻahu. This is where I grew up and where my parents still live. We decided to buy a house close to our parents so that our kids can grown up near their grandparents. It is a slightly longer commute to work and school, but we love the greenery. My wife likes to joke that when we cross the Likelike tunnel into Kaneʻohe, it actually looks like we are in Hawaiʻi.
Contact us!
Do you know a clinical professor who goes above and beyond by voluntarily helping to train our future physicians? We enjoy sharing stories about their dedication and expressing our appreciation. Contact Tina Shelton, JABSOM Communications Director and we will be happy to work with the clinician to craft a story for UH Med Now. Mahalo!