Bhaskar Gurram, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, has been named 2025 Physician of the Year by the North & Central Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The award honors an adult or pediatric specialist who is making great strides to advance the Foundation’s mission to cure inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and increase the quality of life for those diagnosed with IBD.

Bhaskar Gurram, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, left, is honored with the 2025 Physician of the Year Award from the North & Central Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. To his right is Bradley Barth, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Gurram described the award as an incredible honor: “It is deeply meaningful because it reflects the trust of our patients, families, and colleagues, and it recognizes the collective work of our entire pediatric IBD team. Caring for children with IBD is a privilege, and this award reinforces my commitment to improving their lives through compassionate care, research, and education.”

Focused on helping children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis live healthier lives, Dr. Gurram’s work includes diagnosing and treating complex cases, supporting families through long-term care, and developing personalized treatment plans so each child can reach his or her full potential.

Dr. Gurram directs the Southwestern Pediatric IBD Program, which includes a team of pediatric gastroenterologists, physician assistants, immunologists, pediatric surgeons, pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, imaging specialists, and nurses. He also co-directs the Pediatric Intestinal Immunology Clinic (PIIC) at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, where he collaborates closely with Christian Wysocki, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, to help some of the most complex and difficult-to-treat patients – those with infantile (younger than 2 years old) and very early-onset (below age 6) IBD.

“In PIIC, we use advanced diagnostics, combination therapies, and close monitoring,” Dr. Gurram said. “Our outcomes on this vulnerable population have been excellent.”

Dr. Gurran (fifth from left) celebrates the honor, which he said goes to his team just as much as himself, at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation event. Team members taking part in a group photo include UTSW pediatric gastrointestinal colleagues and the group’s inflammatory bowel disease RN coordinator.

On the research side, Dr. Gurram works with scientists and clinicians to understand why some children develop severe forms of IBD and determine ways to intervene earlier. Their efforts include identifying biomarkers that help predict how a child will respond to different medications – making strides toward truly personalized therapy.

“Ultimately, this research has the potential to move pediatric IBD care from a one-size-fits-all model to more precise, individualized treatment strategies – improving outcomes, reducing complications, and enhancing quality of life,” he said.

After receiving his medical degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in India, Dr. Gurram completed his pediatric residency at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and Children’s Hospital of Michigan, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Medical College of Wisconsin. He joined UT Southwestern in 2015, attracted by the unique combination of outstanding clinical programs, a strong research environment, and a culture that supports innovation and collaboration.