Oriana M. Damas, MD, MSCTI, embodies the physician-scientist model at the heart of modern gastroenterology — integrating rigorous research, compassionate clinical care, and a deep commitment to equity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An associate professor of medicine in the Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Damas currently serves as interim director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center and Director of Translational Studies, where she leads efforts to bring discovery directly to patient care.
A Miami native, Dr. Damas completed her medical degree, internal medicine residency, and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Miami. During fellowship, she pursued a dedicated research track focused on IBD genetics, supported by a UCB and IBD Working Group Fellowship grant, and was elected Chief Fellow for her clinical excellence and leadership. Mentored by Dr. Maria Abreu, she quickly recognized a critical gap in understanding IBD among Hispanic and Spanish-speaking populations in South Florida — an insight that shaped her career.
