Staff

Dr. Ayub is considered an expert in advanced endoscopy and specializes in all areas of interventional endoscopy.
He has performed more than 70,000 procedures, including complex ERCP’s, endoscopic resections and endoscopic anti reflux procedures. Approximately 15 percent of his ERCP’s are failed procedures by other Endoscopists.

Dr. Ayub’s research interest and focus has been based upon developing new techniques in Interventional Endoscopy and new technologies for the care of patients with digestive disease. He was first to describe Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis, EUS guided ganglion impar neurolysis, EUS guided core biopsy of the liver, EUS guided Botox injection for refractory anal fissures, and use of fully covered removable metal stents for benign strictures of the pylorus,duodenum, and other areas beyond esophagus.

He also holds several patents on technology related to advanced interventional endoscopy.

He has a passion for teaching, research and innovation, especially as it relates to advanced endoscopy. He has published numerous articles and abstracts, and written two book chapters. He has spoken extensively at national and international meetings, and has directed numerous courses, seminars, webinars, and workshops related to advanced endoscopy. He has also trained numerous physicians in advanced endoscopy and is the director of Gastroenterology fellowship training at AMITA St Joseph Medical Center.

Dr. Ayub completed his residency in Internal Medicine from Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Maryland, he was selected as Chief Resident in the final year of his residency. Dr. Ayub completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology and later Advanced Endoscopy from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas. He spent several months in Paris, France training in Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound.
Dr. Ayub has previously worked as Director of Endoscopic Ultrasound at Baylor College of Medicine, and Director of Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

• Described and developed several new techniques in Advanced Endoscopy
• Described new technique of endoscopic ultrasound-guided Superior Hypogastric Plexus Neurolysis for pelvic pain
• Described new technique of endoscopic ultrasound-guided Ganglion Impar Neurolysis
• First described EUS guided core biopsy of the liver
• Described EUS guided botox injection for refractory anal fissure
• Held an NIH Grant on Barrett’s Esophagus from 2002 to 2008
• Awarded American College of Gastroenterology Clinical Research Award, 1999
• Won Baylor College of Medicine Clinical Research Award in 1998 and again in 2000
• Awarded University of Washington Teaching Scholarship 2002-2003
• Has numerous publications including journal articles, abstracts, and textbook chapters
• Speaks extensively at national and international meetings
• Served as Chief of Endoscopic Ultrasound at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston
• Served as the Director of Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington

Current Appointments:

• President, Illinois Endoscopy Society
• Medical Director, Center for Advanced Endoscopy, Silver Cross Hospital
• Director, Fellowship in Gastroenterology/Endoscopy, Midwestern University/St Joseph Medical Center
• Member Governing Board, International Society for Endomicroscopy
• Medical Director, Oak Lawn Endoscopy
• Director, Clinical Research Center, Southwest Gastroenterology
• Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, UIC

Medical Training:

• Teaching Scholarship: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2002-2003
• Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1998-1999
• Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1996- 1998
• Chief Resident: Internal Medicine, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MD, 1995-1996
• Residency: Internal Medicine, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MD, 1993- 1995
• Medical School: Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan, 1983

Amy Liss is a certified Physician Assistant who started working with Dr. Ayub in 2017 after earning her Masters of Medical Science at Northwestern University . She joined Dr. Ayub to pursue her interest in gastroenterology and advanced endoscopy. Her main focuses include diseases of the pancreas, bile duct, and esophagus, as well as gastrointestinal malignancies.

Similar to Dr. Ayub, Mrs. Liss has a passion for medical education and research. She has been awarded educational grants from Cook Medical, Medtronics, and Boston Scientific in her role as course coordinator for advanced endoscopy conferences. Additionally, Amy is a consultant/speaker for Digestive Care, Inc. She is also a co-investigator on several research projects studying a variety of gastrointestinal diseases.

Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Amy worked as a Registered Dietitian for five years and continues to practice medical nutrition therapy. She emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in her approach to patient care. Amy graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Human Nutrition. She subsequently completed her Dietetic Internship at Cornell University .

Jessica Poad is a certified Physician Assistant who earned her Masters of Medical Science degree from Midwestern University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a certificate in microbiology.

Her primary interests are diseases of the esophagus, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Barrett’s Esophagus, diseases of the bile duct and pancreas and cancers of the digestive tract. Jessica is passionate about medical education and research.

She has directed, coordinated, and spoken at advanced endoscopy conferences and symposia. She has been awarded educational grants from Cook Medical, Boston Scientific, Mauna Kea Technologies, and others. She is also actively involved in several research studies on GERD and digestive diseases.

Leah Alles is a certified Physician Assistant who graduated summa cum laude from the University of St. Francis earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She received her Masters of Medical Science degree from Midwestern University , where she was presented with an award for outstanding capstone presentation on her research of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatments.

Her main interests include diseases of the esophagus, bile duct, and pancreas, digestive cancers, and IBS. She is involved in research studies on Barrett’s Esophagus, reflux disease, and diseases of the biliary tract and pancreas.

Leah is the study coordinator for advanced endoscopy research and is currently working with Dr. Ayub as the first research team in the Midwest to investigate single-use duodenoscopes in non-emergent ERCP procedures. She is currently the Vice President of the Illinois Endoscopy Society.

Kendra Gorny is a board certified Nurse Practitioner, who earned her Masters of Nursing degree from Lewis University, and her Bachelors of Nursing from Valparaiso University. She joined Dr. Ayub’s practice related to her own interest in Gastroenterology and  Interventional Endoscopy. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Kendra worked as a Registered Nurse for 11 years, with special interest/expertise in Vascular Access. With her personal and professional experience, she sees value and importance of patient education regarding their gastrointestinal health, and promotes patient advocacy to support their daily healthcare needs. Kendra is a member of the Executive Board of Illinois Endoscopy Society (IES). She has been a speaker at the annual IES Advanced Endoscopy Conference, and actively participates in ongoing research at Dr. Ayub’s practice.