Benjamin Lerner, MD, is a gastroenterologist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the digestive system, including those that affect the stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. He has a particular interest in swallowing disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, colon cancer screening, and hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes, as well as high-risk gastrointestinal cancer screening and prevention.
Dr. Lerner grew up in a family that included multiple physicians, and observing their compassion and dedication inspired him to become a doctor himself. “I cannot imagine a more fulfilling career,” he says. He chose to become a gastroenterologist because he wanted to be able to help people with a wide variety of diseases, and be able to provide both medical and procedural interventions. “My love for medicine has only grown as I have taken care of more and more patients,” he says.
Being a patient can be anxiety-provoking, says Dr. Lerner, who makes a point of taking time to listen during office visits. “I invite my patients to share any worries they may have, and I do my best to let them know that issues that may be uncomfortable for them are routine for me.”
In addition to his clinical care work, Dr. Lerner is a researcher currently interested in improving identification of individuals who carry genetic mutations that put them at high risk of developing stomach cancer.
