About Christopher Velez, MD
Christopher Vélez, MD is a gastroenterologist practicing within the Center for Neurointestinal Health of the MGH GI division, focusing on the broad category of neurogastroenterology and motility disorders impacting the esophagus stomach, and bowels. He is particularly interested in the diagnosis and medical management of esophageal motility diseases such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease, functional heartburn, and achalasia. He collaborates closely with surgical and advanced endoscopy colleagues in the Swallowing, Heartburn, and Esophageal Disease (SHED) Center, including helping improve multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Vélez’s additional clinical and research endeavors include managing the gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis, having participated in various Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sponsored initiatives. He is the first gastroenterologist embedded in the MGH Adult CF Clinic, working closely with pulmonologists, dietitians, and therapists. A fluent Spanish speaker, he also has attempted to improve access to gastrointestinal care in the Latino/a community within the greater Boston area, in particular at the MGH Chelsea site. He also studies ways to improve culturally competent care in underserved communities and better understand functional and GI motility disorder manifestation and shared decision making as well.
Having graduated from Harvard College with his bachelor’s degree, Dr. Vélez obtained his medical doctorate from the New York University School of Medicine. He completed his residency, chief residency, and GI fellowship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, finally coming to MGH to complete a formal advanced fellowship in neurogastroenterology and motility. He serves as the assistant program director of the advanced fellowship in functional and GI motility disorders at MGH, one of only a handful of programs worldwide dedicated exclusively to enhancing subspecialty training in these conditions. Dr. Vélez is intimately involved in fellow education as well. He has authored various book chapters, peer-reviewed work, and lectured locally, regionally, and nationally on various topics related to functional and GI motility diseases.
Treats:
- Adult
Locations
Mass General Gastroenterology
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-2426
Medical Education
- MD, New York University School of Medicine
- Residency, Montefiore Medical Center
- Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Fellowship, Montefiore Medical Center
American Board Certifications
- Gastroenterology, American Board of Internal Medicine
- Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
One of the things I really loved about Dr. Velez when I first met with him was that he was extremely willing to listen to my questions I had. I had a lot of questions coming into the appointment, and I understand it was probably maybe a little too long, and he was pretty respectful when it came to saying that he needed to wrap it up soon. You ... Read More
He answered all my questions and made me feel at ease.
He was wonderful spent time making sure I understood what treatment options I had and the best way to move forward
Dr Christopher Velez was absolutely one of the best providers I have ever seen. He is warm and kind and caring. His empathy was incredible. But more importantly, he gave me hope. I am trying to get my mom into him for a visit.
Dr Levez made me feel very comfortable and was so good about explaining a little bit of information then asking if I had any questions. He did that at least four times while he was explaining everything about my condition.
Very surprised at level of treatment Thanks
I knew within the first 60 seconds that I wanted this doctor on my care team. He fully understood that I had valid medical issues with a blunt honesty of what I could expect this is crucial for me to trust my care providers. Empathy is everything when trying to help someone's quality of life!
He was very knowledgeable, professional, and kind.
Dr. Velez has a wonderful "bedside" manner, he made me feel heard, and comfortable speaking about embarrassing issues. He is taking what I have complaints about seriously and ordering follow up tests to make sure there is a whole picture to decide treatment instead of just writing a prescription and writing me off.
An excellent doctor, excellent service and I was very pleased with the help of the doctor, another excellent one.