Motaz H. Ashkar, M.B.B.S., M.S.

Motaz Hamzah Ashkar, M.B.B.S., M.S., is a consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Ashkar provides care for people from around the world, focusing on the diagnosis and management of complex pancreatic diseases. With expertise in medical pancreatology, he helps individuals facing challenging conditions such as pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatic disease, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Dr. Ashkar's clinical practice emphasizes accurate diagnosis, whole-person care, and multidisciplinary coordination. He partners closely with colleagues in advanced endoscopy, pancreatic surgery, pathology, radiology, oncology, genetics, and nutrition to deliver individualized treatment plans. His research and teaching complement his clinical work and center on improving testing and treatment approaches for pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related disease, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Care philosophy

"I believe the best care starts with listening carefully to each patient's story, establishing the right diagnosis, and understanding how pancreatic disease is affecting that individual. My goal is to combine evidence-based medicine, multidisciplinary expertise, and a personalized approach to develop the best care plan for each patient."

Areas of expertise

Dr. Ashkar focuses on accurate diagnosis and evidence-based management for people with pancreatic disorders.

• Acute and recurrent acute pancreatitis: Evaluation and management of pancreatitis, including idiopathic and complex recurrent cases.
• Chronic pancreatitis: Care for long-term pancreatic inflammation, pain management, and optimization of pancreatic function.
• Autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related pancreatic disease: Diagnosis, individualized treatment, and long-term management strategies.
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and dysfunction: Advanced evaluation and optimization of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
• Pancreatic cysts and tumors: Assessment and care of individuals with pancreatic cysts, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), and evaluation of familial or hereditary risk for pancreatic cancer.
• Endoscopic procedures: Expert performance of colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), and PEG-J tube placement for nutritional support.

Research and expertise

Dr. Ashkar's research integrates directly with his clinical practice, aiming to refine diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in pancreatology. His work explores improved evaluation methods for pancreatic function, the management of autoimmune pancreatitis, and personalized treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. He directs and participates in multiple national and international collaborations and serves as an invited lecturer and moderator at major gastroenterology meetings.

He is an active member of numerous academic societies, including the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology, and American Pancreatic Association. Recognized for his teaching and clinical excellence, Dr. Ashkar has received several Mayo Clinic honors, including the Top Performer Award for outstanding patient care and experience.

Personal note

Outside of medicine, Dr. Ashkar enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, traveling and learning from different cultures. He also has a passion for the water, including diving and spearfishing.