Michael James Lawson, M.D., M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P.
Physician Diplomate
Volunteer Clinical Professor of Medicine
Michael James Lawson is not currently accepting new patients. For assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284).
Locations and Contact
UC Davis Midtown Ambulatory Care Center
Midtown GI Clinic
3160 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: 916-734-0779
Additional Numbers
Clinic Phone
Clinic Fax
Physician Referrals
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Lawson mentors the UCDavis Gastroenterology fellows with their future decisions on their career path in Gastroenterology, including research, educational or private practice. He makes himself available to the fellows in regards to any advice needed to advance their career in Gastroenterology medicine.
He has recently mentored GI fellows in a GI endoscopy week in Rwanda.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Michael Lawson is experienced in internal medicine and clinical gastroenterology with emphasis on patient management, His is also interest in procedural techniques of upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy (accredited by Australian GE Society), liver biopsy, PEG placement, intestinal biopsy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic papillotomy, biliary stenting, capsule endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and therapeutic interventional techniques for GI bleeding including variceal banding and single balloon enteroscopy.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Lawson has established a 15 year program for parents with children with IBS. This program consists of education, behavioral modification through self-guided imagery plus instruction in diet, sleep and exercise for parents and adolescents. The program involves over 500 children and analyzed by GI fellow Megan Gilroy and medical student Amir Kalani resulting in numerous presentations, publications and a book.
Division
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Undergraduate School
B.Sc, Physiology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1972
Medical School
M.D., Gallbladder Physiology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Adelaide, Australia 1982
Medical School
M.B.B.S., University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1974
Internship
St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1974-1975
Residency
St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1975-1977
Fellowship
Gastroenterology Department, Woodville Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia 1978-1980
UC Davis School of Medicine Walter Trudeau Excellence in Teaching Award, 2018
Honorary Professor La Universidad National, Autonoma de Nicaragua, 2016
American College of Physicians Volunteerism Award, 2015
Member-National Cancer Institute Special Emphasis Panel-Washington DC, 2014
Morris F. Collen Life Time Research Achievement Award from Kaiser Permanente, Northern California Board of Directors, 2012
Zell JA, McLaren CE, Morgan TR, Lawson MJ, Rezk S, Albers CG, Chen WP, Carmichael JC, Chung J, Richmond E, Rodriguez LM, Szabo E, Ford LG, Pollak MN, Meyskens FL. A Phase IIa Trial of Metformin for Colorectal Cancer Risk Reduction among Individuals with History of Colorectal Adenomas and Elevated Body Mass Index. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2020 Feb;13(2):203-212. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-18-0262. Epub 2019 Dec 9. PMID:31818851.
Kalani A, Del Pozo J, Griem A, Lawson M. Characteristics of Healthcare Visits During the Crisis Year of Adolescents With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Predict Future Gastrointestinal (GI) Healthcare Utilization. Am J of Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct;109(S):543.
Gilroy M, Kalani A, Griem A, Crebassa L, Del Pozo J, Randel M, Shaw A, Randel R, Lawson M. Non-GI Related Healthcare Utilization of Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Effect of a Behavioral Intervention. Gastroenterology. 2014 May;146(5):S84. doi:10.1016/s0016-5085(14)60301-2.
Kalani A, Griem A, Crebessa L, Mow W, Del Pozo J, Kodali P, Lawson M. Recognizing the "crisis year" in adolescent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); an effective program that can reduce healthcare utilization. Gastroenterology. 2013 May;144(5):S93-94.
Ahlquist DA, Sargent DJ, Loprinzi CL, Levin TR, Rex DK, Ahnen DJ, Knigge K, Lance MP, Burgart LJ, Hamilton SR, Allison JE, Lawson MJ, Devens ME, Harrington JJ, Hillman SL. Stool DNA and occult blood testing for screen detection of colorectal neoplasia. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Oct 7;149(7):441-50, W81. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-149-7-200810070-00004. PMID:18838724.
Meyskens FL Jr, McLaren CE, Pelot D, Fujikawa-Brooks S, Carpenter PM, Hawk E, Kelloff G, Lawson MJ, Kidao J, McCracken J, Albers CG, Ahnen DJ, Turgeon DK, Goldschmid S, Lance P, Hagedorn CH, Gillen DL, Gerner EW. Difluoromethylornithine plus sulindac for the prevention of sporadic colorectal adenomas: a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2008 Jun;1(1):32-8. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-08-0042. PMID:18841250.