Robert John Fontana, MD

Robert John Fontana, MD
Specialty: Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Transplant Hepatology
Title: Professor
4.8/5
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Robert John Fontana, MD
Robert John Fontana, MD
Gastroenterology
  • About
  • Areas of Practice
  • Expertise
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  • Education & Training
  • Research Overview
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    • About

    Dr. Fontana is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Program. He is recognized as a national and international expert in managing patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension and nearly all forms of acute and chronic liver disease. He has particular research interest in patients with drug induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, and genetic liver disease.

    Areas of Practice
    Hepatology: Cirrhosis, portal hypertension, drug-induced liver disease, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and acute liver failure

    Locations
    • Medical Procedure Center | East Ann Arbor Ambulatory Surgery & Medical Procedures Center 4270 Plymouth Rd
      Entrance 4
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2700       Get Directions
    • Medical Procedures Unit | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 2, Level 1
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Hepatology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 3 Reception D
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2435       Get Directions
    • Transplant Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 1 Reception G
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5334       Get Directions
    • Medical Procedures Unit | University Hospital 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5051       Get Directions
    • Medical Procedures Services| Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 1
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Liver Transplant Clinic | Sparrow Professional Building 1200 E Michigan Avenue
      Lansing, MI 48912       Get Directions

    Insurance Accepted

    University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.

    See our insurance details

    Education & Training

    Medical School or Training
    University of Michigan Medical School, 1988

    Residency
    Northwestern University, Internal Medicine, 1991
    St. Joseph Hospital, Internal Medicine, 1992

    Fellowships
    University of Michigan Health System, Internal Medicine Gastroenterology, 1994

    Board Certifications
    Gastroenterology
    Transplant Hepatology

    Professional Organizations
    Fellow of the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseasess
    Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association
    Member of the American Society of Transplantation.

    Research Overview

    Dr. Fontana has conducted studies on the treatment and management of patients with chronic Hepatitis C and B viral infeciton. He has also conducted studies on evaluation of patients with cirrhosis including the develpoment of non-invasive biomarkers of disesae severity. As Medical Director of the Liver Transplantation program for over 20 years he also conducted important studies on the use of antiviral medications before and after liver transplantation as well as studies to optimize the selection of candidates for transplantation including critically ill patients with acute liver failure and those requiring a TIPS placement for complications of portal hypertension. He currently has active studies exploring genetic and clinical risk factors for patients with idiosyncratic Drug Induced Liver injury as part of the NIH sponsored DILIN network. In this study, he works with over 200 practicioners in Michigan to enroll patients with DILI into an ongoing registry study and is making great progress in developing a blood based diagnostic biomarker for DILI diagnosis.

    Links

    PubMed Publications

    Drug Induced Liver Network

    Patient Ratings & Comments

    Visit our Physician Ratings & Comments page to learn more about how patient ratings are collected, calculated, and updated to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right physician for your care.

    Patient Ratings

    201 Patient Ratings

    Patient Comments

    February 26, 2026 - "I have know Dr. Fontana for decades and hope to stay with him until he retires"

    February 25, 2026 - "Dr. Fontana has an excellent "bedside manner." His statements/comments are clear, concise, firm yet kind and calm. [...]"

    February 9, 2026 - "DR Fontana was informative when I asked question [...]"

    January 31, 2026 - "I highly respect Dr. Fontana, he is very thorough and I trust his judgment."

    January 2, 2026 - "Dr. Fontana and [...] are awesome"

    December 4, 2025 - "Dr. Fontana is exceedingly professional. I appreciate that a great deal. It took me some time to understand and develop rapport with him, to understand how he communicates, but after [...] years I deeply value his insight and guidance."

    October 28, 2025 - "I enjoyed my appt with Dr.Fontana. He was very easy to converse with."

    September 22, 2025 - "EXTREMELY RARE to keep the same doctor for [...] years but I am blessed to have done so. Dr. Fontana is the cream of the crop; a professional beyond compare. He sets the bar for other doctors to aspire to. U of M should consider itself fortunate to have Dr. Fontana representing them."

    August 2, 2025 - "Dr Fontana is the absolute best! I've been seeing him for nearly [...] years. I wouldn't be alive without him!"

    May 29, 2025 - "Dr Fontana was caring , compassionate and helpful."

    Show All Comments

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