Mixed Topics

For current and future hospitalists, there’s no doubt that knowledge of quality improvement (QI) fundamentals is an important component of a successful practice. One physician team set out to provide their trainees with that QI foundation and described the results.

Wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock

“We believed that implementing a formal step-wise QI curriculum would not only meet the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements, but also increase residents’ knowledge of QI fundamentals and ultimately establish a culture of continuous improvement aiming to provide high-value care to our health care consumers,” said lead author J. Colt Cowdell, MD, MBA, of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Prior to any interventions, the team surveyed internal medicine residents regarding three unique patient scenarios and scored their answers. Residents were then assigned to one of five unique QI projects for the academic year in combination with a structured didactic QI curriculum.

After the structured progressive curriculum, in combination with team-based QI projects, residents were surveyed again. Results showed not only increased QI knowledge, but also improved patient safety and reduced waste.

“Keys to successful implementation included a thorough explanation of the need for this curriculum to the learners and ensuring that QI teams were multidisciplinary – residents, QI experts, nurses, techs, pharmacy, administrators, etc.,” said Dr. Cowdell.

For hospitalists in an academic setting, this work can provide a framework to incorporate QI into their residency programs. “I hope, if they have a passion for QI, they would seek out opportunities to mentor residents and help lead multidisciplinary team-based projects,” Dr. Cowdell said.
 

Reference

1. Cowdell, JC; Trautman, C; Lewis, M; Dawson, N. Integration of a Novel Quality Improvement Curriculum into an Internal Medicine Residency Program. Abstract published at Hospital Medicine 2018; April 8-11; Orlando, Fla. Abstract 54. https://www.shmabstracts.com/abstract/integration-of-a-novel-quality-improvement-curriculum-into-an-internal-medicine-residency-program/. Accessed Dec. 11, 2018.

For current and future hospitalists, there’s no doubt that knowledge of quality improvement (QI) fundamentals is an important component of a successful practice. One physician team set out to provide their trainees with that QI foundation and described the results.

Wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock

“We believed that implementing a formal step-wise QI curriculum would not only meet the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements, but also increase residents’ knowledge of QI fundamentals and ultimately establish a culture of continuous improvement aiming to provide high-value care to our health care consumers,” said lead author J. Colt Cowdell, MD, MBA, of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Prior to any interventions, the team surveyed internal medicine residents regarding three unique patient scenarios and scored their answers. Residents were then assigned to one of five unique QI projects for the academic year in combination with a structured didactic QI curriculum.

After the structured progressive curriculum, in combination with team-based QI projects, residents were surveyed again. Results showed not only increased QI knowledge, but also improved patient safety and reduced waste.

“Keys to successful implementation included a thorough explanation of the need for this curriculum to the learners and ensuring that QI teams were multidisciplinary – residents, QI experts, nurses, techs, pharmacy, administrators, etc.,” said Dr. Cowdell.

For hospitalists in an academic setting, this work can provide a framework to incorporate QI into their residency programs. “I hope, if they have a passion for QI, they would seek out opportunities to mentor residents and help lead multidisciplinary team-based projects,” Dr. Cowdell said.
 

Reference

1. Cowdell, JC; Trautman, C; Lewis, M; Dawson, N. Integration of a Novel Quality Improvement Curriculum into an Internal Medicine Residency Program. Abstract published at Hospital Medicine 2018; April 8-11; Orlando, Fla. Abstract 54. https://www.shmabstracts.com/abstract/integration-of-a-novel-quality-improvement-curriculum-into-an-internal-medicine-residency-program/. Accessed Dec. 11, 2018.

For current and future hospitalists, there’s no doubt that knowledge of quality improvement (QI) fundamentals is an important component of a successful practice. One physician team set out to provide their trainees with that QI foundation and described the results.

Wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock

“We believed that implementing a formal step-wise QI curriculum would not only meet the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements, but also increase residents’ knowledge of QI fundamentals and ultimately establish a culture of continuous improvement aiming to provide high-value care to our health care consumers,” said lead author J. Colt Cowdell, MD, MBA, of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Prior to any interventions, the team surveyed internal medicine residents regarding three unique patient scenarios and scored their answers. Residents were then assigned to one of five unique QI projects for the academic year in combination with a structured didactic QI curriculum.

After the structured progressive curriculum, in combination with team-based QI projects, residents were surveyed again. Results showed not only increased QI knowledge, but also improved patient safety and reduced waste.

“Keys to successful implementation included a thorough explanation of the need for this curriculum to the learners and ensuring that QI teams were multidisciplinary – residents, QI experts, nurses, techs, pharmacy, administrators, etc.,” said Dr. Cowdell.

For hospitalists in an academic setting, this work can provide a framework to incorporate QI into their residency programs. “I hope, if they have a passion for QI, they would seek out opportunities to mentor residents and help lead multidisciplinary team-based projects,” Dr. Cowdell said.
 

Reference

1. Cowdell, JC; Trautman, C; Lewis, M; Dawson, N. Integration of a Novel Quality Improvement Curriculum into an Internal Medicine Residency Program. Abstract published at Hospital Medicine 2018; April 8-11; Orlando, Fla. Abstract 54. https://www.shmabstracts.com/abstract/integration-of-a-novel-quality-improvement-curriculum-into-an-internal-medicine-residency-program/. Accessed Dec. 11, 2018.

Frailty increasingly has been seen as a factor in procedural outcomes, including vascular surgery. Nutrition factors among older adults have also become an issue of concern, and older adults undergoing interventions for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be at risk for malnutrition. In Friday’s Scientific Session 6, Laura Drudi, MD, of McGill University, Montreal, will report on a study that she and her colleagues performed to determine the association between preprocedural nutritional status and all-cause mortality in patients being treated for PAD.

Dr. Drudi will report on their post hoc analysis of the FRAILED (Frailty Assessment in Lower Extremity arterial Disease) prospective cohort, which comprised two centers recruiting patients during July 1, 2015–Oct.1, 2016. Individuals who underwent vascular interventions for Rutherford class 3 or higher PAD were enrolled.

Trained observers used the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)–Short Form to assess the patients before their procedures. Scores less than or equal to 7 on a 14-point scale were considered malnourished, with scores of 8-11 indicated that patients were at risk for malnutrition.

The modified Essential Frailty Toolset (mEFT) was simultaneously used to measure frailty, with scores of 3 or less on a 5-point scale considered frail. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality at 12 months after the procedure. Dr. Drudi will report on the results of the cohort of 148 patients (39.2% women) with a mean age of 70 years, and a mean body mass index of 26.7 kg/m². Among these patients, 59 (40%) had claudication and 89 (60%) had chronic limb-threatening ischemia. A total of 98 (66%) patients underwent endovascular revascularization and 50 (34%) underwent open or hybrid revascularization.

Overall, 3% of subjects were classified as malnourished and 33% were at risk for malnutrition. There were 9 (6%) deaths at 12 months. Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form scores were modestly but significantly correlated with the mEFT scores (Pearson’s R = –0.48; P less than .001).

”We found that patients with malnourishment or at risk of malnourishment had a 2.5-fold higher crude 1-year mortality, compared with those with normal nutritional status,” said Dr. Drudi.

In the 41% of patients deemed frail, malnutrition was associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.08 per point decrease in MNA scores); whereas in the nonfrail patients, MNA scores had little or no effect on mortality (adjusted OR, 1.05).

“Preprocedural nutritional status is associated with mortality in frail older adults undergoing interventions for PAD. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether pre- and postprocedural nutritional interventions can improve clinical outcomes in these vulnerable individuals,” Dr. Drudi concluded. 

Friday, June 21
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Gaylord National, Potomac A/B
S6: Scientific Session 6: RS16

Frailty increasingly has been seen as a factor in procedural outcomes, including vascular surgery. Nutrition factors among older adults have also become an issue of concern, and older adults undergoing interventions for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be at risk for malnutrition. In Friday’s Scientific Session 6, Laura Drudi, MD, of McGill University, Montreal, will report on a study that she and her colleagues performed to determine the association between preprocedural nutritional status and all-cause mortality in patients being treated for PAD.

Dr. Drudi will report on their post hoc analysis of the FRAILED (Frailty Assessment in Lower Extremity arterial Disease) prospective cohort, which comprised two centers recruiting patients during July 1, 2015–Oct.1, 2016. Individuals who underwent vascular interventions for Rutherford class 3 or higher PAD were enrolled.

Trained observers used the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)–Short Form to assess the patients before their procedures. Scores less than or equal to 7 on a 14-point scale were considered malnourished, with scores of 8-11 indicated that patients were at risk for malnutrition.

The modified Essential Frailty Toolset (mEFT) was simultaneously used to measure frailty, with scores of 3 or less on a 5-point scale considered frail. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality at 12 months after the procedure. Dr. Drudi will report on the results of the cohort of 148 patients (39.2% women) with a mean age of 70 years, and a mean body mass index of 26.7 kg/m². Among these patients, 59 (40%) had claudication and 89 (60%) had chronic limb-threatening ischemia. A total of 98 (66%) patients underwent endovascular revascularization and 50 (34%) underwent open or hybrid revascularization.

Overall, 3% of subjects were classified as malnourished and 33% were at risk for malnutrition. There were 9 (6%) deaths at 12 months. Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form scores were modestly but significantly correlated with the mEFT scores (Pearson’s R = –0.48; P less than .001).

”We found that patients with malnourishment or at risk of malnourishment had a 2.5-fold higher crude 1-year mortality, compared with those with normal nutritional status,” said Dr. Drudi.

In the 41% of patients deemed frail, malnutrition was associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.08 per point decrease in MNA scores); whereas in the nonfrail patients, MNA scores had little or no effect on mortality (adjusted OR, 1.05).

“Preprocedural nutritional status is associated with mortality in frail older adults undergoing interventions for PAD. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether pre- and postprocedural nutritional interventions can improve clinical outcomes in these vulnerable individuals,” Dr. Drudi concluded. 

Friday, June 21
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Gaylord National, Potomac A/B
S6: Scientific Session 6: RS16

Frailty increasingly has been seen as a factor in procedural outcomes, including vascular surgery. Nutrition factors among older adults have also become an issue of concern, and older adults undergoing interventions for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be at risk for malnutrition. In Friday’s Scientific Session 6, Laura Drudi, MD, of McGill University, Montreal, will report on a study that she and her colleagues performed to determine the association between preprocedural nutritional status and all-cause mortality in patients being treated for PAD.

Dr. Drudi will report on their post hoc analysis of the FRAILED (Frailty Assessment in Lower Extremity arterial Disease) prospective cohort, which comprised two centers recruiting patients during July 1, 2015–Oct.1, 2016. Individuals who underwent vascular interventions for Rutherford class 3 or higher PAD were enrolled.

Trained observers used the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)–Short Form to assess the patients before their procedures. Scores less than or equal to 7 on a 14-point scale were considered malnourished, with scores of 8-11 indicated that patients were at risk for malnutrition.

The modified Essential Frailty Toolset (mEFT) was simultaneously used to measure frailty, with scores of 3 or less on a 5-point scale considered frail. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality at 12 months after the procedure. Dr. Drudi will report on the results of the cohort of 148 patients (39.2% women) with a mean age of 70 years, and a mean body mass index of 26.7 kg/m². Among these patients, 59 (40%) had claudication and 89 (60%) had chronic limb-threatening ischemia. A total of 98 (66%) patients underwent endovascular revascularization and 50 (34%) underwent open or hybrid revascularization.

Overall, 3% of subjects were classified as malnourished and 33% were at risk for malnutrition. There were 9 (6%) deaths at 12 months. Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form scores were modestly but significantly correlated with the mEFT scores (Pearson’s R = –0.48; P less than .001).

”We found that patients with malnourishment or at risk of malnourishment had a 2.5-fold higher crude 1-year mortality, compared with those with normal nutritional status,” said Dr. Drudi.

In the 41% of patients deemed frail, malnutrition was associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.08 per point decrease in MNA scores); whereas in the nonfrail patients, MNA scores had little or no effect on mortality (adjusted OR, 1.05).

“Preprocedural nutritional status is associated with mortality in frail older adults undergoing interventions for PAD. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether pre- and postprocedural nutritional interventions can improve clinical outcomes in these vulnerable individuals,” Dr. Drudi concluded. 

Friday, June 21
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Gaylord National, Potomac A/B
S6: Scientific Session 6: RS16

After months of planning, the day is finally here! Friday evening, 500 people will be living the high life at the  “Vascular Spectacular” gala, celebrating the specialty and each other.

RUSSELLTATEdotCOM/DigitalVision Vectors

But everyone, no matter where they are in the world, may participate in the gala’s Silent Auction, right until it closes this evening.

In fact, bidding on nearly 70 items began in late May. Here’s how to join in the fun:

• Sign up on vam19gala.givesmart.com and peruse the selections.

• Place a bid. All bidders will be identified by name.

• If desired, monitor the bidding, by setting up notifications to learn when someone else ups the ante.

• Continue to bid until the auction closes during the gala itself.

• Wait for your prizes to be mailed to you — and know you have contributed to continuing the important work of the SVS Foundation.

The live auction takes place at the gala in its entirety and only those present can bid.

The Gala Committee is comprised of Drs. Cynthia Shortell and Benjamin Starnes, cochairs; and Enrico Ascher, William Jordan Jr., Melina Kibbe, Richard Lynn, Matthew Mell, Ben Pearce, Amy Reed, Russell Samson, William Shutze, Mal Sheahan, Maureen Sheehan and Anton Sidawy. 

What’s available? Dr. Clem Darling’s “Darling Magical Whiskery Tour” to sample top-tier whiskey in the mutually agreed-upon city; a stay in Lake Tahoe, a beach-front condo in Florida and a spacious townhome at the entrance to Rehoboth Beach, Del.; wildlife photos; fine art; jewelry; fine wine; portraits for people and pets; sports-related items; Maui Jim sunglasses; free admission to attractions from coast to coast and more. There are even one-on-one sessions with a number of vascular surgeons. 

In addition, Cydar Medical is offering a one-year subscription to Cydar EV Fusion Imaging, the world’s first AI-powered image fusion platform, valued at $50,000.  

All proceeds benefit the SVS Foundation.
 

After months of planning, the day is finally here! Friday evening, 500 people will be living the high life at the  “Vascular Spectacular” gala, celebrating the specialty and each other.

RUSSELLTATEdotCOM/DigitalVision Vectors

But everyone, no matter where they are in the world, may participate in the gala’s Silent Auction, right until it closes this evening.

In fact, bidding on nearly 70 items began in late May. Here’s how to join in the fun:

• Sign up on vam19gala.givesmart.com and peruse the selections.

• Place a bid. All bidders will be identified by name.

• If desired, monitor the bidding, by setting up notifications to learn when someone else ups the ante.

• Continue to bid until the auction closes during the gala itself.

• Wait for your prizes to be mailed to you — and know you have contributed to continuing the important work of the SVS Foundation.

The live auction takes place at the gala in its entirety and only those present can bid.

The Gala Committee is comprised of Drs. Cynthia Shortell and Benjamin Starnes, cochairs; and Enrico Ascher, William Jordan Jr., Melina Kibbe, Richard Lynn, Matthew Mell, Ben Pearce, Amy Reed, Russell Samson, William Shutze, Mal Sheahan, Maureen Sheehan and Anton Sidawy. 

What’s available? Dr. Clem Darling’s “Darling Magical Whiskery Tour” to sample top-tier whiskey in the mutually agreed-upon city; a stay in Lake Tahoe, a beach-front condo in Florida and a spacious townhome at the entrance to Rehoboth Beach, Del.; wildlife photos; fine art; jewelry; fine wine; portraits for people and pets; sports-related items; Maui Jim sunglasses; free admission to attractions from coast to coast and more. There are even one-on-one sessions with a number of vascular surgeons. 

In addition, Cydar Medical is offering a one-year subscription to Cydar EV Fusion Imaging, the world’s first AI-powered image fusion platform, valued at $50,000.  

All proceeds benefit the SVS Foundation.
 

After months of planning, the day is finally here! Friday evening, 500 people will be living the high life at the  “Vascular Spectacular” gala, celebrating the specialty and each other.

RUSSELLTATEdotCOM/DigitalVision Vectors

But everyone, no matter where they are in the world, may participate in the gala’s Silent Auction, right until it closes this evening.

In fact, bidding on nearly 70 items began in late May. Here’s how to join in the fun:

• Sign up on vam19gala.givesmart.com and peruse the selections.

• Place a bid. All bidders will be identified by name.

• If desired, monitor the bidding, by setting up notifications to learn when someone else ups the ante.

• Continue to bid until the auction closes during the gala itself.

• Wait for your prizes to be mailed to you — and know you have contributed to continuing the important work of the SVS Foundation.

The live auction takes place at the gala in its entirety and only those present can bid.

The Gala Committee is comprised of Drs. Cynthia Shortell and Benjamin Starnes, cochairs; and Enrico Ascher, William Jordan Jr., Melina Kibbe, Richard Lynn, Matthew Mell, Ben Pearce, Amy Reed, Russell Samson, William Shutze, Mal Sheahan, Maureen Sheehan and Anton Sidawy. 

What’s available? Dr. Clem Darling’s “Darling Magical Whiskery Tour” to sample top-tier whiskey in the mutually agreed-upon city; a stay in Lake Tahoe, a beach-front condo in Florida and a spacious townhome at the entrance to Rehoboth Beach, Del.; wildlife photos; fine art; jewelry; fine wine; portraits for people and pets; sports-related items; Maui Jim sunglasses; free admission to attractions from coast to coast and more. There are even one-on-one sessions with a number of vascular surgeons. 

In addition, Cydar Medical is offering a one-year subscription to Cydar EV Fusion Imaging, the world’s first AI-powered image fusion platform, valued at $50,000.  

All proceeds benefit the SVS Foundation.
 

Starting a vascular surgery integrated program or fellowship can be a daunting process. There exist a number of misconceptions about required case volume, program affiliations, and required number of faculty.

Requirements for creating such programs have recently been lightened. And the SVS and the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery have a number of initiatives in place to help.

SVS will host an informational session for anyone interested in starting a program from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, in National Harbor 4. Most of the session will be interactive, with experienced program directors offering participants useful information and practical advice. 

Starting a vascular surgery integrated program or fellowship can be a daunting process. There exist a number of misconceptions about required case volume, program affiliations, and required number of faculty.

Requirements for creating such programs have recently been lightened. And the SVS and the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery have a number of initiatives in place to help.

SVS will host an informational session for anyone interested in starting a program from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, in National Harbor 4. Most of the session will be interactive, with experienced program directors offering participants useful information and practical advice. 

Starting a vascular surgery integrated program or fellowship can be a daunting process. There exist a number of misconceptions about required case volume, program affiliations, and required number of faculty.

Requirements for creating such programs have recently been lightened. And the SVS and the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery have a number of initiatives in place to help.

SVS will host an informational session for anyone interested in starting a program from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, in National Harbor 4. Most of the session will be interactive, with experienced program directors offering participants useful information and practical advice. 

Work-related pain and disability have been reported in the literature among various surgical specialties and can influence surgeon productivity and burnout. In Friday’s Scientific Session 4, Max Wohlauer, MD, of the University of Colorado, Denver, will report on a study that he and his colleagues performed to identify the prevalence and severity of pain symptoms in vascular surgeons.

Dr. Wohlauer will report on their survey, which was emailed to 2,910 members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Pain was reported using the 0–10 Borg’s CR-10 scale, with 0 = no pain, 3 = moderate, 4 = somewhat strong, 5 = strong, and 10 = maximum pain.

Dr. Wohlauer and his colleagues received responses from 775 (26.6%) of the vascular surgeons; with retirees excluded from the study. Among those actively working, the mean age was 51.4 years, and the surgeons had a mean of 17.2 years in practice; 83.6% of the respondents were men.

According to the survey, after a full day of open surgery, the majority of vascular surgeons reported being in a somewhat strong amount of pain (mean score 4.4), while after a full day of endovascular procedures, most vascular surgeons reported being in a moderate amount of pain (mean score 3.9).

Pain following a day of open surgery was highest in the neck (45%) and lower back (39%);after endovascular procedures, respondents reported pain to be most severe in the lower back (44%) and neck (24%). Surgeons performing endovenous procedures report the lowest pain scores (mean 2.0).

In terms of treatment, 242 (36.9%) vascular surgeons reported having sought medical care for work-related issues, with 61 (8.3%) taking time away from the operating room. A total of 72 surgeons (10%) reported requiring surgery and other procedures (including traction), and 22 (3%) had been placed on short- or long-term disability.

In total, 193 (26.2%) of surgeons report pain severe enough that it interfered with sleep, with 9 (1.2%) leaving their career because of disability from work-related pain, and high work-related physical discomfort was significantly associated with Maslach Burnout Inventory single-item measure of burnout for open surgery, endovascular, and endovenous procedures, according to Dr. Wohlauer.

Altogether, 334 (50.6%) of the vascular surgeons surveyed reported that physical discomfort will affect the longevity of their career. This is borne out by the fact that, of the 39 respondents no longer practicing surgery, 26% (10) retired because of disability from work-related pain.

“Our study shows that the majority of practicing vascular surgeons are in pain after a day of operating. Work-related disability is significantly diminishing the workforce. Addressing work-related pain serves to improve the lives and careers of vascular surgeons, while enhancing surgical longevity would help address the current national workforce shortage,” Dr. Wohlauer concluded. 

Friday
8-9:30 a.m.
Gaylor National, Potomac A/B
S4: Scientific Session 4: SS12

Work-related pain and disability have been reported in the literature among various surgical specialties and can influence surgeon productivity and burnout. In Friday’s Scientific Session 4, Max Wohlauer, MD, of the University of Colorado, Denver, will report on a study that he and his colleagues performed to identify the prevalence and severity of pain symptoms in vascular surgeons.

Dr. Wohlauer will report on their survey, which was emailed to 2,910 members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Pain was reported using the 0–10 Borg’s CR-10 scale, with 0 = no pain, 3 = moderate, 4 = somewhat strong, 5 = strong, and 10 = maximum pain.

Dr. Wohlauer and his colleagues received responses from 775 (26.6%) of the vascular surgeons; with retirees excluded from the study. Among those actively working, the mean age was 51.4 years, and the surgeons had a mean of 17.2 years in practice; 83.6% of the respondents were men.

According to the survey, after a full day of open surgery, the majority of vascular surgeons reported being in a somewhat strong amount of pain (mean score 4.4), while after a full day of endovascular procedures, most vascular surgeons reported being in a moderate amount of pain (mean score 3.9).

Pain following a day of open surgery was highest in the neck (45%) and lower back (39%);after endovascular procedures, respondents reported pain to be most severe in the lower back (44%) and neck (24%). Surgeons performing endovenous procedures report the lowest pain scores (mean 2.0).

In terms of treatment, 242 (36.9%) vascular surgeons reported having sought medical care for work-related issues, with 61 (8.3%) taking time away from the operating room. A total of 72 surgeons (10%) reported requiring surgery and other procedures (including traction), and 22 (3%) had been placed on short- or long-term disability.

In total, 193 (26.2%) of surgeons report pain severe enough that it interfered with sleep, with 9 (1.2%) leaving their career because of disability from work-related pain, and high work-related physical discomfort was significantly associated with Maslach Burnout Inventory single-item measure of burnout for open surgery, endovascular, and endovenous procedures, according to Dr. Wohlauer.

Altogether, 334 (50.6%) of the vascular surgeons surveyed reported that physical discomfort will affect the longevity of their career. This is borne out by the fact that, of the 39 respondents no longer practicing surgery, 26% (10) retired because of disability from work-related pain.

“Our study shows that the majority of practicing vascular surgeons are in pain after a day of operating. Work-related disability is significantly diminishing the workforce. Addressing work-related pain serves to improve the lives and careers of vascular surgeons, while enhancing surgical longevity would help address the current national workforce shortage,” Dr. Wohlauer concluded. 

Friday
8-9:30 a.m.
Gaylor National, Potomac A/B
S4: Scientific Session 4: SS12

Work-related pain and disability have been reported in the literature among various surgical specialties and can influence surgeon productivity and burnout. In Friday’s Scientific Session 4, Max Wohlauer, MD, of the University of Colorado, Denver, will report on a study that he and his colleagues performed to identify the prevalence and severity of pain symptoms in vascular surgeons.

Dr. Wohlauer will report on their survey, which was emailed to 2,910 members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Pain was reported using the 0–10 Borg’s CR-10 scale, with 0 = no pain, 3 = moderate, 4 = somewhat strong, 5 = strong, and 10 = maximum pain.

Dr. Wohlauer and his colleagues received responses from 775 (26.6%) of the vascular surgeons; with retirees excluded from the study. Among those actively working, the mean age was 51.4 years, and the surgeons had a mean of 17.2 years in practice; 83.6% of the respondents were men.

According to the survey, after a full day of open surgery, the majority of vascular surgeons reported being in a somewhat strong amount of pain (mean score 4.4), while after a full day of endovascular procedures, most vascular surgeons reported being in a moderate amount of pain (mean score 3.9).

Pain following a day of open surgery was highest in the neck (45%) and lower back (39%);after endovascular procedures, respondents reported pain to be most severe in the lower back (44%) and neck (24%). Surgeons performing endovenous procedures report the lowest pain scores (mean 2.0).

In terms of treatment, 242 (36.9%) vascular surgeons reported having sought medical care for work-related issues, with 61 (8.3%) taking time away from the operating room. A total of 72 surgeons (10%) reported requiring surgery and other procedures (including traction), and 22 (3%) had been placed on short- or long-term disability.

In total, 193 (26.2%) of surgeons report pain severe enough that it interfered with sleep, with 9 (1.2%) leaving their career because of disability from work-related pain, and high work-related physical discomfort was significantly associated with Maslach Burnout Inventory single-item measure of burnout for open surgery, endovascular, and endovenous procedures, according to Dr. Wohlauer.

Altogether, 334 (50.6%) of the vascular surgeons surveyed reported that physical discomfort will affect the longevity of their career. This is borne out by the fact that, of the 39 respondents no longer practicing surgery, 26% (10) retired because of disability from work-related pain.

“Our study shows that the majority of practicing vascular surgeons are in pain after a day of operating. Work-related disability is significantly diminishing the workforce. Addressing work-related pain serves to improve the lives and careers of vascular surgeons, while enhancing surgical longevity would help address the current national workforce shortage,” Dr. Wohlauer concluded. 

Friday
8-9:30 a.m.
Gaylor National, Potomac A/B
S4: Scientific Session 4: SS12

Society for Vascular Surgery President Michel S. Makaroun, MD, will reflect on his presidency during the 2019 Presidential Address, on Friday, June 14, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. President-Elect Kim Hodgson, MD, will introduce Dr. Makaroun, beginning at 11 a.m.

Dr. Makaroun is professor of surgery and clinical translational science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the chair of vascular surgery and codirector of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute.

His address, “I am in Favor of Progress ... It is Change I Do Not Like,” will take place in Ballroom A/B. 

Society for Vascular Surgery President Michel S. Makaroun, MD, will reflect on his presidency during the 2019 Presidential Address, on Friday, June 14, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. President-Elect Kim Hodgson, MD, will introduce Dr. Makaroun, beginning at 11 a.m.

Dr. Makaroun is professor of surgery and clinical translational science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the chair of vascular surgery and codirector of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute.

His address, “I am in Favor of Progress ... It is Change I Do Not Like,” will take place in Ballroom A/B. 

Society for Vascular Surgery President Michel S. Makaroun, MD, will reflect on his presidency during the 2019 Presidential Address, on Friday, June 14, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. President-Elect Kim Hodgson, MD, will introduce Dr. Makaroun, beginning at 11 a.m.

Dr. Makaroun is professor of surgery and clinical translational science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the chair of vascular surgery and codirector of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute.

His address, “I am in Favor of Progress ... It is Change I Do Not Like,” will take place in Ballroom A/B. 

Introduction

Burnout in physicians has received significant attention within the past several years, particularly among trainees and early-career physicians. The subspecialties of gastroenterology and hepatology are not immune to burnout, with multiple studies indicating that early career gastroenterologists may be disproportionately affected, compared with their more-established counterparts.^1-4 Although the drivers of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment among trainees and early-career gastroenterologists are not fully understood, maximizing career fit during the transition from fellowship into the first posttraining position has been promoted as a potential method to decrease burnout in this population.^4,5

While most trainees enter gastroenterology fellowships with a set of predefined career goals, mentorship during fellowship can provide critical guidance along with exposure to new areas and career tracks that were not previously considered. In a survey of gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellows, 94% of participants with a mentor reported that the mentor significantly influenced their career decision.⁶ Effective mentoring also has been identified as one possible method to decrease burnout among trainees.^7,8

Formal mentoring in gastroenterology fellowship programs might decrease burnout through effectively identifying risk factors such as work hour violations or a lack of social support. Additionally, when fellows are being prepared for transition to their first positions as attending gastroenterologists, there is a critical opportunity to improve career fit and decrease burnout rates among early-career gastroenterologists. Making the correct choice of subsequent career path after fellowship might be a source of stress, but this should allow early-career gastroenterologists to maximize the time spent doing those activities they feel are the most rewarding. A formal mentoring system and an accessible career mentor can be invaluable in allowing the mentee to identify and select that position.
 

Career fit

The concept of career fit has been described as the ability of individuals to focus their effort on the aspect or aspects of their work that they find most meaningful.⁵ Multiple specialties have recognized the importance of career fit and the need to choose appropriately when selecting a position and career path upon completing fellowship. In one evaluation of faculty members from the department of medicine at a large academic medical center, those individuals who spent less than 20% of their time working on the activity that they found most meaningful were significantly more likely to demonstrate burnout.⁵

In a relatively short time period, gastroenterology fellows are required to gather multiple new skill sets, including functioning as a consultant, performing endoscopic procedures, and potentially gaining formal training in clinical, basic, or translational research methods. During this same period, an intense phase of self-assessment should begin, with one critical aim of training being to identify those factors most likely to lead to a long, satisfying career. The growth that occurs during fellowship may allow for the identification of a career track that is likely to be the most rewarding, such as a career as a clinical investigator, clinician educator, or in clinical practice. Importantly, the trainee must decide which career track will most likely lead to self-fulfillment, even if the chosen path does not align with a mentor or advisor. Additionally, self-assessment also may aid in the identification of a niche that an individual finds most intellectually stimulating, which may lead to an area of research or clinical expertise.

While the demonstrated relationship between career fit and burnout is only an association without demonstrated causation, this does merit further consideration. For the first time in most trainees’ careers, the position after fellowship represents an opportunity to choose a job as opposed to going through a “match” process. Therefore, the trainee must strongly consider the factors that will ultimately lead to career satisfaction. If a large disconnect is present between self-identified career goals and the actual tasks required within daily workflow, this may lead to burnout relatively early in a career. Perhaps more importantly, if an individual did not perform adequate self-reflection when choosing a career path or did not receive effective guidance from career mentors, this also might lead to decreased career satisfaction, poor career fit, and an increased risk for burnout as an early-career gastroenterologist.
 

The mentor’s role

Although a structured career mentoring program is in place within many gastroenterology training programs, other fellowships encourage the mentee to select from a pool of potential mentors. In many cases, trainees and early career gastroenterologists will benefit from building a mentorship team, including career mentor or mentors, research mentors, and other advisors.⁹

While the mentor-mentee relationship can be an extremely rewarding experience for both parties, the effective mentor must meet a high standard. Several qualities have been identified that will maximize the benefit of the mentor-mentee relationship for the trainee, including the mentor taking a selfless approach to the relationship, working to assist the mentee in choosing a career path that will be the most rewarding, and then aiding the mentee in making helpful connections to promote growth along that chosen path.⁹ A good mentors should inspire a mentees, but also should be willing to provide honest and at times critical feedback to ensure that mentees maximizes their potential and ultimately assume the appropriate career trajectory. Unbiased mentorship, as well as continued reevaluations of strengths, weaknesses, and career goals by the mentor and mentee, will ultimately offer an opportunity to ensure the best combination of career fit,⁵ work-life balance,¹⁰ and satisfaction with career choice.¹¹
 

The mentor-mentee relationship after training is complete

Once a trainee has completed gastroenterology fellowship, another stressful transition to the role of an attending physician commences. It is critical that early-career gastroenterologists not only have confidence in the guidance that their mentor has provided to ensure appropriate career fit in their new role but also maintain these critical mentor-mentee relationships during this transition. A good mentor does not disappear because one phase of training is complete. The need for effective mentoring at the junior faculty level also is well recognized,¹² and early-career gastroenterologists should continue to rely on established mentoring relationships when new decision points are encountered.

Depending on the career track of an early-career gastroenterologist, formal mentoring also may be offered in the new role as a junior faculty member.¹² Additionally, external mentoring can exist within foundations or other subspecialty groups. One example of extramural mentoring is the Career Connection Program offered through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Rising Educators Academics and Clinicians Helping IBD (REACH-IBD) platform. In this program, early-career gastroenterologists are selected and paired with national opinion leaders for one-on-one mentoring relationships. Such a program offers further opportunities for career growth, establishing connections within a smaller subspecialty of gastroenterology, and maximizing career fit.
 

Conclusion

In an era where the toll of burnout and other influences on early-career gastroenterologists are increasingly being recognized, the importance of career fit during the transition into the role of an attending should not be underestimated. In conjunction with appropriate self-reflection, unbiased and critical mentorship during fellowship can promote significant growth among trainees and allow for the ultimate selection of a career track or career path that will promote happiness, work-life balance, and long-term success as defined by the mentee.

Edward L. Barnes, MD, MPH, is with the Multidisciplinary Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Barnes reports no relevant disclosures.

References

1. Keswani RN et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(10):1734-40.

2. Burke C et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112:S593-4.

3. DeCross AJ. AGA Perspectives. 2017.

4. Barnes EL et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(2):302-6.

5. Shanafelt TD et al. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10):990-5.

6. Ordway SM et al. Hepatol Commun. 2017;1(4):347-53.

7. Janko MR, Smeds MR. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(4):1233-42.

8. Eckleberry-Hunt J et al. Acad Med. 2009;84(2):269-77.

9. Lieberman D. Gastroenterology. 2016;151(1):17-9.

10. Shanafelt TD et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(12):1600-13.

11. Shanafelt TD et al. Ann Surg. 2009;250(3):463-71.

12. Shaheen NJ, Sandler RS. Gastroenterology. 2018;155(5):1293-7.

Introduction

Burnout in physicians has received significant attention within the past several years, particularly among trainees and early-career physicians. The subspecialties of gastroenterology and hepatology are not immune to burnout, with multiple studies indicating that early career gastroenterologists may be disproportionately affected, compared with their more-established counterparts.^1-4 Although the drivers of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment among trainees and early-career gastroenterologists are not fully understood, maximizing career fit during the transition from fellowship into the first posttraining position has been promoted as a potential method to decrease burnout in this population.^4,5

While most trainees enter gastroenterology fellowships with a set of predefined career goals, mentorship during fellowship can provide critical guidance along with exposure to new areas and career tracks that were not previously considered. In a survey of gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellows, 94% of participants with a mentor reported that the mentor significantly influenced their career decision.⁶ Effective mentoring also has been identified as one possible method to decrease burnout among trainees.^7,8

Formal mentoring in gastroenterology fellowship programs might decrease burnout through effectively identifying risk factors such as work hour violations or a lack of social support. Additionally, when fellows are being prepared for transition to their first positions as attending gastroenterologists, there is a critical opportunity to improve career fit and decrease burnout rates among early-career gastroenterologists. Making the correct choice of subsequent career path after fellowship might be a source of stress, but this should allow early-career gastroenterologists to maximize the time spent doing those activities they feel are the most rewarding. A formal mentoring system and an accessible career mentor can be invaluable in allowing the mentee to identify and select that position.
 

Career fit

The concept of career fit has been described as the ability of individuals to focus their effort on the aspect or aspects of their work that they find most meaningful.⁵ Multiple specialties have recognized the importance of career fit and the need to choose appropriately when selecting a position and career path upon completing fellowship. In one evaluation of faculty members from the department of medicine at a large academic medical center, those individuals who spent less than 20% of their time working on the activity that they found most meaningful were significantly more likely to demonstrate burnout.⁵

In a relatively short time period, gastroenterology fellows are required to gather multiple new skill sets, including functioning as a consultant, performing endoscopic procedures, and potentially gaining formal training in clinical, basic, or translational research methods. During this same period, an intense phase of self-assessment should begin, with one critical aim of training being to identify those factors most likely to lead to a long, satisfying career. The growth that occurs during fellowship may allow for the identification of a career track that is likely to be the most rewarding, such as a career as a clinical investigator, clinician educator, or in clinical practice. Importantly, the trainee must decide which career track will most likely lead to self-fulfillment, even if the chosen path does not align with a mentor or advisor. Additionally, self-assessment also may aid in the identification of a niche that an individual finds most intellectually stimulating, which may lead to an area of research or clinical expertise.

While the demonstrated relationship between career fit and burnout is only an association without demonstrated causation, this does merit further consideration. For the first time in most trainees’ careers, the position after fellowship represents an opportunity to choose a job as opposed to going through a “match” process. Therefore, the trainee must strongly consider the factors that will ultimately lead to career satisfaction. If a large disconnect is present between self-identified career goals and the actual tasks required within daily workflow, this may lead to burnout relatively early in a career. Perhaps more importantly, if an individual did not perform adequate self-reflection when choosing a career path or did not receive effective guidance from career mentors, this also might lead to decreased career satisfaction, poor career fit, and an increased risk for burnout as an early-career gastroenterologist.
 

The mentor’s role

Although a structured career mentoring program is in place within many gastroenterology training programs, other fellowships encourage the mentee to select from a pool of potential mentors. In many cases, trainees and early career gastroenterologists will benefit from building a mentorship team, including career mentor or mentors, research mentors, and other advisors.⁹

While the mentor-mentee relationship can be an extremely rewarding experience for both parties, the effective mentor must meet a high standard. Several qualities have been identified that will maximize the benefit of the mentor-mentee relationship for the trainee, including the mentor taking a selfless approach to the relationship, working to assist the mentee in choosing a career path that will be the most rewarding, and then aiding the mentee in making helpful connections to promote growth along that chosen path.⁹ A good mentors should inspire a mentees, but also should be willing to provide honest and at times critical feedback to ensure that mentees maximizes their potential and ultimately assume the appropriate career trajectory. Unbiased mentorship, as well as continued reevaluations of strengths, weaknesses, and career goals by the mentor and mentee, will ultimately offer an opportunity to ensure the best combination of career fit,⁵ work-life balance,¹⁰ and satisfaction with career choice.¹¹
 

The mentor-mentee relationship after training is complete

Once a trainee has completed gastroenterology fellowship, another stressful transition to the role of an attending physician commences. It is critical that early-career gastroenterologists not only have confidence in the guidance that their mentor has provided to ensure appropriate career fit in their new role but also maintain these critical mentor-mentee relationships during this transition. A good mentor does not disappear because one phase of training is complete. The need for effective mentoring at the junior faculty level also is well recognized,¹² and early-career gastroenterologists should continue to rely on established mentoring relationships when new decision points are encountered.

Depending on the career track of an early-career gastroenterologist, formal mentoring also may be offered in the new role as a junior faculty member.¹² Additionally, external mentoring can exist within foundations or other subspecialty groups. One example of extramural mentoring is the Career Connection Program offered through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Rising Educators Academics and Clinicians Helping IBD (REACH-IBD) platform. In this program, early-career gastroenterologists are selected and paired with national opinion leaders for one-on-one mentoring relationships. Such a program offers further opportunities for career growth, establishing connections within a smaller subspecialty of gastroenterology, and maximizing career fit.
 

Conclusion

In an era where the toll of burnout and other influences on early-career gastroenterologists are increasingly being recognized, the importance of career fit during the transition into the role of an attending should not be underestimated. In conjunction with appropriate self-reflection, unbiased and critical mentorship during fellowship can promote significant growth among trainees and allow for the ultimate selection of a career track or career path that will promote happiness, work-life balance, and long-term success as defined by the mentee.

Edward L. Barnes, MD, MPH, is with the Multidisciplinary Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Barnes reports no relevant disclosures.

References

1. Keswani RN et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(10):1734-40.

2. Burke C et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112:S593-4.

3. DeCross AJ. AGA Perspectives. 2017.

4. Barnes EL et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(2):302-6.

5. Shanafelt TD et al. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10):990-5.

6. Ordway SM et al. Hepatol Commun. 2017;1(4):347-53.

7. Janko MR, Smeds MR. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(4):1233-42.

8. Eckleberry-Hunt J et al. Acad Med. 2009;84(2):269-77.

9. Lieberman D. Gastroenterology. 2016;151(1):17-9.

10. Shanafelt TD et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(12):1600-13.

11. Shanafelt TD et al. Ann Surg. 2009;250(3):463-71.

12. Shaheen NJ, Sandler RS. Gastroenterology. 2018;155(5):1293-7.

Introduction

Burnout in physicians has received significant attention within the past several years, particularly among trainees and early-career physicians. The subspecialties of gastroenterology and hepatology are not immune to burnout, with multiple studies indicating that early career gastroenterologists may be disproportionately affected, compared with their more-established counterparts.^1-4 Although the drivers of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment among trainees and early-career gastroenterologists are not fully understood, maximizing career fit during the transition from fellowship into the first posttraining position has been promoted as a potential method to decrease burnout in this population.^4,5

While most trainees enter gastroenterology fellowships with a set of predefined career goals, mentorship during fellowship can provide critical guidance along with exposure to new areas and career tracks that were not previously considered. In a survey of gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellows, 94% of participants with a mentor reported that the mentor significantly influenced their career decision.⁶ Effective mentoring also has been identified as one possible method to decrease burnout among trainees.^7,8

Formal mentoring in gastroenterology fellowship programs might decrease burnout through effectively identifying risk factors such as work hour violations or a lack of social support. Additionally, when fellows are being prepared for transition to their first positions as attending gastroenterologists, there is a critical opportunity to improve career fit and decrease burnout rates among early-career gastroenterologists. Making the correct choice of subsequent career path after fellowship might be a source of stress, but this should allow early-career gastroenterologists to maximize the time spent doing those activities they feel are the most rewarding. A formal mentoring system and an accessible career mentor can be invaluable in allowing the mentee to identify and select that position.
 

Career fit

The concept of career fit has been described as the ability of individuals to focus their effort on the aspect or aspects of their work that they find most meaningful.⁵ Multiple specialties have recognized the importance of career fit and the need to choose appropriately when selecting a position and career path upon completing fellowship. In one evaluation of faculty members from the department of medicine at a large academic medical center, those individuals who spent less than 20% of their time working on the activity that they found most meaningful were significantly more likely to demonstrate burnout.⁵

In a relatively short time period, gastroenterology fellows are required to gather multiple new skill sets, including functioning as a consultant, performing endoscopic procedures, and potentially gaining formal training in clinical, basic, or translational research methods. During this same period, an intense phase of self-assessment should begin, with one critical aim of training being to identify those factors most likely to lead to a long, satisfying career. The growth that occurs during fellowship may allow for the identification of a career track that is likely to be the most rewarding, such as a career as a clinical investigator, clinician educator, or in clinical practice. Importantly, the trainee must decide which career track will most likely lead to self-fulfillment, even if the chosen path does not align with a mentor or advisor. Additionally, self-assessment also may aid in the identification of a niche that an individual finds most intellectually stimulating, which may lead to an area of research or clinical expertise.

While the demonstrated relationship between career fit and burnout is only an association without demonstrated causation, this does merit further consideration. For the first time in most trainees’ careers, the position after fellowship represents an opportunity to choose a job as opposed to going through a “match” process. Therefore, the trainee must strongly consider the factors that will ultimately lead to career satisfaction. If a large disconnect is present between self-identified career goals and the actual tasks required within daily workflow, this may lead to burnout relatively early in a career. Perhaps more importantly, if an individual did not perform adequate self-reflection when choosing a career path or did not receive effective guidance from career mentors, this also might lead to decreased career satisfaction, poor career fit, and an increased risk for burnout as an early-career gastroenterologist.
 

The mentor’s role

Although a structured career mentoring program is in place within many gastroenterology training programs, other fellowships encourage the mentee to select from a pool of potential mentors. In many cases, trainees and early career gastroenterologists will benefit from building a mentorship team, including career mentor or mentors, research mentors, and other advisors.⁹

While the mentor-mentee relationship can be an extremely rewarding experience for both parties, the effective mentor must meet a high standard. Several qualities have been identified that will maximize the benefit of the mentor-mentee relationship for the trainee, including the mentor taking a selfless approach to the relationship, working to assist the mentee in choosing a career path that will be the most rewarding, and then aiding the mentee in making helpful connections to promote growth along that chosen path.⁹ A good mentors should inspire a mentees, but also should be willing to provide honest and at times critical feedback to ensure that mentees maximizes their potential and ultimately assume the appropriate career trajectory. Unbiased mentorship, as well as continued reevaluations of strengths, weaknesses, and career goals by the mentor and mentee, will ultimately offer an opportunity to ensure the best combination of career fit,⁵ work-life balance,¹⁰ and satisfaction with career choice.¹¹
 

The mentor-mentee relationship after training is complete

Once a trainee has completed gastroenterology fellowship, another stressful transition to the role of an attending physician commences. It is critical that early-career gastroenterologists not only have confidence in the guidance that their mentor has provided to ensure appropriate career fit in their new role but also maintain these critical mentor-mentee relationships during this transition. A good mentor does not disappear because one phase of training is complete. The need for effective mentoring at the junior faculty level also is well recognized,¹² and early-career gastroenterologists should continue to rely on established mentoring relationships when new decision points are encountered.

Depending on the career track of an early-career gastroenterologist, formal mentoring also may be offered in the new role as a junior faculty member.¹² Additionally, external mentoring can exist within foundations or other subspecialty groups. One example of extramural mentoring is the Career Connection Program offered through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Rising Educators Academics and Clinicians Helping IBD (REACH-IBD) platform. In this program, early-career gastroenterologists are selected and paired with national opinion leaders for one-on-one mentoring relationships. Such a program offers further opportunities for career growth, establishing connections within a smaller subspecialty of gastroenterology, and maximizing career fit.
 

Conclusion

In an era where the toll of burnout and other influences on early-career gastroenterologists are increasingly being recognized, the importance of career fit during the transition into the role of an attending should not be underestimated. In conjunction with appropriate self-reflection, unbiased and critical mentorship during fellowship can promote significant growth among trainees and allow for the ultimate selection of a career track or career path that will promote happiness, work-life balance, and long-term success as defined by the mentee.

Edward L. Barnes, MD, MPH, is with the Multidisciplinary Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Barnes reports no relevant disclosures.

References

1. Keswani RN et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(10):1734-40.

2. Burke C et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112:S593-4.

3. DeCross AJ. AGA Perspectives. 2017.

4. Barnes EL et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(2):302-6.

5. Shanafelt TD et al. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10):990-5.

6. Ordway SM et al. Hepatol Commun. 2017;1(4):347-53.

7. Janko MR, Smeds MR. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(4):1233-42.

8. Eckleberry-Hunt J et al. Acad Med. 2009;84(2):269-77.

9. Lieberman D. Gastroenterology. 2016;151(1):17-9.

10. Shanafelt TD et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(12):1600-13.

11. Shanafelt TD et al. Ann Surg. 2009;250(3):463-71.

12. Shaheen NJ, Sandler RS. Gastroenterology. 2018;155(5):1293-7.

“No hassle” new manuscript submission process

Many authors have experienced the frustration of formatting a manuscript for submission to a medical journal. The process is time consuming and each journal has different requirements. This means that if you decide to submit your manuscript to one journal and later decide that another journal is a better fit, you may spend an hour (or several hours) reformatting to meet the new journal’s unique requirements.

To allow authors to spend more time on what matters to them, we’re pleased to introduce our “No Hassle” process for initial original research and brief report manuscript submissions to the Journal of Hospital Medicine. Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary and burdensome steps in the manuscript submission process. Thus, we have relaxed formatting requirements for initial manuscript submissions. Any conventional and readable manuscript format and reference style is acceptable.

Tables and figures can be embedded in the main document file or uploaded individually, depending on your preference. Funding and disclosures should be included on the title page but there is no need to submit completed disclosure or copyright forms unless we request a manuscript revision.
 

Timely decisions

We have all experienced the agony of waiting months on end for a journal to make a decision about our manuscript. The review process itself can take many months (or even longer). Furthermore, a manuscript may not be published for many more months (or even longer) following acceptance. At the Journal of Hospital Medicine, we commit to making timely decisions and publishing your accepted manuscript as fast as we can.

We currently reject approximately half of all original research and brief report manuscript submissions without formal peer review. We do this for two reasons. First, we want to ensure that we’re not overburdening our peer reviewers so we only ask them to review manuscripts that we are seriously considering for publication. Second, we want to ensure that we’re being respectful of our authors’ time. If we are unlikely to publish a manuscript based on lower priority scores assigned by me, as editor-in-chief, or other journal editors, we don’t want to subject your manuscript to a lengthy peer review, but would rather return the manuscript to you quickly for timely submission elsewhere.

Here are data that support our timely decision making:

• 1.3 days = our average time from manuscript submission to rejection without formal peer review (median, less than one day).
• 23 days = our average time from manuscript submission to first decision for manuscripts sent for peer review.

We also are working to improve our time to publication. Our goal is to publish accepted manuscripts within 120 days from initial submission to publication, and within 60 days from acceptance to publication.
 

Dissemination

Finally, little public knowledge is gleaned from medical research unless the study is published and widely read. The Journal of Hospital Medicine is at the leading edge of helping authors disseminate their work to a broader audience. Of course, we produce press releases and distribute those to many media outlets in partnership with the Society of Hospital Medicine. We also leverage social media to promote your article through tweets, visual abstracts, and, more recently, comics or graphic medicine abstracts. Some articles are even discussed on #JHMChat, our twitter-based journal club. This work is led by our exceptional Digital Media Editors, Dr. Vineet Arora (@FutureDocs), Dr. Charlie Wray (@WrayCharles), and Dr. Grace Farris (@gracefarris).

In summary, we are committed to making the Journal of Hospital Medicine even more author friendly. To that end, we’re making it easy for authors to submit their work, making timely disposition decisions, and facilitating dissemination of the work we publish.
 

Dr. Shah is chief metrics officer and director of the division of hospital medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

“No hassle” new manuscript submission process

Many authors have experienced the frustration of formatting a manuscript for submission to a medical journal. The process is time consuming and each journal has different requirements. This means that if you decide to submit your manuscript to one journal and later decide that another journal is a better fit, you may spend an hour (or several hours) reformatting to meet the new journal’s unique requirements.

To allow authors to spend more time on what matters to them, we’re pleased to introduce our “No Hassle” process for initial original research and brief report manuscript submissions to the Journal of Hospital Medicine. Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary and burdensome steps in the manuscript submission process. Thus, we have relaxed formatting requirements for initial manuscript submissions. Any conventional and readable manuscript format and reference style is acceptable.

Tables and figures can be embedded in the main document file or uploaded individually, depending on your preference. Funding and disclosures should be included on the title page but there is no need to submit completed disclosure or copyright forms unless we request a manuscript revision.
 

Timely decisions

We have all experienced the agony of waiting months on end for a journal to make a decision about our manuscript. The review process itself can take many months (or even longer). Furthermore, a manuscript may not be published for many more months (or even longer) following acceptance. At the Journal of Hospital Medicine, we commit to making timely decisions and publishing your accepted manuscript as fast as we can.

We currently reject approximately half of all original research and brief report manuscript submissions without formal peer review. We do this for two reasons. First, we want to ensure that we’re not overburdening our peer reviewers so we only ask them to review manuscripts that we are seriously considering for publication. Second, we want to ensure that we’re being respectful of our authors’ time. If we are unlikely to publish a manuscript based on lower priority scores assigned by me, as editor-in-chief, or other journal editors, we don’t want to subject your manuscript to a lengthy peer review, but would rather return the manuscript to you quickly for timely submission elsewhere.

Here are data that support our timely decision making:

• 1.3 days = our average time from manuscript submission to rejection without formal peer review (median, less than one day).
• 23 days = our average time from manuscript submission to first decision for manuscripts sent for peer review.

We also are working to improve our time to publication. Our goal is to publish accepted manuscripts within 120 days from initial submission to publication, and within 60 days from acceptance to publication.
 

Dissemination

Finally, little public knowledge is gleaned from medical research unless the study is published and widely read. The Journal of Hospital Medicine is at the leading edge of helping authors disseminate their work to a broader audience. Of course, we produce press releases and distribute those to many media outlets in partnership with the Society of Hospital Medicine. We also leverage social media to promote your article through tweets, visual abstracts, and, more recently, comics or graphic medicine abstracts. Some articles are even discussed on #JHMChat, our twitter-based journal club. This work is led by our exceptional Digital Media Editors, Dr. Vineet Arora (@FutureDocs), Dr. Charlie Wray (@WrayCharles), and Dr. Grace Farris (@gracefarris).

In summary, we are committed to making the Journal of Hospital Medicine even more author friendly. To that end, we’re making it easy for authors to submit their work, making timely disposition decisions, and facilitating dissemination of the work we publish.
 

Dr. Shah is chief metrics officer and director of the division of hospital medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

“No hassle” new manuscript submission process

Many authors have experienced the frustration of formatting a manuscript for submission to a medical journal. The process is time consuming and each journal has different requirements. This means that if you decide to submit your manuscript to one journal and later decide that another journal is a better fit, you may spend an hour (or several hours) reformatting to meet the new journal’s unique requirements.

To allow authors to spend more time on what matters to them, we’re pleased to introduce our “No Hassle” process for initial original research and brief report manuscript submissions to the Journal of Hospital Medicine. Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary and burdensome steps in the manuscript submission process. Thus, we have relaxed formatting requirements for initial manuscript submissions. Any conventional and readable manuscript format and reference style is acceptable.

Tables and figures can be embedded in the main document file or uploaded individually, depending on your preference. Funding and disclosures should be included on the title page but there is no need to submit completed disclosure or copyright forms unless we request a manuscript revision.
 

Timely decisions

We have all experienced the agony of waiting months on end for a journal to make a decision about our manuscript. The review process itself can take many months (or even longer). Furthermore, a manuscript may not be published for many more months (or even longer) following acceptance. At the Journal of Hospital Medicine, we commit to making timely decisions and publishing your accepted manuscript as fast as we can.

We currently reject approximately half of all original research and brief report manuscript submissions without formal peer review. We do this for two reasons. First, we want to ensure that we’re not overburdening our peer reviewers so we only ask them to review manuscripts that we are seriously considering for publication. Second, we want to ensure that we’re being respectful of our authors’ time. If we are unlikely to publish a manuscript based on lower priority scores assigned by me, as editor-in-chief, or other journal editors, we don’t want to subject your manuscript to a lengthy peer review, but would rather return the manuscript to you quickly for timely submission elsewhere.

Here are data that support our timely decision making:

• 1.3 days = our average time from manuscript submission to rejection without formal peer review (median, less than one day).
• 23 days = our average time from manuscript submission to first decision for manuscripts sent for peer review.

We also are working to improve our time to publication. Our goal is to publish accepted manuscripts within 120 days from initial submission to publication, and within 60 days from acceptance to publication.
 

Dissemination

Finally, little public knowledge is gleaned from medical research unless the study is published and widely read. The Journal of Hospital Medicine is at the leading edge of helping authors disseminate their work to a broader audience. Of course, we produce press releases and distribute those to many media outlets in partnership with the Society of Hospital Medicine. We also leverage social media to promote your article through tweets, visual abstracts, and, more recently, comics or graphic medicine abstracts. Some articles are even discussed on #JHMChat, our twitter-based journal club. This work is led by our exceptional Digital Media Editors, Dr. Vineet Arora (@FutureDocs), Dr. Charlie Wray (@WrayCharles), and Dr. Grace Farris (@gracefarris).

In summary, we are committed to making the Journal of Hospital Medicine even more author friendly. To that end, we’re making it easy for authors to submit their work, making timely disposition decisions, and facilitating dissemination of the work we publish.
 

Dr. Shah is chief metrics officer and director of the division of hospital medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

AGA journals select new editorial fellows

Congrats to the six GIs selected for this competitive program.

The AGA journals – Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), and Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH) – are pleased to announce their 2019-2020 editorial fellows.



Gastroenterology
Feng Su, MD
University of Washington, Seattle

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.


CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn.

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora



CMGH
Cambrian Liu, PhD
The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Calif.

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Penn.

The editorial fellows will be mentored on their respective journals’ editorial processes, including peer review and the publication process from manuscript submission to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors and work closely with the AGA editorial staff. Additionally, the fellows will participate in AGA’s new reviewer education program and will also be offered the opportunity to contribute content to their respective journals. The newly expanded program builds on the success of the previous 2 years when Gastroenterology had an editorial fellow.

The journals’ board of editors and editorial staff congratulate the fellows and are excited to work with them over the next year.

Get to know this rock star IBS researcher and mom

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when Meenakshi Rao, MD, PhD, received the 2016 AGA–Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Research Scholar Award in Neurogastroenterology, she was able to double down on a project to identify why men and women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common but least understood of all digestive disorders, report different symptoms and respond differently to treatment. Based on her recent accomplishments, we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Rao, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

The Rao lab AGA-funded project focused on building upon Dr. Rao’s previous findings, which showed that disrupting nerves in the bowel had vastly different effects on males and females. These surprising results led Dr. Rao to explore whether sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, might regulate how well things move through the bowel. Dr. Rao believes that identifying the underlying causes for sex differences in bowel function could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for patients with IBS. You can read the specifics of Dr. Rao’s research in the October 2017 issue of Gastroenterology and the October 2018 issue of Journal of Neuroscience.

IBS symptoms in women more typically involve constipation while young men with IBS more commonly report diarrhea. Over time, as men age, however, they tend to experience more constipation, Dr. Rao said. “Sex hormones might be signaling directly to the nerves in our gut and playing a role in these sex differences,” Dr. Rao said. “It might mean we can’t think of this as one disorder. IBS in a male may be different than IBS in a female, and that could change how we approach diagnosis and treatment.”

The AGA grant laid the groundwork for Dr. Rao’s findings, which led to a new understanding of how different types of cells in the gut nervous system regulate bowel functions – and how this regulation is different in males and females. The AGA grant helped Dr. Rao secure funding from the National Institutes of Health to launch new projects focused on how disruption of the gut nervous system causes disease.

Dr. Rao received the AGA award in 2015, when her son, Avinash, was aged 2 years. She acknowledged the delicate balancing act of raising a family and advancing her research.

“A lot of things were happening at once,” she said. “As a young parent, having the support of this award and having a technician (made possible by the award) made a big difference.”

Her son, now 5 years old, is growing up in a science-centric household because Dr. Rao’s husband is also a scientist. Not surprisingly, Dr. Rao says, her son is becoming a budding scientist.

“He talks about experiments all the time,” she says. “He even articulated to me the other day why we work on mice to learn how to help people. I never taught him that. I was floored.”
 

Five new GI technologies to know

The AGA Tech Summit Shark Tank is our annual reminder that the field of GI is ripe for innovation. Continue reading for an overview of the five new technologies pitched to our panel of sharks.

The smart toilet seat. A toilet seat developed by Toi Labs, called TrueLoo, is equipped with lighting and cameras that capture images of bowel movements and urination for subsequent analysis. The company describes TrueLoo as a low-cost disease-screening tool that has major potential for early detection of conditions ranging from dehydration to gastrointestinal cancer.

AI to aid screening endoscopy. A new tool called Ultivision, being developed by the startup Docbot, was described as a strategy to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to aid endoscopists in screening for dysplasia in either screening colonoscopy or in surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus. The tool integrates with existing endoscopic tools. As tissue is visualized, the AI is programmed to highlight suspected dysplasia with a colored box to alert the endoscopist.

Obesity phenotyping tool. The Pheno Test, developed by Phenomix Sciences, applies “multi-omics” to a blood-based test to separate patients with obesity into four phenotypes: hungry brain (satiation signal is impaired), hungry gut (signals to eat are upregulated), emotional hunger (psychological reasons drive eating behavior), and slow metabolism (failure to burn fat at normal rates). With this knowledge, treatment can be tailored appropriately leading to better outcomes.

Capsule diagnostic tool. The Atmo Gas Capsule from Atmo Biosciences is an ingestible capsule that measures gases at the source, which can accelerate the diagnosis of diseases such as IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to the company, this technique is highly accurate and offers an alternative to more invasive and expensive diagnostic tools.

Winner: “all-in-one” IBD app. Our Shark Tank winner by both popular vote from AGA Tech Summit attendees and the six-member Shark Tank panel was Oshi Health, selected for its IBD app. The app allows patients to track symptoms, a first step in understanding personalized flare pattern, as well as find resources to learn about their disease and communicate with other patients about their experiences. In a future iteration, information gathered by the app will be made available to physicians to provide current information about disease status to better individualize therapy.
 

2020 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress now open for registration

Join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA next January in Austin, Tex., for the premier conference on IBD.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress combines the strengths of the nation’s leading IBD patient organization, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the premier GI professional organization, AGA, to bring together IBD professionals, across all disciplines, to transform IBD care.

The 2020 Congress Committee Chair David T. Rubin, MD, AGAF, University of Chicago, and Cochair Uma Mahadevan, MD, AGAF, University of California, San Francisco, lead a faculty that includes thought leaders in the fields of GI, research investigation, surgery, pediatrics, advanced practice, IBD nursing, diet and nutrition, mental health, radiology, and pathology.

The congress’s agenda includes main sessions that will emphasize case studies and panel discussions. There will also be parallel sessions on basic and translational science for senior and junior investigators. In addition, opening breakout sessions, taking place Jan. 23, will be available for selection free of charge.

Attendees of the 2020 congress will be able to meet with IBD leaders, discover different perspectives, leave with practical information they can immediately implement to take care of their next IBD patient and hear what’s on the horizon in potential treatment.

There will also be plenty of social events and plenty of time to build a strong network, including a Friday night Welcome Reception that should not be missed.

In addition, the 2020 congress is taking place in Austin, Tex. The capital of Texas and the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is famous for its inspiring and enticing entertainment, culture, cuisine, and outdoor settings. Make a week of it and enjoy all Austin has to offer.

Early-bird registration ends Sept. 18. General abstract submissions for basic, translational, and clinical research begin Aug. 28 and end Oct. 23. To learn more and register, visit www.crohnscolitiscongress.org.
 

AGA welcomes new president, Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, began his term as the 114th president of the AGA Institute at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW 2019).

Dr. El-Serag is former editor in chief of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He currently serves as chair of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, following a decade leading and expanding Baylor’s gastroenterology and hepatology section. He is one of the few academic gastroenterologists serving as a chair of a department of medicine in the United States.

Originally Palestinian, Dr. El-Serag became a U.S. citizen in the early 2000s after medical school in Libya. He completed his training at community hospitals in the United States. His path from Benghazi to Baylor is described in the May issue of Gastroenterology by Baylor colleague Dr. Fasiha Kanwal.

“I firmly believe that the success I achieved in the United States would not have been possible anywhere else in the world, and it is as much a testament to the accepting society and medical system as to whatever intrinsic ability or skill I have,” noted Dr. El-Serag.

The major focus of Dr. El-Serag’s scholarly work is the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Much of the modern literature on this topic includes his more than 100 publications. Since 2014, Dr. El-Serag has been named by Thomson Reuter as among the top 1% of clinical scientists.

Dr. El-Serag “is an innovative scientist, a compassionate physician, and a gifted educator. He is a relentless advocate of science and training, with an astute political sense — all key to influencing and shaping policy,” said Dr. Kanwal.

Dr. El-Serag’s term as AGA president concludes May 2020. Follow him on twitter at @SeragHashem.

AGA journals select new editorial fellows

Congrats to the six GIs selected for this competitive program.

The AGA journals – Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), and Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH) – are pleased to announce their 2019-2020 editorial fellows.



Gastroenterology
Feng Su, MD
University of Washington, Seattle

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.


CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn.

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora



CMGH
Cambrian Liu, PhD
The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Calif.

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Penn.

The editorial fellows will be mentored on their respective journals’ editorial processes, including peer review and the publication process from manuscript submission to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors and work closely with the AGA editorial staff. Additionally, the fellows will participate in AGA’s new reviewer education program and will also be offered the opportunity to contribute content to their respective journals. The newly expanded program builds on the success of the previous 2 years when Gastroenterology had an editorial fellow.

The journals’ board of editors and editorial staff congratulate the fellows and are excited to work with them over the next year.

Get to know this rock star IBS researcher and mom

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when Meenakshi Rao, MD, PhD, received the 2016 AGA–Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Research Scholar Award in Neurogastroenterology, she was able to double down on a project to identify why men and women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common but least understood of all digestive disorders, report different symptoms and respond differently to treatment. Based on her recent accomplishments, we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Rao, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

The Rao lab AGA-funded project focused on building upon Dr. Rao’s previous findings, which showed that disrupting nerves in the bowel had vastly different effects on males and females. These surprising results led Dr. Rao to explore whether sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, might regulate how well things move through the bowel. Dr. Rao believes that identifying the underlying causes for sex differences in bowel function could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for patients with IBS. You can read the specifics of Dr. Rao’s research in the October 2017 issue of Gastroenterology and the October 2018 issue of Journal of Neuroscience.

IBS symptoms in women more typically involve constipation while young men with IBS more commonly report diarrhea. Over time, as men age, however, they tend to experience more constipation, Dr. Rao said. “Sex hormones might be signaling directly to the nerves in our gut and playing a role in these sex differences,” Dr. Rao said. “It might mean we can’t think of this as one disorder. IBS in a male may be different than IBS in a female, and that could change how we approach diagnosis and treatment.”

The AGA grant laid the groundwork for Dr. Rao’s findings, which led to a new understanding of how different types of cells in the gut nervous system regulate bowel functions – and how this regulation is different in males and females. The AGA grant helped Dr. Rao secure funding from the National Institutes of Health to launch new projects focused on how disruption of the gut nervous system causes disease.

Dr. Rao received the AGA award in 2015, when her son, Avinash, was aged 2 years. She acknowledged the delicate balancing act of raising a family and advancing her research.

“A lot of things were happening at once,” she said. “As a young parent, having the support of this award and having a technician (made possible by the award) made a big difference.”

Her son, now 5 years old, is growing up in a science-centric household because Dr. Rao’s husband is also a scientist. Not surprisingly, Dr. Rao says, her son is becoming a budding scientist.

“He talks about experiments all the time,” she says. “He even articulated to me the other day why we work on mice to learn how to help people. I never taught him that. I was floored.”
 

Five new GI technologies to know

The AGA Tech Summit Shark Tank is our annual reminder that the field of GI is ripe for innovation. Continue reading for an overview of the five new technologies pitched to our panel of sharks.

The smart toilet seat. A toilet seat developed by Toi Labs, called TrueLoo, is equipped with lighting and cameras that capture images of bowel movements and urination for subsequent analysis. The company describes TrueLoo as a low-cost disease-screening tool that has major potential for early detection of conditions ranging from dehydration to gastrointestinal cancer.

AI to aid screening endoscopy. A new tool called Ultivision, being developed by the startup Docbot, was described as a strategy to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to aid endoscopists in screening for dysplasia in either screening colonoscopy or in surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus. The tool integrates with existing endoscopic tools. As tissue is visualized, the AI is programmed to highlight suspected dysplasia with a colored box to alert the endoscopist.

Obesity phenotyping tool. The Pheno Test, developed by Phenomix Sciences, applies “multi-omics” to a blood-based test to separate patients with obesity into four phenotypes: hungry brain (satiation signal is impaired), hungry gut (signals to eat are upregulated), emotional hunger (psychological reasons drive eating behavior), and slow metabolism (failure to burn fat at normal rates). With this knowledge, treatment can be tailored appropriately leading to better outcomes.

Capsule diagnostic tool. The Atmo Gas Capsule from Atmo Biosciences is an ingestible capsule that measures gases at the source, which can accelerate the diagnosis of diseases such as IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to the company, this technique is highly accurate and offers an alternative to more invasive and expensive diagnostic tools.

Winner: “all-in-one” IBD app. Our Shark Tank winner by both popular vote from AGA Tech Summit attendees and the six-member Shark Tank panel was Oshi Health, selected for its IBD app. The app allows patients to track symptoms, a first step in understanding personalized flare pattern, as well as find resources to learn about their disease and communicate with other patients about their experiences. In a future iteration, information gathered by the app will be made available to physicians to provide current information about disease status to better individualize therapy.
 

2020 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress now open for registration

Join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA next January in Austin, Tex., for the premier conference on IBD.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress combines the strengths of the nation’s leading IBD patient organization, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the premier GI professional organization, AGA, to bring together IBD professionals, across all disciplines, to transform IBD care.

The 2020 Congress Committee Chair David T. Rubin, MD, AGAF, University of Chicago, and Cochair Uma Mahadevan, MD, AGAF, University of California, San Francisco, lead a faculty that includes thought leaders in the fields of GI, research investigation, surgery, pediatrics, advanced practice, IBD nursing, diet and nutrition, mental health, radiology, and pathology.

The congress’s agenda includes main sessions that will emphasize case studies and panel discussions. There will also be parallel sessions on basic and translational science for senior and junior investigators. In addition, opening breakout sessions, taking place Jan. 23, will be available for selection free of charge.

Attendees of the 2020 congress will be able to meet with IBD leaders, discover different perspectives, leave with practical information they can immediately implement to take care of their next IBD patient and hear what’s on the horizon in potential treatment.

There will also be plenty of social events and plenty of time to build a strong network, including a Friday night Welcome Reception that should not be missed.

In addition, the 2020 congress is taking place in Austin, Tex. The capital of Texas and the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is famous for its inspiring and enticing entertainment, culture, cuisine, and outdoor settings. Make a week of it and enjoy all Austin has to offer.

Early-bird registration ends Sept. 18. General abstract submissions for basic, translational, and clinical research begin Aug. 28 and end Oct. 23. To learn more and register, visit www.crohnscolitiscongress.org.
 

AGA welcomes new president, Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, began his term as the 114th president of the AGA Institute at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW 2019).

Dr. El-Serag is former editor in chief of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He currently serves as chair of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, following a decade leading and expanding Baylor’s gastroenterology and hepatology section. He is one of the few academic gastroenterologists serving as a chair of a department of medicine in the United States.

Originally Palestinian, Dr. El-Serag became a U.S. citizen in the early 2000s after medical school in Libya. He completed his training at community hospitals in the United States. His path from Benghazi to Baylor is described in the May issue of Gastroenterology by Baylor colleague Dr. Fasiha Kanwal.

“I firmly believe that the success I achieved in the United States would not have been possible anywhere else in the world, and it is as much a testament to the accepting society and medical system as to whatever intrinsic ability or skill I have,” noted Dr. El-Serag.

The major focus of Dr. El-Serag’s scholarly work is the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Much of the modern literature on this topic includes his more than 100 publications. Since 2014, Dr. El-Serag has been named by Thomson Reuter as among the top 1% of clinical scientists.

Dr. El-Serag “is an innovative scientist, a compassionate physician, and a gifted educator. He is a relentless advocate of science and training, with an astute political sense — all key to influencing and shaping policy,” said Dr. Kanwal.

Dr. El-Serag’s term as AGA president concludes May 2020. Follow him on twitter at @SeragHashem.

AGA journals select new editorial fellows

Congrats to the six GIs selected for this competitive program.

The AGA journals – Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), and Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH) – are pleased to announce their 2019-2020 editorial fellows.



Gastroenterology
Feng Su, MD
University of Washington, Seattle

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.


CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn.

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora



CMGH
Cambrian Liu, PhD
The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Calif.

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Penn.

The editorial fellows will be mentored on their respective journals’ editorial processes, including peer review and the publication process from manuscript submission to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors and work closely with the AGA editorial staff. Additionally, the fellows will participate in AGA’s new reviewer education program and will also be offered the opportunity to contribute content to their respective journals. The newly expanded program builds on the success of the previous 2 years when Gastroenterology had an editorial fellow.

The journals’ board of editors and editorial staff congratulate the fellows and are excited to work with them over the next year.

Get to know this rock star IBS researcher and mom

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when Meenakshi Rao, MD, PhD, received the 2016 AGA–Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Research Scholar Award in Neurogastroenterology, she was able to double down on a project to identify why men and women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common but least understood of all digestive disorders, report different symptoms and respond differently to treatment. Based on her recent accomplishments, we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Rao, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

The Rao lab AGA-funded project focused on building upon Dr. Rao’s previous findings, which showed that disrupting nerves in the bowel had vastly different effects on males and females. These surprising results led Dr. Rao to explore whether sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, might regulate how well things move through the bowel. Dr. Rao believes that identifying the underlying causes for sex differences in bowel function could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for patients with IBS. You can read the specifics of Dr. Rao’s research in the October 2017 issue of Gastroenterology and the October 2018 issue of Journal of Neuroscience.

IBS symptoms in women more typically involve constipation while young men with IBS more commonly report diarrhea. Over time, as men age, however, they tend to experience more constipation, Dr. Rao said. “Sex hormones might be signaling directly to the nerves in our gut and playing a role in these sex differences,” Dr. Rao said. “It might mean we can’t think of this as one disorder. IBS in a male may be different than IBS in a female, and that could change how we approach diagnosis and treatment.”

The AGA grant laid the groundwork for Dr. Rao’s findings, which led to a new understanding of how different types of cells in the gut nervous system regulate bowel functions – and how this regulation is different in males and females. The AGA grant helped Dr. Rao secure funding from the National Institutes of Health to launch new projects focused on how disruption of the gut nervous system causes disease.

Dr. Rao received the AGA award in 2015, when her son, Avinash, was aged 2 years. She acknowledged the delicate balancing act of raising a family and advancing her research.

“A lot of things were happening at once,” she said. “As a young parent, having the support of this award and having a technician (made possible by the award) made a big difference.”

Her son, now 5 years old, is growing up in a science-centric household because Dr. Rao’s husband is also a scientist. Not surprisingly, Dr. Rao says, her son is becoming a budding scientist.

“He talks about experiments all the time,” she says. “He even articulated to me the other day why we work on mice to learn how to help people. I never taught him that. I was floored.”
 

Five new GI technologies to know

The AGA Tech Summit Shark Tank is our annual reminder that the field of GI is ripe for innovation. Continue reading for an overview of the five new technologies pitched to our panel of sharks.

The smart toilet seat. A toilet seat developed by Toi Labs, called TrueLoo, is equipped with lighting and cameras that capture images of bowel movements and urination for subsequent analysis. The company describes TrueLoo as a low-cost disease-screening tool that has major potential for early detection of conditions ranging from dehydration to gastrointestinal cancer.

AI to aid screening endoscopy. A new tool called Ultivision, being developed by the startup Docbot, was described as a strategy to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to aid endoscopists in screening for dysplasia in either screening colonoscopy or in surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus. The tool integrates with existing endoscopic tools. As tissue is visualized, the AI is programmed to highlight suspected dysplasia with a colored box to alert the endoscopist.

Obesity phenotyping tool. The Pheno Test, developed by Phenomix Sciences, applies “multi-omics” to a blood-based test to separate patients with obesity into four phenotypes: hungry brain (satiation signal is impaired), hungry gut (signals to eat are upregulated), emotional hunger (psychological reasons drive eating behavior), and slow metabolism (failure to burn fat at normal rates). With this knowledge, treatment can be tailored appropriately leading to better outcomes.

Capsule diagnostic tool. The Atmo Gas Capsule from Atmo Biosciences is an ingestible capsule that measures gases at the source, which can accelerate the diagnosis of diseases such as IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to the company, this technique is highly accurate and offers an alternative to more invasive and expensive diagnostic tools.

Winner: “all-in-one” IBD app. Our Shark Tank winner by both popular vote from AGA Tech Summit attendees and the six-member Shark Tank panel was Oshi Health, selected for its IBD app. The app allows patients to track symptoms, a first step in understanding personalized flare pattern, as well as find resources to learn about their disease and communicate with other patients about their experiences. In a future iteration, information gathered by the app will be made available to physicians to provide current information about disease status to better individualize therapy.
 

2020 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress now open for registration

Join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA next January in Austin, Tex., for the premier conference on IBD.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress combines the strengths of the nation’s leading IBD patient organization, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the premier GI professional organization, AGA, to bring together IBD professionals, across all disciplines, to transform IBD care.

The 2020 Congress Committee Chair David T. Rubin, MD, AGAF, University of Chicago, and Cochair Uma Mahadevan, MD, AGAF, University of California, San Francisco, lead a faculty that includes thought leaders in the fields of GI, research investigation, surgery, pediatrics, advanced practice, IBD nursing, diet and nutrition, mental health, radiology, and pathology.

The congress’s agenda includes main sessions that will emphasize case studies and panel discussions. There will also be parallel sessions on basic and translational science for senior and junior investigators. In addition, opening breakout sessions, taking place Jan. 23, will be available for selection free of charge.

Attendees of the 2020 congress will be able to meet with IBD leaders, discover different perspectives, leave with practical information they can immediately implement to take care of their next IBD patient and hear what’s on the horizon in potential treatment.

There will also be plenty of social events and plenty of time to build a strong network, including a Friday night Welcome Reception that should not be missed.

In addition, the 2020 congress is taking place in Austin, Tex. The capital of Texas and the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is famous for its inspiring and enticing entertainment, culture, cuisine, and outdoor settings. Make a week of it and enjoy all Austin has to offer.

Early-bird registration ends Sept. 18. General abstract submissions for basic, translational, and clinical research begin Aug. 28 and end Oct. 23. To learn more and register, visit www.crohnscolitiscongress.org.
 

AGA welcomes new president, Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, began his term as the 114th president of the AGA Institute at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW 2019).

Dr. El-Serag is former editor in chief of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He currently serves as chair of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, following a decade leading and expanding Baylor’s gastroenterology and hepatology section. He is one of the few academic gastroenterologists serving as a chair of a department of medicine in the United States.

Originally Palestinian, Dr. El-Serag became a U.S. citizen in the early 2000s after medical school in Libya. He completed his training at community hospitals in the United States. His path from Benghazi to Baylor is described in the May issue of Gastroenterology by Baylor colleague Dr. Fasiha Kanwal.

“I firmly believe that the success I achieved in the United States would not have been possible anywhere else in the world, and it is as much a testament to the accepting society and medical system as to whatever intrinsic ability or skill I have,” noted Dr. El-Serag.

The major focus of Dr. El-Serag’s scholarly work is the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Much of the modern literature on this topic includes his more than 100 publications. Since 2014, Dr. El-Serag has been named by Thomson Reuter as among the top 1% of clinical scientists.

Dr. El-Serag “is an innovative scientist, a compassionate physician, and a gifted educator. He is a relentless advocate of science and training, with an astute political sense — all key to influencing and shaping policy,” said Dr. Kanwal.

Dr. El-Serag’s term as AGA president concludes May 2020. Follow him on twitter at @SeragHashem.

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug. 9-10, 2019
2019 Freston Conference: Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease
GI clinicians and allied health professionals are increasingly focused on how nutrients influence GI physiology and how diet can promote sound gut health. In response to this growing body of knowledge, the 2019 James W. Freston Conference — Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease, Aug. 9-10, 2019, in Chicago — will examine how nutrition management therapies can combat GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease and how diet supports improvement across the care continuum.
Chicago, Illinois

Aug. 9–11, 2019
2019 Principles of GI for the NP and PA
The Principles of Gastroenterology for the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant (NPPA) is the medical industry’s premiere course guiding and enabling nurse practitioners and physician assistants with the intricacies of identifying, treating, and managing GI disorders. Designed and taught by expert clinicians and advanced practice providers, NPPA provides the latest insights, knowledge, and research on how to improve GI patient care. Attendees will leave with stronger diagnostic and therapeutic skills, a more robust professional network, and an enhanced value for their practices.
Chicago, Illinois

Sept. 18-19, 2019; Oct. 9-10. 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc.
Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, GA (9/18-19); Las Vegas, NV (10/9-10)

Oct. 4, 2019
2019 AGA Partners in Value
Join GI trailblazers and leaders from AGA and DHPA to network and discuss strategies that will help your practice succeed in the changing business of health care. Leave equipped to make better decisions for the future.
Chicago, Illinois

May 2-5, 2020
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW)
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. Abstract submissions will be due on Dec. 1, and registration will open in January 2020.
Chicago, Illinois

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Elsevier Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing research in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Pfizer Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to recipients at any career stage researching new directions focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Rome Foundation Functional GI and Motility Disorders Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing clinical or translational research pertaining to functional GI and motility disorders.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in digestive disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in gastric cancer research. Research involving precancerous lesions will be considered if relevance to gastric cancer is explicitly outlined.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019
 

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The top-scoring abstract will be designated the Fellow Abstract of the Year and receive a $1,000 award.
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA Student Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are graduate students, medical students, or medical residents (residents up to postgraduate year three) giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA-Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This $750 travel award supports recipients who are young (i.e., 35 years of age or younger at the time of DDW) basic, translational, or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug. 9-10, 2019
2019 Freston Conference: Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease
GI clinicians and allied health professionals are increasingly focused on how nutrients influence GI physiology and how diet can promote sound gut health. In response to this growing body of knowledge, the 2019 James W. Freston Conference — Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease, Aug. 9-10, 2019, in Chicago — will examine how nutrition management therapies can combat GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease and how diet supports improvement across the care continuum.
Chicago, Illinois

Aug. 9–11, 2019
2019 Principles of GI for the NP and PA
The Principles of Gastroenterology for the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant (NPPA) is the medical industry’s premiere course guiding and enabling nurse practitioners and physician assistants with the intricacies of identifying, treating, and managing GI disorders. Designed and taught by expert clinicians and advanced practice providers, NPPA provides the latest insights, knowledge, and research on how to improve GI patient care. Attendees will leave with stronger diagnostic and therapeutic skills, a more robust professional network, and an enhanced value for their practices.
Chicago, Illinois

Sept. 18-19, 2019; Oct. 9-10. 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc.
Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, GA (9/18-19); Las Vegas, NV (10/9-10)

Oct. 4, 2019
2019 AGA Partners in Value
Join GI trailblazers and leaders from AGA and DHPA to network and discuss strategies that will help your practice succeed in the changing business of health care. Leave equipped to make better decisions for the future.
Chicago, Illinois

May 2-5, 2020
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW)
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. Abstract submissions will be due on Dec. 1, and registration will open in January 2020.
Chicago, Illinois

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Elsevier Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing research in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Pfizer Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to recipients at any career stage researching new directions focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Rome Foundation Functional GI and Motility Disorders Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing clinical or translational research pertaining to functional GI and motility disorders.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in digestive disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in gastric cancer research. Research involving precancerous lesions will be considered if relevance to gastric cancer is explicitly outlined.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019
 

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The top-scoring abstract will be designated the Fellow Abstract of the Year and receive a $1,000 award.
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA Student Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are graduate students, medical students, or medical residents (residents up to postgraduate year three) giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA-Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This $750 travel award supports recipients who are young (i.e., 35 years of age or younger at the time of DDW) basic, translational, or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug. 9-10, 2019
2019 Freston Conference: Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease
GI clinicians and allied health professionals are increasingly focused on how nutrients influence GI physiology and how diet can promote sound gut health. In response to this growing body of knowledge, the 2019 James W. Freston Conference — Food at the Intersection of Gut Health and Disease, Aug. 9-10, 2019, in Chicago — will examine how nutrition management therapies can combat GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease and how diet supports improvement across the care continuum.
Chicago, Illinois

Aug. 9–11, 2019
2019 Principles of GI for the NP and PA
The Principles of Gastroenterology for the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant (NPPA) is the medical industry’s premiere course guiding and enabling nurse practitioners and physician assistants with the intricacies of identifying, treating, and managing GI disorders. Designed and taught by expert clinicians and advanced practice providers, NPPA provides the latest insights, knowledge, and research on how to improve GI patient care. Attendees will leave with stronger diagnostic and therapeutic skills, a more robust professional network, and an enhanced value for their practices.
Chicago, Illinois

Sept. 18-19, 2019; Oct. 9-10. 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc.
Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, GA (9/18-19); Las Vegas, NV (10/9-10)

Oct. 4, 2019
2019 AGA Partners in Value
Join GI trailblazers and leaders from AGA and DHPA to network and discuss strategies that will help your practice succeed in the changing business of health care. Leave equipped to make better decisions for the future.
Chicago, Illinois

May 2-5, 2020
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW)
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. Abstract submissions will be due on Dec. 1, and registration will open in January 2020.
Chicago, Illinois

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Elsevier Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing research in gastroenterology- or hepatology-related areas.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Allergan Foundation Pilot Research Award in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to an investigator at any career stage researching the pathophysiology and/or treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Pfizer Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to recipients at any career stage researching new directions focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA-Rome Foundation Functional GI and Motility Disorders Pilot Research Award
This award provides $30,000 for 1 year to a recipient at any career stage performing clinical or translational research pertaining to functional GI and motility disorders.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2019

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in digestive disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in gastric cancer research. Research involving precancerous lesions will be considered if relevance to gastric cancer is explicitly outlined.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2019
 

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The top-scoring abstract will be designated the Fellow Abstract of the Year and receive a $1,000 award.
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA Student Abstract Award
This $500 travel award supports recipients who are graduate students, medical students, or medical residents (residents up to postgraduate year three) giving abstract-based oral or poster presentations at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020

AGA-Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This $750 travel award supports recipients who are young (i.e., 35 years of age or younger at the time of DDW) basic, translational, or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 26, 2020