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Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
Junaid Beig, MBBS, FRACP wrote the following in “Subtherapeutic Azathioprine metabolites despite being adherent to medication”:
“I have an Ulcerative patient (Pancolitis) on Mesalazine and Azathioprine 150mg since 2018. His levels are subtherapeutic (6TGN 159 and 6MMP 70) despite being adherent to medication. He drinks 2 liters of wine per week.
“Questions: Is there any way we can find if he has high TPMT activity (Level is normal 6.1)? Does alcohol have an impact on TPMT activity? Does he warrant alternative treatment?”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25109.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
Junaid Beig, MBBS, FRACP wrote the following in “Subtherapeutic Azathioprine metabolites despite being adherent to medication”:
“I have an Ulcerative patient (Pancolitis) on Mesalazine and Azathioprine 150mg since 2018. His levels are subtherapeutic (6TGN 159 and 6MMP 70) despite being adherent to medication. He drinks 2 liters of wine per week.
“Questions: Is there any way we can find if he has high TPMT activity (Level is normal 6.1)? Does alcohol have an impact on TPMT activity? Does he warrant alternative treatment?”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25109.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
Junaid Beig, MBBS, FRACP wrote the following in “Subtherapeutic Azathioprine metabolites despite being adherent to medication”:
“I have an Ulcerative patient (Pancolitis) on Mesalazine and Azathioprine 150mg since 2018. His levels are subtherapeutic (6TGN 159 and 6MMP 70) despite being adherent to medication. He drinks 2 liters of wine per week.
“Questions: Is there any way we can find if he has high TPMT activity (Level is normal 6.1)? Does alcohol have an impact on TPMT activity? Does he warrant alternative treatment?”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25109.
AGA Foundation: Gift options for your will
When life changes, so should your will. An old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Use your will to give back!
Help support young investigators doing research.
- Gift us a share of what›s left in your estate after other obligations are met.
- Make a contingent bequest. That is, you give part of your estate to some individual if that person survives you; if not, then it goes to us.
- Create a charitable remainder trust to pay an income to your spouse or other loved one for life and designate the remaining principal for us.
- Create a charitable lead trust to pay income to us for a number of years, or for another person’s lifetime, with the trust assets eventually being distributed to your family.
- Donate a specific amount of cash or securities.
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. If our organization fits into your plans, we can help you choose the method that best satisfies your wishes and our needs.
When life changes, so should your will. An old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Use your will to give back!
Help support young investigators doing research.
- Gift us a share of what›s left in your estate after other obligations are met.
- Make a contingent bequest. That is, you give part of your estate to some individual if that person survives you; if not, then it goes to us.
- Create a charitable remainder trust to pay an income to your spouse or other loved one for life and designate the remaining principal for us.
- Create a charitable lead trust to pay income to us for a number of years, or for another person’s lifetime, with the trust assets eventually being distributed to your family.
- Donate a specific amount of cash or securities.
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. If our organization fits into your plans, we can help you choose the method that best satisfies your wishes and our needs.
When life changes, so should your will. An old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Use your will to give back!
Help support young investigators doing research.
- Gift us a share of what›s left in your estate after other obligations are met.
- Make a contingent bequest. That is, you give part of your estate to some individual if that person survives you; if not, then it goes to us.
- Create a charitable remainder trust to pay an income to your spouse or other loved one for life and designate the remaining principal for us.
- Create a charitable lead trust to pay income to us for a number of years, or for another person’s lifetime, with the trust assets eventually being distributed to your family.
- Donate a specific amount of cash or securities.
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. If our organization fits into your plans, we can help you choose the method that best satisfies your wishes and our needs.
Dr. Tadataka “Tachi” Yamada dies at 76
Dr. Yamada had a storied career as a GI leader, educator, and mentor before his work as a biotech pharma research chief and a global health advocate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
AGA President John Inadomi, MD, tweeted “We lost a mentor, sponsor, role model and true pioneer in gastroenterology – Honor his legacy.” You can share your remembrances on the AGA Community.
Over the years, Tachi made enormous contributions to AGA. He served on multiple committees, too numerous to list. He served on the AGA Governing Board multiple times and as president.
He was awarded the association’s highest honor, the Julius Friedenwald Medal, in 2003. At that time, Chung Owyang, MD, wrote a bio of Tachi and noted his critical role in shaping AGA and Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). He was the founding chair of the AGA Council working hard to reformat DDW into a major international event for our subspecialty. He was also among the group of AGA leaders who proposed the establishment of the AGA Foundation.
In 1996, Tachi assumed the presidency of AGA during a time of great turbulence in health care, where not only the practice but also the education and research missions of gastroenterology were threatened by change. Tachi took on the challenge with exemplary vision, energy, and intelligence.
Dan Podolsky, MD, a former AGA president commented at the time of Tachi’s Friedenwald Medal that “Tachi applied characteristic creativity and energy to all AGA activities. An inspirational leader, he was especially effective in promoting the AGA’s commitment to the career development of young gastroenterologists, promoting digestive diseases research, and as a tireless advocate for the field of gastroenterology.”
“Tachi has not only led our field, but he has been a global leader helping pharma rethink their role in global health, and helping the Gates Foundation save so many lives. He was soft-spoken but his worldwide contributions and vision will carry on. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” said Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, past president of AGA Institute.
Dr. Yamada had a storied career as a GI leader, educator, and mentor before his work as a biotech pharma research chief and a global health advocate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
AGA President John Inadomi, MD, tweeted “We lost a mentor, sponsor, role model and true pioneer in gastroenterology – Honor his legacy.” You can share your remembrances on the AGA Community.
Over the years, Tachi made enormous contributions to AGA. He served on multiple committees, too numerous to list. He served on the AGA Governing Board multiple times and as president.
He was awarded the association’s highest honor, the Julius Friedenwald Medal, in 2003. At that time, Chung Owyang, MD, wrote a bio of Tachi and noted his critical role in shaping AGA and Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). He was the founding chair of the AGA Council working hard to reformat DDW into a major international event for our subspecialty. He was also among the group of AGA leaders who proposed the establishment of the AGA Foundation.
In 1996, Tachi assumed the presidency of AGA during a time of great turbulence in health care, where not only the practice but also the education and research missions of gastroenterology were threatened by change. Tachi took on the challenge with exemplary vision, energy, and intelligence.
Dan Podolsky, MD, a former AGA president commented at the time of Tachi’s Friedenwald Medal that “Tachi applied characteristic creativity and energy to all AGA activities. An inspirational leader, he was especially effective in promoting the AGA’s commitment to the career development of young gastroenterologists, promoting digestive diseases research, and as a tireless advocate for the field of gastroenterology.”
“Tachi has not only led our field, but he has been a global leader helping pharma rethink their role in global health, and helping the Gates Foundation save so many lives. He was soft-spoken but his worldwide contributions and vision will carry on. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” said Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, past president of AGA Institute.
Dr. Yamada had a storied career as a GI leader, educator, and mentor before his work as a biotech pharma research chief and a global health advocate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
AGA President John Inadomi, MD, tweeted “We lost a mentor, sponsor, role model and true pioneer in gastroenterology – Honor his legacy.” You can share your remembrances on the AGA Community.
Over the years, Tachi made enormous contributions to AGA. He served on multiple committees, too numerous to list. He served on the AGA Governing Board multiple times and as president.
He was awarded the association’s highest honor, the Julius Friedenwald Medal, in 2003. At that time, Chung Owyang, MD, wrote a bio of Tachi and noted his critical role in shaping AGA and Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). He was the founding chair of the AGA Council working hard to reformat DDW into a major international event for our subspecialty. He was also among the group of AGA leaders who proposed the establishment of the AGA Foundation.
In 1996, Tachi assumed the presidency of AGA during a time of great turbulence in health care, where not only the practice but also the education and research missions of gastroenterology were threatened by change. Tachi took on the challenge with exemplary vision, energy, and intelligence.
Dan Podolsky, MD, a former AGA president commented at the time of Tachi’s Friedenwald Medal that “Tachi applied characteristic creativity and energy to all AGA activities. An inspirational leader, he was especially effective in promoting the AGA’s commitment to the career development of young gastroenterologists, promoting digestive diseases research, and as a tireless advocate for the field of gastroenterology.”
“Tachi has not only led our field, but he has been a global leader helping pharma rethink their role in global health, and helping the Gates Foundation save so many lives. He was soft-spoken but his worldwide contributions and vision will carry on. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” said Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, past president of AGA Institute.
AGA Advocacy Day
Whether you’re a clinician or researcher,
Help us elevate the GI perspective by participating in AGA Advocacy Day on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. This is a unique opportunity for you to virtually meet with federal legislators to share your experiences and show how supporting the needs of GIs and our patients impacts the community they represent.
No prior advocacy experience needed! AGA staff will supply key talking points on a variety of health care policies and provide plenty of training to help you tell your story in a way that inspires and influences policymakers.
Your participation on this day – no matter how long – is vital to our success. If you can’t attend meetings the entire day, then share your availability during registration and we’ll arrange meetings around your busy schedule.
Save your spot.
Whether you’re a clinician or researcher,
Help us elevate the GI perspective by participating in AGA Advocacy Day on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. This is a unique opportunity for you to virtually meet with federal legislators to share your experiences and show how supporting the needs of GIs and our patients impacts the community they represent.
No prior advocacy experience needed! AGA staff will supply key talking points on a variety of health care policies and provide plenty of training to help you tell your story in a way that inspires and influences policymakers.
Your participation on this day – no matter how long – is vital to our success. If you can’t attend meetings the entire day, then share your availability during registration and we’ll arrange meetings around your busy schedule.
Save your spot.
Whether you’re a clinician or researcher,
Help us elevate the GI perspective by participating in AGA Advocacy Day on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. This is a unique opportunity for you to virtually meet with federal legislators to share your experiences and show how supporting the needs of GIs and our patients impacts the community they represent.
No prior advocacy experience needed! AGA staff will supply key talking points on a variety of health care policies and provide plenty of training to help you tell your story in a way that inspires and influences policymakers.
Your participation on this day – no matter how long – is vital to our success. If you can’t attend meetings the entire day, then share your availability during registration and we’ll arrange meetings around your busy schedule.
Save your spot.
Confronting the NASH epidemic together
. The recommendations from this meeting have been copublished in Gastroenterology along with three other leading journals: Diabetes Care, Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, and Obesity: The Journal of the Obesity Society.
Key findings from this special report include the following:
- Patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing NAFLD/NASH with diabetes being a major risk factor for worse disease severity and progression to cirrhosis (permanent damage to the liver).
- Primary care providers are critical to managing this growing epidemic. They should be the first line for screening patients at risk, stratifying patients based on their risk for advanced fibrosis, and providing effective management and referrals.
- The guiding principle for risk stratification is to rule out advanced fibrosis by simple, noninvasive fibrosis scores (such as NAFLD fibrosis score or Fibrosis-4 Index). Patients at intermediate or high risk may require further assessment with a second-line test – evaluation with elastography or by serum marker test with direct measures of fibrogenesis.
- Because NAFLD is not an isolated disease but a component of cardiometabolic abnormalities typically associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, the cornerstone of therapy is lifestyle-based therapies (altered diet – such as reduced-calorie or Mediterranean diets – and regular, moderate physical activity), as well as replacing obesogenic medications, to decrease body weight and improve cardiometabolic health. Patients with diabetes who also have NASH may benefit from certain antidiabetic medications (such as pioglitazone and semaglutide) that treat not only their diabetes but also reverse steatohepatitis and improve cardiometabolic health.
- Optimal care of patients with NAFLD and NASH requires collaboration among primary care providers, endocrinologists, diabetologists, obesity medicine specialists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists to tackle both the liver manifestations of the disease and the comorbid metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk, as well as screening and treating other comorbid conditions (such as obstructive sleep apnea).
. The recommendations from this meeting have been copublished in Gastroenterology along with three other leading journals: Diabetes Care, Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, and Obesity: The Journal of the Obesity Society.
Key findings from this special report include the following:
- Patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing NAFLD/NASH with diabetes being a major risk factor for worse disease severity and progression to cirrhosis (permanent damage to the liver).
- Primary care providers are critical to managing this growing epidemic. They should be the first line for screening patients at risk, stratifying patients based on their risk for advanced fibrosis, and providing effective management and referrals.
- The guiding principle for risk stratification is to rule out advanced fibrosis by simple, noninvasive fibrosis scores (such as NAFLD fibrosis score or Fibrosis-4 Index). Patients at intermediate or high risk may require further assessment with a second-line test – evaluation with elastography or by serum marker test with direct measures of fibrogenesis.
- Because NAFLD is not an isolated disease but a component of cardiometabolic abnormalities typically associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, the cornerstone of therapy is lifestyle-based therapies (altered diet – such as reduced-calorie or Mediterranean diets – and regular, moderate physical activity), as well as replacing obesogenic medications, to decrease body weight and improve cardiometabolic health. Patients with diabetes who also have NASH may benefit from certain antidiabetic medications (such as pioglitazone and semaglutide) that treat not only their diabetes but also reverse steatohepatitis and improve cardiometabolic health.
- Optimal care of patients with NAFLD and NASH requires collaboration among primary care providers, endocrinologists, diabetologists, obesity medicine specialists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists to tackle both the liver manifestations of the disease and the comorbid metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk, as well as screening and treating other comorbid conditions (such as obstructive sleep apnea).
. The recommendations from this meeting have been copublished in Gastroenterology along with three other leading journals: Diabetes Care, Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, and Obesity: The Journal of the Obesity Society.
Key findings from this special report include the following:
- Patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing NAFLD/NASH with diabetes being a major risk factor for worse disease severity and progression to cirrhosis (permanent damage to the liver).
- Primary care providers are critical to managing this growing epidemic. They should be the first line for screening patients at risk, stratifying patients based on their risk for advanced fibrosis, and providing effective management and referrals.
- The guiding principle for risk stratification is to rule out advanced fibrosis by simple, noninvasive fibrosis scores (such as NAFLD fibrosis score or Fibrosis-4 Index). Patients at intermediate or high risk may require further assessment with a second-line test – evaluation with elastography or by serum marker test with direct measures of fibrogenesis.
- Because NAFLD is not an isolated disease but a component of cardiometabolic abnormalities typically associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, the cornerstone of therapy is lifestyle-based therapies (altered diet – such as reduced-calorie or Mediterranean diets – and regular, moderate physical activity), as well as replacing obesogenic medications, to decrease body weight and improve cardiometabolic health. Patients with diabetes who also have NASH may benefit from certain antidiabetic medications (such as pioglitazone and semaglutide) that treat not only their diabetes but also reverse steatohepatitis and improve cardiometabolic health.
- Optimal care of patients with NAFLD and NASH requires collaboration among primary care providers, endocrinologists, diabetologists, obesity medicine specialists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists to tackle both the liver manifestations of the disease and the comorbid metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk, as well as screening and treating other comorbid conditions (such as obstructive sleep apnea).
AGA journals select new editorial fellows
which runs from July 2021 through June 2022. The AGA editorial fellowship program is in its fourth year.
- Amisha Ahuja, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Helenie Kefalalkes, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Katherine Falloon, MD (CGH)
- Judy Trieu, MD, MPH (CGH)
- Lindsey Kennedy, PhD (CMGH)
- Vivian Ortiz, MD (CMGH)
- Sagarika Satyavada, MD (TIGE)
- Eric Swei, MD (TIGE)
which runs from July 2021 through June 2022. The AGA editorial fellowship program is in its fourth year.
- Amisha Ahuja, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Helenie Kefalalkes, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Katherine Falloon, MD (CGH)
- Judy Trieu, MD, MPH (CGH)
- Lindsey Kennedy, PhD (CMGH)
- Vivian Ortiz, MD (CMGH)
- Sagarika Satyavada, MD (TIGE)
- Eric Swei, MD (TIGE)
which runs from July 2021 through June 2022. The AGA editorial fellowship program is in its fourth year.
- Amisha Ahuja, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Helenie Kefalalkes, MD (Gastroenterology)
- Katherine Falloon, MD (CGH)
- Judy Trieu, MD, MPH (CGH)
- Lindsey Kennedy, PhD (CMGH)
- Vivian Ortiz, MD (CMGH)
- Sagarika Satyavada, MD (TIGE)
- Eric Swei, MD (TIGE)
Get to know 2021 award winners
David Y. Graham, MD – William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology
A remarkable clinician, scientist, and mentor to the next generation of GI, Dr. Graham currently serves as professor of medicine-gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Graham was born in Ancon, in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was working as an engineer. The family eventually settled in Lake Jackson, a small gulf coast town outside of Houston. There he developed a love for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and riding horses. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and returned home to Houston to receive his medical degree with honors from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Graham’s training was interrupted by the Vietnam War during which he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a flight surgeon.
In addition to his clinical and research missions, Dr. Graham has mentored numerous individuals during his years as a clinician scientist, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in academic medicine. He has been an active AGA member for more than 4 decades, receiving several honors including the prestigious AGA Mentor Award in 2015 and the Janssen Award for Special Achievement in Gastroenterology.
Read more about Dr. Graham’s life and contribution to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology written by Fasiha Kanwal, MD, and Hashem B. El-Serag, M, MPH.
Kim E. Barrett, PHD, AGAF – Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science
Dr. Kim E. Barrett is the 2021 recipient of the AGA Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science for her outstanding contributions to understanding mechanisms and regulation of intestinal epithelial transport and barrier function. She currently serves as distinguished professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and is serving as a rotating appointment as director of the Division of Graduate Education of the National Science Foundation.
Born in London, Dr. Barrett was the first of her family to attend college. She earned a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry at University College London where she also stayed to complete her PhD studies. Following the completion of her PhD, Dr. Barrett moved to the U.S. to continue her training at the National Institutes of Health, where she continued her work in studies on the functional heterogeneity of mast cells. Alongside her many contributions to the GI field, she still believes in having fun, living by the phrase “put yourself about a bit.” She is a proud member of the band GI Distress as one of the “Fabulous Fasebettes.”
Read more about Dr. Barrett’s contributions to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology, written by Mark Donowitz, MD, and Stephen Keely, MD.
David Y. Graham, MD – William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology
A remarkable clinician, scientist, and mentor to the next generation of GI, Dr. Graham currently serves as professor of medicine-gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Graham was born in Ancon, in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was working as an engineer. The family eventually settled in Lake Jackson, a small gulf coast town outside of Houston. There he developed a love for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and riding horses. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and returned home to Houston to receive his medical degree with honors from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Graham’s training was interrupted by the Vietnam War during which he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a flight surgeon.
In addition to his clinical and research missions, Dr. Graham has mentored numerous individuals during his years as a clinician scientist, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in academic medicine. He has been an active AGA member for more than 4 decades, receiving several honors including the prestigious AGA Mentor Award in 2015 and the Janssen Award for Special Achievement in Gastroenterology.
Read more about Dr. Graham’s life and contribution to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology written by Fasiha Kanwal, MD, and Hashem B. El-Serag, M, MPH.
Kim E. Barrett, PHD, AGAF – Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science
Dr. Kim E. Barrett is the 2021 recipient of the AGA Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science for her outstanding contributions to understanding mechanisms and regulation of intestinal epithelial transport and barrier function. She currently serves as distinguished professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and is serving as a rotating appointment as director of the Division of Graduate Education of the National Science Foundation.
Born in London, Dr. Barrett was the first of her family to attend college. She earned a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry at University College London where she also stayed to complete her PhD studies. Following the completion of her PhD, Dr. Barrett moved to the U.S. to continue her training at the National Institutes of Health, where she continued her work in studies on the functional heterogeneity of mast cells. Alongside her many contributions to the GI field, she still believes in having fun, living by the phrase “put yourself about a bit.” She is a proud member of the band GI Distress as one of the “Fabulous Fasebettes.”
Read more about Dr. Barrett’s contributions to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology, written by Mark Donowitz, MD, and Stephen Keely, MD.
David Y. Graham, MD – William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology
A remarkable clinician, scientist, and mentor to the next generation of GI, Dr. Graham currently serves as professor of medicine-gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Graham was born in Ancon, in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was working as an engineer. The family eventually settled in Lake Jackson, a small gulf coast town outside of Houston. There he developed a love for outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and riding horses. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and returned home to Houston to receive his medical degree with honors from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Graham’s training was interrupted by the Vietnam War during which he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a flight surgeon.
In addition to his clinical and research missions, Dr. Graham has mentored numerous individuals during his years as a clinician scientist, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in academic medicine. He has been an active AGA member for more than 4 decades, receiving several honors including the prestigious AGA Mentor Award in 2015 and the Janssen Award for Special Achievement in Gastroenterology.
Read more about Dr. Graham’s life and contribution to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology written by Fasiha Kanwal, MD, and Hashem B. El-Serag, M, MPH.
Kim E. Barrett, PHD, AGAF – Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science
Dr. Kim E. Barrett is the 2021 recipient of the AGA Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science for her outstanding contributions to understanding mechanisms and regulation of intestinal epithelial transport and barrier function. She currently serves as distinguished professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and is serving as a rotating appointment as director of the Division of Graduate Education of the National Science Foundation.
Born in London, Dr. Barrett was the first of her family to attend college. She earned a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry at University College London where she also stayed to complete her PhD studies. Following the completion of her PhD, Dr. Barrett moved to the U.S. to continue her training at the National Institutes of Health, where she continued her work in studies on the functional heterogeneity of mast cells. Alongside her many contributions to the GI field, she still believes in having fun, living by the phrase “put yourself about a bit.” She is a proud member of the band GI Distress as one of the “Fabulous Fasebettes.”
Read more about Dr. Barrett’s contributions to the GI community in a commentary in Gastroenterology, written by Mark Donowitz, MD, and Stephen Keely, MD.
New Clinical Practice Update Expert Review: Management of bleeding gastric varices
The evidence-based advice includes the following:
- Initial therapy for bleeding gastric varices should focus on acute hemostasis for hemodynamic stabilization with a plan for further diagnostic evaluation and/or transfer to a tertiary care center with expertise in gastric varices management.
- Following initial endoscopic hemostasis, cross-sectional (magnetic resonance or CT) imaging with portal venous contrast phase should be obtained to determine vascular anatomy, including the presence or absence of portosystemic shunts and gastrorenal shunts.
- Determination of definitive therapy for bleeding gastric varices should be based on endoscopic appearance of the gastric varix, the underlying vascular anatomy, presence of comorbid portal hypertensive complications, and available local resources. This is ideally done via a multidisciplinary discussion between the GI or hepatologist and the interventional radiologist.
In this AGA Clinical Practice Update Expert Review, the experts also suggest adding an estimate of variceal size and high-risk stigmata (discolored marks, platelet plugs) to the Sarin classification when describing patients’ gastric varices.
Read the full list of the best practice advice statements in the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Bleeding Gastric Varices: Expert Review.
The evidence-based advice includes the following:
- Initial therapy for bleeding gastric varices should focus on acute hemostasis for hemodynamic stabilization with a plan for further diagnostic evaluation and/or transfer to a tertiary care center with expertise in gastric varices management.
- Following initial endoscopic hemostasis, cross-sectional (magnetic resonance or CT) imaging with portal venous contrast phase should be obtained to determine vascular anatomy, including the presence or absence of portosystemic shunts and gastrorenal shunts.
- Determination of definitive therapy for bleeding gastric varices should be based on endoscopic appearance of the gastric varix, the underlying vascular anatomy, presence of comorbid portal hypertensive complications, and available local resources. This is ideally done via a multidisciplinary discussion between the GI or hepatologist and the interventional radiologist.
In this AGA Clinical Practice Update Expert Review, the experts also suggest adding an estimate of variceal size and high-risk stigmata (discolored marks, platelet plugs) to the Sarin classification when describing patients’ gastric varices.
Read the full list of the best practice advice statements in the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Bleeding Gastric Varices: Expert Review.
The evidence-based advice includes the following:
- Initial therapy for bleeding gastric varices should focus on acute hemostasis for hemodynamic stabilization with a plan for further diagnostic evaluation and/or transfer to a tertiary care center with expertise in gastric varices management.
- Following initial endoscopic hemostasis, cross-sectional (magnetic resonance or CT) imaging with portal venous contrast phase should be obtained to determine vascular anatomy, including the presence or absence of portosystemic shunts and gastrorenal shunts.
- Determination of definitive therapy for bleeding gastric varices should be based on endoscopic appearance of the gastric varix, the underlying vascular anatomy, presence of comorbid portal hypertensive complications, and available local resources. This is ideally done via a multidisciplinary discussion between the GI or hepatologist and the interventional radiologist.
In this AGA Clinical Practice Update Expert Review, the experts also suggest adding an estimate of variceal size and high-risk stigmata (discolored marks, platelet plugs) to the Sarin classification when describing patients’ gastric varices.
Read the full list of the best practice advice statements in the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Bleeding Gastric Varices: Expert Review.
Five reasons to update your will
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can actually cause more harm than good. Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Here are five reasons to update your will.
Keep it current
When life changes, so should your will. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Take a look at what has changed
Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
- Family changes. If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
- Relocating to a new state. The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
- Changes in your estate’s value. When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
- Tax law changes. Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
- You want to support a favorite cause. If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
Get the help you need
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Already finalized your charitable distribution to the AGA Research Foundation? Send us your letter of intent at [email protected].
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can actually cause more harm than good. Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Here are five reasons to update your will.
Keep it current
When life changes, so should your will. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Take a look at what has changed
Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
- Family changes. If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
- Relocating to a new state. The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
- Changes in your estate’s value. When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
- Tax law changes. Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
- You want to support a favorite cause. If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
Get the help you need
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Already finalized your charitable distribution to the AGA Research Foundation? Send us your letter of intent at [email protected].
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can actually cause more harm than good. Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Here are five reasons to update your will.
Keep it current
When life changes, so should your will. Ensure that this important document matches your current wishes by reviewing it every few years.
Take a look at what has changed
Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
- Family changes. If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
- Relocating to a new state. The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
- Changes in your estate’s value. When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
- Tax law changes. Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
- You want to support a favorite cause. If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
Get the help you need
To make sure your will accomplishes all you intend, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Already finalized your charitable distribution to the AGA Research Foundation? Send us your letter of intent at [email protected].
Top cases
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community ( https://community.gastro.org ) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
From Brock Doubledee, DO: Xeljanz for Crohn’s
“I have a 20-year-old female with moderately active Crohn’s disease who has now failed Humira, Remicade, Entyvio and Stelara. The only option I know of for her at this time is Xeljanz, however her insurance will not approve this medication given its lack of FDA approval. I would be interested to know if anyone has any other recommended options or has had success with getting insurance approval. If you have had success I would appreciate any articles or guidance you have utilized to gain this approval.”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/24445.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community ( https://community.gastro.org ) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
From Brock Doubledee, DO: Xeljanz for Crohn’s
“I have a 20-year-old female with moderately active Crohn’s disease who has now failed Humira, Remicade, Entyvio and Stelara. The only option I know of for her at this time is Xeljanz, however her insurance will not approve this medication given its lack of FDA approval. I would be interested to know if anyone has any other recommended options or has had success with getting insurance approval. If you have had success I would appreciate any articles or guidance you have utilized to gain this approval.”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/24445.
Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community ( https://community.gastro.org ) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:
From Brock Doubledee, DO: Xeljanz for Crohn’s
“I have a 20-year-old female with moderately active Crohn’s disease who has now failed Humira, Remicade, Entyvio and Stelara. The only option I know of for her at this time is Xeljanz, however her insurance will not approve this medication given its lack of FDA approval. I would be interested to know if anyone has any other recommended options or has had success with getting insurance approval. If you have had success I would appreciate any articles or guidance you have utilized to gain this approval.”
See how AGA members responded and join the discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/24445.