News from AGA

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:
 

• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with three different strictures (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22491)
• Patient case: Alcoholic hepatitis and positive anti-smooth muscle antibody (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22407)
• COVID-19: The importance of preparedness in independent GI practices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22340)
• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with no tissue (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22472)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Roadmap for the future of colorectal cancer screening in the U.S.
• Windows on Clinical GI lecture series: NAFLD, Crohn’s disease and gastroparesis

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:
 

• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with three different strictures (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22491)
• Patient case: Alcoholic hepatitis and positive anti-smooth muscle antibody (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22407)
• COVID-19: The importance of preparedness in independent GI practices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22340)
• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with no tissue (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22472)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Roadmap for the future of colorectal cancer screening in the U.S.
• Windows on Clinical GI lecture series: NAFLD, Crohn’s disease and gastroparesis

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:
 

• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with three different strictures (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22491)
• Patient case: Alcoholic hepatitis and positive anti-smooth muscle antibody (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22407)
• COVID-19: The importance of preparedness in independent GI practices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22340)
• Patient case: Crohn’s patient with no tissue (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22472)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Roadmap for the future of colorectal cancer screening in the U.S.
• Windows on Clinical GI lecture series: NAFLD, Crohn’s disease and gastroparesis

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of colorectal cancer articles. This curated collection includes some of the top colorectal cancer research published over the last 3 years with new research being added to the collection as it’s published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly scan recent colorectal cancer research and easily navigate to studies of interest. Recent articles include:
 

• Use of Artificial Intelligence-Based Analytics From Live Colonoscopies to Optimize the Quality of the Colonoscopy Examination in Real Time: Proof of Concept
• Risk Factors for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
• Causes of Post-Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancers Based on World Endoscopy Organization System of Analysis

To view all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections, please visit gastro.org/GastroCollections.

[email protected]

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of colorectal cancer articles. This curated collection includes some of the top colorectal cancer research published over the last 3 years with new research being added to the collection as it’s published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly scan recent colorectal cancer research and easily navigate to studies of interest. Recent articles include:
 

• Use of Artificial Intelligence-Based Analytics From Live Colonoscopies to Optimize the Quality of the Colonoscopy Examination in Real Time: Proof of Concept
• Risk Factors for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
• Causes of Post-Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancers Based on World Endoscopy Organization System of Analysis

To view all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections, please visit gastro.org/GastroCollections.

[email protected]

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of colorectal cancer articles. This curated collection includes some of the top colorectal cancer research published over the last 3 years with new research being added to the collection as it’s published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly scan recent colorectal cancer research and easily navigate to studies of interest. Recent articles include:
 

• Use of Artificial Intelligence-Based Analytics From Live Colonoscopies to Optimize the Quality of the Colonoscopy Examination in Real Time: Proof of Concept
• Risk Factors for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
• Causes of Post-Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancers Based on World Endoscopy Organization System of Analysis

To view all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections, please visit gastro.org/GastroCollections.

[email protected]

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22199)
• Establishing an acute colitis pathway (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22171)
• Preprocedure COVID testing (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22164)
• Patient case: Gastroesophageal varices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22098)
• Patient case: IBD with intra-abdominal sepsis (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22055)
• Patient case: Hypervascular pancreatic parenchyma (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22039)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Windows on Clinical GI
• Clinical Challenges in IBD: Ulcerative colitis and a fistula
• GI COVID-19 Connection: Implementing an effective long-term telehealth program in a post-COVID world

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22199)
• Establishing an acute colitis pathway (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22171)
• Preprocedure COVID testing (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22164)
• Patient case: Gastroesophageal varices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22098)
• Patient case: IBD with intra-abdominal sepsis (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22055)
• Patient case: Hypervascular pancreatic parenchyma (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22039)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Windows on Clinical GI
• Clinical Challenges in IBD: Ulcerative colitis and a fistula
• GI COVID-19 Connection: Implementing an effective long-term telehealth program in a post-COVID world

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22199)
• Establishing an acute colitis pathway (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22171)
• Preprocedure COVID testing (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22164)
• Patient case: Gastroesophageal varices (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22098)
• Patient case: IBD with intra-abdominal sepsis (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22055)
• Patient case: Hypervascular pancreatic parenchyma (https://community.gastro.org/posts/22039)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• Windows on Clinical GI
• Clinical Challenges in IBD: Ulcerative colitis and a fistula
• GI COVID-19 Connection: Implementing an effective long-term telehealth program in a post-COVID world

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

AGA has released a new Clinical Practice Update providing best practice advice for clinicians screening and diagnosing pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals. Screening to detect pancreas cancers and their precursor lesions in high-risk patients can improve survival if it facilitates surgical resection for early-stage disease.

In the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review, published in Gastroenterology’s July issue, the authors provide 13 best practice advice statements to address key issues in clinical management of these patients.

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/PancreasCPU.

[email protected]

AGA has released a new Clinical Practice Update providing best practice advice for clinicians screening and diagnosing pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals. Screening to detect pancreas cancers and their precursor lesions in high-risk patients can improve survival if it facilitates surgical resection for early-stage disease.

In the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review, published in Gastroenterology’s July issue, the authors provide 13 best practice advice statements to address key issues in clinical management of these patients.

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/PancreasCPU.

[email protected]

AGA has released a new Clinical Practice Update providing best practice advice for clinicians screening and diagnosing pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals. Screening to detect pancreas cancers and their precursor lesions in high-risk patients can improve survival if it facilitates surgical resection for early-stage disease.

In the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Pancreas Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: Expert Review, published in Gastroenterology’s July issue, the authors provide 13 best practice advice statements to address key issues in clinical management of these patients.

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/PancreasCPU.

[email protected]

A new evidence-based review published in Gastroenterology helps you answer the question: Should my endoscopy center test asymptomatic patients for SARS-CoV-2 prior to endoscopy?

Key guidance for GIs

1. Endoscopy centers in areas with an intermediate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection should consider testing patients for the virus before endoscopy. Several important factors contribute to this decision including testing feasibility, personal protective equipment (PPE) availability, and risk aversion threshold of endoscopists and staff.

2. Endoscopy centers in both low- and high-prevalence areas may not benefit from a pre-testing strategy.

• Rationale for low-prevalence areas: Diagnostic tests have a high proportion of false positives with significant downstream consequences, such as patient burden (quarantining and out of work for 14 days), unnecessarily delayed cases, and over-utilization of testing which may already be limited in availability. Therefore, PPE availability may drive decision-making for case triage instead. If PPE is not limited, then the majority of endoscopists and staff may reasonably select to use N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs.
• Rationale for high-prevalence areas: Highest available PPE (such as N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs) would be used universally, as available. Additionally, testing is often limited because of a high demand for a potential surge of cases.

AGA created an online tool to help endoscopy centers make decisions about their pre-endoscopy testing strategy. This tool combines local prevalence with diagnostic test performance data to calculate the proportion of true versus false positives and negatives to help endoscopy centers understand the downstream consequences of implementing a pre-procedure testing strategy.

To access the Rapid Review and online tool, visit www.gastro.org/COVID.

[email protected]

A new evidence-based review published in Gastroenterology helps you answer the question: Should my endoscopy center test asymptomatic patients for SARS-CoV-2 prior to endoscopy?

Key guidance for GIs

1. Endoscopy centers in areas with an intermediate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection should consider testing patients for the virus before endoscopy. Several important factors contribute to this decision including testing feasibility, personal protective equipment (PPE) availability, and risk aversion threshold of endoscopists and staff.

2. Endoscopy centers in both low- and high-prevalence areas may not benefit from a pre-testing strategy.

• Rationale for low-prevalence areas: Diagnostic tests have a high proportion of false positives with significant downstream consequences, such as patient burden (quarantining and out of work for 14 days), unnecessarily delayed cases, and over-utilization of testing which may already be limited in availability. Therefore, PPE availability may drive decision-making for case triage instead. If PPE is not limited, then the majority of endoscopists and staff may reasonably select to use N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs.
• Rationale for high-prevalence areas: Highest available PPE (such as N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs) would be used universally, as available. Additionally, testing is often limited because of a high demand for a potential surge of cases.

AGA created an online tool to help endoscopy centers make decisions about their pre-endoscopy testing strategy. This tool combines local prevalence with diagnostic test performance data to calculate the proportion of true versus false positives and negatives to help endoscopy centers understand the downstream consequences of implementing a pre-procedure testing strategy.

To access the Rapid Review and online tool, visit www.gastro.org/COVID.

[email protected]

A new evidence-based review published in Gastroenterology helps you answer the question: Should my endoscopy center test asymptomatic patients for SARS-CoV-2 prior to endoscopy?

Key guidance for GIs

1. Endoscopy centers in areas with an intermediate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection should consider testing patients for the virus before endoscopy. Several important factors contribute to this decision including testing feasibility, personal protective equipment (PPE) availability, and risk aversion threshold of endoscopists and staff.

2. Endoscopy centers in both low- and high-prevalence areas may not benefit from a pre-testing strategy.

• Rationale for low-prevalence areas: Diagnostic tests have a high proportion of false positives with significant downstream consequences, such as patient burden (quarantining and out of work for 14 days), unnecessarily delayed cases, and over-utilization of testing which may already be limited in availability. Therefore, PPE availability may drive decision-making for case triage instead. If PPE is not limited, then the majority of endoscopists and staff may reasonably select to use N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs.
• Rationale for high-prevalence areas: Highest available PPE (such as N95/N99 respirators or PAPRs) would be used universally, as available. Additionally, testing is often limited because of a high demand for a potential surge of cases.

AGA created an online tool to help endoscopy centers make decisions about their pre-endoscopy testing strategy. This tool combines local prevalence with diagnostic test performance data to calculate the proportion of true versus false positives and negatives to help endoscopy centers understand the downstream consequences of implementing a pre-procedure testing strategy.

To access the Rapid Review and online tool, visit www.gastro.org/COVID.

[email protected]

The AGA Equity Project advisory board has released a new commentary in Gastroenterology: “From Intention to Action: Operationalizing AGA Diversity Policy to Combat Racism and Health Disparities in Gastroenterology.”

The commentary provides a transparent self-examination of AGA’s recent racial and ethnic demographic data of its members, volunteer leaders, and staff compared with U.S. population data. It also assesses AGA’s previous initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It then looks ahead by detailing AGA’s plans to further operationalize the goals enumerated in the AGA Diversity Policy.

For more information, read the full commentary at www.gastro.org/diversitycommentary.

[email protected]

The AGA Equity Project advisory board has released a new commentary in Gastroenterology: “From Intention to Action: Operationalizing AGA Diversity Policy to Combat Racism and Health Disparities in Gastroenterology.”

The commentary provides a transparent self-examination of AGA’s recent racial and ethnic demographic data of its members, volunteer leaders, and staff compared with U.S. population data. It also assesses AGA’s previous initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It then looks ahead by detailing AGA’s plans to further operationalize the goals enumerated in the AGA Diversity Policy.

For more information, read the full commentary at www.gastro.org/diversitycommentary.

[email protected]

The AGA Equity Project advisory board has released a new commentary in Gastroenterology: “From Intention to Action: Operationalizing AGA Diversity Policy to Combat Racism and Health Disparities in Gastroenterology.”

The commentary provides a transparent self-examination of AGA’s recent racial and ethnic demographic data of its members, volunteer leaders, and staff compared with U.S. population data. It also assesses AGA’s previous initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It then looks ahead by detailing AGA’s plans to further operationalize the goals enumerated in the AGA Diversity Policy.

For more information, read the full commentary at www.gastro.org/diversitycommentary.

[email protected]

Join us for our new GI Forging Forward virtual symposia series, a practical educational training program covering timely topics for GIs through the lens of COVID-19. Experts in the field will present the latest COVID-19 findings, share proven strategies to communicate and manage disaster and crisis situations, and educate participants on evidence-based recommendations to meet today’s evolving needs. Upcoming topics will cover keeping you, your staff, and patients safe, new approaches and training in research, leading in times of crisis, and rapid-response guideline development.

Registration for this month’s virtual webinars are now open:

Demystifying publishing in AGA journals: Perspectives from our authors and editors: Sept. 3, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

Flexing your communications skills during a time of crisis: Sept. 17, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/GIForgingForward.

[email protected]

Join us for our new GI Forging Forward virtual symposia series, a practical educational training program covering timely topics for GIs through the lens of COVID-19. Experts in the field will present the latest COVID-19 findings, share proven strategies to communicate and manage disaster and crisis situations, and educate participants on evidence-based recommendations to meet today’s evolving needs. Upcoming topics will cover keeping you, your staff, and patients safe, new approaches and training in research, leading in times of crisis, and rapid-response guideline development.

Registration for this month’s virtual webinars are now open:

Demystifying publishing in AGA journals: Perspectives from our authors and editors: Sept. 3, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

Flexing your communications skills during a time of crisis: Sept. 17, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/GIForgingForward.

[email protected]

Join us for our new GI Forging Forward virtual symposia series, a practical educational training program covering timely topics for GIs through the lens of COVID-19. Experts in the field will present the latest COVID-19 findings, share proven strategies to communicate and manage disaster and crisis situations, and educate participants on evidence-based recommendations to meet today’s evolving needs. Upcoming topics will cover keeping you, your staff, and patients safe, new approaches and training in research, leading in times of crisis, and rapid-response guideline development.

Registration for this month’s virtual webinars are now open:

Demystifying publishing in AGA journals: Perspectives from our authors and editors: Sept. 3, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

Flexing your communications skills during a time of crisis: Sept. 17, 2020, 5:30 p.m. EDT

For more information, visit www.gastro.org/GIForgingForward.

[email protected]

With a long-standing interest in diversity, recent events in the U.S. have intensified the AGA Governing Board’s interest to make a significant impact on the goals enumerated in our diversity policy.

Under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Quezada, AGA Diversity Committee chair, and Dr. Byron Cryer, director of the NIH-funded Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD Program), the AGA Equity Project task force will develop a multi-year strategic plan to achieve the following aims:

• A just world free of health disparities in digestive diseases and free of inequities in access and effective health care delivery.
• State-of-the-art and well-funded research that aligns with the realities of the current multicultural patient population and disease states to achieve health equity for all.
• A world where it is expected and normal that both members and society leadership structures are diverse, and people of color and women are included in organizational decision making.
• Recognition of accomplishments of diverse leaders. In addition, all leaders recognize, inspire, and cultivate the next generation of prominent, diverse leaders.
• An engaged AGA membership and staff educated about unconscious bias and committed to the eradication of racism and prejudice towards patients, colleagues, and communities.
• The existence of a diverse, culturally and socially aware, large and vocal early-career membership that leads the field toward achieving the vision.

The AGA Governing Board recognizes that meaningful change takes time and have committed to a multi-year effort spanning all aspects of our organization. Although our challenges are formidable, they are not insurmountable.
 

[email protected]

With a long-standing interest in diversity, recent events in the U.S. have intensified the AGA Governing Board’s interest to make a significant impact on the goals enumerated in our diversity policy.

Under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Quezada, AGA Diversity Committee chair, and Dr. Byron Cryer, director of the NIH-funded Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD Program), the AGA Equity Project task force will develop a multi-year strategic plan to achieve the following aims:

• A just world free of health disparities in digestive diseases and free of inequities in access and effective health care delivery.
• State-of-the-art and well-funded research that aligns with the realities of the current multicultural patient population and disease states to achieve health equity for all.
• A world where it is expected and normal that both members and society leadership structures are diverse, and people of color and women are included in organizational decision making.
• Recognition of accomplishments of diverse leaders. In addition, all leaders recognize, inspire, and cultivate the next generation of prominent, diverse leaders.
• An engaged AGA membership and staff educated about unconscious bias and committed to the eradication of racism and prejudice towards patients, colleagues, and communities.
• The existence of a diverse, culturally and socially aware, large and vocal early-career membership that leads the field toward achieving the vision.

The AGA Governing Board recognizes that meaningful change takes time and have committed to a multi-year effort spanning all aspects of our organization. Although our challenges are formidable, they are not insurmountable.
 

[email protected]

With a long-standing interest in diversity, recent events in the U.S. have intensified the AGA Governing Board’s interest to make a significant impact on the goals enumerated in our diversity policy.

Under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Quezada, AGA Diversity Committee chair, and Dr. Byron Cryer, director of the NIH-funded Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD Program), the AGA Equity Project task force will develop a multi-year strategic plan to achieve the following aims:

• A just world free of health disparities in digestive diseases and free of inequities in access and effective health care delivery.
• State-of-the-art and well-funded research that aligns with the realities of the current multicultural patient population and disease states to achieve health equity for all.
• A world where it is expected and normal that both members and society leadership structures are diverse, and people of color and women are included in organizational decision making.
• Recognition of accomplishments of diverse leaders. In addition, all leaders recognize, inspire, and cultivate the next generation of prominent, diverse leaders.
• An engaged AGA membership and staff educated about unconscious bias and committed to the eradication of racism and prejudice towards patients, colleagues, and communities.
• The existence of a diverse, culturally and socially aware, large and vocal early-career membership that leads the field toward achieving the vision.

The AGA Governing Board recognizes that meaningful change takes time and have committed to a multi-year effort spanning all aspects of our organization. Although our challenges are formidable, they are not insurmountable.
 

[email protected]

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• Patient case: Elevated aminotransferases of unknown origin. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21890)

• Patient case: Functional bowel obstruction. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21888)

• Patient case: Autoimmune hepatitis with chronic hepatitis C. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21880)

• Patient case: Immunosuppression in IBD (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21860)

• Is COVID-19 reinfection fact or fiction? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21824)

• Experience with HALO procedures in ambulatory surgery centers. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21812)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• GI COVID-19 Connection: Work-life balance in the COVID era.

• Trainee & early career networking connection.

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• Patient case: Elevated aminotransferases of unknown origin. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21890)

• Patient case: Functional bowel obstruction. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21888)

• Patient case: Autoimmune hepatitis with chronic hepatitis C. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21880)

• Patient case: Immunosuppression in IBD (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21860)

• Is COVID-19 reinfection fact or fiction? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21824)

• Experience with HALO procedures in ambulatory surgery centers. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21812)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• GI COVID-19 Connection: Work-life balance in the COVID era.

• Trainee & early career networking connection.

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

In case you missed it, here are some clinical discussions and Roundtables in the newsfeed this month:

• Patient case: Elevated aminotransferases of unknown origin. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21890)

• Patient case: Functional bowel obstruction. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21888)

• Patient case: Autoimmune hepatitis with chronic hepatitis C. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21880)

• Patient case: Immunosuppression in IBD (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21860)

• Is COVID-19 reinfection fact or fiction? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21824)

• Experience with HALO procedures in ambulatory surgery centers. (https://community.gastro.org/posts/21812)

Roundtables (https://community.gastro.org/discussions/)

• GI COVID-19 Connection: Work-life balance in the COVID era.

• Trainee & early career networking connection.

View all upcoming Roundtables in the community at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Dear colleagues,

I have the privilege and honor to serve as AGA president as of June 1, 2020. When we look back at the first half of 2020, we will remember the COVID-19 pandemic and the unimaginable loss of life, morbidity, and economic impact it had. We will also remember the grief and anger that have characterized the recent weeks. I hope that the second half of 2020 will be a time that reshapes us for the better and allows us to seize the opportunity to make meaningful changes, in addition to recovering from the impact of the pandemic. The ongoing protests for the past 16 days against police brutality finally have our country recognizing front-and-center injustices facing African Americans.

While recognition of an injustice is a start, it is essentially meaningless unless action is taken to ensure equity in all facets of society. Of particular interest to AGA is access to health care without bias, addressing racial disparities in health care, diversity within the practice of GI, and supporting the careers of diverse researchers. AGA has a diversity policy and a solid history of programs supporting minority physicians and researchers. We know that’s not enough and AGA, with our dedicated committees, staff, and leadership, will continue to implement and assess plans for meaningful improvements. Watch for more on this topic in the future.

In addition, AGA took a pledge with our GI sister organizations to “continue to advocate for diversity in our staff and governance, grant awards to research health care disparities, ensure quality care for all, and work tirelessly to reduce inequalities in health care delivery and access.” We plan to honor this pledge with our own efforts and by making a concerted effort to work with AASLD, ACG, ASGE, DHPA, and other societies, colleagues, and friends.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for our practices and to our research community. To all AGA members, please know that we have your back with a stream of practice guidance, business support, advocacy, and funding. You can find these resources collected at www.gastro.org/COVID.

My special thanks to the following AGA members, among several AGA staff and expert participants, for making these resources possible and highly engaging:

• Maria Abreu, who oversees our weekly COVID Connection webinar.
• Shahnaz Sultan and Joseph Lim whose Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update committees have generated evidence-based practice guidance at an incredible pace.
• Vivek Kaul and Vijay Shah who lead regular townhall webinars with division chiefs to share how GI divisions are pivoting to address the numerous current challenges.
• Rhonda Souza, chair of AGA Council, which is already thinking about how to make DDW 2021 a success.

Throughout my time as AGA president, I plan to communicate with you on a regular basis and welcome your input and suggestions. Watch the AGA Community for updates and announcements. Every other month, I plan to host a Townhall with the AGA President webinar on Zoom, where we can gather to hear from AGA leaders and staff on their work. My first webinar is planned for July 10, 2020, at 11 a.m. United States Eastern time. Watch for more info to come.

My goals are to build on what past president Hashem El-Serag has initiated and to work closely with John Inadomi (president-elect), John Carethers (vice president), the AGA Governing Board, committees, and staff. Along these lines, we will work tirelessly to support AGA domestic and international members and the gastroenterology community needs, be it patient care and those who provide the care, basic and clinical scientific discovery, education and training, advocacy, and ABIM recertification. I look forward to working with you and for you throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, AGAF
AGA Institute President

Dear colleagues,

I have the privilege and honor to serve as AGA president as of June 1, 2020. When we look back at the first half of 2020, we will remember the COVID-19 pandemic and the unimaginable loss of life, morbidity, and economic impact it had. We will also remember the grief and anger that have characterized the recent weeks. I hope that the second half of 2020 will be a time that reshapes us for the better and allows us to seize the opportunity to make meaningful changes, in addition to recovering from the impact of the pandemic. The ongoing protests for the past 16 days against police brutality finally have our country recognizing front-and-center injustices facing African Americans.

While recognition of an injustice is a start, it is essentially meaningless unless action is taken to ensure equity in all facets of society. Of particular interest to AGA is access to health care without bias, addressing racial disparities in health care, diversity within the practice of GI, and supporting the careers of diverse researchers. AGA has a diversity policy and a solid history of programs supporting minority physicians and researchers. We know that’s not enough and AGA, with our dedicated committees, staff, and leadership, will continue to implement and assess plans for meaningful improvements. Watch for more on this topic in the future.

In addition, AGA took a pledge with our GI sister organizations to “continue to advocate for diversity in our staff and governance, grant awards to research health care disparities, ensure quality care for all, and work tirelessly to reduce inequalities in health care delivery and access.” We plan to honor this pledge with our own efforts and by making a concerted effort to work with AASLD, ACG, ASGE, DHPA, and other societies, colleagues, and friends.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for our practices and to our research community. To all AGA members, please know that we have your back with a stream of practice guidance, business support, advocacy, and funding. You can find these resources collected at www.gastro.org/COVID.

My special thanks to the following AGA members, among several AGA staff and expert participants, for making these resources possible and highly engaging:

• Maria Abreu, who oversees our weekly COVID Connection webinar.
• Shahnaz Sultan and Joseph Lim whose Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update committees have generated evidence-based practice guidance at an incredible pace.
• Vivek Kaul and Vijay Shah who lead regular townhall webinars with division chiefs to share how GI divisions are pivoting to address the numerous current challenges.
• Rhonda Souza, chair of AGA Council, which is already thinking about how to make DDW 2021 a success.

Throughout my time as AGA president, I plan to communicate with you on a regular basis and welcome your input and suggestions. Watch the AGA Community for updates and announcements. Every other month, I plan to host a Townhall with the AGA President webinar on Zoom, where we can gather to hear from AGA leaders and staff on their work. My first webinar is planned for July 10, 2020, at 11 a.m. United States Eastern time. Watch for more info to come.

My goals are to build on what past president Hashem El-Serag has initiated and to work closely with John Inadomi (president-elect), John Carethers (vice president), the AGA Governing Board, committees, and staff. Along these lines, we will work tirelessly to support AGA domestic and international members and the gastroenterology community needs, be it patient care and those who provide the care, basic and clinical scientific discovery, education and training, advocacy, and ABIM recertification. I look forward to working with you and for you throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, AGAF
AGA Institute President

Dear colleagues,

I have the privilege and honor to serve as AGA president as of June 1, 2020. When we look back at the first half of 2020, we will remember the COVID-19 pandemic and the unimaginable loss of life, morbidity, and economic impact it had. We will also remember the grief and anger that have characterized the recent weeks. I hope that the second half of 2020 will be a time that reshapes us for the better and allows us to seize the opportunity to make meaningful changes, in addition to recovering from the impact of the pandemic. The ongoing protests for the past 16 days against police brutality finally have our country recognizing front-and-center injustices facing African Americans.

While recognition of an injustice is a start, it is essentially meaningless unless action is taken to ensure equity in all facets of society. Of particular interest to AGA is access to health care without bias, addressing racial disparities in health care, diversity within the practice of GI, and supporting the careers of diverse researchers. AGA has a diversity policy and a solid history of programs supporting minority physicians and researchers. We know that’s not enough and AGA, with our dedicated committees, staff, and leadership, will continue to implement and assess plans for meaningful improvements. Watch for more on this topic in the future.

In addition, AGA took a pledge with our GI sister organizations to “continue to advocate for diversity in our staff and governance, grant awards to research health care disparities, ensure quality care for all, and work tirelessly to reduce inequalities in health care delivery and access.” We plan to honor this pledge with our own efforts and by making a concerted effort to work with AASLD, ACG, ASGE, DHPA, and other societies, colleagues, and friends.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for our practices and to our research community. To all AGA members, please know that we have your back with a stream of practice guidance, business support, advocacy, and funding. You can find these resources collected at www.gastro.org/COVID.

My special thanks to the following AGA members, among several AGA staff and expert participants, for making these resources possible and highly engaging:

• Maria Abreu, who oversees our weekly COVID Connection webinar.
• Shahnaz Sultan and Joseph Lim whose Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update committees have generated evidence-based practice guidance at an incredible pace.
• Vivek Kaul and Vijay Shah who lead regular townhall webinars with division chiefs to share how GI divisions are pivoting to address the numerous current challenges.
• Rhonda Souza, chair of AGA Council, which is already thinking about how to make DDW 2021 a success.

Throughout my time as AGA president, I plan to communicate with you on a regular basis and welcome your input and suggestions. Watch the AGA Community for updates and announcements. Every other month, I plan to host a Townhall with the AGA President webinar on Zoom, where we can gather to hear from AGA leaders and staff on their work. My first webinar is planned for July 10, 2020, at 11 a.m. United States Eastern time. Watch for more info to come.

My goals are to build on what past president Hashem El-Serag has initiated and to work closely with John Inadomi (president-elect), John Carethers (vice president), the AGA Governing Board, committees, and staff. Along these lines, we will work tirelessly to support AGA domestic and international members and the gastroenterology community needs, be it patient care and those who provide the care, basic and clinical scientific discovery, education and training, advocacy, and ABIM recertification. I look forward to working with you and for you throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, AGAF
AGA Institute President