News from AGA

These fellows showcased their commitment to advancing our field through their quality improvement projects presented at DDW® 2019.

Each year during Digestive Disease Week^®, AGA hosts a session titled “Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality-Improvement Projects.” During the 2019 session, 17 quality improvement initiatives were presented — you can review these abstracts in the July issue of Gastroenterology in the “AGA Section,” www.gastrojournal.org/issue/S0016-5085(19)X0009-8. Kudos to the promising fellows featured below, who all served as lead authors for their QI projects.
 

Manasi Agrawal, MD
Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City
@ManasiAgrawalMD

Jessica Breton, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Adam Faye, MD
Columbia University Medical Center, New York City
@AdamFaye4

Shelly Gurwara, MD
Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Afrin Kamal, MD
Stanford University, Calif.

Ani Kardashian, MD
University of California, Los Angeles
@AniKardashianMD

Sonali Palchaudhuri, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
@sopalchaudhuri

Nasim Parsa, MD
University of Missouri Health System, Columbia

Sahil Patel, MD
Drexel University, Philadelphia
@sahilr

Vikram Raghu, MD
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amit Shah, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Lin Shen, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
@LinShenMD

Charles Snyder, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City

Brian Sullivan, MD
Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Ashley Vachon, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Ted Walker, MD
Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Xiao Jing Wang, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
@IrisWangMD
 

[email protected]

These fellows showcased their commitment to advancing our field through their quality improvement projects presented at DDW® 2019.

Each year during Digestive Disease Week^®, AGA hosts a session titled “Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality-Improvement Projects.” During the 2019 session, 17 quality improvement initiatives were presented — you can review these abstracts in the July issue of Gastroenterology in the “AGA Section,” www.gastrojournal.org/issue/S0016-5085(19)X0009-8. Kudos to the promising fellows featured below, who all served as lead authors for their QI projects.
 

Manasi Agrawal, MD
Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City
@ManasiAgrawalMD

Jessica Breton, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Adam Faye, MD
Columbia University Medical Center, New York City
@AdamFaye4

Shelly Gurwara, MD
Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Afrin Kamal, MD
Stanford University, Calif.

Ani Kardashian, MD
University of California, Los Angeles
@AniKardashianMD

Sonali Palchaudhuri, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
@sopalchaudhuri

Nasim Parsa, MD
University of Missouri Health System, Columbia

Sahil Patel, MD
Drexel University, Philadelphia
@sahilr

Vikram Raghu, MD
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amit Shah, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Lin Shen, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
@LinShenMD

Charles Snyder, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City

Brian Sullivan, MD
Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Ashley Vachon, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Ted Walker, MD
Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Xiao Jing Wang, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
@IrisWangMD
 

[email protected]

These fellows showcased their commitment to advancing our field through their quality improvement projects presented at DDW® 2019.

Each year during Digestive Disease Week^®, AGA hosts a session titled “Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality-Improvement Projects.” During the 2019 session, 17 quality improvement initiatives were presented — you can review these abstracts in the July issue of Gastroenterology in the “AGA Section,” www.gastrojournal.org/issue/S0016-5085(19)X0009-8. Kudos to the promising fellows featured below, who all served as lead authors for their QI projects.
 

Manasi Agrawal, MD
Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City
@ManasiAgrawalMD

Jessica Breton, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Adam Faye, MD
Columbia University Medical Center, New York City
@AdamFaye4

Shelly Gurwara, MD
Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Afrin Kamal, MD
Stanford University, Calif.

Ani Kardashian, MD
University of California, Los Angeles
@AniKardashianMD

Sonali Palchaudhuri, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
@sopalchaudhuri

Nasim Parsa, MD
University of Missouri Health System, Columbia

Sahil Patel, MD
Drexel University, Philadelphia
@sahilr

Vikram Raghu, MD
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amit Shah, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Lin Shen, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
@LinShenMD

Charles Snyder, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City

Brian Sullivan, MD
Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Ashley Vachon, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Ted Walker, MD
Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Xiao Jing Wang, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
@IrisWangMD
 

[email protected]

Thank you to the following members who joined us to advocate for some of the most pressing issues facing gastroenterologists and our patients at the 2019 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Fly In. Our advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for reducing prior authorization burdens and minimizing the strict constraints of step therapy protocols.

• Rotonya M. Carr, MD, University of Pennsylvania Health System

• Peter Kaufman, MD, AGAF, Capital Digestive Care, Bethesda, Md.

• Avinash G. Ketwaroo, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

• Simon C. Mathews, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore


 

Prior authorization

Prior authorization is a tedious process and management tool that requires physicians to obtain preapproval for medical treatments or tests before rendering care to their patients. Patients experience significant barriers to medically necessary care because of prior authorization requirements for services that are eventually routinely approved. H.R. 3107, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, would increase transparency and accountability and reduce the burdens of prior authorization.

Step therapy

Step therapy treatment, or “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail medications before insurers agree to cover the initial therapy prescribed by their health care provider. While this protocol may initially act as a cost-containment mechanism, it can ultimately lead to more expensive health care costs because of devastating patient complications. H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.

— @CongressmanRuiz from Cali combats #steptherapy with the bipartisan Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279). #Patients should be given a clear, equitable & transparent appeals process concerning step therapy. Urge your member of Congress to take action:https://t.co/q4ljhuMO9X#specialtydocs pic.twitter.com/B2zvRT6mG5



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 16, 2019

“Thank you, GI docs. I had colon cancer and a GI surgeon saved my life.” Thank you, @RepMarkGreen, for supporting reducing prior authorization. https://t.co/kc9fWnA8XB #specialtydocs



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 17, 2019

The Alliance of Specialty Medicine is a coalition of national medical societies representing specialty physicians in the United States.

This conference took place July 15-17, 2019, at the Liaison Washington Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to the following members who joined us to advocate for some of the most pressing issues facing gastroenterologists and our patients at the 2019 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Fly In. Our advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for reducing prior authorization burdens and minimizing the strict constraints of step therapy protocols.

• Rotonya M. Carr, MD, University of Pennsylvania Health System

• Peter Kaufman, MD, AGAF, Capital Digestive Care, Bethesda, Md.

• Avinash G. Ketwaroo, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

• Simon C. Mathews, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore


 

Prior authorization

Prior authorization is a tedious process and management tool that requires physicians to obtain preapproval for medical treatments or tests before rendering care to their patients. Patients experience significant barriers to medically necessary care because of prior authorization requirements for services that are eventually routinely approved. H.R. 3107, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, would increase transparency and accountability and reduce the burdens of prior authorization.

Step therapy

Step therapy treatment, or “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail medications before insurers agree to cover the initial therapy prescribed by their health care provider. While this protocol may initially act as a cost-containment mechanism, it can ultimately lead to more expensive health care costs because of devastating patient complications. H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.

— @CongressmanRuiz from Cali combats #steptherapy with the bipartisan Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279). #Patients should be given a clear, equitable & transparent appeals process concerning step therapy. Urge your member of Congress to take action:https://t.co/q4ljhuMO9X#specialtydocs pic.twitter.com/B2zvRT6mG5



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 16, 2019

“Thank you, GI docs. I had colon cancer and a GI surgeon saved my life.” Thank you, @RepMarkGreen, for supporting reducing prior authorization. https://t.co/kc9fWnA8XB #specialtydocs



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 17, 2019

The Alliance of Specialty Medicine is a coalition of national medical societies representing specialty physicians in the United States.

This conference took place July 15-17, 2019, at the Liaison Washington Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to the following members who joined us to advocate for some of the most pressing issues facing gastroenterologists and our patients at the 2019 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Fly In. Our advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for reducing prior authorization burdens and minimizing the strict constraints of step therapy protocols.

• Rotonya M. Carr, MD, University of Pennsylvania Health System

• Peter Kaufman, MD, AGAF, Capital Digestive Care, Bethesda, Md.

• Avinash G. Ketwaroo, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

• Simon C. Mathews, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore


 

Prior authorization

Prior authorization is a tedious process and management tool that requires physicians to obtain preapproval for medical treatments or tests before rendering care to their patients. Patients experience significant barriers to medically necessary care because of prior authorization requirements for services that are eventually routinely approved. H.R. 3107, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, would increase transparency and accountability and reduce the burdens of prior authorization.

Step therapy

Step therapy treatment, or “fail first,” requires patients to try and fail medications before insurers agree to cover the initial therapy prescribed by their health care provider. While this protocol may initially act as a cost-containment mechanism, it can ultimately lead to more expensive health care costs because of devastating patient complications. H.R. 2279, the Safe Step Act, would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.

— @CongressmanRuiz from Cali combats #steptherapy with the bipartisan Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279). #Patients should be given a clear, equitable & transparent appeals process concerning step therapy. Urge your member of Congress to take action:https://t.co/q4ljhuMO9X#specialtydocs pic.twitter.com/B2zvRT6mG5



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 16, 2019

“Thank you, GI docs. I had colon cancer and a GI surgeon saved my life.” Thank you, @RepMarkGreen, for supporting reducing prior authorization. https://t.co/kc9fWnA8XB #specialtydocs



— AGA (@AmerGastroAssn) July 17, 2019

The Alliance of Specialty Medicine is a coalition of national medical societies representing specialty physicians in the United States.

This conference took place July 15-17, 2019, at the Liaison Washington Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
 

[email protected]

In welcomed news, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would address surprise bills by protecting patients when they access care and aren’t aware that a provider is outside of their insurance network.

The No Surprises Act, H.R. 3630, would allow providers to appeal a federal benchmark payment to an arbiter in cases when the median in-network payment to physicians or hospitals exceeds $1,250. This arbitration provision was included in the bill at the last minute by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and Larry Buschon, R-Ind., to address provider concerns. Without an option for arbitration, physicians would be at a severe disadvantage when negotiating contracts with insurers. AGA supports and will continue to advocate for provisions that give physicians an opportunity to go to arbitration similar to the effective New York state model.

The No Surprises Act also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the impact of the legislation, including the adequacy of provider networks, and to establish an audit process for medical contracted rates.

Addressing surprise medical bills and protecting patients has been a priority on Capitol Hill and one that has strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and from President Trump. Since this new House bill also has jurisdiction from the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee, both committees will need to address the bill before it can advance. AGA will keep you updated on the status of this important legislation.
 

[email protected]

In welcomed news, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would address surprise bills by protecting patients when they access care and aren’t aware that a provider is outside of their insurance network.

The No Surprises Act, H.R. 3630, would allow providers to appeal a federal benchmark payment to an arbiter in cases when the median in-network payment to physicians or hospitals exceeds $1,250. This arbitration provision was included in the bill at the last minute by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and Larry Buschon, R-Ind., to address provider concerns. Without an option for arbitration, physicians would be at a severe disadvantage when negotiating contracts with insurers. AGA supports and will continue to advocate for provisions that give physicians an opportunity to go to arbitration similar to the effective New York state model.

The No Surprises Act also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the impact of the legislation, including the adequacy of provider networks, and to establish an audit process for medical contracted rates.

Addressing surprise medical bills and protecting patients has been a priority on Capitol Hill and one that has strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and from President Trump. Since this new House bill also has jurisdiction from the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee, both committees will need to address the bill before it can advance. AGA will keep you updated on the status of this important legislation.
 

[email protected]

In welcomed news, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would address surprise bills by protecting patients when they access care and aren’t aware that a provider is outside of their insurance network.

The No Surprises Act, H.R. 3630, would allow providers to appeal a federal benchmark payment to an arbiter in cases when the median in-network payment to physicians or hospitals exceeds $1,250. This arbitration provision was included in the bill at the last minute by Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and Larry Buschon, R-Ind., to address provider concerns. Without an option for arbitration, physicians would be at a severe disadvantage when negotiating contracts with insurers. AGA supports and will continue to advocate for provisions that give physicians an opportunity to go to arbitration similar to the effective New York state model.

The No Surprises Act also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the impact of the legislation, including the adequacy of provider networks, and to establish an audit process for medical contracted rates.

Addressing surprise medical bills and protecting patients has been a priority on Capitol Hill and one that has strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and from President Trump. Since this new House bill also has jurisdiction from the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee, both committees will need to address the bill before it can advance. AGA will keep you updated on the status of this important legislation.
 

[email protected]

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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Combination therapy with Entyvio – The GI community shared their experiences with combination therapy of Entyvio and immunomodulators in patients with ulcerative colitis who have developed antibodies to anti-TNF therapy.

2. Small bowel ulcerations in anemic patient with rheumatoid arthritis – Read an update on this patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was experiencing recurrent abdominal pain associated with iron-deficiency anemia diagnosed with multiple small bowel ulcers.

3. When losing weight is too difficult – How do you approach NAFLD patients who have a difficult time committing to a weight-loss treatment plan?


Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Combination therapy with Entyvio – The GI community shared their experiences with combination therapy of Entyvio and immunomodulators in patients with ulcerative colitis who have developed antibodies to anti-TNF therapy.

2. Small bowel ulcerations in anemic patient with rheumatoid arthritis – Read an update on this patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was experiencing recurrent abdominal pain associated with iron-deficiency anemia diagnosed with multiple small bowel ulcers.

3. When losing weight is too difficult – How do you approach NAFLD patients who have a difficult time committing to a weight-loss treatment plan?


Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Combination therapy with Entyvio – The GI community shared their experiences with combination therapy of Entyvio and immunomodulators in patients with ulcerative colitis who have developed antibodies to anti-TNF therapy.

2. Small bowel ulcerations in anemic patient with rheumatoid arthritis – Read an update on this patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was experiencing recurrent abdominal pain associated with iron-deficiency anemia diagnosed with multiple small bowel ulcers.

3. When losing weight is too difficult – How do you approach NAFLD patients who have a difficult time committing to a weight-loss treatment plan?


Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

As an early-career gastroenterologist, I have become increasingly aware of the impact of advocacy in championing legislation important to our patients. Initially naive about health care advocacy, I owe much to AGA in preparing and arranging for opportunities to speak with elected officials and their staff on GI-related priorities and bills. As a member of the AGA Congressional Advocates Program, I received training and support in visiting Capitol Hill, discussing specific legislation and upcoming bills, writing op-eds, and hosting site visits.

Most recently, AGA sponsored my attendance at the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Annual Advocacy Fly In. With colleagues from around the country – in specialties ranging from ophthalmology to dermatology – we listened to invited congressional representatives and senators on important bills that can directly affect the care we provide to our patients. We had the opportunity to ask questions of these legislators, many of whom were fellow physicians, and gain advice on effective advocacy, as well as build camaraderie with our colleagues in other specialties who face similar issues.

With colleagues from Texas, and assisted by Kathleen Teixeira, AGA vice president, government affairs, we visited the offices of our congressional representatives and senators throughout the afternoon. During our meetings with congressional staff, we stressed the importance of making changes to current prior authorization and step-therapy approaches to make it easier for our patients to access the right treatments as soon as possible. We also discussed the importance of supporting graduate medical education to ensure we have a future cohort of gastroenterologists and other specialists to meet the rising demands of our population. We were well received, and the briefs prepared by the alliance and AGA, as well as tips on effectively communicating our positions, made the whole process seamless. Discussing our own personal experiences and sharing patient stories, we found our meetings to be productive and insightful.

Now, I hope to host my congresswoman, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Tex., for a site visit locally at Baylor, after a successful meeting with her aide on Capitol Hill.

None of this would have been possible without AGA’s support in arranging these presentations, meetings, and physically supporting us throughout the process. I encourage all of you to utilize AGA in advocating for our patients. It is fun, high impact, and incredibly insightful!
 

How to get involved in advocacy

Interested in advocacy but not sure how or whether you have time in your busy schedule? AGA has an array of options for how you can be active in advocacy. Some take as little as 5 minutes.

Letter writing. AGA uses GovPredict, an online advocacy platform that allows members to contact their member of Congress with just a few clicks. AGA develops messages on significant pieces of legislation, key efforts in Congress or on issues being advanced by federal agencies that have a great effect on gastroenterology. AGA’s ongoing letter writing campaigns can always be found on gastro.org, but be sure to keep an eye out for advocacy emails, AGA eDigest, and social media, so you do not miss your opportunity to take action on timely issues. AGA encourages its members to share letter writing campaigns with their colleagues, as well as posting them on social media.

Meetings with your member of Congress. In-person meetings are an excellent opportunity to share with your member of Congress, or their staff, how the issues that affect gastroenterology affect you, your patients, and your practice. AGA has a plethora of resources to help you set up a meeting with your member of Congress, including up-to-date issue briefs, tips and tricks for productive meetings, and webinars on how to host an on-site visit. AGA staff is always more than happy to help you arrange a meeting either in Washington, DC, or your home state. If you are interested in arranging a meeting with your member of Congress, please contact AGA Public Policy Coordinator, Jonathan Sollish, at [email protected] or 240-482-3228.

AGA PAC. AGA PAC is a voluntary, nonpartisan political organization affiliated with and supported by AGA. The only political action committee supported by a national gastroenterology society, its mission is to give gastroenterologists a greater presence on Capitol Hill and a more effective voice in policy discussions. AGA PAC supports candidates who support our policy priorities, such as fair reimbursement, cutting regulatory red tape, supporting patient protections and access to specialty care, and sustained federal funding of digestive disease research. If you are interested in learning more, contact AGA Government and Political Affairs Manager, Navneet Buttar, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

Congressional Advocates Program. This grassroots program is aimed at establishing a stronger foundation for our current and future advocacy initiatives by creating state teams to work on advocacy on the local, state, and national levels. Participation can include a wide variety of activities, ranging from creating educational posts on social media to meeting with members of Congress. Members of the Congressional Advocates Program are mentored and receive advocacy training by AGA leadership and staff. Participating members receive an AGA Congressional Advocate Program Certificate, a Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) badge ribbon, policy badge on the AGA Community, and recognition on AGA’s website. Applications for the next cycle will be released in 2019.
 

[email protected]

As an early-career gastroenterologist, I have become increasingly aware of the impact of advocacy in championing legislation important to our patients. Initially naive about health care advocacy, I owe much to AGA in preparing and arranging for opportunities to speak with elected officials and their staff on GI-related priorities and bills. As a member of the AGA Congressional Advocates Program, I received training and support in visiting Capitol Hill, discussing specific legislation and upcoming bills, writing op-eds, and hosting site visits.

Most recently, AGA sponsored my attendance at the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Annual Advocacy Fly In. With colleagues from around the country – in specialties ranging from ophthalmology to dermatology – we listened to invited congressional representatives and senators on important bills that can directly affect the care we provide to our patients. We had the opportunity to ask questions of these legislators, many of whom were fellow physicians, and gain advice on effective advocacy, as well as build camaraderie with our colleagues in other specialties who face similar issues.

With colleagues from Texas, and assisted by Kathleen Teixeira, AGA vice president, government affairs, we visited the offices of our congressional representatives and senators throughout the afternoon. During our meetings with congressional staff, we stressed the importance of making changes to current prior authorization and step-therapy approaches to make it easier for our patients to access the right treatments as soon as possible. We also discussed the importance of supporting graduate medical education to ensure we have a future cohort of gastroenterologists and other specialists to meet the rising demands of our population. We were well received, and the briefs prepared by the alliance and AGA, as well as tips on effectively communicating our positions, made the whole process seamless. Discussing our own personal experiences and sharing patient stories, we found our meetings to be productive and insightful.

Now, I hope to host my congresswoman, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Tex., for a site visit locally at Baylor, after a successful meeting with her aide on Capitol Hill.

None of this would have been possible without AGA’s support in arranging these presentations, meetings, and physically supporting us throughout the process. I encourage all of you to utilize AGA in advocating for our patients. It is fun, high impact, and incredibly insightful!
 

How to get involved in advocacy

Interested in advocacy but not sure how or whether you have time in your busy schedule? AGA has an array of options for how you can be active in advocacy. Some take as little as 5 minutes.

Letter writing. AGA uses GovPredict, an online advocacy platform that allows members to contact their member of Congress with just a few clicks. AGA develops messages on significant pieces of legislation, key efforts in Congress or on issues being advanced by federal agencies that have a great effect on gastroenterology. AGA’s ongoing letter writing campaigns can always be found on gastro.org, but be sure to keep an eye out for advocacy emails, AGA eDigest, and social media, so you do not miss your opportunity to take action on timely issues. AGA encourages its members to share letter writing campaigns with their colleagues, as well as posting them on social media.

Meetings with your member of Congress. In-person meetings are an excellent opportunity to share with your member of Congress, or their staff, how the issues that affect gastroenterology affect you, your patients, and your practice. AGA has a plethora of resources to help you set up a meeting with your member of Congress, including up-to-date issue briefs, tips and tricks for productive meetings, and webinars on how to host an on-site visit. AGA staff is always more than happy to help you arrange a meeting either in Washington, DC, or your home state. If you are interested in arranging a meeting with your member of Congress, please contact AGA Public Policy Coordinator, Jonathan Sollish, at [email protected] or 240-482-3228.

AGA PAC. AGA PAC is a voluntary, nonpartisan political organization affiliated with and supported by AGA. The only political action committee supported by a national gastroenterology society, its mission is to give gastroenterologists a greater presence on Capitol Hill and a more effective voice in policy discussions. AGA PAC supports candidates who support our policy priorities, such as fair reimbursement, cutting regulatory red tape, supporting patient protections and access to specialty care, and sustained federal funding of digestive disease research. If you are interested in learning more, contact AGA Government and Political Affairs Manager, Navneet Buttar, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

Congressional Advocates Program. This grassroots program is aimed at establishing a stronger foundation for our current and future advocacy initiatives by creating state teams to work on advocacy on the local, state, and national levels. Participation can include a wide variety of activities, ranging from creating educational posts on social media to meeting with members of Congress. Members of the Congressional Advocates Program are mentored and receive advocacy training by AGA leadership and staff. Participating members receive an AGA Congressional Advocate Program Certificate, a Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) badge ribbon, policy badge on the AGA Community, and recognition on AGA’s website. Applications for the next cycle will be released in 2019.
 

[email protected]

As an early-career gastroenterologist, I have become increasingly aware of the impact of advocacy in championing legislation important to our patients. Initially naive about health care advocacy, I owe much to AGA in preparing and arranging for opportunities to speak with elected officials and their staff on GI-related priorities and bills. As a member of the AGA Congressional Advocates Program, I received training and support in visiting Capitol Hill, discussing specific legislation and upcoming bills, writing op-eds, and hosting site visits.

Most recently, AGA sponsored my attendance at the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Annual Advocacy Fly In. With colleagues from around the country – in specialties ranging from ophthalmology to dermatology – we listened to invited congressional representatives and senators on important bills that can directly affect the care we provide to our patients. We had the opportunity to ask questions of these legislators, many of whom were fellow physicians, and gain advice on effective advocacy, as well as build camaraderie with our colleagues in other specialties who face similar issues.

With colleagues from Texas, and assisted by Kathleen Teixeira, AGA vice president, government affairs, we visited the offices of our congressional representatives and senators throughout the afternoon. During our meetings with congressional staff, we stressed the importance of making changes to current prior authorization and step-therapy approaches to make it easier for our patients to access the right treatments as soon as possible. We also discussed the importance of supporting graduate medical education to ensure we have a future cohort of gastroenterologists and other specialists to meet the rising demands of our population. We were well received, and the briefs prepared by the alliance and AGA, as well as tips on effectively communicating our positions, made the whole process seamless. Discussing our own personal experiences and sharing patient stories, we found our meetings to be productive and insightful.

Now, I hope to host my congresswoman, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Tex., for a site visit locally at Baylor, after a successful meeting with her aide on Capitol Hill.

None of this would have been possible without AGA’s support in arranging these presentations, meetings, and physically supporting us throughout the process. I encourage all of you to utilize AGA in advocating for our patients. It is fun, high impact, and incredibly insightful!
 

How to get involved in advocacy

Interested in advocacy but not sure how or whether you have time in your busy schedule? AGA has an array of options for how you can be active in advocacy. Some take as little as 5 minutes.

Letter writing. AGA uses GovPredict, an online advocacy platform that allows members to contact their member of Congress with just a few clicks. AGA develops messages on significant pieces of legislation, key efforts in Congress or on issues being advanced by federal agencies that have a great effect on gastroenterology. AGA’s ongoing letter writing campaigns can always be found on gastro.org, but be sure to keep an eye out for advocacy emails, AGA eDigest, and social media, so you do not miss your opportunity to take action on timely issues. AGA encourages its members to share letter writing campaigns with their colleagues, as well as posting them on social media.

Meetings with your member of Congress. In-person meetings are an excellent opportunity to share with your member of Congress, or their staff, how the issues that affect gastroenterology affect you, your patients, and your practice. AGA has a plethora of resources to help you set up a meeting with your member of Congress, including up-to-date issue briefs, tips and tricks for productive meetings, and webinars on how to host an on-site visit. AGA staff is always more than happy to help you arrange a meeting either in Washington, DC, or your home state. If you are interested in arranging a meeting with your member of Congress, please contact AGA Public Policy Coordinator, Jonathan Sollish, at [email protected] or 240-482-3228.

AGA PAC. AGA PAC is a voluntary, nonpartisan political organization affiliated with and supported by AGA. The only political action committee supported by a national gastroenterology society, its mission is to give gastroenterologists a greater presence on Capitol Hill and a more effective voice in policy discussions. AGA PAC supports candidates who support our policy priorities, such as fair reimbursement, cutting regulatory red tape, supporting patient protections and access to specialty care, and sustained federal funding of digestive disease research. If you are interested in learning more, contact AGA Government and Political Affairs Manager, Navneet Buttar, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

Congressional Advocates Program. This grassroots program is aimed at establishing a stronger foundation for our current and future advocacy initiatives by creating state teams to work on advocacy on the local, state, and national levels. Participation can include a wide variety of activities, ranging from creating educational posts on social media to meeting with members of Congress. Members of the Congressional Advocates Program are mentored and receive advocacy training by AGA leadership and staff. Participating members receive an AGA Congressional Advocate Program Certificate, a Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) badge ribbon, policy badge on the AGA Community, and recognition on AGA’s website. Applications for the next cycle will be released in 2019.
 

[email protected]

Henry T. Lynch, MD, came from a humble background, growing up in a rough neighborhood in New York City. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterward, Dr. Lynch focused his efforts on completing his education, which eventually lead him to the medical field.

After obtaining his high-school equivalency, and completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and his master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Denver, his path turned toward the field in which he would make his thrilling and unprecedented discoveries. He studied for a PhD in human genetics at the University of Texas at Austin and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. His first faculty appointment was at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

In 1967, he accepted a position at Creighton, in Omaha, Neb., where he would spend the rest of his storied career. Dr. Lynch was a professor at Creighton University School of Medicine, and the founder and director of the Hereditary Cancer Center at Creighton, established in 1984. He served as chair of the institution’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and was named the inaugural holder of the Charles F. and Mary C. Heider Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at Creighton.

A patient he encountered in 1962 – an alcoholic that drank because he believed he would die of colon cancer since everyone in his family had – was the catalyst for his groundbreaking work into the possibility of a hereditary component to some forms of cancer. During this time, it was understood that carcinogenic chemicals and viruses were the primary cause of cancer.

Dr. Lynch provided the first complete description of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, a form of colon cancer eventually renamed Lynch syndrome. He continued his research, eventually identifying a hereditary form of breast and ovarian cancers, melanoma, and prostate and pancreatic cancers. His efforts also resulted in one of the world’s largest databases of family cancer histories.

Dr. Lynch passed away on June 2, 2019, at the age of 91. AGA members are sharing their stories and the impact Dr. Lynch had on their work in the AGA Community.

[email protected]

Lucas Franki contributed to this report.

Henry T. Lynch, MD, came from a humble background, growing up in a rough neighborhood in New York City. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterward, Dr. Lynch focused his efforts on completing his education, which eventually lead him to the medical field.

After obtaining his high-school equivalency, and completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and his master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Denver, his path turned toward the field in which he would make his thrilling and unprecedented discoveries. He studied for a PhD in human genetics at the University of Texas at Austin and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. His first faculty appointment was at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

In 1967, he accepted a position at Creighton, in Omaha, Neb., where he would spend the rest of his storied career. Dr. Lynch was a professor at Creighton University School of Medicine, and the founder and director of the Hereditary Cancer Center at Creighton, established in 1984. He served as chair of the institution’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and was named the inaugural holder of the Charles F. and Mary C. Heider Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at Creighton.

A patient he encountered in 1962 – an alcoholic that drank because he believed he would die of colon cancer since everyone in his family had – was the catalyst for his groundbreaking work into the possibility of a hereditary component to some forms of cancer. During this time, it was understood that carcinogenic chemicals and viruses were the primary cause of cancer.

Dr. Lynch provided the first complete description of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, a form of colon cancer eventually renamed Lynch syndrome. He continued his research, eventually identifying a hereditary form of breast and ovarian cancers, melanoma, and prostate and pancreatic cancers. His efforts also resulted in one of the world’s largest databases of family cancer histories.

Dr. Lynch passed away on June 2, 2019, at the age of 91. AGA members are sharing their stories and the impact Dr. Lynch had on their work in the AGA Community.

[email protected]

Lucas Franki contributed to this report.

Henry T. Lynch, MD, came from a humble background, growing up in a rough neighborhood in New York City. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterward, Dr. Lynch focused his efforts on completing his education, which eventually lead him to the medical field.

After obtaining his high-school equivalency, and completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and his master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Denver, his path turned toward the field in which he would make his thrilling and unprecedented discoveries. He studied for a PhD in human genetics at the University of Texas at Austin and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. His first faculty appointment was at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

In 1967, he accepted a position at Creighton, in Omaha, Neb., where he would spend the rest of his storied career. Dr. Lynch was a professor at Creighton University School of Medicine, and the founder and director of the Hereditary Cancer Center at Creighton, established in 1984. He served as chair of the institution’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and was named the inaugural holder of the Charles F. and Mary C. Heider Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at Creighton.

A patient he encountered in 1962 – an alcoholic that drank because he believed he would die of colon cancer since everyone in his family had – was the catalyst for his groundbreaking work into the possibility of a hereditary component to some forms of cancer. During this time, it was understood that carcinogenic chemicals and viruses were the primary cause of cancer.

Dr. Lynch provided the first complete description of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, a form of colon cancer eventually renamed Lynch syndrome. He continued his research, eventually identifying a hereditary form of breast and ovarian cancers, melanoma, and prostate and pancreatic cancers. His efforts also resulted in one of the world’s largest databases of family cancer histories.

Dr. Lynch passed away on June 2, 2019, at the age of 91. AGA members are sharing their stories and the impact Dr. Lynch had on their work in the AGA Community.

[email protected]

Lucas Franki contributed to this report.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios 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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Crohn’s disease, Infliximab and liver abscess
(http://ow.ly/MehK30p2UZr)

2. Positive Cologuard testing in patient on blood thinners
(http://ow.ly/lJXF30p2V12)

3. Recombinant zoster vaccine in IBD patients on biologics
(http://ow.ly/FWGA30p2V1F)

4. Hair loss and Crohn’s disease
(http://ow.ly/C6Sa30p2V2h)

Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios 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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Crohn’s disease, Infliximab and liver abscess
(http://ow.ly/MehK30p2UZr)

2. Positive Cologuard testing in patient on blood thinners
(http://ow.ly/lJXF30p2V12)

3. Recombinant zoster vaccine in IBD patients on biologics
(http://ow.ly/FWGA30p2V1F)

4. Hair loss and Crohn’s disease
(http://ow.ly/C6Sa30p2V2h)

Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios 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. In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:

1. Crohn’s disease, Infliximab and liver abscess
(http://ow.ly/MehK30p2UZr)

2. Positive Cologuard testing in patient on blood thinners
(http://ow.ly/lJXF30p2V12)

3. Recombinant zoster vaccine in IBD patients on biologics
(http://ow.ly/FWGA30p2V1F)

4. Hair loss and Crohn’s disease
(http://ow.ly/C6Sa30p2V2h)

Access these clinical cases and more discussions at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

What if all you had to do to ensure that the AGA Research Foundation can have an impact for years to come is to write a simple sentence? Sound impossible?

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in young investigators’ career. Securing the future of the talented investigators we serve really is as simple as one sentence. By including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will, you can support our mission tomorrow without giving away any of your assets today.

Including the AGA Research Foundation in your will is a popular gift to give because it is:

•  Affordable. The actual giving of your gift occurs after your lifetime, so your current income is not affected.
•  Flexible. Until your will goes into effect, you are free to alter your plans or change your mind.
•  Versatile. You can give a specific item, a set amount of money or a percentage of your estate. You can also make your gift contingent upon certain events.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. It’s simple – just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. The official bequest language for the AGA Research Foundation is: “I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to the AGA Research Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

Join others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation and help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Please contact us for more information at [email protected] or visit http://gastro.planmylegacy.org/.
 

What if all you had to do to ensure that the AGA Research Foundation can have an impact for years to come is to write a simple sentence? Sound impossible?

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in young investigators’ career. Securing the future of the talented investigators we serve really is as simple as one sentence. By including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will, you can support our mission tomorrow without giving away any of your assets today.

Including the AGA Research Foundation in your will is a popular gift to give because it is:

•  Affordable. The actual giving of your gift occurs after your lifetime, so your current income is not affected.
•  Flexible. Until your will goes into effect, you are free to alter your plans or change your mind.
•  Versatile. You can give a specific item, a set amount of money or a percentage of your estate. You can also make your gift contingent upon certain events.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. It’s simple – just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. The official bequest language for the AGA Research Foundation is: “I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to the AGA Research Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

Join others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation and help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Please contact us for more information at [email protected] or visit http://gastro.planmylegacy.org/.
 

What if all you had to do to ensure that the AGA Research Foundation can have an impact for years to come is to write a simple sentence? Sound impossible?

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in young investigators’ career. Securing the future of the talented investigators we serve really is as simple as one sentence. By including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will, you can support our mission tomorrow without giving away any of your assets today.

Including the AGA Research Foundation in your will is a popular gift to give because it is:

•  Affordable. The actual giving of your gift occurs after your lifetime, so your current income is not affected.
•  Flexible. Until your will goes into effect, you are free to alter your plans or change your mind.
•  Versatile. You can give a specific item, a set amount of money or a percentage of your estate. You can also make your gift contingent upon certain events.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. It’s simple – just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. The official bequest language for the AGA Research Foundation is: “I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to the AGA Research Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

Join others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation and help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Please contact us for more information at [email protected] or visit http://gastro.planmylegacy.org/.
 

AGA member Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH, and three other expert and patient panelists called upon Congress to help educate policymakers and the public on the increasing burden of NASH and to take steps to prevent its increase, including more funding for research.

Dr. Younossi provided congressional staffers with an informative presentation on the prevalence, adverse clinical outcomes, and economic outcomes of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). He noted that 6.65 million adults have NASH – 688,000 have advanced NASH. Treatment of these patients carries an economic burden of $222.6 billion in direct costs and $95.4 billion in lifetime direct costs of advanced NASH.

Although NASH was discovered almost 40 years ago, the prevalence has doubled in the last 15 years and challenges to optimize disease diagnosis and management remain. The briefing was sponsored by the Global Liver Institute and its founder and CEO, Donna Cryer, JD, is a NASH patient and liver transplant recipient. Dr. Younossi noted that, between 2015 and 2030, the percentage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is related to NASH is projected to increase from 20% to 27%.

AGA thanks Dr. Younossi, the other panelists, and the Global Liver Institute for assembling this important educational forum and encouraging Congress to take action.
 

[email protected]

AGA member Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH, and three other expert and patient panelists called upon Congress to help educate policymakers and the public on the increasing burden of NASH and to take steps to prevent its increase, including more funding for research.

Dr. Younossi provided congressional staffers with an informative presentation on the prevalence, adverse clinical outcomes, and economic outcomes of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). He noted that 6.65 million adults have NASH – 688,000 have advanced NASH. Treatment of these patients carries an economic burden of $222.6 billion in direct costs and $95.4 billion in lifetime direct costs of advanced NASH.

Although NASH was discovered almost 40 years ago, the prevalence has doubled in the last 15 years and challenges to optimize disease diagnosis and management remain. The briefing was sponsored by the Global Liver Institute and its founder and CEO, Donna Cryer, JD, is a NASH patient and liver transplant recipient. Dr. Younossi noted that, between 2015 and 2030, the percentage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is related to NASH is projected to increase from 20% to 27%.

AGA thanks Dr. Younossi, the other panelists, and the Global Liver Institute for assembling this important educational forum and encouraging Congress to take action.
 

[email protected]

AGA member Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH, and three other expert and patient panelists called upon Congress to help educate policymakers and the public on the increasing burden of NASH and to take steps to prevent its increase, including more funding for research.

Dr. Younossi provided congressional staffers with an informative presentation on the prevalence, adverse clinical outcomes, and economic outcomes of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). He noted that 6.65 million adults have NASH – 688,000 have advanced NASH. Treatment of these patients carries an economic burden of $222.6 billion in direct costs and $95.4 billion in lifetime direct costs of advanced NASH.

Although NASH was discovered almost 40 years ago, the prevalence has doubled in the last 15 years and challenges to optimize disease diagnosis and management remain. The briefing was sponsored by the Global Liver Institute and its founder and CEO, Donna Cryer, JD, is a NASH patient and liver transplant recipient. Dr. Younossi noted that, between 2015 and 2030, the percentage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is related to NASH is projected to increase from 20% to 27%.

AGA thanks Dr. Younossi, the other panelists, and the Global Liver Institute for assembling this important educational forum and encouraging Congress to take action.
 

[email protected]

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
@FengSu_MD

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.

CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
@AustinChiangMD

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

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

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
@Tirthadipa

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.
 

[email protected]

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
@FengSu_MD

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.

CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
@AustinChiangMD

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

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

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
@Tirthadipa

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.
 

[email protected]

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
@FengSu_MD

Victoria Weis, PhD
Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.

CGH
Austin Chiang, MD, MPH
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
@AustinChiangMD

Jennifer Kolb, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

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

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
@Tirthadipa

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.
 

[email protected]