News from AGA

AGA recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship. AGA fellowship helps open doors, creates connections, and offers widespread value and recognition. Applicants can choose to apply for fellowship in either clinical practice (private or academic) or in research (basic or clinical).

Gain recognition as a distinguished GI professional and apply today by visiting www.gastro.org/fellowship. This website includes the full list of benefits and criteria for fellowship.

Be honored for your contributions and commitment to the GI field. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.
 

[email protected]

AGA recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship. AGA fellowship helps open doors, creates connections, and offers widespread value and recognition. Applicants can choose to apply for fellowship in either clinical practice (private or academic) or in research (basic or clinical).

Gain recognition as a distinguished GI professional and apply today by visiting www.gastro.org/fellowship. This website includes the full list of benefits and criteria for fellowship.

Be honored for your contributions and commitment to the GI field. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.
 

[email protected]

AGA recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship. AGA fellowship helps open doors, creates connections, and offers widespread value and recognition. Applicants can choose to apply for fellowship in either clinical practice (private or academic) or in research (basic or clinical).

Gain recognition as a distinguished GI professional and apply today by visiting www.gastro.org/fellowship. This website includes the full list of benefits and criteria for fellowship.

Be honored for your contributions and commitment to the GI field. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.
 

[email protected]

Gastroenterologists and patients rely on biologics to manage Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Biosimilar products, which are “highly similar” to the biologic, have begun to be approved by the FDA for such indications. The FDA is now developing a pathway for interchangeable products, which are biosimilars that “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product” according to Section 351(i) of the Public Health Service Act. AGA provided the FDA six recommendations in response to the agency’s draft guidance on demonstrating interchangeability focused on measures to enhance patient safety and ensure that physicians, not insurance companies, drive decisions about switching products. Here is a summary of our comments.

1. Extrapolation of data should not be allowed for any indication where the pathophysiology is known to be different or is yet to be elucidated.

Post-marketing evidence on interchangeability of biosimilar products would alleviate concerns as testing specific products in individual diseases is an important step in determining whether the product is effective and safe for that particular disease. AGA recommends that manufacturers should be required to seek licensure for all the same indications as the reference product to appropriately track adverse events should they arise.

2. The agency should use caution when allowing extrapolation for pediatric indications.

Pediatric patients are recognized as a vulnerable population for which a disease may differ from those of adult patients. In the absence of data specifically ensuring safety and efficacy in children, AGA recommends an exemption of pediatric patients from current FDA positions and guidance documents related to interchangeable products.

3. Sponsors should exclusively use U.S.-licensed reference products in switching studies.

Currently, the FDA’s draft guidance has wording that seems to signal that the agency is willing to entertain use of non-U.S.-licensed products in some cases, casting doubt on the true “interchangeability” of the product. AGA recommends that the guidance be amended to include specific scenarios where this may be acceptable or remove the clause altogether.

4. “Real world” data on biosimilar and interchangeable products must be collected through formal post-marketing observational studies to ensure the longitudinal safety and efficacy for all patient populations being treated with these products.

A central observational registry, like the AGA Fecal Microbiome Transplant National Registry, would ensure the capture of data on the safety and efficacy of interchangeable products for all manufacturers and their adverse effects on patients, if any. Such a registry would also allow the study of outcomes in patients who are switched among multiple products.

5. Gastroenterologists with appropriate disease expertise should be engaged by the FDA when interchangeable products are reviewed for approval.

AGA is part of the FDA’s Network of Experts and hopes that this relationship will continue to be proactively utilized when a proposed product is seeking a gastrointestinal indication.

6. Prescribing physicians must be empowered with the ability to prevent nonmedical switching from a reference product to an interchangeable product.

AGA has concerns over the section of the Public Health Service Act that states that an interchangeable product “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product.” Health care providers must be empowered to be aware of and prevent nonmedical switching if they believe that the patient’s safety and health is at risk. AGA encourages the FDA to consider making a statement encouraging states to protect physician discretion as it applies to interchangeable biosimilars.

AGA will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that the voice of gastroenterology is heard in relation to biosimilars and interchangeable products.

Gastroenterologists and patients rely on biologics to manage Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Biosimilar products, which are “highly similar” to the biologic, have begun to be approved by the FDA for such indications. The FDA is now developing a pathway for interchangeable products, which are biosimilars that “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product” according to Section 351(i) of the Public Health Service Act. AGA provided the FDA six recommendations in response to the agency’s draft guidance on demonstrating interchangeability focused on measures to enhance patient safety and ensure that physicians, not insurance companies, drive decisions about switching products. Here is a summary of our comments.

1. Extrapolation of data should not be allowed for any indication where the pathophysiology is known to be different or is yet to be elucidated.

Post-marketing evidence on interchangeability of biosimilar products would alleviate concerns as testing specific products in individual diseases is an important step in determining whether the product is effective and safe for that particular disease. AGA recommends that manufacturers should be required to seek licensure for all the same indications as the reference product to appropriately track adverse events should they arise.

2. The agency should use caution when allowing extrapolation for pediatric indications.

Pediatric patients are recognized as a vulnerable population for which a disease may differ from those of adult patients. In the absence of data specifically ensuring safety and efficacy in children, AGA recommends an exemption of pediatric patients from current FDA positions and guidance documents related to interchangeable products.

3. Sponsors should exclusively use U.S.-licensed reference products in switching studies.

Currently, the FDA’s draft guidance has wording that seems to signal that the agency is willing to entertain use of non-U.S.-licensed products in some cases, casting doubt on the true “interchangeability” of the product. AGA recommends that the guidance be amended to include specific scenarios where this may be acceptable or remove the clause altogether.

4. “Real world” data on biosimilar and interchangeable products must be collected through formal post-marketing observational studies to ensure the longitudinal safety and efficacy for all patient populations being treated with these products.

A central observational registry, like the AGA Fecal Microbiome Transplant National Registry, would ensure the capture of data on the safety and efficacy of interchangeable products for all manufacturers and their adverse effects on patients, if any. Such a registry would also allow the study of outcomes in patients who are switched among multiple products.

5. Gastroenterologists with appropriate disease expertise should be engaged by the FDA when interchangeable products are reviewed for approval.

AGA is part of the FDA’s Network of Experts and hopes that this relationship will continue to be proactively utilized when a proposed product is seeking a gastrointestinal indication.

6. Prescribing physicians must be empowered with the ability to prevent nonmedical switching from a reference product to an interchangeable product.

AGA has concerns over the section of the Public Health Service Act that states that an interchangeable product “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product.” Health care providers must be empowered to be aware of and prevent nonmedical switching if they believe that the patient’s safety and health is at risk. AGA encourages the FDA to consider making a statement encouraging states to protect physician discretion as it applies to interchangeable biosimilars.

AGA will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that the voice of gastroenterology is heard in relation to biosimilars and interchangeable products.

Gastroenterologists and patients rely on biologics to manage Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Biosimilar products, which are “highly similar” to the biologic, have begun to be approved by the FDA for such indications. The FDA is now developing a pathway for interchangeable products, which are biosimilars that “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product” according to Section 351(i) of the Public Health Service Act. AGA provided the FDA six recommendations in response to the agency’s draft guidance on demonstrating interchangeability focused on measures to enhance patient safety and ensure that physicians, not insurance companies, drive decisions about switching products. Here is a summary of our comments.

1. Extrapolation of data should not be allowed for any indication where the pathophysiology is known to be different or is yet to be elucidated.

Post-marketing evidence on interchangeability of biosimilar products would alleviate concerns as testing specific products in individual diseases is an important step in determining whether the product is effective and safe for that particular disease. AGA recommends that manufacturers should be required to seek licensure for all the same indications as the reference product to appropriately track adverse events should they arise.

2. The agency should use caution when allowing extrapolation for pediatric indications.

Pediatric patients are recognized as a vulnerable population for which a disease may differ from those of adult patients. In the absence of data specifically ensuring safety and efficacy in children, AGA recommends an exemption of pediatric patients from current FDA positions and guidance documents related to interchangeable products.

3. Sponsors should exclusively use U.S.-licensed reference products in switching studies.

Currently, the FDA’s draft guidance has wording that seems to signal that the agency is willing to entertain use of non-U.S.-licensed products in some cases, casting doubt on the true “interchangeability” of the product. AGA recommends that the guidance be amended to include specific scenarios where this may be acceptable or remove the clause altogether.

4. “Real world” data on biosimilar and interchangeable products must be collected through formal post-marketing observational studies to ensure the longitudinal safety and efficacy for all patient populations being treated with these products.

A central observational registry, like the AGA Fecal Microbiome Transplant National Registry, would ensure the capture of data on the safety and efficacy of interchangeable products for all manufacturers and their adverse effects on patients, if any. Such a registry would also allow the study of outcomes in patients who are switched among multiple products.

5. Gastroenterologists with appropriate disease expertise should be engaged by the FDA when interchangeable products are reviewed for approval.

AGA is part of the FDA’s Network of Experts and hopes that this relationship will continue to be proactively utilized when a proposed product is seeking a gastrointestinal indication.

6. Prescribing physicians must be empowered with the ability to prevent nonmedical switching from a reference product to an interchangeable product.

AGA has concerns over the section of the Public Health Service Act that states that an interchangeable product “may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed the reference product.” Health care providers must be empowered to be aware of and prevent nonmedical switching if they believe that the patient’s safety and health is at risk. AGA encourages the FDA to consider making a statement encouraging states to protect physician discretion as it applies to interchangeable biosimilars.

AGA will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that the voice of gastroenterology is heard in relation to biosimilars and interchangeable products.

MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) replaces the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and significantly changes the way Medicare pays physicians.

Many things about the Affordable Care Act (ACA; Obamacare) are likely to change under the new administration, but MACRA and the commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay. MACRA is separate from the ACA. Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments.

It is important to understand MACRA to ensure you are doing everything required under the current rules in 2017. Ignore MACRA in 2017 and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

AGA offers educational webinars and videos to help you prepare. Visit gastro.org/MACRA to learn more.
 

[email protected]

MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) replaces the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and significantly changes the way Medicare pays physicians.

Many things about the Affordable Care Act (ACA; Obamacare) are likely to change under the new administration, but MACRA and the commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay. MACRA is separate from the ACA. Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments.

It is important to understand MACRA to ensure you are doing everything required under the current rules in 2017. Ignore MACRA in 2017 and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

AGA offers educational webinars and videos to help you prepare. Visit gastro.org/MACRA to learn more.
 

[email protected]

MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) replaces the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and significantly changes the way Medicare pays physicians.

Many things about the Affordable Care Act (ACA; Obamacare) are likely to change under the new administration, but MACRA and the commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay. MACRA is separate from the ACA. Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments.

It is important to understand MACRA to ensure you are doing everything required under the current rules in 2017. Ignore MACRA in 2017 and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

AGA offers educational webinars and videos to help you prepare. Visit gastro.org/MACRA to learn more.
 

[email protected]

The application period for the 2018 AGA Fellows Program is now open. The program recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship.

AGA Fellows receive this honor from AGA for their superior professional achievement in clinical private or academic practice and in basic or clinical research.

AGA Fellows receive:

• The privilege of using the designation “AGAF” in professional activities.
• An official certificate and pin denoting your status.
• A listing on the AGA website.

And more.

Apply today to join this international community of excellence.

Find more information, including the list of benefits and criteria for fellowship, at www.gastro.org/fellowship. The deadline for application submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.

The application period for the 2018 AGA Fellows Program is now open. The program recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship.

AGA Fellows receive this honor from AGA for their superior professional achievement in clinical private or academic practice and in basic or clinical research.

AGA Fellows receive:

• The privilege of using the designation “AGAF” in professional activities.
• An official certificate and pin denoting your status.
• A listing on the AGA website.

And more.

Apply today to join this international community of excellence.

Find more information, including the list of benefits and criteria for fellowship, at www.gastro.org/fellowship. The deadline for application submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.

The application period for the 2018 AGA Fellows Program is now open. The program recognizes members whose accomplishments demonstrate personal commitment to the field of gastroenterology with the distinction of fellowship.

AGA Fellows receive this honor from AGA for their superior professional achievement in clinical private or academic practice and in basic or clinical research.

AGA Fellows receive:

• The privilege of using the designation “AGAF” in professional activities.
• An official certificate and pin denoting your status.
• A listing on the AGA website.

And more.

Apply today to join this international community of excellence.

Find more information, including the list of benefits and criteria for fellowship, at www.gastro.org/fellowship. The deadline for application submissions is Monday, July 31, 2017.

The AGA Research Foundation is thrilled to award 52 researchers with research funding in the 2017 award year.

“The AGA Research Foundation has a proven track record of funding young investigators who subsequently achieve great success in research. We are confident that the 2017 class will be no exception,” said Robert S. Sandler, MD, MPH, AGAF, chair, AGA Research Foundation. “AGA is honored to invest in this year’s award recipients and looks forward to seeing how each research project contributes to advancing the field of gastroenterology.”

The AGA Research Award Program serves to support talented investigators who are pursuing careers in digestive disease research. A grant from the AGA Research Foundation ensures that a major proportion of the recipient’s time is protected for research.

The awards program is made possible thanks to generous donors and funders contributing to the AGA Research Foundation. Show your support for GI research.

To learn about upcoming research funding opportunities, and to view the list of this years’ winners, visit www.gastro.org/awards.

This year’s honorees were recognized during several AGA Research Foundation events at Digestive Disease Week^® 2017, which took place May 6-9 in Chicago, IL.

The AGA Research Foundation is thrilled to award 52 researchers with research funding in the 2017 award year.

“The AGA Research Foundation has a proven track record of funding young investigators who subsequently achieve great success in research. We are confident that the 2017 class will be no exception,” said Robert S. Sandler, MD, MPH, AGAF, chair, AGA Research Foundation. “AGA is honored to invest in this year’s award recipients and looks forward to seeing how each research project contributes to advancing the field of gastroenterology.”

The AGA Research Award Program serves to support talented investigators who are pursuing careers in digestive disease research. A grant from the AGA Research Foundation ensures that a major proportion of the recipient’s time is protected for research.

The awards program is made possible thanks to generous donors and funders contributing to the AGA Research Foundation. Show your support for GI research.

To learn about upcoming research funding opportunities, and to view the list of this years’ winners, visit www.gastro.org/awards.

This year’s honorees were recognized during several AGA Research Foundation events at Digestive Disease Week^® 2017, which took place May 6-9 in Chicago, IL.

The AGA Research Foundation is thrilled to award 52 researchers with research funding in the 2017 award year.

“The AGA Research Foundation has a proven track record of funding young investigators who subsequently achieve great success in research. We are confident that the 2017 class will be no exception,” said Robert S. Sandler, MD, MPH, AGAF, chair, AGA Research Foundation. “AGA is honored to invest in this year’s award recipients and looks forward to seeing how each research project contributes to advancing the field of gastroenterology.”

The AGA Research Award Program serves to support talented investigators who are pursuing careers in digestive disease research. A grant from the AGA Research Foundation ensures that a major proportion of the recipient’s time is protected for research.

The awards program is made possible thanks to generous donors and funders contributing to the AGA Research Foundation. Show your support for GI research.

To learn about upcoming research funding opportunities, and to view the list of this years’ winners, visit www.gastro.org/awards.

This year’s honorees were recognized during several AGA Research Foundation events at Digestive Disease Week^® 2017, which took place May 6-9 in Chicago, IL.

Patients with obesity need a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a healthy weight. AGA understands the importance of embracing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease and supports a multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity led by gastroenterologists.

To watch

AGA Solutions to Successful Obesity Program Integration: Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, assistant professor in medicine, clinical enteric neuroscience translational and epidemiological research, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF, clinical associate professor and director of IBD, Stanford (Calif.) University, discuss the AGA Obesity Guide and how GIs can begin to implement the program in their practices. Watch the on-demand webinar in the AGA Community resource library.

To read

POWER: Practice Guide on Obesity and Weight Management, Education and Resources: This practice guide on obesity and weight management will help you develop a multidisciplinary team and obesity care model for your practice.

Episode-of-Care Framework for the Management of Obesity: Moving toward high-value, high-quality care – AGA established an obesity episode-of-care model to develop a framework to support value-based management of patients with obesity, focusing on the provision of nonsurgical and endoscopic services.

These resources are available at www.gastro.org/obesity.

To discuss

Visit the AGA Community to join the discussion on managing your patient with obesity.

Patients with obesity need a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a healthy weight. AGA understands the importance of embracing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease and supports a multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity led by gastroenterologists.

To watch

AGA Solutions to Successful Obesity Program Integration: Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, assistant professor in medicine, clinical enteric neuroscience translational and epidemiological research, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF, clinical associate professor and director of IBD, Stanford (Calif.) University, discuss the AGA Obesity Guide and how GIs can begin to implement the program in their practices. Watch the on-demand webinar in the AGA Community resource library.

To read

POWER: Practice Guide on Obesity and Weight Management, Education and Resources: This practice guide on obesity and weight management will help you develop a multidisciplinary team and obesity care model for your practice.

Episode-of-Care Framework for the Management of Obesity: Moving toward high-value, high-quality care – AGA established an obesity episode-of-care model to develop a framework to support value-based management of patients with obesity, focusing on the provision of nonsurgical and endoscopic services.

These resources are available at www.gastro.org/obesity.

To discuss

Visit the AGA Community to join the discussion on managing your patient with obesity.

Patients with obesity need a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a healthy weight. AGA understands the importance of embracing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease and supports a multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity led by gastroenterologists.

To watch

AGA Solutions to Successful Obesity Program Integration: Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, assistant professor in medicine, clinical enteric neuroscience translational and epidemiological research, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF, clinical associate professor and director of IBD, Stanford (Calif.) University, discuss the AGA Obesity Guide and how GIs can begin to implement the program in their practices. Watch the on-demand webinar in the AGA Community resource library.

To read

POWER: Practice Guide on Obesity and Weight Management, Education and Resources: This practice guide on obesity and weight management will help you develop a multidisciplinary team and obesity care model for your practice.

Episode-of-Care Framework for the Management of Obesity: Moving toward high-value, high-quality care – AGA established an obesity episode-of-care model to develop a framework to support value-based management of patients with obesity, focusing on the provision of nonsurgical and endoscopic services.

These resources are available at www.gastro.org/obesity.

To discuss

Visit the AGA Community to join the discussion on managing your patient with obesity.

Approximately 35 million Americans are affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). April is IBS Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to ensure you have the resources to care for your IBS patients.

To help your IBS patients, AGA provides credible, accessible education information on the following topics in English and Spanish.

• • What is irritable bowel syndrome?
• • Symptoms
• • Getting tested
• • Newly diagnosed
• • Treatment
• • Complications

Visit www.gastro.org/IBS to access our patient materials.

Approximately 35 million Americans are affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). April is IBS Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to ensure you have the resources to care for your IBS patients.

To help your IBS patients, AGA provides credible, accessible education information on the following topics in English and Spanish.

• • What is irritable bowel syndrome?
• • Symptoms
• • Getting tested
• • Newly diagnosed
• • Treatment
• • Complications

Visit www.gastro.org/IBS to access our patient materials.

Approximately 35 million Americans are affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). April is IBS Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to ensure you have the resources to care for your IBS patients.

To help your IBS patients, AGA provides credible, accessible education information on the following topics in English and Spanish.

• • What is irritable bowel syndrome?
• • Symptoms
• • Getting tested
• • Newly diagnosed
• • Treatment
• • Complications

Visit www.gastro.org/IBS to access our patient materials.

A simple, flexible and versatile way to ensure The AGA Research Foundation can continue our work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities, or property. After your lifetime, the AGA Research Foundation receives your gift.

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.”

When planning a future gift, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate’s value fluctuates over the years.

Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support the AGA Research Foundation.

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

A simple, flexible and versatile way to ensure The AGA Research Foundation can continue our work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities, or property. After your lifetime, the AGA Research Foundation receives your gift.

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.”

When planning a future gift, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate’s value fluctuates over the years.

Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support the AGA Research Foundation.

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

A simple, flexible and versatile way to ensure The AGA Research Foundation can continue our work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities, or property. After your lifetime, the AGA Research Foundation receives your gift.

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.”

When planning a future gift, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate’s value fluctuates over the years.

Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support the AGA Research Foundation.

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

AGA looks forward to seeing our members at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017, May 6-9 in Chicago. If you’re not yet registered for the meeting, visit www.ddw.org to reserve your spot.

Please also join us for the 2017 AGA Postgraduate Course. The 2017 course is set for May 6 and 7, 2017, in conjunction with DDW. This 1.5-day course is designed to help you step beyond basic learning and get the full scope of GI advances. You will measure, learn, and apply the newest advances that will help you make confident decisions for your patients.

The course will feature six general sessions:

• • Hot Topics (abdominal pain and opioid therapy, microbiome and obesity, viral hepatitis, and fecal microbiota transplantation)
• • IBD: It’s a Beautiful Day (IBD) to discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• • The Biliary Tree and Pancreas
• • Love the Liver
• • All Guts and Glory: Esophagus, Stomach and Small Intestine
• • Bringing Up the Rear: Disorders of the Colon and Rectum

The course will also include 29 breakout sessions. These focused, small-group sessions allow you to delve deeper into specific clinical topics and provide direct access to internationally renowned faculty.

To learn more about the AGA Postgraduate course, visit pgcourse.gastro.org.

AGA looks forward to seeing our members at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017, May 6-9 in Chicago. If you’re not yet registered for the meeting, visit www.ddw.org to reserve your spot.

Please also join us for the 2017 AGA Postgraduate Course. The 2017 course is set for May 6 and 7, 2017, in conjunction with DDW. This 1.5-day course is designed to help you step beyond basic learning and get the full scope of GI advances. You will measure, learn, and apply the newest advances that will help you make confident decisions for your patients.

The course will feature six general sessions:

• • Hot Topics (abdominal pain and opioid therapy, microbiome and obesity, viral hepatitis, and fecal microbiota transplantation)
• • IBD: It’s a Beautiful Day (IBD) to discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• • The Biliary Tree and Pancreas
• • Love the Liver
• • All Guts and Glory: Esophagus, Stomach and Small Intestine
• • Bringing Up the Rear: Disorders of the Colon and Rectum

The course will also include 29 breakout sessions. These focused, small-group sessions allow you to delve deeper into specific clinical topics and provide direct access to internationally renowned faculty.

To learn more about the AGA Postgraduate course, visit pgcourse.gastro.org.

AGA looks forward to seeing our members at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017, May 6-9 in Chicago. If you’re not yet registered for the meeting, visit www.ddw.org to reserve your spot.

Please also join us for the 2017 AGA Postgraduate Course. The 2017 course is set for May 6 and 7, 2017, in conjunction with DDW. This 1.5-day course is designed to help you step beyond basic learning and get the full scope of GI advances. You will measure, learn, and apply the newest advances that will help you make confident decisions for your patients.

The course will feature six general sessions:

• • Hot Topics (abdominal pain and opioid therapy, microbiome and obesity, viral hepatitis, and fecal microbiota transplantation)
• • IBD: It’s a Beautiful Day (IBD) to discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• • The Biliary Tree and Pancreas
• • Love the Liver
• • All Guts and Glory: Esophagus, Stomach and Small Intestine
• • Bringing Up the Rear: Disorders of the Colon and Rectum

The course will also include 29 breakout sessions. These focused, small-group sessions allow you to delve deeper into specific clinical topics and provide direct access to internationally renowned faculty.

To learn more about the AGA Postgraduate course, visit pgcourse.gastro.org.

AGA is pleased to announce new AGA Institute Governing Board designate-elects for 2017-2018.

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, is the vice president-elect designate. Dr. El-Serag is professor and chair of medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. He is the editor of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology until July 2017, and serves on the AGA Institute Leadership and Publications Committee.

Lawrence S. Kim, MD, AGAF, is the secretary/treasurer-elect designate. Dr. Kim is a partner at South Denver Gastroenterology, P.C., Littleton, CO. He currently serves on the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates, Audit, and Finance and Operations Committees. Dr. Kim has previously served as an AGA Institute Private Practice Councillor.

Dr. El-Serag and Dr. Kim begin their terms immediately following Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017.

AGA is pleased to announce new AGA Institute Governing Board designate-elects for 2017-2018.

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, is the vice president-elect designate. Dr. El-Serag is professor and chair of medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. He is the editor of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology until July 2017, and serves on the AGA Institute Leadership and Publications Committee.

Lawrence S. Kim, MD, AGAF, is the secretary/treasurer-elect designate. Dr. Kim is a partner at South Denver Gastroenterology, P.C., Littleton, CO. He currently serves on the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates, Audit, and Finance and Operations Committees. Dr. Kim has previously served as an AGA Institute Private Practice Councillor.

Dr. El-Serag and Dr. Kim begin their terms immediately following Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017.

AGA is pleased to announce new AGA Institute Governing Board designate-elects for 2017-2018.

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, is the vice president-elect designate. Dr. El-Serag is professor and chair of medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. He is the editor of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology until July 2017, and serves on the AGA Institute Leadership and Publications Committee.

Lawrence S. Kim, MD, AGAF, is the secretary/treasurer-elect designate. Dr. Kim is a partner at South Denver Gastroenterology, P.C., Littleton, CO. He currently serves on the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates, Audit, and Finance and Operations Committees. Dr. Kim has previously served as an AGA Institute Private Practice Councillor.

Dr. El-Serag and Dr. Kim begin their terms immediately following Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) 2017.