News from AGA

In May, the AGA Institute Clinical Practice and Quality Management Committee agreed to create a guideline subcommittee.

The subcommittee will have a key role in shaping how the AGA identifies and prioritizes guideline topics as well as how existing medical position statements/guidelines are maintained. The group will be instrumental in keeping the guideline development on a rapid and rigorous development track.

The subcommittee held its first meeting on Aug. 15 and heard directly from the AGA Governing Board about the how the subcommittee’s work will influence the development and publication of guidelines for practicing gastroenterologists.

The guideline subcommittee members are:

• John M. Inadomi, M.D., AGAF, chair

• David S. Weinberg, M.D., AGAF, chair-elect

• Sharon L. Dudley-Brown, Ph.D., CRNP

• Yngve T. Falck-Ytter, M.D., AGAF

• Joseph Lim, M.D.

• Lena Brice Palmer, M.D.

• Joel H. Rubenstein, M.D.

• Yu-Xiao Yang, M.D.

In May, the AGA Institute Clinical Practice and Quality Management Committee agreed to create a guideline subcommittee.

The subcommittee will have a key role in shaping how the AGA identifies and prioritizes guideline topics as well as how existing medical position statements/guidelines are maintained. The group will be instrumental in keeping the guideline development on a rapid and rigorous development track.

The subcommittee held its first meeting on Aug. 15 and heard directly from the AGA Governing Board about the how the subcommittee’s work will influence the development and publication of guidelines for practicing gastroenterologists.

The guideline subcommittee members are:

• John M. Inadomi, M.D., AGAF, chair

• David S. Weinberg, M.D., AGAF, chair-elect

• Sharon L. Dudley-Brown, Ph.D., CRNP

• Yngve T. Falck-Ytter, M.D., AGAF

• Joseph Lim, M.D.

• Lena Brice Palmer, M.D.

• Joel H. Rubenstein, M.D.

• Yu-Xiao Yang, M.D.

In May, the AGA Institute Clinical Practice and Quality Management Committee agreed to create a guideline subcommittee.

The subcommittee will have a key role in shaping how the AGA identifies and prioritizes guideline topics as well as how existing medical position statements/guidelines are maintained. The group will be instrumental in keeping the guideline development on a rapid and rigorous development track.

The subcommittee held its first meeting on Aug. 15 and heard directly from the AGA Governing Board about the how the subcommittee’s work will influence the development and publication of guidelines for practicing gastroenterologists.

The guideline subcommittee members are:

• John M. Inadomi, M.D., AGAF, chair

• David S. Weinberg, M.D., AGAF, chair-elect

• Sharon L. Dudley-Brown, Ph.D., CRNP

• Yngve T. Falck-Ytter, M.D., AGAF

• Joseph Lim, M.D.

• Lena Brice Palmer, M.D.

• Joel H. Rubenstein, M.D.

• Yu-Xiao Yang, M.D.

Boas, Barrett, Kussmaul, Schindler, and Whipple. These names have special meaning for gastroenterologists and hepatologists. These individuals have all made a lasting legacy in digestive disease.

AGA members can make their own legacy within GI by contributing to the AGA Research Foundation through a will or bequest. The AGA Research Foundation provides grants to young researchers in digestive diseases. These grants are made possible by donations from AGA members. A planned gift to the foundation will assure that your legacy continues on for the young researchers who are discovering new treatments to improve the lives of our patients.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

• Simplicity. 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."

• Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.

• Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.

• Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift’s full value.

How It Works

To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable 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.

Putting Your Family First

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.

For more information visit our Charitable Gift Planning pages on www.gastro.org/foundation or contact Stacey Hinton Tuneski via e-mail at [email protected] or 301-222-4005.

Boas, Barrett, Kussmaul, Schindler, and Whipple. These names have special meaning for gastroenterologists and hepatologists. These individuals have all made a lasting legacy in digestive disease.

AGA members can make their own legacy within GI by contributing to the AGA Research Foundation through a will or bequest. The AGA Research Foundation provides grants to young researchers in digestive diseases. These grants are made possible by donations from AGA members. A planned gift to the foundation will assure that your legacy continues on for the young researchers who are discovering new treatments to improve the lives of our patients.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

• Simplicity. 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."

• Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.

• Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.

• Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift’s full value.

How It Works

To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable 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.

Putting Your Family First

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.

For more information visit our Charitable Gift Planning pages on www.gastro.org/foundation or contact Stacey Hinton Tuneski via e-mail at [email protected] or 301-222-4005.

Boas, Barrett, Kussmaul, Schindler, and Whipple. These names have special meaning for gastroenterologists and hepatologists. These individuals have all made a lasting legacy in digestive disease.

AGA members can make their own legacy within GI by contributing to the AGA Research Foundation through a will or bequest. The AGA Research Foundation provides grants to young researchers in digestive diseases. These grants are made possible by donations from AGA members. A planned gift to the foundation will assure that your legacy continues on for the young researchers who are discovering new treatments to improve the lives of our patients.

We hope you’ll consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

• Simplicity. 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."

• Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.

• Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.

• Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift’s full value.

How It Works

To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable 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.

Putting Your Family First

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.

For more information visit our Charitable Gift Planning pages on www.gastro.org/foundation or contact Stacey Hinton Tuneski via e-mail at [email protected] or 301-222-4005.

As a clinician, scientist, and educator, Dr. Loren Laine, AGAF, of the Yale University School of Medicine, is poised to represent the diverse needs of the members of the American Gastroenterological Association throughout the coming year of his presidency of the AGA Institute, which begins at the conclusion of Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012.

"[Dr. Laine] recognizes the importance of preparing for the impact of health care reform on gastroenterology, advocating for GI practitioners and researchers, enhancing education and training during fellowship and beyond, and developing evidence-based guidelines, clinical decision tools, and quality measures for use by physicians and payers," according to Dr. M. Brian Fennerty, AGAF, professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland.¹

Deeply involved in the work of the AGA for more than 20 years, Dr. Laine has served on the AGA Institute Governing Board twice and chaired the AGA Institute Council, which creates AGA’s program for DDW. Prior to chairing the council, he was elected to lead two of its sections: the esophageal, gastric, and duodenal disorders section and the clinical practice section. He also served as an associate editor of Gastroenterology, directed the AGA Spring Postgraduate Course at DDW, and served as an always enthusiastic member of various committees and task forces, including the education and training committee, research task force, undergraduate teaching project, and guideline development task force.

"His extensive background of service within and outside the AGA provides a strong foundation on which to build and lead," said Dr. Kenneth McQuaid, AGAF, FASGE, chief, gastroenterology section, and professor of clinical medicine, University of California, San Francisco.¹

In addition to his major commitments to the AGA, over the years Dr. Laine has been involved with activities of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology.

A noted clinical investigator, Dr. Laine’s research has focused on all aspects of GI bleeding (variceal, nonvariceal, occult, obscure, and lower), ulcer disease (Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs, low-dose aspirin), GERD, dyspepsia, and AIDS-related disorders. He is an internationally renowned educator, sought after to lecture at professional society meetings around the world. He is also a highly skilled therapeutic endoscopist who, through his endoscopic studies, has had an enormous impact on how clinicians currently treat variceal and nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Laine attended Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., where he majored in chemistry and zoology, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went to medical school at UCLA, where he also completed his internal medicine residency, and completed his fellowship in GI at the University of California, San Diego.

Until 2011, Dr. Laine was associate chair in the department of medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine and chief of staff of the Los Angeles County + USC Healthcare Network. Last year, he moved east to a new position as professor of medicine and director of clinical research at the Yale University School of Medicine. ☐

Reference

1. Fennerty MB, McQuaid K. Our New President – Loren A. Laine, MD. Gastroenterology 2012;142: 1240-4.

As a clinician, scientist, and educator, Dr. Loren Laine, AGAF, of the Yale University School of Medicine, is poised to represent the diverse needs of the members of the American Gastroenterological Association throughout the coming year of his presidency of the AGA Institute, which begins at the conclusion of Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012.

"[Dr. Laine] recognizes the importance of preparing for the impact of health care reform on gastroenterology, advocating for GI practitioners and researchers, enhancing education and training during fellowship and beyond, and developing evidence-based guidelines, clinical decision tools, and quality measures for use by physicians and payers," according to Dr. M. Brian Fennerty, AGAF, professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland.¹

Deeply involved in the work of the AGA for more than 20 years, Dr. Laine has served on the AGA Institute Governing Board twice and chaired the AGA Institute Council, which creates AGA’s program for DDW. Prior to chairing the council, he was elected to lead two of its sections: the esophageal, gastric, and duodenal disorders section and the clinical practice section. He also served as an associate editor of Gastroenterology, directed the AGA Spring Postgraduate Course at DDW, and served as an always enthusiastic member of various committees and task forces, including the education and training committee, research task force, undergraduate teaching project, and guideline development task force.

"His extensive background of service within and outside the AGA provides a strong foundation on which to build and lead," said Dr. Kenneth McQuaid, AGAF, FASGE, chief, gastroenterology section, and professor of clinical medicine, University of California, San Francisco.¹

In addition to his major commitments to the AGA, over the years Dr. Laine has been involved with activities of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology.

A noted clinical investigator, Dr. Laine’s research has focused on all aspects of GI bleeding (variceal, nonvariceal, occult, obscure, and lower), ulcer disease (Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs, low-dose aspirin), GERD, dyspepsia, and AIDS-related disorders. He is an internationally renowned educator, sought after to lecture at professional society meetings around the world. He is also a highly skilled therapeutic endoscopist who, through his endoscopic studies, has had an enormous impact on how clinicians currently treat variceal and nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Laine attended Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., where he majored in chemistry and zoology, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went to medical school at UCLA, where he also completed his internal medicine residency, and completed his fellowship in GI at the University of California, San Diego.

Until 2011, Dr. Laine was associate chair in the department of medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine and chief of staff of the Los Angeles County + USC Healthcare Network. Last year, he moved east to a new position as professor of medicine and director of clinical research at the Yale University School of Medicine. ☐

Reference

1. Fennerty MB, McQuaid K. Our New President – Loren A. Laine, MD. Gastroenterology 2012;142: 1240-4.

As a clinician, scientist, and educator, Dr. Loren Laine, AGAF, of the Yale University School of Medicine, is poised to represent the diverse needs of the members of the American Gastroenterological Association throughout the coming year of his presidency of the AGA Institute, which begins at the conclusion of Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012.

"[Dr. Laine] recognizes the importance of preparing for the impact of health care reform on gastroenterology, advocating for GI practitioners and researchers, enhancing education and training during fellowship and beyond, and developing evidence-based guidelines, clinical decision tools, and quality measures for use by physicians and payers," according to Dr. M. Brian Fennerty, AGAF, professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland.¹

Deeply involved in the work of the AGA for more than 20 years, Dr. Laine has served on the AGA Institute Governing Board twice and chaired the AGA Institute Council, which creates AGA’s program for DDW. Prior to chairing the council, he was elected to lead two of its sections: the esophageal, gastric, and duodenal disorders section and the clinical practice section. He also served as an associate editor of Gastroenterology, directed the AGA Spring Postgraduate Course at DDW, and served as an always enthusiastic member of various committees and task forces, including the education and training committee, research task force, undergraduate teaching project, and guideline development task force.

"His extensive background of service within and outside the AGA provides a strong foundation on which to build and lead," said Dr. Kenneth McQuaid, AGAF, FASGE, chief, gastroenterology section, and professor of clinical medicine, University of California, San Francisco.¹

In addition to his major commitments to the AGA, over the years Dr. Laine has been involved with activities of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology.

A noted clinical investigator, Dr. Laine’s research has focused on all aspects of GI bleeding (variceal, nonvariceal, occult, obscure, and lower), ulcer disease (Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs, low-dose aspirin), GERD, dyspepsia, and AIDS-related disorders. He is an internationally renowned educator, sought after to lecture at professional society meetings around the world. He is also a highly skilled therapeutic endoscopist who, through his endoscopic studies, has had an enormous impact on how clinicians currently treat variceal and nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Laine attended Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., where he majored in chemistry and zoology, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went to medical school at UCLA, where he also completed his internal medicine residency, and completed his fellowship in GI at the University of California, San Diego.

Until 2011, Dr. Laine was associate chair in the department of medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine and chief of staff of the Los Angeles County + USC Healthcare Network. Last year, he moved east to a new position as professor of medicine and director of clinical research at the Yale University School of Medicine. ☐

Reference

1. Fennerty MB, McQuaid K. Our New President – Loren A. Laine, MD. Gastroenterology 2012;142: 1240-4.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced its 2012 research scholars. Three outstanding young gastroenterologists who promise to make significant strides in the field of gastrointestinal research received the awards.

"We are extremely proud of the work and discoveries of these gifted scholars who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "AGA remains committed to supporting and advancing the careers of young researchers by providing the critical funding they need to shape the future of gastroenterology."

The 2012 AGA research scholars are:

• Kara Gross Margolis, M.D., Columbia University, New York, NY: The role of enteric neuronal density in intestinal inflammation.

• Robert E. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA: Induced pluripotent stem cells, a new paradigm in the study of liver disease.

• Shehzad Z. Sheikh, M.D., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Epigenetic regulation of cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease.

The prestigious Research Scholar Awards offer each scientist $60,000 for 2 years to help support his or her research. The goal of the Research Scholar Awards is to guarantee the perpetuation of strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators and, ultimately, to improve patient care through digestive diseases research. These extremely competitive awards ensure that bright, young scientists devote their careers to advancing the field of digestive health through research.

Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to protect 70% of his or her time for research.

The Research Scholar Awards program was launched in 1984 to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic gastroenterological research. The program’s premise recognized that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived.

During and after their time as an AGA research scholar, recipients have made important contributions to the field of gastroenterology, and many former award recipients have gone on to hold distinguished appointments inat major medical institutions in the U.S.United States and Canada.

The recipients of the 2012 Research Scholar Awards were chosen by a distinguished, 13-person national advisory committee that is chaired by Dr. M. Bishr Omary, professor and chair of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.

Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from the University of Sheerbrooke, Canada; the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; the University of California, San Diego; the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City; Stanford University, CA; Duke University, Durham, NC; Yale University, New Haven, CT; the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

The AGA Research Scholar Awards program addresses the critical problem of a lack of funding for entry-level researchers in gastroenterology. At a time of unparalleled scientific and clinical opportunity, the field of gastroenterology faces a significant decline in the number of gastroenterologists entering academic research careers. Although the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds a significant amount of gastroenterology research, it rarely funds young investigators working independently without a research track record. Additionally, NIH gastroenterology research funding is proportionately much smaller than that for diseases with more or similar health impact (such as HIV/AIDS or breast cancer).

The AGA Research Foundation, formerly known as the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or to make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/ aga-foundation.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced its 2012 research scholars. Three outstanding young gastroenterologists who promise to make significant strides in the field of gastrointestinal research received the awards.

"We are extremely proud of the work and discoveries of these gifted scholars who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "AGA remains committed to supporting and advancing the careers of young researchers by providing the critical funding they need to shape the future of gastroenterology."

The 2012 AGA research scholars are:

• Kara Gross Margolis, M.D., Columbia University, New York, NY: The role of enteric neuronal density in intestinal inflammation.

• Robert E. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA: Induced pluripotent stem cells, a new paradigm in the study of liver disease.

• Shehzad Z. Sheikh, M.D., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Epigenetic regulation of cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease.

The prestigious Research Scholar Awards offer each scientist $60,000 for 2 years to help support his or her research. The goal of the Research Scholar Awards is to guarantee the perpetuation of strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators and, ultimately, to improve patient care through digestive diseases research. These extremely competitive awards ensure that bright, young scientists devote their careers to advancing the field of digestive health through research.

Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to protect 70% of his or her time for research.

The Research Scholar Awards program was launched in 1984 to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic gastroenterological research. The program’s premise recognized that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived.

During and after their time as an AGA research scholar, recipients have made important contributions to the field of gastroenterology, and many former award recipients have gone on to hold distinguished appointments inat major medical institutions in the U.S.United States and Canada.

The recipients of the 2012 Research Scholar Awards were chosen by a distinguished, 13-person national advisory committee that is chaired by Dr. M. Bishr Omary, professor and chair of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.

Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from the University of Sheerbrooke, Canada; the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; the University of California, San Diego; the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City; Stanford University, CA; Duke University, Durham, NC; Yale University, New Haven, CT; the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

The AGA Research Scholar Awards program addresses the critical problem of a lack of funding for entry-level researchers in gastroenterology. At a time of unparalleled scientific and clinical opportunity, the field of gastroenterology faces a significant decline in the number of gastroenterologists entering academic research careers. Although the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds a significant amount of gastroenterology research, it rarely funds young investigators working independently without a research track record. Additionally, NIH gastroenterology research funding is proportionately much smaller than that for diseases with more or similar health impact (such as HIV/AIDS or breast cancer).

The AGA Research Foundation, formerly known as the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or to make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/ aga-foundation.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced its 2012 research scholars. Three outstanding young gastroenterologists who promise to make significant strides in the field of gastrointestinal research received the awards.

"We are extremely proud of the work and discoveries of these gifted scholars who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "AGA remains committed to supporting and advancing the careers of young researchers by providing the critical funding they need to shape the future of gastroenterology."

The 2012 AGA research scholars are:

• Kara Gross Margolis, M.D., Columbia University, New York, NY: The role of enteric neuronal density in intestinal inflammation.

• Robert E. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA: Induced pluripotent stem cells, a new paradigm in the study of liver disease.

• Shehzad Z. Sheikh, M.D., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Epigenetic regulation of cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease.

The prestigious Research Scholar Awards offer each scientist $60,000 for 2 years to help support his or her research. The goal of the Research Scholar Awards is to guarantee the perpetuation of strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators and, ultimately, to improve patient care through digestive diseases research. These extremely competitive awards ensure that bright, young scientists devote their careers to advancing the field of digestive health through research.

Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to protect 70% of his or her time for research.

The Research Scholar Awards program was launched in 1984 to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic gastroenterological research. The program’s premise recognized that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived.

During and after their time as an AGA research scholar, recipients have made important contributions to the field of gastroenterology, and many former award recipients have gone on to hold distinguished appointments inat major medical institutions in the U.S.United States and Canada.

The recipients of the 2012 Research Scholar Awards were chosen by a distinguished, 13-person national advisory committee that is chaired by Dr. M. Bishr Omary, professor and chair of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.

Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from the University of Sheerbrooke, Canada; the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; the University of California, San Diego; the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City; Stanford University, CA; Duke University, Durham, NC; Yale University, New Haven, CT; the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

The AGA Research Scholar Awards program addresses the critical problem of a lack of funding for entry-level researchers in gastroenterology. At a time of unparalleled scientific and clinical opportunity, the field of gastroenterology faces a significant decline in the number of gastroenterologists entering academic research careers. Although the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds a significant amount of gastroenterology research, it rarely funds young investigators working independently without a research track record. Additionally, NIH gastroenterology research funding is proportionately much smaller than that for diseases with more or similar health impact (such as HIV/AIDS or breast cancer).

The AGA Research Foundation, formerly known as the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or to make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/ aga-foundation.

At the Academy of Educators Plenary Session at Digestive Disease Week 2012 in San Diego, the AGA Academy of Educators was officially launched.

The AGA Academy of Educators is a new source for educators who want to advance their teaching careers and be recognized for excellence in their chosen path.

As a community of dedicated educators, the AGA Academy of Educators offers its members leadership opportunities, a toolbox of educational resources, mentoring opportunities, scholarly publishing, and more.

In addition, from now through Sept. 30, the academy will waive the application fee of $25.

Visit www.gastro.org/academy.edu to join the academy, and enhance your teaching skills, gain recognition, and advance your career as an academic medical professional.

All AGA members who are involved in teaching are invited to join the AGA Academy of Educators.

This activity is supported in part by Pfizer Inc.

At the Academy of Educators Plenary Session at Digestive Disease Week 2012 in San Diego, the AGA Academy of Educators was officially launched.

The AGA Academy of Educators is a new source for educators who want to advance their teaching careers and be recognized for excellence in their chosen path.

As a community of dedicated educators, the AGA Academy of Educators offers its members leadership opportunities, a toolbox of educational resources, mentoring opportunities, scholarly publishing, and more.

In addition, from now through Sept. 30, the academy will waive the application fee of $25.

Visit www.gastro.org/academy.edu to join the academy, and enhance your teaching skills, gain recognition, and advance your career as an academic medical professional.

All AGA members who are involved in teaching are invited to join the AGA Academy of Educators.

This activity is supported in part by Pfizer Inc.

At the Academy of Educators Plenary Session at Digestive Disease Week 2012 in San Diego, the AGA Academy of Educators was officially launched.

The AGA Academy of Educators is a new source for educators who want to advance their teaching careers and be recognized for excellence in their chosen path.

As a community of dedicated educators, the AGA Academy of Educators offers its members leadership opportunities, a toolbox of educational resources, mentoring opportunities, scholarly publishing, and more.

In addition, from now through Sept. 30, the academy will waive the application fee of $25.

Visit www.gastro.org/academy.edu to join the academy, and enhance your teaching skills, gain recognition, and advance your career as an academic medical professional.

All AGA members who are involved in teaching are invited to join the AGA Academy of Educators.

This activity is supported in part by Pfizer Inc.

The AGA Research Foundation has announced Horizon Pharma’s support of research awards aimed to stimulate interest in gastroenterology/ hepatology research careers through competition and recognition:

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Fellow Abstract Prizes provide three awards of $1,000 each to fellows who have submitted abstracts chosen to be presented during Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Student Abstract Prizes provide eight travel awards of $500 each to high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who have submitted abstracts chosen by the AGA to be presented during DDW. Medical residents up to and including postgraduate year three are also eligible for the award. The three best student abstracts submitted will receive a $1,000 prize.

"We are extremely thankful to Horizon Pharma for continuing to support promising young researchers whose work could make a positive impact on the lives of patients," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "Our partnership with Horizon Pharma helps to foster new research developments in the field - every individual donation makes a difference."

This year’s fellow abstract prize recipients are:

Veroushka Ballester, M.D., University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

Luke J. Engelking, M.D., Ph.D., UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Milli Gupta, M.D., FRCPC, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

This year’s student abstract prize recipients are:

Farhan Anwar, University of Arizona, Tucson

Alexandra Cee, M.Sc., University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

Aaron R. Chavis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Rui Feng, M.D., University of Cincinnati, OH

Trilokesh D. Kidambi, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Lin Lin, University of California, Los Angeles

Kei Nakagawa, University of Pennsylvania, Wynnewood

Michael A. Schumacher, M.S., University of Cincinnati, OH

Derrick J. Stobaugh, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL

Amanda E. Troy, M.S., Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey

Niels B. Vande Casteele, M.Sc., Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

"We remain committed to investing in the future of gastroenterology by funding these grants," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma. "We applaud this year’s group of outstanding award recipients and look forward to their promising contributions to advancing the field."

Horizon Pharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing and commercializing innovative medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain, and inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit www. horizonpharma.com.

The AGA Research Foundation is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/aga-foundation.

The AGA Research Foundation has announced Horizon Pharma’s support of research awards aimed to stimulate interest in gastroenterology/ hepatology research careers through competition and recognition:

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Fellow Abstract Prizes provide three awards of $1,000 each to fellows who have submitted abstracts chosen to be presented during Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Student Abstract Prizes provide eight travel awards of $500 each to high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who have submitted abstracts chosen by the AGA to be presented during DDW. Medical residents up to and including postgraduate year three are also eligible for the award. The three best student abstracts submitted will receive a $1,000 prize.

"We are extremely thankful to Horizon Pharma for continuing to support promising young researchers whose work could make a positive impact on the lives of patients," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "Our partnership with Horizon Pharma helps to foster new research developments in the field - every individual donation makes a difference."

This year’s fellow abstract prize recipients are:

Veroushka Ballester, M.D., University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

Luke J. Engelking, M.D., Ph.D., UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Milli Gupta, M.D., FRCPC, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

This year’s student abstract prize recipients are:

Farhan Anwar, University of Arizona, Tucson

Alexandra Cee, M.Sc., University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

Aaron R. Chavis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Rui Feng, M.D., University of Cincinnati, OH

Trilokesh D. Kidambi, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Lin Lin, University of California, Los Angeles

Kei Nakagawa, University of Pennsylvania, Wynnewood

Michael A. Schumacher, M.S., University of Cincinnati, OH

Derrick J. Stobaugh, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL

Amanda E. Troy, M.S., Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey

Niels B. Vande Casteele, M.Sc., Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

"We remain committed to investing in the future of gastroenterology by funding these grants," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma. "We applaud this year’s group of outstanding award recipients and look forward to their promising contributions to advancing the field."

Horizon Pharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing and commercializing innovative medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain, and inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit www. horizonpharma.com.

The AGA Research Foundation is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/aga-foundation.

The AGA Research Foundation has announced Horizon Pharma’s support of research awards aimed to stimulate interest in gastroenterology/ hepatology research careers through competition and recognition:

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Fellow Abstract Prizes provide three awards of $1,000 each to fellows who have submitted abstracts chosen to be presented during Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

• AGA-Horizon Pharma Student Abstract Prizes provide eight travel awards of $500 each to high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who have submitted abstracts chosen by the AGA to be presented during DDW. Medical residents up to and including postgraduate year three are also eligible for the award. The three best student abstracts submitted will receive a $1,000 prize.

"We are extremely thankful to Horizon Pharma for continuing to support promising young researchers whose work could make a positive impact on the lives of patients," said Dr. Nicholas F. LaRusso, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "Our partnership with Horizon Pharma helps to foster new research developments in the field - every individual donation makes a difference."

This year’s fellow abstract prize recipients are:

Veroushka Ballester, M.D., University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

Luke J. Engelking, M.D., Ph.D., UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Milli Gupta, M.D., FRCPC, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

This year’s student abstract prize recipients are:

Farhan Anwar, University of Arizona, Tucson

Alexandra Cee, M.Sc., University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

Aaron R. Chavis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Rui Feng, M.D., University of Cincinnati, OH

Trilokesh D. Kidambi, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Lin Lin, University of California, Los Angeles

Kei Nakagawa, University of Pennsylvania, Wynnewood

Michael A. Schumacher, M.S., University of Cincinnati, OH

Derrick J. Stobaugh, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL

Amanda E. Troy, M.S., Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey

Niels B. Vande Casteele, M.Sc., Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

"We remain committed to investing in the future of gastroenterology by funding these grants," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma. "We applaud this year’s group of outstanding award recipients and look forward to their promising contributions to advancing the field."

Horizon Pharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing and commercializing innovative medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain, and inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit www. horizonpharma.com.

The AGA Research Foundation is the cornerstone of AGA’s effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists.

The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn NIH grants.

To learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or make a contribution, visit www.gastro.org/aga-foundation.

Gastroenterologists are increasingly facing a demand for quality-of-care reporting from payors and purchasers, and reporting to multiple programs means redundant work and inconsistent results. The AGA recognizes that to make quality reporting and rewards available to all gastroenterologists, there must be a framework which is consistent, evidence based, and minimally burdensome.

In response to this need, the AGA has partnered with the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3) to create Bridges to Excellence (BTE) IBD Care Recognition, the first BTE program for GI. This program provides GIs with the ability to quickly demonstrate their quality of care to a multitude of payors and purchasers, using nationally- approved GI measures that fairly and accurately demonstrate performance.

BTE IBD Care Recognition is the first BTE recognition program focusing on digestive health. It will enable gastroenterologists to demonstrate quality using measures designed by GI experts; many of the measures have been approved by the AMA’s Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and are included in CMS’ Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Applicants to the program can also opt to submit their data to CMS to meet PQRS requirements, providing a one-stop shop for both private and public payor quality reporting.

"Meeting the quality reporting requirements of several payors and other stakeholders, using a different set of rules for each, demands a tremendous amount of time and patience," says Dr. Lawrence Kosinski, MBA, AGAF, Cchair of the AGA Institute Practice Management and Economics Committee. "BTE IBD Care Recognition is a revolutionary way for GIs to report quality to health care payors and purchasers using a simple process, and meet Medicare PQRS requirements at the same time."

Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who have treated at least 30 IBD patients within the previous year. Applicants answer a set of clinical questions for each of these patients, and these data are then evaluated by an independent quality assessment organization to determine performance rates for the following measures:

1. Corticosteroid-sparing therapies.

2. IBD Ttype, anatomic location, and activity assessed.

3. Bone loss assessment.

4. Influenza immunization.

5. Pneumococcal immunization.

6. Testing for latent tuberculosis before initiating anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

7. Assessment of hepatitis B virus before initiating anti-TNF therapy.

8. Tobacco screening and cessation counseling.

9. Thiopurine methyltransferase assessment.

Applicants who meet a minimum total score across these measures will be recognized by the AGA and BTE as quality providers of IBD care for a period of two years, and BTE will notify health plans so that they can determine what rewards they would like to extend for this designation.

The applicants who achieve recognition receive a certificate and the right to advertise as a BTE-recognized provider, demonstrating a commitment to quality care to current and prospective patients.

Applicants can also use this program to meet CMS PQRS reporting requirements for 2012, thus it provides a single point of entry for both health plan recognition and PQRS participation.

For more information on this new program, visit www.agarecognition.org, or e-mail [email protected].

.

Gastroenterologists are increasingly facing a demand for quality-of-care reporting from payors and purchasers, and reporting to multiple programs means redundant work and inconsistent results. The AGA recognizes that to make quality reporting and rewards available to all gastroenterologists, there must be a framework which is consistent, evidence based, and minimally burdensome.

In response to this need, the AGA has partnered with the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3) to create Bridges to Excellence (BTE) IBD Care Recognition, the first BTE program for GI. This program provides GIs with the ability to quickly demonstrate their quality of care to a multitude of payors and purchasers, using nationally- approved GI measures that fairly and accurately demonstrate performance.

BTE IBD Care Recognition is the first BTE recognition program focusing on digestive health. It will enable gastroenterologists to demonstrate quality using measures designed by GI experts; many of the measures have been approved by the AMA’s Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and are included in CMS’ Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Applicants to the program can also opt to submit their data to CMS to meet PQRS requirements, providing a one-stop shop for both private and public payor quality reporting.

"Meeting the quality reporting requirements of several payors and other stakeholders, using a different set of rules for each, demands a tremendous amount of time and patience," says Dr. Lawrence Kosinski, MBA, AGAF, Cchair of the AGA Institute Practice Management and Economics Committee. "BTE IBD Care Recognition is a revolutionary way for GIs to report quality to health care payors and purchasers using a simple process, and meet Medicare PQRS requirements at the same time."

Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who have treated at least 30 IBD patients within the previous year. Applicants answer a set of clinical questions for each of these patients, and these data are then evaluated by an independent quality assessment organization to determine performance rates for the following measures:

1. Corticosteroid-sparing therapies.

2. IBD Ttype, anatomic location, and activity assessed.

3. Bone loss assessment.

4. Influenza immunization.

5. Pneumococcal immunization.

6. Testing for latent tuberculosis before initiating anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

7. Assessment of hepatitis B virus before initiating anti-TNF therapy.

8. Tobacco screening and cessation counseling.

9. Thiopurine methyltransferase assessment.

Applicants who meet a minimum total score across these measures will be recognized by the AGA and BTE as quality providers of IBD care for a period of two years, and BTE will notify health plans so that they can determine what rewards they would like to extend for this designation.

The applicants who achieve recognition receive a certificate and the right to advertise as a BTE-recognized provider, demonstrating a commitment to quality care to current and prospective patients.

Applicants can also use this program to meet CMS PQRS reporting requirements for 2012, thus it provides a single point of entry for both health plan recognition and PQRS participation.

For more information on this new program, visit www.agarecognition.org, or e-mail [email protected].

.

Gastroenterologists are increasingly facing a demand for quality-of-care reporting from payors and purchasers, and reporting to multiple programs means redundant work and inconsistent results. The AGA recognizes that to make quality reporting and rewards available to all gastroenterologists, there must be a framework which is consistent, evidence based, and minimally burdensome.

In response to this need, the AGA has partnered with the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3) to create Bridges to Excellence (BTE) IBD Care Recognition, the first BTE program for GI. This program provides GIs with the ability to quickly demonstrate their quality of care to a multitude of payors and purchasers, using nationally- approved GI measures that fairly and accurately demonstrate performance.

BTE IBD Care Recognition is the first BTE recognition program focusing on digestive health. It will enable gastroenterologists to demonstrate quality using measures designed by GI experts; many of the measures have been approved by the AMA’s Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and are included in CMS’ Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Applicants to the program can also opt to submit their data to CMS to meet PQRS requirements, providing a one-stop shop for both private and public payor quality reporting.

"Meeting the quality reporting requirements of several payors and other stakeholders, using a different set of rules for each, demands a tremendous amount of time and patience," says Dr. Lawrence Kosinski, MBA, AGAF, Cchair of the AGA Institute Practice Management and Economics Committee. "BTE IBD Care Recognition is a revolutionary way for GIs to report quality to health care payors and purchasers using a simple process, and meet Medicare PQRS requirements at the same time."

Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who have treated at least 30 IBD patients within the previous year. Applicants answer a set of clinical questions for each of these patients, and these data are then evaluated by an independent quality assessment organization to determine performance rates for the following measures:

1. Corticosteroid-sparing therapies.

2. IBD Ttype, anatomic location, and activity assessed.

3. Bone loss assessment.

4. Influenza immunization.

5. Pneumococcal immunization.

6. Testing for latent tuberculosis before initiating anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

7. Assessment of hepatitis B virus before initiating anti-TNF therapy.

8. Tobacco screening and cessation counseling.

9. Thiopurine methyltransferase assessment.

Applicants who meet a minimum total score across these measures will be recognized by the AGA and BTE as quality providers of IBD care for a period of two years, and BTE will notify health plans so that they can determine what rewards they would like to extend for this designation.

The applicants who achieve recognition receive a certificate and the right to advertise as a BTE-recognized provider, demonstrating a commitment to quality care to current and prospective patients.

Applicants can also use this program to meet CMS PQRS reporting requirements for 2012, thus it provides a single point of entry for both health plan recognition and PQRS participation.

For more information on this new program, visit www.agarecognition.org, or e-mail [email protected].

.