Society News

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

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

• COVID-19 vaccine and IBD patients (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23449)
• Simethicone use (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23448)
• COVID-19 vaccine – are you getting it or not? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23442)
• Patient case: Unexplained jaundice in an established cirrhotic (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23244)
• Patient case: 76 year old male with recurrent / persistent NET in proximal stomach (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23243)
• Patient case: Entyvio and chemotherapy (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23238)
• Discharge instructions for moderate sedation (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23193)

View all discussions in the AGA Community at https://community.gastro.org.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

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

• COVID-19 vaccine and IBD patients (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23449)
• Simethicone use (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23448)
• COVID-19 vaccine – are you getting it or not? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23442)
• Patient case: Unexplained jaundice in an established cirrhotic (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23244)
• Patient case: 76 year old male with recurrent / persistent NET in proximal stomach (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23243)
• Patient case: Entyvio and chemotherapy (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23238)
• Discharge instructions for moderate sedation (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23193)

View all discussions in the AGA Community at https://community.gastro.org.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. The upgraded networking platform now features a newsfeed for difficult patient scenarios and regularly scheduled Roundtable discussions with experts in the field.

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

• COVID-19 vaccine and IBD patients (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23449)
• Simethicone use (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23448)
• COVID-19 vaccine – are you getting it or not? (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23442)
• Patient case: Unexplained jaundice in an established cirrhotic (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23244)
• Patient case: 76 year old male with recurrent / persistent NET in proximal stomach (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23243)
• Patient case: Entyvio and chemotherapy (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23238)
• Discharge instructions for moderate sedation (https://community.gastro.org/posts/23193)

View all discussions in the AGA Community at https://community.gastro.org.

Surgery to remove colorectal polyps is often unnecessary according to recent research, which has found it can lead to adverse postoperative events and increased rates of hospital readmissions.

To support GIs on how to best approach polyp removal, the American Gastroenterological Association has launched a new on-demand course, “Appropriate Referral for Endoscopic Polyp Removal.” The program guides you with three interactive modules and a decision-support tool on the best course of action with education on how to differentiate between a simple and complex polyp and when or if to refer patients for surgery.

Endoscopic resection of polyps can eliminate the need for surgery more than 90% of the time. In fact, surgery almost doubles the risk of an adverse event. In the second module of the program, learn about risk factors related to surgery. Other modules focus on how to distinguish between lesions suitable for endoscopic mucosal resection, lesions that should be referred for surgery, and the benefits of endoscopic resection of tumors. Take the course and earn 0.75 American Medical Association PRA Category 1 credit ™ on completion.

www.gastro.org/Polypectomy
 

Surgery to remove colorectal polyps is often unnecessary according to recent research, which has found it can lead to adverse postoperative events and increased rates of hospital readmissions.

To support GIs on how to best approach polyp removal, the American Gastroenterological Association has launched a new on-demand course, “Appropriate Referral for Endoscopic Polyp Removal.” The program guides you with three interactive modules and a decision-support tool on the best course of action with education on how to differentiate between a simple and complex polyp and when or if to refer patients for surgery.

Endoscopic resection of polyps can eliminate the need for surgery more than 90% of the time. In fact, surgery almost doubles the risk of an adverse event. In the second module of the program, learn about risk factors related to surgery. Other modules focus on how to distinguish between lesions suitable for endoscopic mucosal resection, lesions that should be referred for surgery, and the benefits of endoscopic resection of tumors. Take the course and earn 0.75 American Medical Association PRA Category 1 credit ™ on completion.

www.gastro.org/Polypectomy
 

Surgery to remove colorectal polyps is often unnecessary according to recent research, which has found it can lead to adverse postoperative events and increased rates of hospital readmissions.

To support GIs on how to best approach polyp removal, the American Gastroenterological Association has launched a new on-demand course, “Appropriate Referral for Endoscopic Polyp Removal.” The program guides you with three interactive modules and a decision-support tool on the best course of action with education on how to differentiate between a simple and complex polyp and when or if to refer patients for surgery.

Endoscopic resection of polyps can eliminate the need for surgery more than 90% of the time. In fact, surgery almost doubles the risk of an adverse event. In the second module of the program, learn about risk factors related to surgery. Other modules focus on how to distinguish between lesions suitable for endoscopic mucosal resection, lesions that should be referred for surgery, and the benefits of endoscopic resection of tumors. Take the course and earn 0.75 American Medical Association PRA Category 1 credit ™ on completion.

www.gastro.org/Polypectomy
 

The American Medical Association (AMA) had its November 2020 AMA Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) from November 13-17.

Delegates from over 170 societies (state societies, specialties, subspecialties, and uniformed services), including physicians, residents, and students, gathered virtually for the meeting(https://tinyurl.com/y7494mwa) to consider a wide array of proposals to help fulfill the AMA’s core mission of promoting medicine and improving public health. The AMA House of Delegates, also known as the “House” or the “HOD,” is the principal policy-making body of the AMA. This democratic forum represents the views and interests of a diverse group of member physicians from more than 170 societies. These delegates meet twice per year to establish policies on health; medical, professional, and governance matters; and the principles within which the AMA’s business activities are conducted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMA has been the leading physician and patient ally—voicing recommendations to key Congressional leaders and agency staff, state policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. Acting on both federal and state levels, examples of AMA’s recent efforts include actions in financial relief, telehealth, testing and vaccine development, health equity, and more.

CHEST is an active member, and through the HOD and Specialty and Service Society (SSS), CHEST can partner with AMA other societies to support each other on important regulatory issues. CHEST/Allergy Section Council (participants at this meeting were from the AAAAI, AAOA, AASM, ACAAI, ATS, CHEST, and SCCM) met before voting in the House to discuss pending business. The meeting was hosted by the current CHEST/Allergy council chair Dr. Wesley Vander Ark (AMA Delegate AAOA) and Jami Lucas, CEO AAOA.
 

Policy and resolutions

Overview of the process

Policies originate via resolutions submitted by individuals or societies. These resolutions then go to one of several Reference Committees for open discussion. These committees then report their recommendations back to the HOD, which then discusses and votes on the recommendations. In some instances, the question is referred for further studies by one of several Councils, which reports go to the Board of Trustees or back to the House. Details can be found in the April 2018 CHEST Physician® article on the process. (https://tinyurl.com/yacysxar).

This year, due to the virtual nature, prioritization matrix was utilized and based on urgency. Resolutions were divided into top priority, priority, medium priority, low priority, and not a priority.

The following reference committees convened at this Special Meeting Constitution & Bylaws, Medical Service, Legislation Medical Education, Public Health, Science and Technology, Finance and Medical Practice.

Some of the issues discussed at the House of Delegates are as follows:


 

Medical education

Continuing board certification (Adapted as a new policy)

The policy states that American Medical Association (AMA), through its Council on Medical Education, continue to work with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and ABMS member boards to implement key recommendations outlined by the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission in its final report, including the development of new, integrated standards for continuing certification programs by 2020 that will address the Commission’s recommendations for flexibility in knowledge assessment and advancing practice, feedback to diplomates, and consistency.

Graduate medical education and the corporate practice of medicine (modified existing policy)

The existing policy was amended to urge AMA to continue to monitor issues, including waiver of due process requirements, created by corporate-owned graduate medical education sites.
 

Public health

Bullying in the Practice of Medicine

Health-care organizations, including academic medical centers, should establish policies to prevent and address bullying in their workplaces. An effective workplace policy should:

• Describe the management’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace.

• Show the staff that their leaders are concerned about bullying and unprofessional behavior and that they take it seriously.

• Clearly define workplace violence, harassment, and bullying, specifically including intimidation, threats, and other forms of aggressive behavior.

• Specify to whom the policy applies (ie, medical staff, students, administration, patients, employees, contractors, vendors, etc).

• Define both expected and prohibited behaviors.

• Outline steps for individuals to take when they feel they are a victim of workplace bullying.

• Provide contact information for a confidential means for documenting and reporting incidents.

• Prohibit retaliation and ensure privacy and confidentiality.

• Document training requirements and establish clear expectations about the training objectives.



Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE)

That our American Medical Association actively support that physicians and health-care professionals are empowered to use workplace modifications to continue professional patient care when they determine such action to be appropriate and in the best interest of patient and physician wellbeing. Physicians and health-care professionals must be permitted to use their professional judgment and augment institution-provided PPE with additional, appropriately decontaminated, personally provided personal protective equipment (PPE) without penalty (Directive to Take Action); and be it further that AMA affirm that the medical staff of each healt-care institution should integrally be involved in disaster planning, strategy, and tactical management of ongoing crises (New HOD Policy).


 

AMA governance and finance

The establishment of private practice physicians’ section was approved.
 

Medical practice

Merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS)

That our American Medical Association (AMA) support legislation that ensures Medicare physician payment is sufficient to safeguard beneficiary access to care, replaces or supplements budget neutrality in MIPS with incentive payments, or implements positive annual physician payment updates. (Directive to Take Action).

Establishing professional services claims-based payment enhancement for activities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

American Medical Association work with other interested parties to advocate for regulatory action on the part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement a professional services claims-based payment enhancement to help recognize the enhanced, nonseparately reimbursable work performed by physicians during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Directive to Take Action).

This is just a small sampling of the activities and more information, including reports from the various Councils, are available on the AMA website, http://ama-assn.org.

CHEST members interested in the AMA policy-making process may observe any AMA-HOD meeting or participate in the AMA’s democratic processes. Attendees will also be able to increase their knowledge and skills at no cost. They will also be able to connect with more than 1,500 peers and other meeting attendees from across the country. CHEST members with the time (there are two 5-day meetings each year) and interest are invited to apply to be an official CHEST delegate to the AMA. Contact Jennifer Nemkovich at [email protected] for details.
 

Dr. Desai is with the Chicago Chest Center and AMITA Health Suburban Lung Associates; and the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also the CHEST Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates.

The American Medical Association (AMA) had its November 2020 AMA Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) from November 13-17.

Delegates from over 170 societies (state societies, specialties, subspecialties, and uniformed services), including physicians, residents, and students, gathered virtually for the meeting(https://tinyurl.com/y7494mwa) to consider a wide array of proposals to help fulfill the AMA’s core mission of promoting medicine and improving public health. The AMA House of Delegates, also known as the “House” or the “HOD,” is the principal policy-making body of the AMA. This democratic forum represents the views and interests of a diverse group of member physicians from more than 170 societies. These delegates meet twice per year to establish policies on health; medical, professional, and governance matters; and the principles within which the AMA’s business activities are conducted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMA has been the leading physician and patient ally—voicing recommendations to key Congressional leaders and agency staff, state policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. Acting on both federal and state levels, examples of AMA’s recent efforts include actions in financial relief, telehealth, testing and vaccine development, health equity, and more.

CHEST is an active member, and through the HOD and Specialty and Service Society (SSS), CHEST can partner with AMA other societies to support each other on important regulatory issues. CHEST/Allergy Section Council (participants at this meeting were from the AAAAI, AAOA, AASM, ACAAI, ATS, CHEST, and SCCM) met before voting in the House to discuss pending business. The meeting was hosted by the current CHEST/Allergy council chair Dr. Wesley Vander Ark (AMA Delegate AAOA) and Jami Lucas, CEO AAOA.
 

Policy and resolutions

Overview of the process

Policies originate via resolutions submitted by individuals or societies. These resolutions then go to one of several Reference Committees for open discussion. These committees then report their recommendations back to the HOD, which then discusses and votes on the recommendations. In some instances, the question is referred for further studies by one of several Councils, which reports go to the Board of Trustees or back to the House. Details can be found in the April 2018 CHEST Physician® article on the process. (https://tinyurl.com/yacysxar).

This year, due to the virtual nature, prioritization matrix was utilized and based on urgency. Resolutions were divided into top priority, priority, medium priority, low priority, and not a priority.

The following reference committees convened at this Special Meeting Constitution & Bylaws, Medical Service, Legislation Medical Education, Public Health, Science and Technology, Finance and Medical Practice.

Some of the issues discussed at the House of Delegates are as follows:


 

Medical education

Continuing board certification (Adapted as a new policy)

The policy states that American Medical Association (AMA), through its Council on Medical Education, continue to work with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and ABMS member boards to implement key recommendations outlined by the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission in its final report, including the development of new, integrated standards for continuing certification programs by 2020 that will address the Commission’s recommendations for flexibility in knowledge assessment and advancing practice, feedback to diplomates, and consistency.

Graduate medical education and the corporate practice of medicine (modified existing policy)

The existing policy was amended to urge AMA to continue to monitor issues, including waiver of due process requirements, created by corporate-owned graduate medical education sites.
 

Public health

Bullying in the Practice of Medicine

Health-care organizations, including academic medical centers, should establish policies to prevent and address bullying in their workplaces. An effective workplace policy should:

• Describe the management’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace.

• Show the staff that their leaders are concerned about bullying and unprofessional behavior and that they take it seriously.

• Clearly define workplace violence, harassment, and bullying, specifically including intimidation, threats, and other forms of aggressive behavior.

• Specify to whom the policy applies (ie, medical staff, students, administration, patients, employees, contractors, vendors, etc).

• Define both expected and prohibited behaviors.

• Outline steps for individuals to take when they feel they are a victim of workplace bullying.

• Provide contact information for a confidential means for documenting and reporting incidents.

• Prohibit retaliation and ensure privacy and confidentiality.

• Document training requirements and establish clear expectations about the training objectives.



Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE)

That our American Medical Association actively support that physicians and health-care professionals are empowered to use workplace modifications to continue professional patient care when they determine such action to be appropriate and in the best interest of patient and physician wellbeing. Physicians and health-care professionals must be permitted to use their professional judgment and augment institution-provided PPE with additional, appropriately decontaminated, personally provided personal protective equipment (PPE) without penalty (Directive to Take Action); and be it further that AMA affirm that the medical staff of each healt-care institution should integrally be involved in disaster planning, strategy, and tactical management of ongoing crises (New HOD Policy).


 

AMA governance and finance

The establishment of private practice physicians’ section was approved.
 

Medical practice

Merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS)

That our American Medical Association (AMA) support legislation that ensures Medicare physician payment is sufficient to safeguard beneficiary access to care, replaces or supplements budget neutrality in MIPS with incentive payments, or implements positive annual physician payment updates. (Directive to Take Action).

Establishing professional services claims-based payment enhancement for activities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

American Medical Association work with other interested parties to advocate for regulatory action on the part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement a professional services claims-based payment enhancement to help recognize the enhanced, nonseparately reimbursable work performed by physicians during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Directive to Take Action).

This is just a small sampling of the activities and more information, including reports from the various Councils, are available on the AMA website, http://ama-assn.org.

CHEST members interested in the AMA policy-making process may observe any AMA-HOD meeting or participate in the AMA’s democratic processes. Attendees will also be able to increase their knowledge and skills at no cost. They will also be able to connect with more than 1,500 peers and other meeting attendees from across the country. CHEST members with the time (there are two 5-day meetings each year) and interest are invited to apply to be an official CHEST delegate to the AMA. Contact Jennifer Nemkovich at [email protected] for details.
 

Dr. Desai is with the Chicago Chest Center and AMITA Health Suburban Lung Associates; and the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also the CHEST Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates.

The American Medical Association (AMA) had its November 2020 AMA Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) from November 13-17.

Delegates from over 170 societies (state societies, specialties, subspecialties, and uniformed services), including physicians, residents, and students, gathered virtually for the meeting(https://tinyurl.com/y7494mwa) to consider a wide array of proposals to help fulfill the AMA’s core mission of promoting medicine and improving public health. The AMA House of Delegates, also known as the “House” or the “HOD,” is the principal policy-making body of the AMA. This democratic forum represents the views and interests of a diverse group of member physicians from more than 170 societies. These delegates meet twice per year to establish policies on health; medical, professional, and governance matters; and the principles within which the AMA’s business activities are conducted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMA has been the leading physician and patient ally—voicing recommendations to key Congressional leaders and agency staff, state policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. Acting on both federal and state levels, examples of AMA’s recent efforts include actions in financial relief, telehealth, testing and vaccine development, health equity, and more.

CHEST is an active member, and through the HOD and Specialty and Service Society (SSS), CHEST can partner with AMA other societies to support each other on important regulatory issues. CHEST/Allergy Section Council (participants at this meeting were from the AAAAI, AAOA, AASM, ACAAI, ATS, CHEST, and SCCM) met before voting in the House to discuss pending business. The meeting was hosted by the current CHEST/Allergy council chair Dr. Wesley Vander Ark (AMA Delegate AAOA) and Jami Lucas, CEO AAOA.
 

Policy and resolutions

Overview of the process

Policies originate via resolutions submitted by individuals or societies. These resolutions then go to one of several Reference Committees for open discussion. These committees then report their recommendations back to the HOD, which then discusses and votes on the recommendations. In some instances, the question is referred for further studies by one of several Councils, which reports go to the Board of Trustees or back to the House. Details can be found in the April 2018 CHEST Physician® article on the process. (https://tinyurl.com/yacysxar).

This year, due to the virtual nature, prioritization matrix was utilized and based on urgency. Resolutions were divided into top priority, priority, medium priority, low priority, and not a priority.

The following reference committees convened at this Special Meeting Constitution & Bylaws, Medical Service, Legislation Medical Education, Public Health, Science and Technology, Finance and Medical Practice.

Some of the issues discussed at the House of Delegates are as follows:


 

Medical education

Continuing board certification (Adapted as a new policy)

The policy states that American Medical Association (AMA), through its Council on Medical Education, continue to work with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and ABMS member boards to implement key recommendations outlined by the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission in its final report, including the development of new, integrated standards for continuing certification programs by 2020 that will address the Commission’s recommendations for flexibility in knowledge assessment and advancing practice, feedback to diplomates, and consistency.

Graduate medical education and the corporate practice of medicine (modified existing policy)

The existing policy was amended to urge AMA to continue to monitor issues, including waiver of due process requirements, created by corporate-owned graduate medical education sites.
 

Public health

Bullying in the Practice of Medicine

Health-care organizations, including academic medical centers, should establish policies to prevent and address bullying in their workplaces. An effective workplace policy should:

• Describe the management’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace.

• Show the staff that their leaders are concerned about bullying and unprofessional behavior and that they take it seriously.

• Clearly define workplace violence, harassment, and bullying, specifically including intimidation, threats, and other forms of aggressive behavior.

• Specify to whom the policy applies (ie, medical staff, students, administration, patients, employees, contractors, vendors, etc).

• Define both expected and prohibited behaviors.

• Outline steps for individuals to take when they feel they are a victim of workplace bullying.

• Provide contact information for a confidential means for documenting and reporting incidents.

• Prohibit retaliation and ensure privacy and confidentiality.

• Document training requirements and establish clear expectations about the training objectives.



Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE)

That our American Medical Association actively support that physicians and health-care professionals are empowered to use workplace modifications to continue professional patient care when they determine such action to be appropriate and in the best interest of patient and physician wellbeing. Physicians and health-care professionals must be permitted to use their professional judgment and augment institution-provided PPE with additional, appropriately decontaminated, personally provided personal protective equipment (PPE) without penalty (Directive to Take Action); and be it further that AMA affirm that the medical staff of each healt-care institution should integrally be involved in disaster planning, strategy, and tactical management of ongoing crises (New HOD Policy).


 

AMA governance and finance

The establishment of private practice physicians’ section was approved.
 

Medical practice

Merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS)

That our American Medical Association (AMA) support legislation that ensures Medicare physician payment is sufficient to safeguard beneficiary access to care, replaces or supplements budget neutrality in MIPS with incentive payments, or implements positive annual physician payment updates. (Directive to Take Action).

Establishing professional services claims-based payment enhancement for activities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

American Medical Association work with other interested parties to advocate for regulatory action on the part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement a professional services claims-based payment enhancement to help recognize the enhanced, nonseparately reimbursable work performed by physicians during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Directive to Take Action).

This is just a small sampling of the activities and more information, including reports from the various Councils, are available on the AMA website, http://ama-assn.org.

CHEST members interested in the AMA policy-making process may observe any AMA-HOD meeting or participate in the AMA’s democratic processes. Attendees will also be able to increase their knowledge and skills at no cost. They will also be able to connect with more than 1,500 peers and other meeting attendees from across the country. CHEST members with the time (there are two 5-day meetings each year) and interest are invited to apply to be an official CHEST delegate to the AMA. Contact Jennifer Nemkovich at [email protected] for details.
 

Dr. Desai is with the Chicago Chest Center and AMITA Health Suburban Lung Associates; and the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also the CHEST Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates.

We’re happy to introduce these new board members whose primary responsibility is the active review each month of potential articles for publication that could have an impact on or be of interest to our health-care professional readership.

We’re happy to introduce these new board members whose primary responsibility is the active review each month of potential articles for publication that could have an impact on or be of interest to our health-care professional readership.

We’re happy to introduce these new board members whose primary responsibility is the active review each month of potential articles for publication that could have an impact on or be of interest to our health-care professional readership.

Constance Baker was juggling the dual stresses of mothering a newborn and raising a teenager when she noticed a skin patch on her father looked discolored. His breathing soon became labored, and the skin on his hands turned calloused. Then he passed out. Initially, doctors thought his problems were cardiovascular.

Since James didn’t have a primary doctor, Constance repeatedly took him to the emergency room to receive care. His frequent visits attracted the attention of a medical intern who ordered tests and asked James to see a specialist. More than half a year later, Constance and James met pulmonologist Dr. Demondes Haynes and learned the cause of James’ troubled breathing. James has a rare disease called scleroderma, which hardens patches of skin and created scarring of his lung tissue. He also had pulmonary hypertension. James needed rapid intervention with a complicated regimen of medication.

At first, James didn’t want to go along with the program, but Dr. Haynes’ attentive and gentle nature changed his mind. “Dr. Haynes always made us comfortable, taking the time to listen and show us his concern. He even explained that we wouldn’t have to worry about paying for anything, which was a huge relief.”

Before Dr. Haynes, James and Constance had never met a doctor who didn’t treat them like a case file. “He actually acknowledged our circumstances, which meant he acknowledged us.”

As a native Mississippian, Dr. Haynes knows the plight of many of his patients. “Not everyone with lung disease can access a pulmonologist, like me, and not everyone can afford appropriate treatment. You have to recognize these disparities in order to build a relationship of trust with your patients.”

James was ready to start treatment with Dr. Haynes’ guidance, but since he couldn’t read, he couldn’t understand how to put the medication together. That’s when Constance had to step up. They worked together to change and clean the tubing to the port by his heart and make his medication. “We leaned on each other a lot during that time, and you know what? We made it through.”

Even though James’ disease can be debilitating at times, and his care can seem completely overwhelming, Constance wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s always been my father and I, just us two. He’s always taken care of me, and now it’s my turn to take care of him.”

Unfortunately, Constance and James’ story is not unique. So many patients don’t have access to doctors, specialists, and caregivers, and many aren’t empowered enough to take

their medications. These stories don’t get posted on Instagram and they don’t make the evening news. Underprivileged and underserved patients have been left behind – left without a voice.

That’s why the foundation launched its virtual listening tours across America in September. Our tours give patients, caregivers, and physicians the opportunity to raise issues that they believe are impacting health care in their communities.

How can physicians work to understand their patients better? How can patients learn to trust their providers? These are all the questions we aim to answer.

James is doing as well as he is because of his relationship with Dr. Haynes. What can we do with that information? We can listen, we can learn, and we can spread the word.

Read more about the work of the CHEST Foundation in its 2020 Impact Report at chestfoundation.org.




 

Constance Baker was juggling the dual stresses of mothering a newborn and raising a teenager when she noticed a skin patch on her father looked discolored. His breathing soon became labored, and the skin on his hands turned calloused. Then he passed out. Initially, doctors thought his problems were cardiovascular.

Since James didn’t have a primary doctor, Constance repeatedly took him to the emergency room to receive care. His frequent visits attracted the attention of a medical intern who ordered tests and asked James to see a specialist. More than half a year later, Constance and James met pulmonologist Dr. Demondes Haynes and learned the cause of James’ troubled breathing. James has a rare disease called scleroderma, which hardens patches of skin and created scarring of his lung tissue. He also had pulmonary hypertension. James needed rapid intervention with a complicated regimen of medication.

At first, James didn’t want to go along with the program, but Dr. Haynes’ attentive and gentle nature changed his mind. “Dr. Haynes always made us comfortable, taking the time to listen and show us his concern. He even explained that we wouldn’t have to worry about paying for anything, which was a huge relief.”

Before Dr. Haynes, James and Constance had never met a doctor who didn’t treat them like a case file. “He actually acknowledged our circumstances, which meant he acknowledged us.”

As a native Mississippian, Dr. Haynes knows the plight of many of his patients. “Not everyone with lung disease can access a pulmonologist, like me, and not everyone can afford appropriate treatment. You have to recognize these disparities in order to build a relationship of trust with your patients.”

James was ready to start treatment with Dr. Haynes’ guidance, but since he couldn’t read, he couldn’t understand how to put the medication together. That’s when Constance had to step up. They worked together to change and clean the tubing to the port by his heart and make his medication. “We leaned on each other a lot during that time, and you know what? We made it through.”

Even though James’ disease can be debilitating at times, and his care can seem completely overwhelming, Constance wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s always been my father and I, just us two. He’s always taken care of me, and now it’s my turn to take care of him.”

Unfortunately, Constance and James’ story is not unique. So many patients don’t have access to doctors, specialists, and caregivers, and many aren’t empowered enough to take

their medications. These stories don’t get posted on Instagram and they don’t make the evening news. Underprivileged and underserved patients have been left behind – left without a voice.

That’s why the foundation launched its virtual listening tours across America in September. Our tours give patients, caregivers, and physicians the opportunity to raise issues that they believe are impacting health care in their communities.

How can physicians work to understand their patients better? How can patients learn to trust their providers? These are all the questions we aim to answer.

James is doing as well as he is because of his relationship with Dr. Haynes. What can we do with that information? We can listen, we can learn, and we can spread the word.

Read more about the work of the CHEST Foundation in its 2020 Impact Report at chestfoundation.org.




 

Constance Baker was juggling the dual stresses of mothering a newborn and raising a teenager when she noticed a skin patch on her father looked discolored. His breathing soon became labored, and the skin on his hands turned calloused. Then he passed out. Initially, doctors thought his problems were cardiovascular.

Since James didn’t have a primary doctor, Constance repeatedly took him to the emergency room to receive care. His frequent visits attracted the attention of a medical intern who ordered tests and asked James to see a specialist. More than half a year later, Constance and James met pulmonologist Dr. Demondes Haynes and learned the cause of James’ troubled breathing. James has a rare disease called scleroderma, which hardens patches of skin and created scarring of his lung tissue. He also had pulmonary hypertension. James needed rapid intervention with a complicated regimen of medication.

At first, James didn’t want to go along with the program, but Dr. Haynes’ attentive and gentle nature changed his mind. “Dr. Haynes always made us comfortable, taking the time to listen and show us his concern. He even explained that we wouldn’t have to worry about paying for anything, which was a huge relief.”

Before Dr. Haynes, James and Constance had never met a doctor who didn’t treat them like a case file. “He actually acknowledged our circumstances, which meant he acknowledged us.”

As a native Mississippian, Dr. Haynes knows the plight of many of his patients. “Not everyone with lung disease can access a pulmonologist, like me, and not everyone can afford appropriate treatment. You have to recognize these disparities in order to build a relationship of trust with your patients.”

James was ready to start treatment with Dr. Haynes’ guidance, but since he couldn’t read, he couldn’t understand how to put the medication together. That’s when Constance had to step up. They worked together to change and clean the tubing to the port by his heart and make his medication. “We leaned on each other a lot during that time, and you know what? We made it through.”

Even though James’ disease can be debilitating at times, and his care can seem completely overwhelming, Constance wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s always been my father and I, just us two. He’s always taken care of me, and now it’s my turn to take care of him.”

Unfortunately, Constance and James’ story is not unique. So many patients don’t have access to doctors, specialists, and caregivers, and many aren’t empowered enough to take

their medications. These stories don’t get posted on Instagram and they don’t make the evening news. Underprivileged and underserved patients have been left behind – left without a voice.

That’s why the foundation launched its virtual listening tours across America in September. Our tours give patients, caregivers, and physicians the opportunity to raise issues that they believe are impacting health care in their communities.

How can physicians work to understand their patients better? How can patients learn to trust their providers? These are all the questions we aim to answer.

James is doing as well as he is because of his relationship with Dr. Haynes. What can we do with that information? We can listen, we can learn, and we can spread the word.

Read more about the work of the CHEST Foundation in its 2020 Impact Report at chestfoundation.org.




 

Original Research

A behaviour change intervention aimed at increasing physical activity improves clinical control in adults with asthma: a randomised controlled trial. By Dr. C. Carvalho, et al.



Critically ill adults with COVID-19 in New Orleans and care with an evidence-based protocol. By Dr. D. Janz, et al.



Mortality trends of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the United States from 2004 to 2017.By Dr. N. Jeganathan, et al.



United States Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry (USPHSR): Baseline characteristics. By Dr. J. Badlam, et al.



CHEST Review

Pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis: A grown-up issue in a changing CF landscape. By Dr. G. Stanford, et al.



Computed tomography imaging and comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Beyond lung cancer screening. By Dr. J. Bon, et al.



How I Do It

The PERT concept: A step-by-step approach to managing PE. By Dr. B. Rivera-Lebron, et al.



Special Feature

A brief overview of the national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and the primary causes. By Dr. E. Kiernan, et al.




 

Original Research

A behaviour change intervention aimed at increasing physical activity improves clinical control in adults with asthma: a randomised controlled trial. By Dr. C. Carvalho, et al.



Critically ill adults with COVID-19 in New Orleans and care with an evidence-based protocol. By Dr. D. Janz, et al.



Mortality trends of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the United States from 2004 to 2017.By Dr. N. Jeganathan, et al.



United States Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry (USPHSR): Baseline characteristics. By Dr. J. Badlam, et al.



CHEST Review

Pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis: A grown-up issue in a changing CF landscape. By Dr. G. Stanford, et al.



Computed tomography imaging and comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Beyond lung cancer screening. By Dr. J. Bon, et al.



How I Do It

The PERT concept: A step-by-step approach to managing PE. By Dr. B. Rivera-Lebron, et al.



Special Feature

A brief overview of the national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and the primary causes. By Dr. E. Kiernan, et al.




 

Original Research

A behaviour change intervention aimed at increasing physical activity improves clinical control in adults with asthma: a randomised controlled trial. By Dr. C. Carvalho, et al.



Critically ill adults with COVID-19 in New Orleans and care with an evidence-based protocol. By Dr. D. Janz, et al.



Mortality trends of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the United States from 2004 to 2017.By Dr. N. Jeganathan, et al.



United States Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry (USPHSR): Baseline characteristics. By Dr. J. Badlam, et al.



CHEST Review

Pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis: A grown-up issue in a changing CF landscape. By Dr. G. Stanford, et al.



Computed tomography imaging and comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Beyond lung cancer screening. By Dr. J. Bon, et al.



How I Do It

The PERT concept: A step-by-step approach to managing PE. By Dr. B. Rivera-Lebron, et al.



Special Feature

A brief overview of the national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and the primary causes. By Dr. E. Kiernan, et al.




 

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

Use of hepatitis C donors in thoracic organ transplantation: Reportedly associated with increased risk of rejection

Mark Jay Zucker, MD, JD, FCCP

Vice-Chair

Transplanting organs from hepatitis C (HCV) antibody and/or antigen-positive donors is associated with a greater than 8%-90% likelihood that the recipient will acquire the infection. Several studies reported that if HCV conversion happened, the outcomes in both heart and lung recipients were worse, even if treated with interferon/ribavirin (Haji SA, et al J Heart Lung Transplant. 2004;23:277; Wang BY, et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2010 May;89[5]:1645; Carreno MC, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2001;20(2):224). Thus, despite the shortage of thoracic organ donors and high wait-list mortality, the practice was strongly discouraged.

In 2016, the successful use of a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) for 12 weeks to eliminate HCV in a lung transplant recipient of a seropositive organ was published (Khan B, et al. Am J Transplant. 2017;17:1129). Two years later, the outcomes of seronegative heart (n=8) or lung (n=36) transplant recipients receiving organs from seropositive donors were presented (Woolley AE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1606). Forty-two of the patients had viremia within days of the operation. All patients were treated with 4 weeks of a DAA and, of the 35 patients available for 6-month analysis, viral load was undetectable in all. Of concern, however—more cellular rejection requiring treatment was seen in the lung recipients of HCV+ donors compared with recipients of HCV- donors. The difference was not statistically significant.

The largest analysis of the safety of HCV+ donors in HCV- thoracic organ transplant recipients involved 343 heart transplant recipients (Kilic A, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(2):e014495). No differences were noted in outcomes, strokes, need for dialysis, or incidence of treated rejection during the first year. However, the observation regarding rejection was not subsequently confirmed by the NYU team (Gidea CG, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2020;39:1199). Of 22 HCV- recipients of an HCV donor with viremia, the rate of rejection was 64% vs 18% in 28 patients receiving a donor without viremia (through day 180 (P=.001)).

In summary, the ability of DAAs to render 97%-99% of immunosuppressed transplant recipients HCV seronegative has transformed the landscape and HCV viremia in the donor (or recipient) and is no longer an absolute contraindication to transplantation. However, more information is needed as to whether there is an increased incidence of rejection.


 

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

Use of hepatitis C donors in thoracic organ transplantation: Reportedly associated with increased risk of rejection

Mark Jay Zucker, MD, JD, FCCP

Vice-Chair

Transplanting organs from hepatitis C (HCV) antibody and/or antigen-positive donors is associated with a greater than 8%-90% likelihood that the recipient will acquire the infection. Several studies reported that if HCV conversion happened, the outcomes in both heart and lung recipients were worse, even if treated with interferon/ribavirin (Haji SA, et al J Heart Lung Transplant. 2004;23:277; Wang BY, et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2010 May;89[5]:1645; Carreno MC, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2001;20(2):224). Thus, despite the shortage of thoracic organ donors and high wait-list mortality, the practice was strongly discouraged.

In 2016, the successful use of a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) for 12 weeks to eliminate HCV in a lung transplant recipient of a seropositive organ was published (Khan B, et al. Am J Transplant. 2017;17:1129). Two years later, the outcomes of seronegative heart (n=8) or lung (n=36) transplant recipients receiving organs from seropositive donors were presented (Woolley AE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1606). Forty-two of the patients had viremia within days of the operation. All patients were treated with 4 weeks of a DAA and, of the 35 patients available for 6-month analysis, viral load was undetectable in all. Of concern, however—more cellular rejection requiring treatment was seen in the lung recipients of HCV+ donors compared with recipients of HCV- donors. The difference was not statistically significant.

The largest analysis of the safety of HCV+ donors in HCV- thoracic organ transplant recipients involved 343 heart transplant recipients (Kilic A, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(2):e014495). No differences were noted in outcomes, strokes, need for dialysis, or incidence of treated rejection during the first year. However, the observation regarding rejection was not subsequently confirmed by the NYU team (Gidea CG, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2020;39:1199). Of 22 HCV- recipients of an HCV donor with viremia, the rate of rejection was 64% vs 18% in 28 patients receiving a donor without viremia (through day 180 (P=.001)).

In summary, the ability of DAAs to render 97%-99% of immunosuppressed transplant recipients HCV seronegative has transformed the landscape and HCV viremia in the donor (or recipient) and is no longer an absolute contraindication to transplantation. However, more information is needed as to whether there is an increased incidence of rejection.


 

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

Use of hepatitis C donors in thoracic organ transplantation: Reportedly associated with increased risk of rejection

Mark Jay Zucker, MD, JD, FCCP

Vice-Chair

Transplanting organs from hepatitis C (HCV) antibody and/or antigen-positive donors is associated with a greater than 8%-90% likelihood that the recipient will acquire the infection. Several studies reported that if HCV conversion happened, the outcomes in both heart and lung recipients were worse, even if treated with interferon/ribavirin (Haji SA, et al J Heart Lung Transplant. 2004;23:277; Wang BY, et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2010 May;89[5]:1645; Carreno MC, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2001;20(2):224). Thus, despite the shortage of thoracic organ donors and high wait-list mortality, the practice was strongly discouraged.

In 2016, the successful use of a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) for 12 weeks to eliminate HCV in a lung transplant recipient of a seropositive organ was published (Khan B, et al. Am J Transplant. 2017;17:1129). Two years later, the outcomes of seronegative heart (n=8) or lung (n=36) transplant recipients receiving organs from seropositive donors were presented (Woolley AE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1606). Forty-two of the patients had viremia within days of the operation. All patients were treated with 4 weeks of a DAA and, of the 35 patients available for 6-month analysis, viral load was undetectable in all. Of concern, however—more cellular rejection requiring treatment was seen in the lung recipients of HCV+ donors compared with recipients of HCV- donors. The difference was not statistically significant.

The largest analysis of the safety of HCV+ donors in HCV- thoracic organ transplant recipients involved 343 heart transplant recipients (Kilic A, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(2):e014495). No differences were noted in outcomes, strokes, need for dialysis, or incidence of treated rejection during the first year. However, the observation regarding rejection was not subsequently confirmed by the NYU team (Gidea CG, et al. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2020;39:1199). Of 22 HCV- recipients of an HCV donor with viremia, the rate of rejection was 64% vs 18% in 28 patients receiving a donor without viremia (through day 180 (P=.001)).

In summary, the ability of DAAs to render 97%-99% of immunosuppressed transplant recipients HCV seronegative has transformed the landscape and HCV viremia in the donor (or recipient) and is no longer an absolute contraindication to transplantation. However, more information is needed as to whether there is an increased incidence of rejection.


 

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new brochure entitled “Biologic and biosimilar medicines: What you need to know.” The new brochure includes interactive elements like quizzes, medication sheets, symptom tracker, and the option of audibly listening to the pages.

The brochure provides patients with:

• An overview of the immune system.

• Background on immune-mediated conditions.

• Biologics and biosimilars: What are they?

• Information on biosimilars and generics.

• Cost of biologics and biosimilars.

• The importance of adhering to their treatment plan.

• Tips to start the conversation with their provider.

• Safety of biologics and biosimilars.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit the AGA GI Patient Center page dedicated to biosimilars for more at gastro.org/biosimilars.

AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month. Order additional copies for your practice at http://www.agaresources.com/order_biosimilars.php. The brochure was reviewed by Jami Kinnucan, MD, and Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Adviser.

View the interactive brochure at https://bit.ly/2JYE5tI.This brochure was funded by an independent medical education grant from Pfizer Inc.

[email protected]

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new brochure entitled “Biologic and biosimilar medicines: What you need to know.” The new brochure includes interactive elements like quizzes, medication sheets, symptom tracker, and the option of audibly listening to the pages.

The brochure provides patients with:

• An overview of the immune system.

• Background on immune-mediated conditions.

• Biologics and biosimilars: What are they?

• Information on biosimilars and generics.

• Cost of biologics and biosimilars.

• The importance of adhering to their treatment plan.

• Tips to start the conversation with their provider.

• Safety of biologics and biosimilars.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit the AGA GI Patient Center page dedicated to biosimilars for more at gastro.org/biosimilars.

AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month. Order additional copies for your practice at http://www.agaresources.com/order_biosimilars.php. The brochure was reviewed by Jami Kinnucan, MD, and Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Adviser.

View the interactive brochure at https://bit.ly/2JYE5tI.This brochure was funded by an independent medical education grant from Pfizer Inc.

[email protected]

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new brochure entitled “Biologic and biosimilar medicines: What you need to know.” The new brochure includes interactive elements like quizzes, medication sheets, symptom tracker, and the option of audibly listening to the pages.

The brochure provides patients with:

• An overview of the immune system.

• Background on immune-mediated conditions.

• Biologics and biosimilars: What are they?

• Information on biosimilars and generics.

• Cost of biologics and biosimilars.

• The importance of adhering to their treatment plan.

• Tips to start the conversation with their provider.

• Safety of biologics and biosimilars.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit the AGA GI Patient Center page dedicated to biosimilars for more at gastro.org/biosimilars.

AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month. Order additional copies for your practice at http://www.agaresources.com/order_biosimilars.php. The brochure was reviewed by Jami Kinnucan, MD, and Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Adviser.

View the interactive brochure at https://bit.ly/2JYE5tI.This brochure was funded by an independent medical education grant from Pfizer Inc.

[email protected]

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new resource to support patients infected with C. difficile. The resource includes “Understanding C. diff infection” video and a patient brochure entitled “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis.”

C. diff, a bacterium known to cause bad GI symptoms like nausea and watery diarrhea, infects nearly 500,000 Americans every year and often calls for hospitalization. The AGA GI Patient Center has curated a new patient education page to assist and to share directly with your patients to prepare them for their visit. The article includes C. difficile-specific guidance on:

• Symptoms.

• Risk factors.

• Getting tested.

• Treatment.

• Complications.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit gastro.org/cdiff to view the new video and brochure.

The “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis” brochure was reviewed by Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Advisor, Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dallas, and Alexander Khoruts, MD, AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education Scientific Advisory Board, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month.

This program was supported by an independent educational grant from Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[email protected]

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new resource to support patients infected with C. difficile. The resource includes “Understanding C. diff infection” video and a patient brochure entitled “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis.”

C. diff, a bacterium known to cause bad GI symptoms like nausea and watery diarrhea, infects nearly 500,000 Americans every year and often calls for hospitalization. The AGA GI Patient Center has curated a new patient education page to assist and to share directly with your patients to prepare them for their visit. The article includes C. difficile-specific guidance on:

• Symptoms.

• Risk factors.

• Getting tested.

• Treatment.

• Complications.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit gastro.org/cdiff to view the new video and brochure.

The “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis” brochure was reviewed by Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Advisor, Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dallas, and Alexander Khoruts, MD, AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education Scientific Advisory Board, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month.

This program was supported by an independent educational grant from Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[email protected]

The AGA GI Patient Center has released a new resource to support patients infected with C. difficile. The resource includes “Understanding C. diff infection” video and a patient brochure entitled “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis.”

C. diff, a bacterium known to cause bad GI symptoms like nausea and watery diarrhea, infects nearly 500,000 Americans every year and often calls for hospitalization. The AGA GI Patient Center has curated a new patient education page to assist and to share directly with your patients to prepare them for their visit. The article includes C. difficile-specific guidance on:

• Symptoms.

• Risk factors.

• Getting tested.

• Treatment.

• Complications.

Share this new resource with your patients by printing, linking from your practice website, or emailing the link to your patients. Visit gastro.org/cdiff to view the new video and brochure.

The “Navigating Your C. diff Diagnosis” brochure was reviewed by Rajeev Jain, MD, AGAF, AGA Patient Education Advisor, Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dallas, and Alexander Khoruts, MD, AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education Scientific Advisory Board, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. AGA members will also receive print copies of the new brochure this month.

This program was supported by an independent educational grant from Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[email protected]

As the new year begins, 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.”

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

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

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website.

[email protected]

As the new year begins, 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.”

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

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

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website.

[email protected]

As the new year begins, 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.”

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

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

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website.

[email protected]