Society News

A new flier on diabetes and vascular disease is now available in English and Spanish as an instant download. This is the second new flier produced by the SVS Foundation as part of its awareness and prevention mission. Please download and share this important information. It’s a good opportunity to remind your patients of the effects of diabetes on their vascular system. We are offering two versions of PDFs on which you can easily type your office contact information. As you share with other physician referrers and your patients, also send them to our Diabetes Information page, where physicians can find the latest vascular and diabetes research, and patients can find useful health information.

A new flier on diabetes and vascular disease is now available in English and Spanish as an instant download. This is the second new flier produced by the SVS Foundation as part of its awareness and prevention mission. Please download and share this important information. It’s a good opportunity to remind your patients of the effects of diabetes on their vascular system. We are offering two versions of PDFs on which you can easily type your office contact information. As you share with other physician referrers and your patients, also send them to our Diabetes Information page, where physicians can find the latest vascular and diabetes research, and patients can find useful health information.

A new flier on diabetes and vascular disease is now available in English and Spanish as an instant download. This is the second new flier produced by the SVS Foundation as part of its awareness and prevention mission. Please download and share this important information. It’s a good opportunity to remind your patients of the effects of diabetes on their vascular system. We are offering two versions of PDFs on which you can easily type your office contact information. As you share with other physician referrers and your patients, also send them to our Diabetes Information page, where physicians can find the latest vascular and diabetes research, and patients can find useful health information.

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

The Society for Vascular Surgery Community Practice Committee announces the Excellence in Community Service Award, honoring a member who has made contributions not only to the profession but to the community as well. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2019. The recipient will be announced and recognized at the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting in June. Nominees must have practiced vascular surgery for at least 20 years and been an SVS member for at least five. They also must present evidence of impact on vascular care or community health.

The Society for Vascular Surgery Community Practice Committee announces the Excellence in Community Service Award, honoring a member who has made contributions not only to the profession but to the community as well. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2019. The recipient will be announced and recognized at the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting in June. Nominees must have practiced vascular surgery for at least 20 years and been an SVS member for at least five. They also must present evidence of impact on vascular care or community health.

The Society for Vascular Surgery Community Practice Committee announces the Excellence in Community Service Award, honoring a member who has made contributions not only to the profession but to the community as well. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2019. The recipient will be announced and recognized at the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting in June. Nominees must have practiced vascular surgery for at least 20 years and been an SVS member for at least five. They also must present evidence of impact on vascular care or community health.

Download Below

The SVS Foundation’s 2018 Annual Report has just been published online. The report highlights the Foundation’s work, the money raised, and money spent. It tells why people give and the profound difference SVS members make, not only in their research labs but also in their communities. The Foundation offers a number of ways to give and a number of funds – the general fund, disaster relief, research and more – to which donations may be directed. This is the season for the SVS annual Giving Campaign. Please read the report and give today.
 

Download Below

The SVS Foundation’s 2018 Annual Report has just been published online. The report highlights the Foundation’s work, the money raised, and money spent. It tells why people give and the profound difference SVS members make, not only in their research labs but also in their communities. The Foundation offers a number of ways to give and a number of funds – the general fund, disaster relief, research and more – to which donations may be directed. This is the season for the SVS annual Giving Campaign. Please read the report and give today.
 

Download Below

The SVS Foundation’s 2018 Annual Report has just been published online. The report highlights the Foundation’s work, the money raised, and money spent. It tells why people give and the profound difference SVS members make, not only in their research labs but also in their communities. The Foundation offers a number of ways to give and a number of funds – the general fund, disaster relief, research and more – to which donations may be directed. This is the season for the SVS annual Giving Campaign. Please read the report and give today.
 

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 10-11, 12-13, 2018; Jan. 16-17, 22-23, 23-24, 2019; Feb. 20-21, 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc
.Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Tampa, FL (12/10-11), Dallas, TX (12/12-13), Houston, TX (1/16-17), New Orleans, LA (1/22-23), Pittsburgh, PA (1/23-24), 2/20 (Hartford, CT)

Jan. 17-19, 2019
2019 GI Cancers Symposium
Join colleagues from across the globe in San Francisco to discover and share groundbreaking research in treating gastrointestinal cancers.
San Francisco, CA

Feb. 7–9, 2019
Crohn’s & Colitis Congress™ (A Partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and American Gastroenterological Association)
Expand your knowledge, network with IBD leaders, spark innovative research and get inspired to improve patient care.
Las Vegas, NV

March 8-9, 2019
2019 Women’s Leadership Conference
The conference is specifically designed for women looking to advance their careers, further professional goals, enhance personal growth and effectively network.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
FORWARD Program
AGA’s Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD) Program is a new initiative funded by NIH, supporting the career entry and development for underrepresented minority physician scientists in gastroenterology. The program provides concrete leadership and skill development that includes scientific manuscript and grant writing, research development, executive coaching and more.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
Future Leaders Program
The Future Leaders Program provides a pathway within the organization to network, connect with mentors, develop leadership skills and learn about AGA’s governance and operations while advancing your career and supporting the profession.
Bethesda, MD

March 23–24, 2019
2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit
The 2019 program will present the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome. Learn how diet and nutrition are being used in concert with traditional therapies to manage GI disorders.
Miami, FL

May 18-21, 2019
Digestive Disease Week (DDW)®
DDW^® is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. DDW is co-sponsored by AGA, AASLD, ASGE and SSAT.
San Diego, CA

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine Research Scholar Award in Pediatric Genomics
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (totaling $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas. The proposed research may be basic, translational or clinical and must use genomics as an approach to enhance understanding of pediatric digestive diseases toward prevention, treatment and/or cure of such diseases. The funded research must be conducted full-time at the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine in San Diego, California, or at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Bern Schwartz Family Fund Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for three years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in pancreatic cancer research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Shire Research Scholar Award in Functional GI and Motility Disorders
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in functional GI and motility disorders research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This travel award provides two $750 prizes to recipients who are young basic, translational or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Student Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are high school, undergraduate, graduate, or medical students or residents (residents up to year three postgraduate) presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 10-11, 12-13, 2018; Jan. 16-17, 22-23, 23-24, 2019; Feb. 20-21, 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc
.Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Tampa, FL (12/10-11), Dallas, TX (12/12-13), Houston, TX (1/16-17), New Orleans, LA (1/22-23), Pittsburgh, PA (1/23-24), 2/20 (Hartford, CT)

Jan. 17-19, 2019
2019 GI Cancers Symposium
Join colleagues from across the globe in San Francisco to discover and share groundbreaking research in treating gastrointestinal cancers.
San Francisco, CA

Feb. 7–9, 2019
Crohn’s & Colitis Congress™ (A Partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and American Gastroenterological Association)
Expand your knowledge, network with IBD leaders, spark innovative research and get inspired to improve patient care.
Las Vegas, NV

March 8-9, 2019
2019 Women’s Leadership Conference
The conference is specifically designed for women looking to advance their careers, further professional goals, enhance personal growth and effectively network.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
FORWARD Program
AGA’s Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD) Program is a new initiative funded by NIH, supporting the career entry and development for underrepresented minority physician scientists in gastroenterology. The program provides concrete leadership and skill development that includes scientific manuscript and grant writing, research development, executive coaching and more.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
Future Leaders Program
The Future Leaders Program provides a pathway within the organization to network, connect with mentors, develop leadership skills and learn about AGA’s governance and operations while advancing your career and supporting the profession.
Bethesda, MD

March 23–24, 2019
2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit
The 2019 program will present the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome. Learn how diet and nutrition are being used in concert with traditional therapies to manage GI disorders.
Miami, FL

May 18-21, 2019
Digestive Disease Week (DDW)®
DDW^® is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. DDW is co-sponsored by AGA, AASLD, ASGE and SSAT.
San Diego, CA

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine Research Scholar Award in Pediatric Genomics
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (totaling $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas. The proposed research may be basic, translational or clinical and must use genomics as an approach to enhance understanding of pediatric digestive diseases toward prevention, treatment and/or cure of such diseases. The funded research must be conducted full-time at the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine in San Diego, California, or at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Bern Schwartz Family Fund Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for three years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in pancreatic cancer research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Shire Research Scholar Award in Functional GI and Motility Disorders
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in functional GI and motility disorders research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This travel award provides two $750 prizes to recipients who are young basic, translational or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Student Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are high school, undergraduate, graduate, or medical students or residents (residents up to year three postgraduate) presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

For more information about upcoming events and award deadlines, please visit http://agau.gastro.org and http://www.gastro.org/research-funding.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 10-11, 12-13, 2018; Jan. 16-17, 22-23, 23-24, 2019; Feb. 20-21, 2019
Two-Day, In-Depth Coding Seminar by McVey Associates, Inc
.Become a certified GI coder with a two-day, in-depth training course provided by McVey Associates, Inc.
Tampa, FL (12/10-11), Dallas, TX (12/12-13), Houston, TX (1/16-17), New Orleans, LA (1/22-23), Pittsburgh, PA (1/23-24), 2/20 (Hartford, CT)

Jan. 17-19, 2019
2019 GI Cancers Symposium
Join colleagues from across the globe in San Francisco to discover and share groundbreaking research in treating gastrointestinal cancers.
San Francisco, CA

Feb. 7–9, 2019
Crohn’s & Colitis Congress™ (A Partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and American Gastroenterological Association)
Expand your knowledge, network with IBD leaders, spark innovative research and get inspired to improve patient care.
Las Vegas, NV

March 8-9, 2019
2019 Women’s Leadership Conference
The conference is specifically designed for women looking to advance their careers, further professional goals, enhance personal growth and effectively network.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
FORWARD Program
AGA’s Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity (FORWARD) Program is a new initiative funded by NIH, supporting the career entry and development for underrepresented minority physician scientists in gastroenterology. The program provides concrete leadership and skill development that includes scientific manuscript and grant writing, research development, executive coaching and more.
Bethesda, MD

March 8-10, 2019
Future Leaders Program
The Future Leaders Program provides a pathway within the organization to network, connect with mentors, develop leadership skills and learn about AGA’s governance and operations while advancing your career and supporting the profession.
Bethesda, MD

March 23–24, 2019
2019 Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit
The 2019 program will present the latest evidence on the interaction between diet, nutrition and the gut microbiome. Learn how diet and nutrition are being used in concert with traditional therapies to manage GI disorders.
Miami, FL

May 18-21, 2019
Digestive Disease Week (DDW)®
DDW^® is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education or administration, the DDW program offers something for you. DDW is co-sponsored by AGA, AASLD, ASGE and SSAT.
San Diego, CA

AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINES

AGA-Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine Research Scholar Award in Pediatric Genomics
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (totaling $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas. The proposed research may be basic, translational or clinical and must use genomics as an approach to enhance understanding of pediatric digestive diseases toward prevention, treatment and/or cure of such diseases. The funded research must be conducted full-time at the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine in San Diego, California, or at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Bern Schwartz Family Fund Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer
This award provides $100,000 per year for three years (total $300,000) to early career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in pancreatic cancer research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA)
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Shire Research Scholar Award in Functional GI and Motility Disorders
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in functional GI and motility disorders research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This award provides $90,000 per year for three years (total $270,000) to a young investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease research.
Application Deadline: Dec. 14, 2018

AGA Fellow Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are MD, PhD or equivalent fellows presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Awards
This travel award provides two $750 prizes to recipients who are young basic, translational or clinical investigators residing outside North America to support travel and related expenses to attend Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

AGA Student Abstract Award
This travel award provides nine $500 and one $1,000 prize to recipients who are high school, undergraduate, graduate, or medical students or residents (residents up to year three postgraduate) presenting posters/oral sessions at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2019

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

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


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

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


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

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


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

Applications are due by October 31 for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to enhance the trainee’s health policy and advocacy development. The recipient gets the chance to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about the SVS’ health policy and advocacy activities. Applicants must be an SVS Candidate Member currently enrolled in or accepted into a vascular surgery training program and have interest in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery.

Applications are due by October 31 for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to enhance the trainee’s health policy and advocacy development. The recipient gets the chance to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about the SVS’ health policy and advocacy activities. Applicants must be an SVS Candidate Member currently enrolled in or accepted into a vascular surgery training program and have interest in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery.

Applications are due by October 31 for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to enhance the trainee’s health policy and advocacy development. The recipient gets the chance to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about the SVS’ health policy and advocacy activities. Applicants must be an SVS Candidate Member currently enrolled in or accepted into a vascular surgery training program and have interest in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery.

The election period to form a virtual group for the 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance year is now open. These groups give participants the opportunity to coordinate resources that can help achieve and meet requirements under each MIPS performance category. A virtual group may be formed by location, specialty or shared patient population. If you fall within the criteria of those who can participate, apply today. More information can be found in the 2019 Toolkit, which includes a fact sheet, information on the election process, an agreement template and a sample email for election submission. The application deadline for a virtual group and its members is Dec. 31, 2018.

The election period to form a virtual group for the 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance year is now open. These groups give participants the opportunity to coordinate resources that can help achieve and meet requirements under each MIPS performance category. A virtual group may be formed by location, specialty or shared patient population. If you fall within the criteria of those who can participate, apply today. More information can be found in the 2019 Toolkit, which includes a fact sheet, information on the election process, an agreement template and a sample email for election submission. The application deadline for a virtual group and its members is Dec. 31, 2018.

The election period to form a virtual group for the 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance year is now open. These groups give participants the opportunity to coordinate resources that can help achieve and meet requirements under each MIPS performance category. A virtual group may be formed by location, specialty or shared patient population. If you fall within the criteria of those who can participate, apply today. More information can be found in the 2019 Toolkit, which includes a fact sheet, information on the election process, an agreement template and a sample email for election submission. The application deadline for a virtual group and its members is Dec. 31, 2018.