Letter from the Editor

Dear colleagues,

This November issue of The New Gastroenterologist marks my official transition as the new Editor in Chief! I am humbled with this opportunity to be a part of such a unique publication and have received immense support from Dr. Vijaya Rao, the TNG staff, as well as my mentors and colleagues. With its foundation built by Dr. Bryson Katona and then taken to the next level by Dr. Rao, TNG has grown over the years, and I hope that I can continue to extend its reach to more trainees and early faculty.

In this issue’s In Focus, Dr. Wenfei Wang and Dr. Neil Sengupta (both from University of Chicago) review the management of antithrombotic medications in elective endoscopic procedures and emphasize individualizing the approach while providing guideline recommendations on how to navigate the gastrointestinal bleeding risk and cardiovascular disease in this day and age.

With endoscopic bariatric therapy and antiobesity medications burgeoning within gastroenterology, Dr. Singrid Young (New York University), Dr. Cameron Zenger (New York University), Dr. Erik Holzwanger (Harvard Medical School in Boston), and Dr. Violeta Popov (New York University) review how their multidisciplinary approach has made their endoscopic bariatric program successful in treating patients struggling with obesity. In our Ethics section, Dr. David Ney (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia) and Dr. Jason Karlawish (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) delve into patient capacity, particularly when consenting for procedures.

Being involved with national society committees may seem daunting to a lot of trainees and early faculty, but Dr. Peter S. Liang (New York University Langone Health) and Dr. Stephanie D. Pointer (Tristar Hendersonville Medical Center in Tennessee) describe their journeys to becoming AGA committee chairs as early-career physicians. While you ponder whether to join a committee, it may be a good time to learn new ways to increase your financial portfolio through passive income, detailed by Dr. Latifat Alli-Akintade (Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center in California).

Last but not least, I am excited to introduce a personal favorite in this newsletter – a piece on females supporting female gastroenterologists in career development and more. Dr. Tonya Adams outlines action items on how to create a culture that fosters professional and leadership development among females, using the Gastro Health Women’s Network as an example of how this network has succeeded in cultivating such an environment.

If you are interested in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (jtrieu23@gmail.com), or Jillian Schweitzer (jschweitzer@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Until next time, I leave you with an interesting historical fact: William Beaumont, the father of Gastroenterology, published the first findings on the digestive system after performing experiments on Alexis St. Martin when he developed a large gastrocutaneous fistula from an abdominal gunshot wound.



Yours truly,

Judy A. Trieu, MD, MPH
Editor in Chief
Advanced Endoscopy Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
 

Dear colleagues,

This November issue of The New Gastroenterologist marks my official transition as the new Editor in Chief! I am humbled with this opportunity to be a part of such a unique publication and have received immense support from Dr. Vijaya Rao, the TNG staff, as well as my mentors and colleagues. With its foundation built by Dr. Bryson Katona and then taken to the next level by Dr. Rao, TNG has grown over the years, and I hope that I can continue to extend its reach to more trainees and early faculty.

In this issue’s In Focus, Dr. Wenfei Wang and Dr. Neil Sengupta (both from University of Chicago) review the management of antithrombotic medications in elective endoscopic procedures and emphasize individualizing the approach while providing guideline recommendations on how to navigate the gastrointestinal bleeding risk and cardiovascular disease in this day and age.

With endoscopic bariatric therapy and antiobesity medications burgeoning within gastroenterology, Dr. Singrid Young (New York University), Dr. Cameron Zenger (New York University), Dr. Erik Holzwanger (Harvard Medical School in Boston), and Dr. Violeta Popov (New York University) review how their multidisciplinary approach has made their endoscopic bariatric program successful in treating patients struggling with obesity. In our Ethics section, Dr. David Ney (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia) and Dr. Jason Karlawish (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) delve into patient capacity, particularly when consenting for procedures.

Being involved with national society committees may seem daunting to a lot of trainees and early faculty, but Dr. Peter S. Liang (New York University Langone Health) and Dr. Stephanie D. Pointer (Tristar Hendersonville Medical Center in Tennessee) describe their journeys to becoming AGA committee chairs as early-career physicians. While you ponder whether to join a committee, it may be a good time to learn new ways to increase your financial portfolio through passive income, detailed by Dr. Latifat Alli-Akintade (Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center in California).

Last but not least, I am excited to introduce a personal favorite in this newsletter – a piece on females supporting female gastroenterologists in career development and more. Dr. Tonya Adams outlines action items on how to create a culture that fosters professional and leadership development among females, using the Gastro Health Women’s Network as an example of how this network has succeeded in cultivating such an environment.

If you are interested in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (jtrieu23@gmail.com), or Jillian Schweitzer (jschweitzer@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Until next time, I leave you with an interesting historical fact: William Beaumont, the father of Gastroenterology, published the first findings on the digestive system after performing experiments on Alexis St. Martin when he developed a large gastrocutaneous fistula from an abdominal gunshot wound.



Yours truly,

Judy A. Trieu, MD, MPH
Editor in Chief
Advanced Endoscopy Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
 

Dear colleagues,

This November issue of The New Gastroenterologist marks my official transition as the new Editor in Chief! I am humbled with this opportunity to be a part of such a unique publication and have received immense support from Dr. Vijaya Rao, the TNG staff, as well as my mentors and colleagues. With its foundation built by Dr. Bryson Katona and then taken to the next level by Dr. Rao, TNG has grown over the years, and I hope that I can continue to extend its reach to more trainees and early faculty.

In this issue’s In Focus, Dr. Wenfei Wang and Dr. Neil Sengupta (both from University of Chicago) review the management of antithrombotic medications in elective endoscopic procedures and emphasize individualizing the approach while providing guideline recommendations on how to navigate the gastrointestinal bleeding risk and cardiovascular disease in this day and age.

With endoscopic bariatric therapy and antiobesity medications burgeoning within gastroenterology, Dr. Singrid Young (New York University), Dr. Cameron Zenger (New York University), Dr. Erik Holzwanger (Harvard Medical School in Boston), and Dr. Violeta Popov (New York University) review how their multidisciplinary approach has made their endoscopic bariatric program successful in treating patients struggling with obesity. In our Ethics section, Dr. David Ney (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia) and Dr. Jason Karlawish (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) delve into patient capacity, particularly when consenting for procedures.

Being involved with national society committees may seem daunting to a lot of trainees and early faculty, but Dr. Peter S. Liang (New York University Langone Health) and Dr. Stephanie D. Pointer (Tristar Hendersonville Medical Center in Tennessee) describe their journeys to becoming AGA committee chairs as early-career physicians. While you ponder whether to join a committee, it may be a good time to learn new ways to increase your financial portfolio through passive income, detailed by Dr. Latifat Alli-Akintade (Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center in California).

Last but not least, I am excited to introduce a personal favorite in this newsletter – a piece on females supporting female gastroenterologists in career development and more. Dr. Tonya Adams outlines action items on how to create a culture that fosters professional and leadership development among females, using the Gastro Health Women’s Network as an example of how this network has succeeded in cultivating such an environment.

If you are interested in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (jtrieu23@gmail.com), or Jillian Schweitzer (jschweitzer@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Until next time, I leave you with an interesting historical fact: William Beaumont, the father of Gastroenterology, published the first findings on the digestive system after performing experiments on Alexis St. Martin when he developed a large gastrocutaneous fistula from an abdominal gunshot wound.



Yours truly,

Judy A. Trieu, MD, MPH
Editor in Chief
Advanced Endoscopy Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
 

Dear colleagues,

It is with bittersweet sentiments that I introduce my last issue of The New Gastroenterologist as its Editor-in-Chief. As I reflect on my time as EIC, I am immensely grateful to the AGA for this opportunity and am proud of the journal’s continuing evolution.

To begin with this issue’s content, our “In Focus” clinical feature reviews nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is written by Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Gomez (Indiana University). This is an excellent, comprehensive piece that details the diagnosis of NAFLD and a multifaceted management approach including dietary and lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and surgical options.

Learning endoscopy is hard, but so is teaching it. Dr. Navin Kumar (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) lends tangible advice to faculty on how to optimize their endoscopy teaching skills.

Our short clinical review for this quarter, brought to you by Dr. Grace Kim and Dr. Uzma Siddiqui (University of Chicago), offers a helpful discussion on appropriate endoscopic management of duodenal and ampullary adenomas.

Statistical concepts can often be difficult to understand; Dr. Manol Jovani (University of Kentucky) provides a useful, practical explanation of effect modification.

The AGA editorial fellowship is a wonderful opportunity and we are fortunate to have two current fellows share their experience in this issue. Dr. Judy Trieu (Loyola University Chicago) discusses her experience with Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Dr. Helenie Kefalakes (Hannover Medical School – Germany) reports on her time with Gastroenterology.

Ethics manifests itself in gastroenterology in many ways, and I am happy to have introduced a case-based ethics series to our publication. For my last issue, Dr. Ariel Sims (University of Chicago) and I discuss a case of repeated deliberate foreign body ingestion and the ethical considerations for us as endoscopists.

It can be difficult to navigate the many options that exist within the realm of disability insurance. Dr. Trevor Smith (Advanced EyeCare Professionals) reviews the reasons to obtain disability insurance, how to apply and what to look for in a policy.

Lastly, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for this issue is written by Dr. Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) who shares his practice’s innovative approach to implementing a formalized mentorship program for physicians early in their career.

As my editorship comes to a close, I would be remiss not to thank several key people who have been instrumental in the last 3 years. First, Dr. Gautham Reddy, an important mentor of mine and former program director who sent me this opportunity and encouraged me to apply. In addition, I am grateful to the chief of our Section at the University of Chicago, Dr. David Rubin, for his collaboration and support. Ryan Farrell, the managing editor of TNG, has been nothing short of amazing to work with and is the true backbone of our publication. I would also like to thank the staff of our publisher, Frontline Medical Communications, especially Kathy Scarbeck and Christopher Palmer, as well as the EIC and former EIC of our parent publication, GI & Hepatology News, Dr. Megan Adams and Dr. John Allen. Finally, thank you to our readers, whose continued interest has made TNG a success.

Taken together, my experience as EIC of TNG for the last 3 years has been unparalleled. The opportunity to translate the questions, challenges, and experiences of early-career gastroenterologists into written pieces that would be shared with the international community is one I truly never thought I would find within a career in medicine. I am excited for the future and growth of TNG in the hands of a new EIC.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Respectfully,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief

Dear colleagues,

It is with bittersweet sentiments that I introduce my last issue of The New Gastroenterologist as its Editor-in-Chief. As I reflect on my time as EIC, I am immensely grateful to the AGA for this opportunity and am proud of the journal’s continuing evolution.

To begin with this issue’s content, our “In Focus” clinical feature reviews nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is written by Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Gomez (Indiana University). This is an excellent, comprehensive piece that details the diagnosis of NAFLD and a multifaceted management approach including dietary and lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and surgical options.

Learning endoscopy is hard, but so is teaching it. Dr. Navin Kumar (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) lends tangible advice to faculty on how to optimize their endoscopy teaching skills.

Our short clinical review for this quarter, brought to you by Dr. Grace Kim and Dr. Uzma Siddiqui (University of Chicago), offers a helpful discussion on appropriate endoscopic management of duodenal and ampullary adenomas.

Statistical concepts can often be difficult to understand; Dr. Manol Jovani (University of Kentucky) provides a useful, practical explanation of effect modification.

The AGA editorial fellowship is a wonderful opportunity and we are fortunate to have two current fellows share their experience in this issue. Dr. Judy Trieu (Loyola University Chicago) discusses her experience with Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Dr. Helenie Kefalakes (Hannover Medical School – Germany) reports on her time with Gastroenterology.

Ethics manifests itself in gastroenterology in many ways, and I am happy to have introduced a case-based ethics series to our publication. For my last issue, Dr. Ariel Sims (University of Chicago) and I discuss a case of repeated deliberate foreign body ingestion and the ethical considerations for us as endoscopists.

It can be difficult to navigate the many options that exist within the realm of disability insurance. Dr. Trevor Smith (Advanced EyeCare Professionals) reviews the reasons to obtain disability insurance, how to apply and what to look for in a policy.

Lastly, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for this issue is written by Dr. Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) who shares his practice’s innovative approach to implementing a formalized mentorship program for physicians early in their career.

As my editorship comes to a close, I would be remiss not to thank several key people who have been instrumental in the last 3 years. First, Dr. Gautham Reddy, an important mentor of mine and former program director who sent me this opportunity and encouraged me to apply. In addition, I am grateful to the chief of our Section at the University of Chicago, Dr. David Rubin, for his collaboration and support. Ryan Farrell, the managing editor of TNG, has been nothing short of amazing to work with and is the true backbone of our publication. I would also like to thank the staff of our publisher, Frontline Medical Communications, especially Kathy Scarbeck and Christopher Palmer, as well as the EIC and former EIC of our parent publication, GI & Hepatology News, Dr. Megan Adams and Dr. John Allen. Finally, thank you to our readers, whose continued interest has made TNG a success.

Taken together, my experience as EIC of TNG for the last 3 years has been unparalleled. The opportunity to translate the questions, challenges, and experiences of early-career gastroenterologists into written pieces that would be shared with the international community is one I truly never thought I would find within a career in medicine. I am excited for the future and growth of TNG in the hands of a new EIC.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Respectfully,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief

Dear colleagues,

It is with bittersweet sentiments that I introduce my last issue of The New Gastroenterologist as its Editor-in-Chief. As I reflect on my time as EIC, I am immensely grateful to the AGA for this opportunity and am proud of the journal’s continuing evolution.

To begin with this issue’s content, our “In Focus” clinical feature reviews nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is written by Dr. Naga Chalasani and Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Gomez (Indiana University). This is an excellent, comprehensive piece that details the diagnosis of NAFLD and a multifaceted management approach including dietary and lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and surgical options.

Learning endoscopy is hard, but so is teaching it. Dr. Navin Kumar (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) lends tangible advice to faculty on how to optimize their endoscopy teaching skills.

Our short clinical review for this quarter, brought to you by Dr. Grace Kim and Dr. Uzma Siddiqui (University of Chicago), offers a helpful discussion on appropriate endoscopic management of duodenal and ampullary adenomas.

Statistical concepts can often be difficult to understand; Dr. Manol Jovani (University of Kentucky) provides a useful, practical explanation of effect modification.

The AGA editorial fellowship is a wonderful opportunity and we are fortunate to have two current fellows share their experience in this issue. Dr. Judy Trieu (Loyola University Chicago) discusses her experience with Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Dr. Helenie Kefalakes (Hannover Medical School – Germany) reports on her time with Gastroenterology.

Ethics manifests itself in gastroenterology in many ways, and I am happy to have introduced a case-based ethics series to our publication. For my last issue, Dr. Ariel Sims (University of Chicago) and I discuss a case of repeated deliberate foreign body ingestion and the ethical considerations for us as endoscopists.

It can be difficult to navigate the many options that exist within the realm of disability insurance. Dr. Trevor Smith (Advanced EyeCare Professionals) reviews the reasons to obtain disability insurance, how to apply and what to look for in a policy.

Lastly, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for this issue is written by Dr. Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) who shares his practice’s innovative approach to implementing a formalized mentorship program for physicians early in their career.

As my editorship comes to a close, I would be remiss not to thank several key people who have been instrumental in the last 3 years. First, Dr. Gautham Reddy, an important mentor of mine and former program director who sent me this opportunity and encouraged me to apply. In addition, I am grateful to the chief of our Section at the University of Chicago, Dr. David Rubin, for his collaboration and support. Ryan Farrell, the managing editor of TNG, has been nothing short of amazing to work with and is the true backbone of our publication. I would also like to thank the staff of our publisher, Frontline Medical Communications, especially Kathy Scarbeck and Christopher Palmer, as well as the EIC and former EIC of our parent publication, GI & Hepatology News, Dr. Megan Adams and Dr. John Allen. Finally, thank you to our readers, whose continued interest has made TNG a success.

Taken together, my experience as EIC of TNG for the last 3 years has been unparalleled. The opportunity to translate the questions, challenges, and experiences of early-career gastroenterologists into written pieces that would be shared with the international community is one I truly never thought I would find within a career in medicine. I am excited for the future and growth of TNG in the hands of a new EIC.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Respectfully,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is approaching quickly, which is our first since 2019 with an option to attend in person. This will give many an opportunity to reconnect in a way we have not been able to in so long – a welcome reprieve from the virtual platforms we have become so accustomed to. Cautious optimism is pervasive throughout the country that the acuity of the pandemic may be receding, and that we are perhaps better equipped for future surges should they occur.

I’m excited to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our feature clinical “In Focus” piece. Gastroparesis often poses a therapeutic challenge to gastroenterologists; Dr. Thomas Abell and Dr. Prateek Mathur (University of Louisville) provide an excellent, comprehensive discussion of the utility and efficacy of dietary modifications, pharmacotherapy, pylorus-directed therapies, bioelectric therapy, and other novel approaches to the treatment of gastroparesis.

The role of a gastrointestinal psychologist within a gastroenterology practice is invaluable. The gut-brain axis is a key feature of any gastroenterological disorder and one of the hallmarks of therapy is behavioral symptom management. Dr. Alyse Bedell (University of Chicago) educates us on how to effectively integrate psychogastroenterology into our treatment plans and discusses which patients are poised to benefit the most from referral.

In just 2 short months, gastroenterology fellowship programs across the country will welcome their newest trainees. Dr. Rashmi Advani (Stony Brook University), Dr. Naba Saeed (University of Kentucky) and Dr. Aline Charabaty (Johns Hopkins University) offer detailed, practical advice to incoming fellows on how to make the most of (and survive!) the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, which can be one of the most challenging years of medical training.

In our Postfellowship Pathways section, we are fortunate to have Dr. Barbara Jung, chair of the department of medicine at the University of Washington and future AGA president, share her story. Her journey is inspirational as she discusses her path to success: How her roots in basic science led to building clinical programs and her transition from chief of a gastroenterology division to chair of a large department at one of the most prolific academic centers in the country.

One of the hallmarks of any heavily procedural field such as gastroenterology is innovation, namely the continuous evolution of procedural technique and utilization of novel technology. It can be difficult, however, to reconcile this innovation in the informed consent process when there are limited data on safety and efficacy. Dr. Peter Angelos and Dr. Jelani Williams (University of Chicago) share a riveting perspective on how to approach these scenarios in a wonderful addition to our medical ethics case series.

Finally, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Paul Feuerstadt (PACT-Gastroenterology Center, Hamden, Conn.) and Dr. Louis Korman (Capital Digestive Care, Maryland), reviews the benefits of performing clinical research in private practice and what early career physicians who would like to explore clinical research should look for when evaluating job opportunities.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is approaching quickly, which is our first since 2019 with an option to attend in person. This will give many an opportunity to reconnect in a way we have not been able to in so long – a welcome reprieve from the virtual platforms we have become so accustomed to. Cautious optimism is pervasive throughout the country that the acuity of the pandemic may be receding, and that we are perhaps better equipped for future surges should they occur.

I’m excited to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our feature clinical “In Focus” piece. Gastroparesis often poses a therapeutic challenge to gastroenterologists; Dr. Thomas Abell and Dr. Prateek Mathur (University of Louisville) provide an excellent, comprehensive discussion of the utility and efficacy of dietary modifications, pharmacotherapy, pylorus-directed therapies, bioelectric therapy, and other novel approaches to the treatment of gastroparesis.

The role of a gastrointestinal psychologist within a gastroenterology practice is invaluable. The gut-brain axis is a key feature of any gastroenterological disorder and one of the hallmarks of therapy is behavioral symptom management. Dr. Alyse Bedell (University of Chicago) educates us on how to effectively integrate psychogastroenterology into our treatment plans and discusses which patients are poised to benefit the most from referral.

In just 2 short months, gastroenterology fellowship programs across the country will welcome their newest trainees. Dr. Rashmi Advani (Stony Brook University), Dr. Naba Saeed (University of Kentucky) and Dr. Aline Charabaty (Johns Hopkins University) offer detailed, practical advice to incoming fellows on how to make the most of (and survive!) the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, which can be one of the most challenging years of medical training.

In our Postfellowship Pathways section, we are fortunate to have Dr. Barbara Jung, chair of the department of medicine at the University of Washington and future AGA president, share her story. Her journey is inspirational as she discusses her path to success: How her roots in basic science led to building clinical programs and her transition from chief of a gastroenterology division to chair of a large department at one of the most prolific academic centers in the country.

One of the hallmarks of any heavily procedural field such as gastroenterology is innovation, namely the continuous evolution of procedural technique and utilization of novel technology. It can be difficult, however, to reconcile this innovation in the informed consent process when there are limited data on safety and efficacy. Dr. Peter Angelos and Dr. Jelani Williams (University of Chicago) share a riveting perspective on how to approach these scenarios in a wonderful addition to our medical ethics case series.

Finally, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Paul Feuerstadt (PACT-Gastroenterology Center, Hamden, Conn.) and Dr. Louis Korman (Capital Digestive Care, Maryland), reviews the benefits of performing clinical research in private practice and what early career physicians who would like to explore clinical research should look for when evaluating job opportunities.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is approaching quickly, which is our first since 2019 with an option to attend in person. This will give many an opportunity to reconnect in a way we have not been able to in so long – a welcome reprieve from the virtual platforms we have become so accustomed to. Cautious optimism is pervasive throughout the country that the acuity of the pandemic may be receding, and that we are perhaps better equipped for future surges should they occur.

I’m excited to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our feature clinical “In Focus” piece. Gastroparesis often poses a therapeutic challenge to gastroenterologists; Dr. Thomas Abell and Dr. Prateek Mathur (University of Louisville) provide an excellent, comprehensive discussion of the utility and efficacy of dietary modifications, pharmacotherapy, pylorus-directed therapies, bioelectric therapy, and other novel approaches to the treatment of gastroparesis.

The role of a gastrointestinal psychologist within a gastroenterology practice is invaluable. The gut-brain axis is a key feature of any gastroenterological disorder and one of the hallmarks of therapy is behavioral symptom management. Dr. Alyse Bedell (University of Chicago) educates us on how to effectively integrate psychogastroenterology into our treatment plans and discusses which patients are poised to benefit the most from referral.

In just 2 short months, gastroenterology fellowship programs across the country will welcome their newest trainees. Dr. Rashmi Advani (Stony Brook University), Dr. Naba Saeed (University of Kentucky) and Dr. Aline Charabaty (Johns Hopkins University) offer detailed, practical advice to incoming fellows on how to make the most of (and survive!) the first year of gastroenterology fellowship, which can be one of the most challenging years of medical training.

In our Postfellowship Pathways section, we are fortunate to have Dr. Barbara Jung, chair of the department of medicine at the University of Washington and future AGA president, share her story. Her journey is inspirational as she discusses her path to success: How her roots in basic science led to building clinical programs and her transition from chief of a gastroenterology division to chair of a large department at one of the most prolific academic centers in the country.

One of the hallmarks of any heavily procedural field such as gastroenterology is innovation, namely the continuous evolution of procedural technique and utilization of novel technology. It can be difficult, however, to reconcile this innovation in the informed consent process when there are limited data on safety and efficacy. Dr. Peter Angelos and Dr. Jelani Williams (University of Chicago) share a riveting perspective on how to approach these scenarios in a wonderful addition to our medical ethics case series.

Finally, the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Paul Feuerstadt (PACT-Gastroenterology Center, Hamden, Conn.) and Dr. Louis Korman (Capital Digestive Care, Maryland), reviews the benefits of performing clinical research in private practice and what early career physicians who would like to explore clinical research should look for when evaluating job opportunities.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the first edition of The New Gastroenterologist in 2022! The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and as physicians, we are exhausted. The past year brought glimpses of normalcy, but these were ultimately eclipsed by the precipitous surge of the very contagious Omicron variant, once again overwhelming health systems and threatening our daily routines. We will keep on, doing our best to protect our patients and our families, with the hope for an eventual transition ‘from pandemic to endemic.’

Due to the pandemic, telemedicine has now been firmly cemented as a cornerstone of clinical care, which Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam (Huron Gastroenterology, Ann Arbor, Mich.) discusses in our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for the quarter. Telemedicine boasts many benefits and while it will never be adopted entirely in lieu of in-person visits, it is a tool that should remain an option for years to come in the appropriate subset of patients.

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the first edition of The New Gastroenterologist in 2022! The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and as physicians, we are exhausted. The past year brought glimpses of normalcy, but these were ultimately eclipsed by the precipitous surge of the very contagious Omicron variant, once again overwhelming health systems and threatening our daily routines. We will keep on, doing our best to protect our patients and our families, with the hope for an eventual transition ‘from pandemic to endemic.’

Due to the pandemic, telemedicine has now been firmly cemented as a cornerstone of clinical care, which Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam (Huron Gastroenterology, Ann Arbor, Mich.) discusses in our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for the quarter. Telemedicine boasts many benefits and while it will never be adopted entirely in lieu of in-person visits, it is a tool that should remain an option for years to come in the appropriate subset of patients.

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the first edition of The New Gastroenterologist in 2022! The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and as physicians, we are exhausted. The past year brought glimpses of normalcy, but these were ultimately eclipsed by the precipitous surge of the very contagious Omicron variant, once again overwhelming health systems and threatening our daily routines. We will keep on, doing our best to protect our patients and our families, with the hope for an eventual transition ‘from pandemic to endemic.’

Due to the pandemic, telemedicine has now been firmly cemented as a cornerstone of clinical care, which Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam (Huron Gastroenterology, Ann Arbor, Mich.) discusses in our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article for the quarter. Telemedicine boasts many benefits and while it will never be adopted entirely in lieu of in-person visits, it is a tool that should remain an option for years to come in the appropriate subset of patients.

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the November edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Our fall newsletter features a particularly interesting compilation of articles. As the pandemic lingers on, we are forced to face the realities of coexisting with COVID-19 as the virus certainly seems to be here to stay.

To protect against ongoing risk of exposure, health care workers and other high-risk subsets of patients are now being offered booster shots. For our patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies, there has always been a question of vaccine efficacy. Dr. Freddy Caldera and Dr. Trevor Schell (University of Wisconsin-Madison) shed some much needed light on recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine for IBD patients.

In April of 2021, a federal rule was implemented mandating that patients have immediate and free access to their electronic health information – which includes all documentation from their health care providers. Some physicians have been concerned about this practice, namely how patients will respond and whether this will increase the burden on clinicians. Clearly, this issue is multifaceted: Dr. Sachin Shah (University of Chicago) discusses the ethical implications from a clinical standpoint, while attorney Valerie Guttman Koch (University of Houston Law Center, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago) shares a riveting legal perspective.

Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common etiology of overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding and one of the most frequent consults we receive as gastroenterologists. However, even with the use of colonoscopy, obtaining a definitive diagnosis can often be difficult. Our “In Focus” feature for November, is an excellent piece written by Dr. Vivy Cusumano, Dr. Christopher Paiji, and Dr. Dennis Jensen (all with University of California, Los Angeles), detailing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Navigating pregnancy and parental leave during training is difficult. Drs. Joy Liu, Keith Summa, Ronak Patel, Erica Donnan, Amanda Guentner, and Leila Kia (all with Northwestern University) share their program’s experience, providing incredibly helpful and practical recommendations for both gastroenterology trainees and fellowship directors.

The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists emerged against the backdrop of recent social and health care injustices. Dr. Kafayat Busari (Florida State University) and Dr. Alexandra Guillaume (Stony Brook University Hospital) discuss the critical importance and mission of this association and how it will help shape the field of gastroenterology in the years to come.

Medical pancreatology is a subspecialty that most gastroenterology fellows have little, if any, exposure to. In our post-fellowship pathways section, Dr. Sajan Nagpal (University of Chicago) details his own experiences in addition to discussing the important role of a medical pancreatologist within a gastroenterology division.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Sanjay Sandhir (Dayton [Ohio] Gastroenterology), discusses the importance of education and screening for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.


Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the November edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Our fall newsletter features a particularly interesting compilation of articles. As the pandemic lingers on, we are forced to face the realities of coexisting with COVID-19 as the virus certainly seems to be here to stay.

To protect against ongoing risk of exposure, health care workers and other high-risk subsets of patients are now being offered booster shots. For our patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies, there has always been a question of vaccine efficacy. Dr. Freddy Caldera and Dr. Trevor Schell (University of Wisconsin-Madison) shed some much needed light on recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine for IBD patients.

In April of 2021, a federal rule was implemented mandating that patients have immediate and free access to their electronic health information – which includes all documentation from their health care providers. Some physicians have been concerned about this practice, namely how patients will respond and whether this will increase the burden on clinicians. Clearly, this issue is multifaceted: Dr. Sachin Shah (University of Chicago) discusses the ethical implications from a clinical standpoint, while attorney Valerie Guttman Koch (University of Houston Law Center, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago) shares a riveting legal perspective.

Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common etiology of overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding and one of the most frequent consults we receive as gastroenterologists. However, even with the use of colonoscopy, obtaining a definitive diagnosis can often be difficult. Our “In Focus” feature for November, is an excellent piece written by Dr. Vivy Cusumano, Dr. Christopher Paiji, and Dr. Dennis Jensen (all with University of California, Los Angeles), detailing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Navigating pregnancy and parental leave during training is difficult. Drs. Joy Liu, Keith Summa, Ronak Patel, Erica Donnan, Amanda Guentner, and Leila Kia (all with Northwestern University) share their program’s experience, providing incredibly helpful and practical recommendations for both gastroenterology trainees and fellowship directors.

The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists emerged against the backdrop of recent social and health care injustices. Dr. Kafayat Busari (Florida State University) and Dr. Alexandra Guillaume (Stony Brook University Hospital) discuss the critical importance and mission of this association and how it will help shape the field of gastroenterology in the years to come.

Medical pancreatology is a subspecialty that most gastroenterology fellows have little, if any, exposure to. In our post-fellowship pathways section, Dr. Sajan Nagpal (University of Chicago) details his own experiences in addition to discussing the important role of a medical pancreatologist within a gastroenterology division.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Sanjay Sandhir (Dayton [Ohio] Gastroenterology), discusses the importance of education and screening for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.


Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the November edition of The New Gastroenterologist! Our fall newsletter features a particularly interesting compilation of articles. As the pandemic lingers on, we are forced to face the realities of coexisting with COVID-19 as the virus certainly seems to be here to stay.

To protect against ongoing risk of exposure, health care workers and other high-risk subsets of patients are now being offered booster shots. For our patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies, there has always been a question of vaccine efficacy. Dr. Freddy Caldera and Dr. Trevor Schell (University of Wisconsin-Madison) shed some much needed light on recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine for IBD patients.

In April of 2021, a federal rule was implemented mandating that patients have immediate and free access to their electronic health information – which includes all documentation from their health care providers. Some physicians have been concerned about this practice, namely how patients will respond and whether this will increase the burden on clinicians. Clearly, this issue is multifaceted: Dr. Sachin Shah (University of Chicago) discusses the ethical implications from a clinical standpoint, while attorney Valerie Guttman Koch (University of Houston Law Center, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago) shares a riveting legal perspective.

Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common etiology of overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding and one of the most frequent consults we receive as gastroenterologists. However, even with the use of colonoscopy, obtaining a definitive diagnosis can often be difficult. Our “In Focus” feature for November, is an excellent piece written by Dr. Vivy Cusumano, Dr. Christopher Paiji, and Dr. Dennis Jensen (all with University of California, Los Angeles), detailing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Navigating pregnancy and parental leave during training is difficult. Drs. Joy Liu, Keith Summa, Ronak Patel, Erica Donnan, Amanda Guentner, and Leila Kia (all with Northwestern University) share their program’s experience, providing incredibly helpful and practical recommendations for both gastroenterology trainees and fellowship directors.

The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists emerged against the backdrop of recent social and health care injustices. Dr. Kafayat Busari (Florida State University) and Dr. Alexandra Guillaume (Stony Brook University Hospital) discuss the critical importance and mission of this association and how it will help shape the field of gastroenterology in the years to come.

Medical pancreatology is a subspecialty that most gastroenterology fellows have little, if any, exposure to. In our post-fellowship pathways section, Dr. Sajan Nagpal (University of Chicago) details his own experiences in addition to discussing the important role of a medical pancreatologist within a gastroenterology division.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Sanjay Sandhir (Dayton [Ohio] Gastroenterology), discusses the importance of education and screening for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.


Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the August edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which features an excellent line-up of articles! Summer has been in full swing, and gradually, we eased into aspects of our prepandemic routine. The fear, caution, and isolation that characterized the last year and a half was less pervasive, and the ability to reconnect in person felt both refreshing and liberating. While new threats of variants and rising infection rates have emerged, there is hope that, with the availability of vaccines, the worst of the pandemic may still be behind us.

One of the most difficult aspects of treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease is acute pain management. Dr. Jami Kinnucan and Dr. Mehwish Ahmed (University of Michigan) outline an expert approach on differentiating between visceral and somatic pain and how to manage each accordingly.

The diagnosis of microscopic colitis can be elusive because colonic mucosa typically appears endoscopically normal and the pathognomonic findings are histologic. Management can also be challenging given the frequently relapsing and remitting nature of its clinical course. The “In Focus” feature for August, written by Dr. June Tome, Dr. Amrit Kamboj, and Dr. Darrell Pardi (Mayo Clinic), is an absolute must-read as it provides a detailed review on the diagnosis, management, and therapeutic options for microscopic colitis.

As gastroenterologists, we are often asked to place percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. This can be a difficult situation to navigate especially when the indication or timing of placement seems questionable. In our ethics case for this quarter, Dr. David Seres and Dr. Jane Cowan (Columbia University) unpack the ethical considerations of PEG tube placement in order to facilitate discharge to subacute nursing facilities.

Months in quarantine have incited many to crave larger living spaces, lending to a chaotic housing market. Jon Solitro (FinancialMD) offers sound financial advice for physicians interested purchasing a home – including factors to consider when choosing a home, how much to spend, and whether or not to consider a doctor’s loan.

Success in research can be particularly difficult for fellows and early career gastroenterologists as they juggle the many responsibilities inherent to busy training programs or adjust to independent practice. Dr. Dionne Rebello and Dr. Michelle Long (Boston University) compile a list of incredibly helpful tips on how to optimize productivity. For those interested in ways to harness experiences in clinical medicine into health technology, Dr. Simon Matthews (Johns Hopkins) discusses his role as chief medical officer in a health tech start-up in our postfellowship pathways section.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. George Dickstein (Greater Boston Gastroenterology), nicely summarizes lessons learned from the pandemic and how a practice can be adequately prepared for a post-pandemic surge of procedures.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the August edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which features an excellent line-up of articles! Summer has been in full swing, and gradually, we eased into aspects of our prepandemic routine. The fear, caution, and isolation that characterized the last year and a half was less pervasive, and the ability to reconnect in person felt both refreshing and liberating. While new threats of variants and rising infection rates have emerged, there is hope that, with the availability of vaccines, the worst of the pandemic may still be behind us.

One of the most difficult aspects of treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease is acute pain management. Dr. Jami Kinnucan and Dr. Mehwish Ahmed (University of Michigan) outline an expert approach on differentiating between visceral and somatic pain and how to manage each accordingly.

The diagnosis of microscopic colitis can be elusive because colonic mucosa typically appears endoscopically normal and the pathognomonic findings are histologic. Management can also be challenging given the frequently relapsing and remitting nature of its clinical course. The “In Focus” feature for August, written by Dr. June Tome, Dr. Amrit Kamboj, and Dr. Darrell Pardi (Mayo Clinic), is an absolute must-read as it provides a detailed review on the diagnosis, management, and therapeutic options for microscopic colitis.

As gastroenterologists, we are often asked to place percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. This can be a difficult situation to navigate especially when the indication or timing of placement seems questionable. In our ethics case for this quarter, Dr. David Seres and Dr. Jane Cowan (Columbia University) unpack the ethical considerations of PEG tube placement in order to facilitate discharge to subacute nursing facilities.

Months in quarantine have incited many to crave larger living spaces, lending to a chaotic housing market. Jon Solitro (FinancialMD) offers sound financial advice for physicians interested purchasing a home – including factors to consider when choosing a home, how much to spend, and whether or not to consider a doctor’s loan.

Success in research can be particularly difficult for fellows and early career gastroenterologists as they juggle the many responsibilities inherent to busy training programs or adjust to independent practice. Dr. Dionne Rebello and Dr. Michelle Long (Boston University) compile a list of incredibly helpful tips on how to optimize productivity. For those interested in ways to harness experiences in clinical medicine into health technology, Dr. Simon Matthews (Johns Hopkins) discusses his role as chief medical officer in a health tech start-up in our postfellowship pathways section.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. George Dickstein (Greater Boston Gastroenterology), nicely summarizes lessons learned from the pandemic and how a practice can be adequately prepared for a post-pandemic surge of procedures.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m thrilled to introduce the August edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which features an excellent line-up of articles! Summer has been in full swing, and gradually, we eased into aspects of our prepandemic routine. The fear, caution, and isolation that characterized the last year and a half was less pervasive, and the ability to reconnect in person felt both refreshing and liberating. While new threats of variants and rising infection rates have emerged, there is hope that, with the availability of vaccines, the worst of the pandemic may still be behind us.

One of the most difficult aspects of treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease is acute pain management. Dr. Jami Kinnucan and Dr. Mehwish Ahmed (University of Michigan) outline an expert approach on differentiating between visceral and somatic pain and how to manage each accordingly.

The diagnosis of microscopic colitis can be elusive because colonic mucosa typically appears endoscopically normal and the pathognomonic findings are histologic. Management can also be challenging given the frequently relapsing and remitting nature of its clinical course. The “In Focus” feature for August, written by Dr. June Tome, Dr. Amrit Kamboj, and Dr. Darrell Pardi (Mayo Clinic), is an absolute must-read as it provides a detailed review on the diagnosis, management, and therapeutic options for microscopic colitis.

As gastroenterologists, we are often asked to place percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. This can be a difficult situation to navigate especially when the indication or timing of placement seems questionable. In our ethics case for this quarter, Dr. David Seres and Dr. Jane Cowan (Columbia University) unpack the ethical considerations of PEG tube placement in order to facilitate discharge to subacute nursing facilities.

Months in quarantine have incited many to crave larger living spaces, lending to a chaotic housing market. Jon Solitro (FinancialMD) offers sound financial advice for physicians interested purchasing a home – including factors to consider when choosing a home, how much to spend, and whether or not to consider a doctor’s loan.

Success in research can be particularly difficult for fellows and early career gastroenterologists as they juggle the many responsibilities inherent to busy training programs or adjust to independent practice. Dr. Dionne Rebello and Dr. Michelle Long (Boston University) compile a list of incredibly helpful tips on how to optimize productivity. For those interested in ways to harness experiences in clinical medicine into health technology, Dr. Simon Matthews (Johns Hopkins) discusses his role as chief medical officer in a health tech start-up in our postfellowship pathways section.

Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. George Dickstein (Greater Boston Gastroenterology), nicely summarizes lessons learned from the pandemic and how a practice can be adequately prepared for a post-pandemic surge of procedures.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which is packed with a fantastic line-up of articles! The 1-year mark of the pandemic recently passed, and we now are gearing up for our second virtual Digestive Disease Week (DDW®). While we are all anxious to return to lives that have some semblance of normalcy, we continue to endure the ebbs and flows that characterize life in a pandemic. For over a year now, we spend our days caught in a constant battle between the risk and reward of activities we previously took for granted or considered mundane. Our moods vacillate with the continued rise and fall of COVID-19 cases, but the advent and distribution of vaccines have offered palpable hope for better outcomes.

I’m pleased to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our legal section. Dr. John Azizian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. James Tabibian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. Camellia Dalai (UCLA-Olive-View/University of New Mexico), and Dr. Megan Adams (University of Michigan) contribute a comprehensive piece on medical professional liability (MPL), a topic that is seldom discussed in training but has important implications in clinical practice. This article reviews basic legal concepts, recent trends and details on gastroenterology specific claims, and most importantly, advice on how to mitigate MPL risk as gastroenterologists.

Many trainees and early career gastroenterologists face microaggressions for a variety of different reasons. Dr. Oveia Aktopaire and Dr. Rachel Issaka (University of Washington) present a thought-provoking piece as they delve into structural racism in medicine and how microaggressions are a proxy for bias.

Dyssynergic defecation (DD) affects up to one-half of patients with chronic constipation. The “In Focus” feature for May provides an excellent review of DD written by international expert Dr. Satish Rao and Dr. Asad Jehangir (both, Medical College of Georgia/Augusta University). The article provides guidance on the diagnosis of DD, including high-yield features of physical and digital rectal exams, guidance on interpretation of anorectal manometry testing, and how these can dictate an effective therapeutic plan.

Meaningful mentorship is crucial for young gastroenterologists but at times the nature of the mentor-mentee relationship can be difficult to navigate. Dr. David Fessell and Bridger Rodoni (University of Michigan) explore this dynamic and discuss the notion of mentorship malpractice in a compelling addition to our ethics case series.

Abdominal wall pain is common yet often overlooked diagnosis and a great teaching point for trainees. Dr. Manish Singla (Uniformed Services University/Capital Digestive Care) and Dr. Brian Park (Naval Medical Center) discuss the diagnosis and management and how the early recognition of abdominal wall pain can save both patients and clinicians from a battery of unnecessary diagnostic testing.

The DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Aja McCutchen (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates), addresses colorectal cancer screening, the disparities that exist, and the important role we have as gastroenterologists in reducing barriers to screening. Lastly, Dr. Bilal Asif (University of Maryland/National Institutes of Health) walks us through a fellow’s perspective on the AGA’s first virtual Advocacy Day – demonstrating that advocacy is still possible even as a trainee and in the setting of a pandemic.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which is packed with a fantastic line-up of articles! The 1-year mark of the pandemic recently passed, and we now are gearing up for our second virtual Digestive Disease Week (DDW®). While we are all anxious to return to lives that have some semblance of normalcy, we continue to endure the ebbs and flows that characterize life in a pandemic. For over a year now, we spend our days caught in a constant battle between the risk and reward of activities we previously took for granted or considered mundane. Our moods vacillate with the continued rise and fall of COVID-19 cases, but the advent and distribution of vaccines have offered palpable hope for better outcomes.

I’m pleased to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our legal section. Dr. John Azizian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. James Tabibian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. Camellia Dalai (UCLA-Olive-View/University of New Mexico), and Dr. Megan Adams (University of Michigan) contribute a comprehensive piece on medical professional liability (MPL), a topic that is seldom discussed in training but has important implications in clinical practice. This article reviews basic legal concepts, recent trends and details on gastroenterology specific claims, and most importantly, advice on how to mitigate MPL risk as gastroenterologists.

Many trainees and early career gastroenterologists face microaggressions for a variety of different reasons. Dr. Oveia Aktopaire and Dr. Rachel Issaka (University of Washington) present a thought-provoking piece as they delve into structural racism in medicine and how microaggressions are a proxy for bias.

Dyssynergic defecation (DD) affects up to one-half of patients with chronic constipation. The “In Focus” feature for May provides an excellent review of DD written by international expert Dr. Satish Rao and Dr. Asad Jehangir (both, Medical College of Georgia/Augusta University). The article provides guidance on the diagnosis of DD, including high-yield features of physical and digital rectal exams, guidance on interpretation of anorectal manometry testing, and how these can dictate an effective therapeutic plan.

Meaningful mentorship is crucial for young gastroenterologists but at times the nature of the mentor-mentee relationship can be difficult to navigate. Dr. David Fessell and Bridger Rodoni (University of Michigan) explore this dynamic and discuss the notion of mentorship malpractice in a compelling addition to our ethics case series.

Abdominal wall pain is common yet often overlooked diagnosis and a great teaching point for trainees. Dr. Manish Singla (Uniformed Services University/Capital Digestive Care) and Dr. Brian Park (Naval Medical Center) discuss the diagnosis and management and how the early recognition of abdominal wall pain can save both patients and clinicians from a battery of unnecessary diagnostic testing.

The DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Aja McCutchen (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates), addresses colorectal cancer screening, the disparities that exist, and the important role we have as gastroenterologists in reducing barriers to screening. Lastly, Dr. Bilal Asif (University of Maryland/National Institutes of Health) walks us through a fellow’s perspective on the AGA’s first virtual Advocacy Day – demonstrating that advocacy is still possible even as a trainee and in the setting of a pandemic.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the May edition of The New Gastroenterologist, which is packed with a fantastic line-up of articles! The 1-year mark of the pandemic recently passed, and we now are gearing up for our second virtual Digestive Disease Week (DDW®). While we are all anxious to return to lives that have some semblance of normalcy, we continue to endure the ebbs and flows that characterize life in a pandemic. For over a year now, we spend our days caught in a constant battle between the risk and reward of activities we previously took for granted or considered mundane. Our moods vacillate with the continued rise and fall of COVID-19 cases, but the advent and distribution of vaccines have offered palpable hope for better outcomes.

I’m pleased to introduce this quarter’s content – beginning with our legal section. Dr. John Azizian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. James Tabibian (UCLA-Olive-View), Dr. Camellia Dalai (UCLA-Olive-View/University of New Mexico), and Dr. Megan Adams (University of Michigan) contribute a comprehensive piece on medical professional liability (MPL), a topic that is seldom discussed in training but has important implications in clinical practice. This article reviews basic legal concepts, recent trends and details on gastroenterology specific claims, and most importantly, advice on how to mitigate MPL risk as gastroenterologists.

Many trainees and early career gastroenterologists face microaggressions for a variety of different reasons. Dr. Oveia Aktopaire and Dr. Rachel Issaka (University of Washington) present a thought-provoking piece as they delve into structural racism in medicine and how microaggressions are a proxy for bias.

Dyssynergic defecation (DD) affects up to one-half of patients with chronic constipation. The “In Focus” feature for May provides an excellent review of DD written by international expert Dr. Satish Rao and Dr. Asad Jehangir (both, Medical College of Georgia/Augusta University). The article provides guidance on the diagnosis of DD, including high-yield features of physical and digital rectal exams, guidance on interpretation of anorectal manometry testing, and how these can dictate an effective therapeutic plan.

Meaningful mentorship is crucial for young gastroenterologists but at times the nature of the mentor-mentee relationship can be difficult to navigate. Dr. David Fessell and Bridger Rodoni (University of Michigan) explore this dynamic and discuss the notion of mentorship malpractice in a compelling addition to our ethics case series.

Abdominal wall pain is common yet often overlooked diagnosis and a great teaching point for trainees. Dr. Manish Singla (Uniformed Services University/Capital Digestive Care) and Dr. Brian Park (Naval Medical Center) discuss the diagnosis and management and how the early recognition of abdominal wall pain can save both patients and clinicians from a battery of unnecessary diagnostic testing.

The DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, written by Dr. Aja McCutchen (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates), addresses colorectal cancer screening, the disparities that exist, and the important role we have as gastroenterologists in reducing barriers to screening. Lastly, Dr. Bilal Asif (University of Maryland/National Institutes of Health) walks us through a fellow’s perspective on the AGA’s first virtual Advocacy Day – demonstrating that advocacy is still possible even as a trainee and in the setting of a pandemic.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m pleased to introduce the winter edition of The New Gastroenterologist – the first issue of 2021! The start of the new year has been very much anticipated because many hope that this year will bring some resolution to the challenges we faced in 2020.

With the pandemic came the widespread use of telemedicine, a feature of patient care that is likely here to stay. As physicians, it is imperative that we understand the legal implications of virtual medicine. Experienced medical malpractice lawyers Ashton Hyde and Grace Johnson (Younker Hyde Macfarlane) offer advice on this rapidly evolving realm of medicine.

Early career gastroenterologists often fall victim to self-doubt in a phenomenon referred to as impostor syndrome. Dr. Kimberly Brown (Wayne State University) discusses this important topic: what it is, how to recognize it, and how to mitigate it. One way to temper the effects of impostor syndrome is utilizing the art of coaching. Dr. Ami N. Shah (Rush) takes us through her journey and reviews the personal and professional benefits of implementing coaching in medicine.

Consults about feedings tubes can be daunting because experience with the placement and management of feeding tubes can be limited during training. This quarter’s “In Focus” article, written by Dr. John Fang and Dr. Gregory Toy (University of Utah) reviews the indications for placement, type of tubes available, and common complications and how to troubleshoot them. This is an absolute must-read for any new gastroenterologist.

How do you approach the patient who shows up for an open access endoscopy, but a quick chart review leads you to the realization that the procedure, is in fact, not indicated? There tends to be a lot of inertia which prevents cancellation of cases like this because the patient is already in the endoscopy suite, prepped, and has planned for this procedure in the preceding weeks or months. Dr. Laurel R. Fisher (University of Pennsylvania) unpacks the ethical considerations of this familiar scenario in this fantastic addition to our ethics case series.

In our postfellowship pathways section, Dr. Rena Yadlapati (University of California San Diego) and Dr. Kelli DeLay (University of Colorado) guide us through the path to becoming an esophagologist. In the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, Dr. Nadeem Baig (Allied Digestive Care) and Kevin Harlen (Capital Digestive Care) explain how clinical productivity is measured and how this translates into compensation in practice.

A silver lining of the pandemic is the way in which social media has been used to connect colleagues around the world in fostering medical education. Dr. Sultan Mahmood (State University of New York at Buffalo), Dr. Atoosa Rabiee (Washington DC VA Medical Center), Dr. Sunil Amin (University of Miami), Dr. Allon Kahn (Mayo Clinic Scottsdale), and Dr. Ijlal Akbar Ali (University of Oklahoma) discuss the inception of @GIJournal, a Twitter-based online journal club, and how it has gained popularity in recent months.

The AGA launched a new podcast, “Small Talk, Big Topics,” geared toward trainees and early career gastroenterologists, and through a brief question and answer session, we get to know the hosts: Dr. Matthew Whitson (Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell), Dr. Nina Nandy (Presbyterian Medical Group), and Dr. C.S. Tse (Brown University).

Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to recognize Lora McGlade, who has been instrumental in The New Gastroenterologist as the Medical Communications Editor for our publisher, Frontline. She assumed a new role at the end of last year, and I cannot thank her enough for her contributions in making this publication a success.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m pleased to introduce the winter edition of The New Gastroenterologist – the first issue of 2021! The start of the new year has been very much anticipated because many hope that this year will bring some resolution to the challenges we faced in 2020.

With the pandemic came the widespread use of telemedicine, a feature of patient care that is likely here to stay. As physicians, it is imperative that we understand the legal implications of virtual medicine. Experienced medical malpractice lawyers Ashton Hyde and Grace Johnson (Younker Hyde Macfarlane) offer advice on this rapidly evolving realm of medicine.

Early career gastroenterologists often fall victim to self-doubt in a phenomenon referred to as impostor syndrome. Dr. Kimberly Brown (Wayne State University) discusses this important topic: what it is, how to recognize it, and how to mitigate it. One way to temper the effects of impostor syndrome is utilizing the art of coaching. Dr. Ami N. Shah (Rush) takes us through her journey and reviews the personal and professional benefits of implementing coaching in medicine.

Consults about feedings tubes can be daunting because experience with the placement and management of feeding tubes can be limited during training. This quarter’s “In Focus” article, written by Dr. John Fang and Dr. Gregory Toy (University of Utah) reviews the indications for placement, type of tubes available, and common complications and how to troubleshoot them. This is an absolute must-read for any new gastroenterologist.

How do you approach the patient who shows up for an open access endoscopy, but a quick chart review leads you to the realization that the procedure, is in fact, not indicated? There tends to be a lot of inertia which prevents cancellation of cases like this because the patient is already in the endoscopy suite, prepped, and has planned for this procedure in the preceding weeks or months. Dr. Laurel R. Fisher (University of Pennsylvania) unpacks the ethical considerations of this familiar scenario in this fantastic addition to our ethics case series.

In our postfellowship pathways section, Dr. Rena Yadlapati (University of California San Diego) and Dr. Kelli DeLay (University of Colorado) guide us through the path to becoming an esophagologist. In the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, Dr. Nadeem Baig (Allied Digestive Care) and Kevin Harlen (Capital Digestive Care) explain how clinical productivity is measured and how this translates into compensation in practice.

A silver lining of the pandemic is the way in which social media has been used to connect colleagues around the world in fostering medical education. Dr. Sultan Mahmood (State University of New York at Buffalo), Dr. Atoosa Rabiee (Washington DC VA Medical Center), Dr. Sunil Amin (University of Miami), Dr. Allon Kahn (Mayo Clinic Scottsdale), and Dr. Ijlal Akbar Ali (University of Oklahoma) discuss the inception of @GIJournal, a Twitter-based online journal club, and how it has gained popularity in recent months.

The AGA launched a new podcast, “Small Talk, Big Topics,” geared toward trainees and early career gastroenterologists, and through a brief question and answer session, we get to know the hosts: Dr. Matthew Whitson (Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell), Dr. Nina Nandy (Presbyterian Medical Group), and Dr. C.S. Tse (Brown University).

Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to recognize Lora McGlade, who has been instrumental in The New Gastroenterologist as the Medical Communications Editor for our publisher, Frontline. She assumed a new role at the end of last year, and I cannot thank her enough for her contributions in making this publication a success.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m pleased to introduce the winter edition of The New Gastroenterologist – the first issue of 2021! The start of the new year has been very much anticipated because many hope that this year will bring some resolution to the challenges we faced in 2020.

With the pandemic came the widespread use of telemedicine, a feature of patient care that is likely here to stay. As physicians, it is imperative that we understand the legal implications of virtual medicine. Experienced medical malpractice lawyers Ashton Hyde and Grace Johnson (Younker Hyde Macfarlane) offer advice on this rapidly evolving realm of medicine.

Early career gastroenterologists often fall victim to self-doubt in a phenomenon referred to as impostor syndrome. Dr. Kimberly Brown (Wayne State University) discusses this important topic: what it is, how to recognize it, and how to mitigate it. One way to temper the effects of impostor syndrome is utilizing the art of coaching. Dr. Ami N. Shah (Rush) takes us through her journey and reviews the personal and professional benefits of implementing coaching in medicine.

Consults about feedings tubes can be daunting because experience with the placement and management of feeding tubes can be limited during training. This quarter’s “In Focus” article, written by Dr. John Fang and Dr. Gregory Toy (University of Utah) reviews the indications for placement, type of tubes available, and common complications and how to troubleshoot them. This is an absolute must-read for any new gastroenterologist.

How do you approach the patient who shows up for an open access endoscopy, but a quick chart review leads you to the realization that the procedure, is in fact, not indicated? There tends to be a lot of inertia which prevents cancellation of cases like this because the patient is already in the endoscopy suite, prepped, and has planned for this procedure in the preceding weeks or months. Dr. Laurel R. Fisher (University of Pennsylvania) unpacks the ethical considerations of this familiar scenario in this fantastic addition to our ethics case series.

In our postfellowship pathways section, Dr. Rena Yadlapati (University of California San Diego) and Dr. Kelli DeLay (University of Colorado) guide us through the path to becoming an esophagologist. In the DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article this quarter, Dr. Nadeem Baig (Allied Digestive Care) and Kevin Harlen (Capital Digestive Care) explain how clinical productivity is measured and how this translates into compensation in practice.

A silver lining of the pandemic is the way in which social media has been used to connect colleagues around the world in fostering medical education. Dr. Sultan Mahmood (State University of New York at Buffalo), Dr. Atoosa Rabiee (Washington DC VA Medical Center), Dr. Sunil Amin (University of Miami), Dr. Allon Kahn (Mayo Clinic Scottsdale), and Dr. Ijlal Akbar Ali (University of Oklahoma) discuss the inception of @GIJournal, a Twitter-based online journal club, and how it has gained popularity in recent months.

The AGA launched a new podcast, “Small Talk, Big Topics,” geared toward trainees and early career gastroenterologists, and through a brief question and answer session, we get to know the hosts: Dr. Matthew Whitson (Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell), Dr. Nina Nandy (Presbyterian Medical Group), and Dr. C.S. Tse (Brown University).

Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to recognize Lora McGlade, who has been instrumental in The New Gastroenterologist as the Medical Communications Editor for our publisher, Frontline. She assumed a new role at the end of last year, and I cannot thank her enough for her contributions in making this publication a success.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – the last edition of 2020 features a fantastic line-up of articles! As the year comes to a close, we reflect on what has certainly been an interesting year, defined by a set of unique challenges we have faced as a nation and as a specialty.

AGA Institute

The fellowship recruitment season is one that has looked starkly different as interviews have converted to a virtual format. Dr. Wissam Khan, Dr. Nada Al Masalmeh, Dr. Stephanie Judd, and Dr. Diane Levine (Wayne State University) compile a helpful list of tips and tricks on proper interview etiquette in the new era of web-based interviews.

Financial planning in the face of a pandemic is a formidable task – Jonathan Tudor (Fidelity Investments) offers valuable advice for gastroenterologists on how to remain secure in your finances even in uncertain circumstances.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature, written by Dr. Yutaka Tomizawa (University of Washington), is a comprehensive piece elucidating the role of gastroenterologists in the management of gastric cancer. The article reviews the individual risk factors that exist for gastric cancer and provides guidance on how to stratify patients accordingly, which is critical in the ethnically diverse population of the United States.

Keeping a procedure log during fellowship can seem daunting and cumbersome, but it is important. Dr. Houman Rezaizadeh (University of Connecticut) shares his program’s experience with the AGA Procedure Log, a convenient online tracking tool, which can provide accurate and secure documentation of endoscopic procedures performed throughout fellowship.

Dr. Nazia Hasan (North Bay Health Care) and Dr. Allison Schulman (University of Michigan) broach an incredibly important topic: the paucity of women in interventional endoscopy. Dr. Hasan and Dr. Shulman candidly discuss the barriers women face in pursuing this subspecialty and offer practical solutions on how to approach these challenges – a piece that will surely resonate with many young gastroenterologists.

We wrap up our first year of TNG’s ethics series with two cases discussing the utilization of cannabis therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Jami Kinnucan (University of Michigan) and Dr. Arun Swaminath (Lenox Hill Hospital) systematically review existing data on the efficacy of cannabis use in IBD, the risks associated with therapy, and legal implications for both physicians and patients.

Also in this issue is a high-yield clinical review on the endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections by Dr. Robert Moran and Dr. Joseph Elmunzer (Medical University of South Carolina). Dr. Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) teaches us about confounding – a critical concept to keep in mind when evaluating any manuscript. Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Mehul Lalani (US Digestive), reviews how quality measures and initiatives are tracked and implemented in private practice.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – the last edition of 2020 features a fantastic line-up of articles! As the year comes to a close, we reflect on what has certainly been an interesting year, defined by a set of unique challenges we have faced as a nation and as a specialty.

AGA Institute

The fellowship recruitment season is one that has looked starkly different as interviews have converted to a virtual format. Dr. Wissam Khan, Dr. Nada Al Masalmeh, Dr. Stephanie Judd, and Dr. Diane Levine (Wayne State University) compile a helpful list of tips and tricks on proper interview etiquette in the new era of web-based interviews.

Financial planning in the face of a pandemic is a formidable task – Jonathan Tudor (Fidelity Investments) offers valuable advice for gastroenterologists on how to remain secure in your finances even in uncertain circumstances.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature, written by Dr. Yutaka Tomizawa (University of Washington), is a comprehensive piece elucidating the role of gastroenterologists in the management of gastric cancer. The article reviews the individual risk factors that exist for gastric cancer and provides guidance on how to stratify patients accordingly, which is critical in the ethnically diverse population of the United States.

Keeping a procedure log during fellowship can seem daunting and cumbersome, but it is important. Dr. Houman Rezaizadeh (University of Connecticut) shares his program’s experience with the AGA Procedure Log, a convenient online tracking tool, which can provide accurate and secure documentation of endoscopic procedures performed throughout fellowship.

Dr. Nazia Hasan (North Bay Health Care) and Dr. Allison Schulman (University of Michigan) broach an incredibly important topic: the paucity of women in interventional endoscopy. Dr. Hasan and Dr. Shulman candidly discuss the barriers women face in pursuing this subspecialty and offer practical solutions on how to approach these challenges – a piece that will surely resonate with many young gastroenterologists.

We wrap up our first year of TNG’s ethics series with two cases discussing the utilization of cannabis therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Jami Kinnucan (University of Michigan) and Dr. Arun Swaminath (Lenox Hill Hospital) systematically review existing data on the efficacy of cannabis use in IBD, the risks associated with therapy, and legal implications for both physicians and patients.

Also in this issue is a high-yield clinical review on the endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections by Dr. Robert Moran and Dr. Joseph Elmunzer (Medical University of South Carolina). Dr. Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) teaches us about confounding – a critical concept to keep in mind when evaluating any manuscript. Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Mehul Lalani (US Digestive), reviews how quality measures and initiatives are tracked and implemented in private practice.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

I’m excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – the last edition of 2020 features a fantastic line-up of articles! As the year comes to a close, we reflect on what has certainly been an interesting year, defined by a set of unique challenges we have faced as a nation and as a specialty.

AGA Institute

The fellowship recruitment season is one that has looked starkly different as interviews have converted to a virtual format. Dr. Wissam Khan, Dr. Nada Al Masalmeh, Dr. Stephanie Judd, and Dr. Diane Levine (Wayne State University) compile a helpful list of tips and tricks on proper interview etiquette in the new era of web-based interviews.

Financial planning in the face of a pandemic is a formidable task – Jonathan Tudor (Fidelity Investments) offers valuable advice for gastroenterologists on how to remain secure in your finances even in uncertain circumstances.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature, written by Dr. Yutaka Tomizawa (University of Washington), is a comprehensive piece elucidating the role of gastroenterologists in the management of gastric cancer. The article reviews the individual risk factors that exist for gastric cancer and provides guidance on how to stratify patients accordingly, which is critical in the ethnically diverse population of the United States.

Keeping a procedure log during fellowship can seem daunting and cumbersome, but it is important. Dr. Houman Rezaizadeh (University of Connecticut) shares his program’s experience with the AGA Procedure Log, a convenient online tracking tool, which can provide accurate and secure documentation of endoscopic procedures performed throughout fellowship.

Dr. Nazia Hasan (North Bay Health Care) and Dr. Allison Schulman (University of Michigan) broach an incredibly important topic: the paucity of women in interventional endoscopy. Dr. Hasan and Dr. Shulman candidly discuss the barriers women face in pursuing this subspecialty and offer practical solutions on how to approach these challenges – a piece that will surely resonate with many young gastroenterologists.

We wrap up our first year of TNG’s ethics series with two cases discussing the utilization of cannabis therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Jami Kinnucan (University of Michigan) and Dr. Arun Swaminath (Lenox Hill Hospital) systematically review existing data on the efficacy of cannabis use in IBD, the risks associated with therapy, and legal implications for both physicians and patients.

Also in this issue is a high-yield clinical review on the endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections by Dr. Robert Moran and Dr. Joseph Elmunzer (Medical University of South Carolina). Dr. Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) teaches us about confounding – a critical concept to keep in mind when evaluating any manuscript. Lastly, our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Dr. Mehul Lalani (US Digestive), reviews how quality measures and initiatives are tracked and implemented in private practice.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Dear colleagues,

The August issue of The New Gastroenterologist has arrived! The summer of 2020 certainly looks different from years past, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and we continue to adjust to the new realities of our personal and professional lives. Our third-year fellows have graduated amidst these unusual circumstances, some facing an uncertain job landscape. Yet their hard work is not lost upon us – as we must step back to recognize their achievements and bid them congratulations on the culmination of several years of training.

AGA Institute

The pandemic has been pervasive in medical education with a profound effect on our training programs. Two very resourceful fellows, Indira Bhavsar-Burke and Claire Jansson-Knodell (Indiana University), share their experience with COVID-19 and how they used this time to create an online curriculum for medical students who were pulled from their gastroenterology clinical rotations.

As we remain socially distanced, connecting through virtual platforms and social media seems more important than ever, but digital media can be difficult to navigate as physicians. Austin Chiang (Thomas Jefferson University) offers a candid snapshot of the benefits and pitfalls of social media as a gastroenterologist, with advice on how to optimize one’s professional presence online.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature is an excellent, high-yield review of eosinophilic esophagitis. Ronak Vashi Patel and Ikuo Hirano (Northwestern University) seek to answer frequently asked questions about diagnostic considerations and the approach to management by reviewing therapeutic options – a truly valuable clinical piece to guide any young gastroenterologist.

Our medical ethics series features a poignant piece written by Diana Anderson (University of California, San Francisco) and David Seres (Columbia University) on the role of nutritional support in patients with restrictive eating disorders. The article addresses the complex interplay between certain diagnoses and our emotive response as clinicians – a critical piece of patient care that is seldom discussed. The authors implore us to consider this difficult question: Could our unconscious partiality as physicians be worse than intentional harm?

Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa (Harvard University) discusses how her interest in health equity and health care policy led her to the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. Her passion for health care delivery reform and the care of vulnerable populations shines through as she describes how this post-GI fellowship pathway has been formative in shaping her career as a dynamic new gastroenterologist.

For those interested in serving as an expert witness, seasoned malpractice attorneys Daniel Mills and Courtney Lindbert (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) offer a salient list of the “do’s and don’ts” of the medical expert. Finally, this summer’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Michael Weinstein (Capital Digestive Care), offers important considerations for evaluating independent GI practices and how their response to COVID-19 can dictate their preparedness for future crises.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition

Dear colleagues,

The August issue of The New Gastroenterologist has arrived! The summer of 2020 certainly looks different from years past, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and we continue to adjust to the new realities of our personal and professional lives. Our third-year fellows have graduated amidst these unusual circumstances, some facing an uncertain job landscape. Yet their hard work is not lost upon us – as we must step back to recognize their achievements and bid them congratulations on the culmination of several years of training.

AGA Institute

The pandemic has been pervasive in medical education with a profound effect on our training programs. Two very resourceful fellows, Indira Bhavsar-Burke and Claire Jansson-Knodell (Indiana University), share their experience with COVID-19 and how they used this time to create an online curriculum for medical students who were pulled from their gastroenterology clinical rotations.

As we remain socially distanced, connecting through virtual platforms and social media seems more important than ever, but digital media can be difficult to navigate as physicians. Austin Chiang (Thomas Jefferson University) offers a candid snapshot of the benefits and pitfalls of social media as a gastroenterologist, with advice on how to optimize one’s professional presence online.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature is an excellent, high-yield review of eosinophilic esophagitis. Ronak Vashi Patel and Ikuo Hirano (Northwestern University) seek to answer frequently asked questions about diagnostic considerations and the approach to management by reviewing therapeutic options – a truly valuable clinical piece to guide any young gastroenterologist.

Our medical ethics series features a poignant piece written by Diana Anderson (University of California, San Francisco) and David Seres (Columbia University) on the role of nutritional support in patients with restrictive eating disorders. The article addresses the complex interplay between certain diagnoses and our emotive response as clinicians – a critical piece of patient care that is seldom discussed. The authors implore us to consider this difficult question: Could our unconscious partiality as physicians be worse than intentional harm?

Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa (Harvard University) discusses how her interest in health equity and health care policy led her to the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. Her passion for health care delivery reform and the care of vulnerable populations shines through as she describes how this post-GI fellowship pathway has been formative in shaping her career as a dynamic new gastroenterologist.

For those interested in serving as an expert witness, seasoned malpractice attorneys Daniel Mills and Courtney Lindbert (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) offer a salient list of the “do’s and don’ts” of the medical expert. Finally, this summer’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Michael Weinstein (Capital Digestive Care), offers important considerations for evaluating independent GI practices and how their response to COVID-19 can dictate their preparedness for future crises.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition

Dear colleagues,

The August issue of The New Gastroenterologist has arrived! The summer of 2020 certainly looks different from years past, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and we continue to adjust to the new realities of our personal and professional lives. Our third-year fellows have graduated amidst these unusual circumstances, some facing an uncertain job landscape. Yet their hard work is not lost upon us – as we must step back to recognize their achievements and bid them congratulations on the culmination of several years of training.

AGA Institute

The pandemic has been pervasive in medical education with a profound effect on our training programs. Two very resourceful fellows, Indira Bhavsar-Burke and Claire Jansson-Knodell (Indiana University), share their experience with COVID-19 and how they used this time to create an online curriculum for medical students who were pulled from their gastroenterology clinical rotations.

As we remain socially distanced, connecting through virtual platforms and social media seems more important than ever, but digital media can be difficult to navigate as physicians. Austin Chiang (Thomas Jefferson University) offers a candid snapshot of the benefits and pitfalls of social media as a gastroenterologist, with advice on how to optimize one’s professional presence online.

This quarter’s “In Focus” feature is an excellent, high-yield review of eosinophilic esophagitis. Ronak Vashi Patel and Ikuo Hirano (Northwestern University) seek to answer frequently asked questions about diagnostic considerations and the approach to management by reviewing therapeutic options – a truly valuable clinical piece to guide any young gastroenterologist.

Our medical ethics series features a poignant piece written by Diana Anderson (University of California, San Francisco) and David Seres (Columbia University) on the role of nutritional support in patients with restrictive eating disorders. The article addresses the complex interplay between certain diagnoses and our emotive response as clinicians – a critical piece of patient care that is seldom discussed. The authors implore us to consider this difficult question: Could our unconscious partiality as physicians be worse than intentional harm?

Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa (Harvard University) discusses how her interest in health equity and health care policy led her to the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. Her passion for health care delivery reform and the care of vulnerable populations shines through as she describes how this post-GI fellowship pathway has been formative in shaping her career as a dynamic new gastroenterologist.

For those interested in serving as an expert witness, seasoned malpractice attorneys Daniel Mills and Courtney Lindbert (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) offer a salient list of the “do’s and don’ts” of the medical expert. Finally, this summer’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives article, written by Michael Weinstein (Capital Digestive Care), offers important considerations for evaluating independent GI practices and how their response to COVID-19 can dictate their preparedness for future crises.

If you have interest in contributing or have ideas for future TNG topics, please contact me (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.
 

Stay well,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition