Letter from the Editor

Dear colleagues,

We bring you the spring edition of The New Gastroenterologist amid a backdrop of uncertainty in the setting of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As physicians, we are poised to view this unprecedented situation in modern medicine through a unique lens. At the time of this writing, we are experiencing significant interruptions to our work as gastroenterologists coupled with the possibility of reassignments in order to care for COVID-19 patients to meet the demand of the precipitous rise in cases. Weighing these responsibilities, along with the heightened concern about the threat of exposure to ourselves and our families, is a formidable challenge, but one that we can navigate together.

My sincere hope is that this quarter’s newsletter can provide, at the very least, a brief reprieve from some of these constant stressors. It is during times like this that remaining connected to our colleagues through digital platforms and publications such as The New Gastroenterologist remains of utmost importance.

That being said, I felt it was prudent to first address some common concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, its implications within gastroenterology. In conjunction with Krishna Rao (University of Michigan), a specialist in infectious diseases, we attempt to shed some light on what is a rapidly evolving situation. For more resources from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) on up-to-date clinical guidance and research, you can also visit https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/practice-updates/covid-19.

Moving on to our “In Focus” feature, Thangam Ventakesan and Harrison Mooers (Medical College of Wisconsin) provide a comprehensive overview of cyclic vomiting syndrome. This is a valuable read as cyclic vomiting syndrome has been gaining increased recognition among adults, and Dr. Ventakesan and Dr. Mooers elucidate a thorough approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

A facet of endoscopy that is extremely important, but frequently overlooked, is ergonomics. Manish Singla and Jared Magee (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) compile a high-yield list of recommendations on the best practices to preserve our own safety and health as endoscopists.

We continue our medical ethics series with Jennifer Wang and Andrew Aronsohn (University of Chicago) who offer a thought-provoking discussion on the role of early liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis, including an analysis of the medical, psychosocial, and ethical considerations.

Also in this issue, Animesh Jain (University of North Carolina) gives us some excellent financial advice on student loan management, outlining a basic strategy of repayment with clear explanations of the available options including refinancing, public service loan forgiveness, and income-driven repayment.

Dilhana Badurdeen (Johns Hopkins), Aline Charabaty Pishvaian (Sibley Memorial Hospital), Miguel Malespin (University of South Florida), Ibironke Oduyebo (Midatlantic Permanente Medical Group), and Sandra Quezada (University of Maryland) give us an in-depth summary of the efforts of the AGA’s Diversity Committee, including publications, events, and future initiatives.

This quarter’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series features Paul Berggreen (Arizona Digestive Health), who reviews the advantages and disadvantages of pathology lab ownership as a gastroenterologist. Lastly, Sarah Ordway, Dawn Torres, Manish Singla, and Adam Tritsch (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) broach the issue of fellowship burnout by providing guidance on how to identify signs and those at risk in addition to providing tangible solutions that any fellowship can incorporate.

Although the cancellation of the upcoming DDW meetings in Chicago is a disappointment, I hope that we can all take this time to prioritize the well-being of ourselves and our communities until we meet again.

As always, 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.

Best wishes to stay safe and healthy.

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear colleagues,

We bring you the spring edition of The New Gastroenterologist amid a backdrop of uncertainty in the setting of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As physicians, we are poised to view this unprecedented situation in modern medicine through a unique lens. At the time of this writing, we are experiencing significant interruptions to our work as gastroenterologists coupled with the possibility of reassignments in order to care for COVID-19 patients to meet the demand of the precipitous rise in cases. Weighing these responsibilities, along with the heightened concern about the threat of exposure to ourselves and our families, is a formidable challenge, but one that we can navigate together.

My sincere hope is that this quarter’s newsletter can provide, at the very least, a brief reprieve from some of these constant stressors. It is during times like this that remaining connected to our colleagues through digital platforms and publications such as The New Gastroenterologist remains of utmost importance.

That being said, I felt it was prudent to first address some common concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, its implications within gastroenterology. In conjunction with Krishna Rao (University of Michigan), a specialist in infectious diseases, we attempt to shed some light on what is a rapidly evolving situation. For more resources from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) on up-to-date clinical guidance and research, you can also visit https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/practice-updates/covid-19.

Moving on to our “In Focus” feature, Thangam Ventakesan and Harrison Mooers (Medical College of Wisconsin) provide a comprehensive overview of cyclic vomiting syndrome. This is a valuable read as cyclic vomiting syndrome has been gaining increased recognition among adults, and Dr. Ventakesan and Dr. Mooers elucidate a thorough approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

A facet of endoscopy that is extremely important, but frequently overlooked, is ergonomics. Manish Singla and Jared Magee (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) compile a high-yield list of recommendations on the best practices to preserve our own safety and health as endoscopists.

We continue our medical ethics series with Jennifer Wang and Andrew Aronsohn (University of Chicago) who offer a thought-provoking discussion on the role of early liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis, including an analysis of the medical, psychosocial, and ethical considerations.

Also in this issue, Animesh Jain (University of North Carolina) gives us some excellent financial advice on student loan management, outlining a basic strategy of repayment with clear explanations of the available options including refinancing, public service loan forgiveness, and income-driven repayment.

Dilhana Badurdeen (Johns Hopkins), Aline Charabaty Pishvaian (Sibley Memorial Hospital), Miguel Malespin (University of South Florida), Ibironke Oduyebo (Midatlantic Permanente Medical Group), and Sandra Quezada (University of Maryland) give us an in-depth summary of the efforts of the AGA’s Diversity Committee, including publications, events, and future initiatives.

This quarter’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series features Paul Berggreen (Arizona Digestive Health), who reviews the advantages and disadvantages of pathology lab ownership as a gastroenterologist. Lastly, Sarah Ordway, Dawn Torres, Manish Singla, and Adam Tritsch (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) broach the issue of fellowship burnout by providing guidance on how to identify signs and those at risk in addition to providing tangible solutions that any fellowship can incorporate.

Although the cancellation of the upcoming DDW meetings in Chicago is a disappointment, I hope that we can all take this time to prioritize the well-being of ourselves and our communities until we meet again.

As always, 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.

Best wishes to stay safe and healthy.

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear colleagues,

We bring you the spring edition of The New Gastroenterologist amid a backdrop of uncertainty in the setting of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As physicians, we are poised to view this unprecedented situation in modern medicine through a unique lens. At the time of this writing, we are experiencing significant interruptions to our work as gastroenterologists coupled with the possibility of reassignments in order to care for COVID-19 patients to meet the demand of the precipitous rise in cases. Weighing these responsibilities, along with the heightened concern about the threat of exposure to ourselves and our families, is a formidable challenge, but one that we can navigate together.

My sincere hope is that this quarter’s newsletter can provide, at the very least, a brief reprieve from some of these constant stressors. It is during times like this that remaining connected to our colleagues through digital platforms and publications such as The New Gastroenterologist remains of utmost importance.

That being said, I felt it was prudent to first address some common concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, its implications within gastroenterology. In conjunction with Krishna Rao (University of Michigan), a specialist in infectious diseases, we attempt to shed some light on what is a rapidly evolving situation. For more resources from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) on up-to-date clinical guidance and research, you can also visit https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/practice-updates/covid-19.

Moving on to our “In Focus” feature, Thangam Ventakesan and Harrison Mooers (Medical College of Wisconsin) provide a comprehensive overview of cyclic vomiting syndrome. This is a valuable read as cyclic vomiting syndrome has been gaining increased recognition among adults, and Dr. Ventakesan and Dr. Mooers elucidate a thorough approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

A facet of endoscopy that is extremely important, but frequently overlooked, is ergonomics. Manish Singla and Jared Magee (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) compile a high-yield list of recommendations on the best practices to preserve our own safety and health as endoscopists.

We continue our medical ethics series with Jennifer Wang and Andrew Aronsohn (University of Chicago) who offer a thought-provoking discussion on the role of early liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis, including an analysis of the medical, psychosocial, and ethical considerations.

Also in this issue, Animesh Jain (University of North Carolina) gives us some excellent financial advice on student loan management, outlining a basic strategy of repayment with clear explanations of the available options including refinancing, public service loan forgiveness, and income-driven repayment.

Dilhana Badurdeen (Johns Hopkins), Aline Charabaty Pishvaian (Sibley Memorial Hospital), Miguel Malespin (University of South Florida), Ibironke Oduyebo (Midatlantic Permanente Medical Group), and Sandra Quezada (University of Maryland) give us an in-depth summary of the efforts of the AGA’s Diversity Committee, including publications, events, and future initiatives.

This quarter’s DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series features Paul Berggreen (Arizona Digestive Health), who reviews the advantages and disadvantages of pathology lab ownership as a gastroenterologist. Lastly, Sarah Ordway, Dawn Torres, Manish Singla, and Adam Tritsch (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) broach the issue of fellowship burnout by providing guidance on how to identify signs and those at risk in addition to providing tangible solutions that any fellowship can incorporate.

Although the cancellation of the upcoming DDW meetings in Chicago is a disappointment, I hope that we can all take this time to prioritize the well-being of ourselves and our communities until we meet again.

As always, 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.

Best wishes to stay safe and healthy.

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear colleagues,

The first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2020 consists of a particularly interesting array of articles and the introduction of a new medical ethics series!

This month’s “In Focus” article, brought to you by Jennifer Maratt (Indiana University) and Elena Stoffel (University of Michigan), provides a high yield overview of hereditary colorectal cancer and polyposis syndromes, with guidance on when a referral to a high risk cancer specialist and geneticist is warranted.

Daniel Mills (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) gives us a valuable legal perspective of the role of electronic patient portals in the dissemination of information and medical advice to patients – such an important topic for everyone to be aware of as the nature of patient communication now strongly relies on electronic messaging.

R. Thomas Finn III (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) and David Leiman (Duke) nicely broach the issue of patient satisfaction. This is a timely topic as many institutions are not only publishing patient reviews online so that they are readily available to the public, but are also making financial incentives contingent on high patient ratings. The article discusses the evolution of the emphasis placed on patient satisfaction throughout the years with tips on how to navigate some of the distinct challenges within gastroenterology.

As part of our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series, David Stokesberry (Digestive Disease Specialists Inc, Oklahoma City) discusses the nuts and bolts of ambulatory endoscopy centers and some of the challenges and benefits that accompany ownership of such centers.

An often overlooked aspect of gastroenterology training is nutrition. In our postfellowship pathways section, Dejan Micic (University of Chicago) outlines his decision to pursue a career in nutrition support, small bowel disorders, and the practice of deep enteroscopy.

Finally, this quarter’s newsletter features the start of a new section, which I am very excited to introduce – a case based series which will address issues in clinical medical ethics specific to gastroenterology. Lauren Feld (University of Washington) writes the inaugural piece for the section, providing a systematic approach to the patient with an existing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order that is about to undergo endoscopy.

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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dear colleagues,

The first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2020 consists of a particularly interesting array of articles and the introduction of a new medical ethics series!

This month’s “In Focus” article, brought to you by Jennifer Maratt (Indiana University) and Elena Stoffel (University of Michigan), provides a high yield overview of hereditary colorectal cancer and polyposis syndromes, with guidance on when a referral to a high risk cancer specialist and geneticist is warranted.

Daniel Mills (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) gives us a valuable legal perspective of the role of electronic patient portals in the dissemination of information and medical advice to patients – such an important topic for everyone to be aware of as the nature of patient communication now strongly relies on electronic messaging.

R. Thomas Finn III (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) and David Leiman (Duke) nicely broach the issue of patient satisfaction. This is a timely topic as many institutions are not only publishing patient reviews online so that they are readily available to the public, but are also making financial incentives contingent on high patient ratings. The article discusses the evolution of the emphasis placed on patient satisfaction throughout the years with tips on how to navigate some of the distinct challenges within gastroenterology.

As part of our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series, David Stokesberry (Digestive Disease Specialists Inc, Oklahoma City) discusses the nuts and bolts of ambulatory endoscopy centers and some of the challenges and benefits that accompany ownership of such centers.

An often overlooked aspect of gastroenterology training is nutrition. In our postfellowship pathways section, Dejan Micic (University of Chicago) outlines his decision to pursue a career in nutrition support, small bowel disorders, and the practice of deep enteroscopy.

Finally, this quarter’s newsletter features the start of a new section, which I am very excited to introduce – a case based series which will address issues in clinical medical ethics specific to gastroenterology. Lauren Feld (University of Washington) writes the inaugural piece for the section, providing a systematic approach to the patient with an existing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order that is about to undergo endoscopy.

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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dear colleagues,

The first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2020 consists of a particularly interesting array of articles and the introduction of a new medical ethics series!

This month’s “In Focus” article, brought to you by Jennifer Maratt (Indiana University) and Elena Stoffel (University of Michigan), provides a high yield overview of hereditary colorectal cancer and polyposis syndromes, with guidance on when a referral to a high risk cancer specialist and geneticist is warranted.

Daniel Mills (Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine P.C.) gives us a valuable legal perspective of the role of electronic patient portals in the dissemination of information and medical advice to patients – such an important topic for everyone to be aware of as the nature of patient communication now strongly relies on electronic messaging.

R. Thomas Finn III (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) and David Leiman (Duke) nicely broach the issue of patient satisfaction. This is a timely topic as many institutions are not only publishing patient reviews online so that they are readily available to the public, but are also making financial incentives contingent on high patient ratings. The article discusses the evolution of the emphasis placed on patient satisfaction throughout the years with tips on how to navigate some of the distinct challenges within gastroenterology.

As part of our DHPA Private Practice Perspectives series, David Stokesberry (Digestive Disease Specialists Inc, Oklahoma City) discusses the nuts and bolts of ambulatory endoscopy centers and some of the challenges and benefits that accompany ownership of such centers.

An often overlooked aspect of gastroenterology training is nutrition. In our postfellowship pathways section, Dejan Micic (University of Chicago) outlines his decision to pursue a career in nutrition support, small bowel disorders, and the practice of deep enteroscopy.

Finally, this quarter’s newsletter features the start of a new section, which I am very excited to introduce – a case based series which will address issues in clinical medical ethics specific to gastroenterology. Lauren Feld (University of Washington) writes the inaugural piece for the section, providing a systematic approach to the patient with an existing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order that is about to undergo endoscopy.

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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – which is also my first issue as the new Editor in Chief! First, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the only existing publication tailored toward trainees and early-career gastroenterologists. Bryson Katona has done a remarkable job for the last 5 years as the publication’s inaugural EIC, as he has laid a great deal of groundwork and really set the standard going forward. Each issue has been a multifaceted compilation of salient clinical topics paired with brief but high-yield articles to help guide personal and professional growth; I hope to continue to do the same and maintain a high level of interest in our newsletter.

In this issue, the In Focus article, brought to you by Adeeti Chiplunker and Christina Ha (Cedars Sinai), discusses inpatient management of acute severe ulcerative colitis. It is an excellent review of the diagnostic workup and therapeutic options, and an important one, as therapies are quickly evolving in inflammatory bowel disease. We also have Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) help us navigate the daunting world of statistics, specifically focusing on the interpretation of the P value.

For those interested in or already pursuing careers in private practice but would not like to relinquish their research interests, Chris Fourment (Texas Digestive Disease Consultants) provides a series of helpful tips on how to be effective in conducting clinical research endeavors. In the realm of basic science, Melinda Engevik (Baylor College of Medicine) gives an informative breakdown on how to choose a lab that is the right fit for you.

Also in this issue, Sadeea Abbasi (Cedars Sinai) provides an array of tangible ways for gastroenterologists to become involved in health policy advocacy. Byron Cryer (UT Southwestern), Jesus Rivera-Nieves (UCSD), and Celena NuQuay (AGA) describe how the AGA has been promoting workforce diversity in academic gastroenterology via the FORWARD (Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity) program.

Finally, as the submission deadline for DDW^® 2020 approaches, abstract reviewers for the fellow-directed quality improvement (QI) projects from this past year share helpful tips on crafting memorable QI abstracts (Mohammad Bilal, UT-Galveston; Chung Sang Tse, Brown University; Manol Jovani, Johns Hopkins; and Mer Mietzelfeld, AGA).

If you are interested 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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – which is also my first issue as the new Editor in Chief! First, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the only existing publication tailored toward trainees and early-career gastroenterologists. Bryson Katona has done a remarkable job for the last 5 years as the publication’s inaugural EIC, as he has laid a great deal of groundwork and really set the standard going forward. Each issue has been a multifaceted compilation of salient clinical topics paired with brief but high-yield articles to help guide personal and professional growth; I hope to continue to do the same and maintain a high level of interest in our newsletter.

In this issue, the In Focus article, brought to you by Adeeti Chiplunker and Christina Ha (Cedars Sinai), discusses inpatient management of acute severe ulcerative colitis. It is an excellent review of the diagnostic workup and therapeutic options, and an important one, as therapies are quickly evolving in inflammatory bowel disease. We also have Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) help us navigate the daunting world of statistics, specifically focusing on the interpretation of the P value.

For those interested in or already pursuing careers in private practice but would not like to relinquish their research interests, Chris Fourment (Texas Digestive Disease Consultants) provides a series of helpful tips on how to be effective in conducting clinical research endeavors. In the realm of basic science, Melinda Engevik (Baylor College of Medicine) gives an informative breakdown on how to choose a lab that is the right fit for you.

Also in this issue, Sadeea Abbasi (Cedars Sinai) provides an array of tangible ways for gastroenterologists to become involved in health policy advocacy. Byron Cryer (UT Southwestern), Jesus Rivera-Nieves (UCSD), and Celena NuQuay (AGA) describe how the AGA has been promoting workforce diversity in academic gastroenterology via the FORWARD (Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity) program.

Finally, as the submission deadline for DDW^® 2020 approaches, abstract reviewers for the fellow-directed quality improvement (QI) projects from this past year share helpful tips on crafting memorable QI abstracts (Mohammad Bilal, UT-Galveston; Chung Sang Tse, Brown University; Manol Jovani, Johns Hopkins; and Mer Mietzelfeld, AGA).

If you are interested 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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to introduce the November issue of The New Gastroenterologist – which is also my first issue as the new Editor in Chief! First, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the only existing publication tailored toward trainees and early-career gastroenterologists. Bryson Katona has done a remarkable job for the last 5 years as the publication’s inaugural EIC, as he has laid a great deal of groundwork and really set the standard going forward. Each issue has been a multifaceted compilation of salient clinical topics paired with brief but high-yield articles to help guide personal and professional growth; I hope to continue to do the same and maintain a high level of interest in our newsletter.

In this issue, the In Focus article, brought to you by Adeeti Chiplunker and Christina Ha (Cedars Sinai), discusses inpatient management of acute severe ulcerative colitis. It is an excellent review of the diagnostic workup and therapeutic options, and an important one, as therapies are quickly evolving in inflammatory bowel disease. We also have Manol Jovani (Johns Hopkins) help us navigate the daunting world of statistics, specifically focusing on the interpretation of the P value.

For those interested in or already pursuing careers in private practice but would not like to relinquish their research interests, Chris Fourment (Texas Digestive Disease Consultants) provides a series of helpful tips on how to be effective in conducting clinical research endeavors. In the realm of basic science, Melinda Engevik (Baylor College of Medicine) gives an informative breakdown on how to choose a lab that is the right fit for you.

Also in this issue, Sadeea Abbasi (Cedars Sinai) provides an array of tangible ways for gastroenterologists to become involved in health policy advocacy. Byron Cryer (UT Southwestern), Jesus Rivera-Nieves (UCSD), and Celena NuQuay (AGA) describe how the AGA has been promoting workforce diversity in academic gastroenterology via the FORWARD (Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity) program.

Finally, as the submission deadline for DDW^® 2020 approaches, abstract reviewers for the fellow-directed quality improvement (QI) projects from this past year share helpful tips on crafting memorable QI abstracts (Mohammad Bilal, UT-Galveston; Chung Sang Tse, Brown University; Manol Jovani, Johns Hopkins; and Mer Mietzelfeld, AGA).

If you are interested 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.
 

Sincerely,

Vijaya L. Rao, MD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Rao is assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago, section of gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition.

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that The New Gastroenterologist (TNG) is now in its 5th year of publication! Since the inception of TNG, it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as the inaugural editor in chief (EIC), and it has been an experience that I will never forget. When the idea of TNG was first conceived nearly 5 years ago, the goal of the publication was to provide a dedicated home for content for early-career GIs and trainees, an area that was a clear void in the GI community. Over 4 years later, TNG remains a one-of-a-kind resource for our field, and I hope that you have enjoyed the content published.

As my term is ending soon, it is my pleasure to turn TNG over to the next EIC, Vijaya Rao from the University of Chicago. I have no doubt that Vijaya will do a fantastic job continuing TNG, and I am excited to see how she applies many of her innovative ideas to grow the publication and make it even more valuable to the early-career and trainee GI community. Finally, I would just like to thank all of the people who have made invaluable contributions to make TNG a success including Erin Landis and Ryan Farrell from the AGA; the staff of our publisher Frontline Medical Communications, especially Lora McGlade; and current editor in chief of GI & Hepatology News, John Allen.

As for this issue of TNG, my last issue as EIC, there is a fantastic line-up of content. The “In Focus” article, by Diana Curras-Martin and Susana Gonzalez (Cornell), addresses the controversial topic of gastric intestinal metaplasia, and will no doubt be very helpful for dealing with this condition when it’s encountered in clinical practice. Additionally, Edward Barnes (UNC Chapel Hill) covers the importance of mentoring during the early-career stage, while Josh Sloan (Hopkins) provides an overview of options for extra training in motility, including motility fellowships.

Also in this issue of TNG, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) outlines some of the important lessons he learned during his 1-year term as the Gastroenterology editorial fellow, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut) discusses tips for building an effective community practice as part of our “Private Practice Perspectives” section cosponsored by the Digestive Health Physicians Association. Finally, lawyers Matthew D’Emilio and Jeremy Riley cover estate planning, which is a topic that is important for all to be familiar with, regardless of age or current health status.

If you’re interested in contributing or have ideas for TNG, please contact me (bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), incoming editor in chief Vijaya Rao (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Thank you, this has been a true pleasure.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
(outgoing) Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that The New Gastroenterologist (TNG) is now in its 5th year of publication! Since the inception of TNG, it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as the inaugural editor in chief (EIC), and it has been an experience that I will never forget. When the idea of TNG was first conceived nearly 5 years ago, the goal of the publication was to provide a dedicated home for content for early-career GIs and trainees, an area that was a clear void in the GI community. Over 4 years later, TNG remains a one-of-a-kind resource for our field, and I hope that you have enjoyed the content published.

As my term is ending soon, it is my pleasure to turn TNG over to the next EIC, Vijaya Rao from the University of Chicago. I have no doubt that Vijaya will do a fantastic job continuing TNG, and I am excited to see how she applies many of her innovative ideas to grow the publication and make it even more valuable to the early-career and trainee GI community. Finally, I would just like to thank all of the people who have made invaluable contributions to make TNG a success including Erin Landis and Ryan Farrell from the AGA; the staff of our publisher Frontline Medical Communications, especially Lora McGlade; and current editor in chief of GI & Hepatology News, John Allen.

As for this issue of TNG, my last issue as EIC, there is a fantastic line-up of content. The “In Focus” article, by Diana Curras-Martin and Susana Gonzalez (Cornell), addresses the controversial topic of gastric intestinal metaplasia, and will no doubt be very helpful for dealing with this condition when it’s encountered in clinical practice. Additionally, Edward Barnes (UNC Chapel Hill) covers the importance of mentoring during the early-career stage, while Josh Sloan (Hopkins) provides an overview of options for extra training in motility, including motility fellowships.

Also in this issue of TNG, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) outlines some of the important lessons he learned during his 1-year term as the Gastroenterology editorial fellow, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut) discusses tips for building an effective community practice as part of our “Private Practice Perspectives” section cosponsored by the Digestive Health Physicians Association. Finally, lawyers Matthew D’Emilio and Jeremy Riley cover estate planning, which is a topic that is important for all to be familiar with, regardless of age or current health status.

If you’re interested in contributing or have ideas for TNG, please contact me (bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), incoming editor in chief Vijaya Rao (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Thank you, this has been a true pleasure.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
(outgoing) Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that The New Gastroenterologist (TNG) is now in its 5th year of publication! Since the inception of TNG, it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as the inaugural editor in chief (EIC), and it has been an experience that I will never forget. When the idea of TNG was first conceived nearly 5 years ago, the goal of the publication was to provide a dedicated home for content for early-career GIs and trainees, an area that was a clear void in the GI community. Over 4 years later, TNG remains a one-of-a-kind resource for our field, and I hope that you have enjoyed the content published.

As my term is ending soon, it is my pleasure to turn TNG over to the next EIC, Vijaya Rao from the University of Chicago. I have no doubt that Vijaya will do a fantastic job continuing TNG, and I am excited to see how she applies many of her innovative ideas to grow the publication and make it even more valuable to the early-career and trainee GI community. Finally, I would just like to thank all of the people who have made invaluable contributions to make TNG a success including Erin Landis and Ryan Farrell from the AGA; the staff of our publisher Frontline Medical Communications, especially Lora McGlade; and current editor in chief of GI & Hepatology News, John Allen.

As for this issue of TNG, my last issue as EIC, there is a fantastic line-up of content. The “In Focus” article, by Diana Curras-Martin and Susana Gonzalez (Cornell), addresses the controversial topic of gastric intestinal metaplasia, and will no doubt be very helpful for dealing with this condition when it’s encountered in clinical practice. Additionally, Edward Barnes (UNC Chapel Hill) covers the importance of mentoring during the early-career stage, while Josh Sloan (Hopkins) provides an overview of options for extra training in motility, including motility fellowships.

Also in this issue of TNG, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) outlines some of the important lessons he learned during his 1-year term as the Gastroenterology editorial fellow, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut) discusses tips for building an effective community practice as part of our “Private Practice Perspectives” section cosponsored by the Digestive Health Physicians Association. Finally, lawyers Matthew D’Emilio and Jeremy Riley cover estate planning, which is a topic that is important for all to be familiar with, regardless of age or current health status.

If you’re interested in contributing or have ideas for TNG, please contact me (bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), incoming editor in chief Vijaya Rao (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Thank you, this has been a true pleasure.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
(outgoing) Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

As many of us see patients with abdominal pain on an almost daily basis, it becomes easy to overlook the substantial long-term effects this chronic pain can have on patients. In this quarter’s In Focus article, Emily Weaver and Eva Szigethy (UPMC) explore how to utilize a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treat chronic abdominal pain, and they also highlight how chronic abdominal pain can truly be a traumatic experience for patients. This article is definitely a must-read for all practitioners.

Also in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, Matthew Whitson (Hofstra-Northwell) provides some advice on becoming an effective educator, which is critically important, especially when making the transition from being a trainee to now having to teach trainees. Additionally, Erica Cohen and Gil Melmed (Cedars-Sinai) provide some important lessons about attempting to start an investigator-led clinical trial, which is a difficult task regardless of what career stage you’re in.

In this quarter’s DHPA-cosponsored private practice perspective, Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) provides some tips for how to develop a specialized niche in private practice. And in our postfellowship pathway section, Mark Sostek (Orphomed) provides an enlightening overview of some career options in industry.

Finally, Kathleen Mueller (AskMueller Consulting, LLC) gives an overview of some coding basics, which is important knowledge, especially for trainees, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale/Quinnipiac) provides an overview of some advanced degree programs you may consider when contemplating a career change.

Interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist? Have ideas for future issues? If so, please contact me at bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,
Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

As many of us see patients with abdominal pain on an almost daily basis, it becomes easy to overlook the substantial long-term effects this chronic pain can have on patients. In this quarter’s In Focus article, Emily Weaver and Eva Szigethy (UPMC) explore how to utilize a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treat chronic abdominal pain, and they also highlight how chronic abdominal pain can truly be a traumatic experience for patients. This article is definitely a must-read for all practitioners.

Also in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, Matthew Whitson (Hofstra-Northwell) provides some advice on becoming an effective educator, which is critically important, especially when making the transition from being a trainee to now having to teach trainees. Additionally, Erica Cohen and Gil Melmed (Cedars-Sinai) provide some important lessons about attempting to start an investigator-led clinical trial, which is a difficult task regardless of what career stage you’re in.

In this quarter’s DHPA-cosponsored private practice perspective, Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) provides some tips for how to develop a specialized niche in private practice. And in our postfellowship pathway section, Mark Sostek (Orphomed) provides an enlightening overview of some career options in industry.

Finally, Kathleen Mueller (AskMueller Consulting, LLC) gives an overview of some coding basics, which is important knowledge, especially for trainees, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale/Quinnipiac) provides an overview of some advanced degree programs you may consider when contemplating a career change.

Interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist? Have ideas for future issues? If so, please contact me at bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,
Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

As many of us see patients with abdominal pain on an almost daily basis, it becomes easy to overlook the substantial long-term effects this chronic pain can have on patients. In this quarter’s In Focus article, Emily Weaver and Eva Szigethy (UPMC) explore how to utilize a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treat chronic abdominal pain, and they also highlight how chronic abdominal pain can truly be a traumatic experience for patients. This article is definitely a must-read for all practitioners.

Also in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, Matthew Whitson (Hofstra-Northwell) provides some advice on becoming an effective educator, which is critically important, especially when making the transition from being a trainee to now having to teach trainees. Additionally, Erica Cohen and Gil Melmed (Cedars-Sinai) provide some important lessons about attempting to start an investigator-led clinical trial, which is a difficult task regardless of what career stage you’re in.

In this quarter’s DHPA-cosponsored private practice perspective, Marc Sonenshine (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) provides some tips for how to develop a specialized niche in private practice. And in our postfellowship pathway section, Mark Sostek (Orphomed) provides an enlightening overview of some career options in industry.

Finally, Kathleen Mueller (AskMueller Consulting, LLC) gives an overview of some coding basics, which is important knowledge, especially for trainees, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale/Quinnipiac) provides an overview of some advanced degree programs you may consider when contemplating a career change.

Interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist? Have ideas for future issues? If so, please contact me at bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,
Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

I’m very excited about the first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2019, which has some fantastic articles that I hope you will find interesting and useful. The In Focus feature this month covers acute pancreatitis, which is an incredibly important topic for all in our field. Amar Mandalia and Matthew DiMagno (University of Michigan) provide a comprehensive overview of the management of acute pancreatitis, including a review of the recent AGA guideline on this topic. This article can be found online, as well as in print in the February issue of GI & Hepatology News.

Rhonda Cole (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC/Baylor) addresses the important topic of how to deal with difficult people, and she provides some useful tips for situations that many of us struggle with. Also in this issue, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) and current Associate Editor of Gastroenterology John Inadomi (University of Washington) provide some tips on how to write an effective cover letter for a journal submission. Anna Duloy and Sachin Wani (University of Colorado) provide an overview of the current state of training in advanced endoscopy, which will be very helpful for all those considering a fellowship or incorporation of these procedures into their practices.

For those looking to pick the right private practice position, David Ramsay (Digestive Health Specialists, Winston-Salem, N.C.) provides some useful tips to help you find the job that will be the best fit. In prior issues of The New Gastroenterologist, there have been several articles discussing saving for retirement, but how about how to effectively save for your children’s education? To address that topic, Michael Clancy (Drexel) provides an informative overview of 529 college savings accounts.

Finally, Gyanprakash Ketwaroo (Baylor), Peter Liang (NYU Langone), Carol Brown, and Celena NuQuay (AGA) provide an overview of one of the most important and impactful initiatives from the AGA for the early career community – the AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshops. These workshops are a tremendous resource for early career GIs, and I would recommend that you check one out if you have not already had the opportunity.

If you’re interested in browsing older articles from The New Gastroenterologist, articles from previous issues can be found on our webpage. Also, we are always looking for new ideas and new contributors. If you have suggestions or are interested, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

I’m very excited about the first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2019, which has some fantastic articles that I hope you will find interesting and useful. The In Focus feature this month covers acute pancreatitis, which is an incredibly important topic for all in our field. Amar Mandalia and Matthew DiMagno (University of Michigan) provide a comprehensive overview of the management of acute pancreatitis, including a review of the recent AGA guideline on this topic. This article can be found online, as well as in print in the February issue of GI & Hepatology News.

Rhonda Cole (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC/Baylor) addresses the important topic of how to deal with difficult people, and she provides some useful tips for situations that many of us struggle with. Also in this issue, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) and current Associate Editor of Gastroenterology John Inadomi (University of Washington) provide some tips on how to write an effective cover letter for a journal submission. Anna Duloy and Sachin Wani (University of Colorado) provide an overview of the current state of training in advanced endoscopy, which will be very helpful for all those considering a fellowship or incorporation of these procedures into their practices.

For those looking to pick the right private practice position, David Ramsay (Digestive Health Specialists, Winston-Salem, N.C.) provides some useful tips to help you find the job that will be the best fit. In prior issues of The New Gastroenterologist, there have been several articles discussing saving for retirement, but how about how to effectively save for your children’s education? To address that topic, Michael Clancy (Drexel) provides an informative overview of 529 college savings accounts.

Finally, Gyanprakash Ketwaroo (Baylor), Peter Liang (NYU Langone), Carol Brown, and Celena NuQuay (AGA) provide an overview of one of the most important and impactful initiatives from the AGA for the early career community – the AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshops. These workshops are a tremendous resource for early career GIs, and I would recommend that you check one out if you have not already had the opportunity.

If you’re interested in browsing older articles from The New Gastroenterologist, articles from previous issues can be found on our webpage. Also, we are always looking for new ideas and new contributors. If you have suggestions or are interested, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

I’m very excited about the first issue of The New Gastroenterologist in 2019, which has some fantastic articles that I hope you will find interesting and useful. The In Focus feature this month covers acute pancreatitis, which is an incredibly important topic for all in our field. Amar Mandalia and Matthew DiMagno (University of Michigan) provide a comprehensive overview of the management of acute pancreatitis, including a review of the recent AGA guideline on this topic. This article can be found online, as well as in print in the February issue of GI & Hepatology News.

Rhonda Cole (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC/Baylor) addresses the important topic of how to deal with difficult people, and she provides some useful tips for situations that many of us struggle with. Also in this issue, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) and current Associate Editor of Gastroenterology John Inadomi (University of Washington) provide some tips on how to write an effective cover letter for a journal submission. Anna Duloy and Sachin Wani (University of Colorado) provide an overview of the current state of training in advanced endoscopy, which will be very helpful for all those considering a fellowship or incorporation of these procedures into their practices.

For those looking to pick the right private practice position, David Ramsay (Digestive Health Specialists, Winston-Salem, N.C.) provides some useful tips to help you find the job that will be the best fit. In prior issues of The New Gastroenterologist, there have been several articles discussing saving for retirement, but how about how to effectively save for your children’s education? To address that topic, Michael Clancy (Drexel) provides an informative overview of 529 college savings accounts.

Finally, Gyanprakash Ketwaroo (Baylor), Peter Liang (NYU Langone), Carol Brown, and Celena NuQuay (AGA) provide an overview of one of the most important and impactful initiatives from the AGA for the early career community – the AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshops. These workshops are a tremendous resource for early career GIs, and I would recommend that you check one out if you have not already had the opportunity.

If you’re interested in browsing older articles from The New Gastroenterologist, articles from previous issues can be found on our webpage. Also, we are always looking for new ideas and new contributors. If you have suggestions or are interested, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

The November issue of The New Gastroenterologist is packed with some great articles! First, this issue’s In Focus article addresses the increasingly important topic of endoscopic management of obesity. In the article, the authors, Pichamol Jirapinyo and Christopher Thompson (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), provide an outstanding overview of the approved and up-and-coming endoscopic therapies that can be used to help treat the obesity epidemic. This is an area that we will inevitably see more of in our practices.

A new feature in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist is a column focused on early career gastroenterologists who are going into private practice, which was curated in conjunction with the Digestive Health Physicians Association. This month’s article by Fred Rosenberg (North Shore Endoscopy Center) provides an overview of private practice gastroenterology models. I look forward to making this column a recurring feature of future issues.

Additionally, using their wealth of experience, former CGH editor in chief Hashem El-Serag and current CGH editor in chief Fasiha Kanwal (Baylor) provide an enlightening piece on how to address reviewer criticism, which will no doubt be very helpful for those of us looking to publish. There is also a helpful article about grant writing tips authored by two successfully funded early career basic scientists, Arthur Beyder (Mayo) and Christina Twyman-Saint Victor (University of Pennsylvania).

For those considering pursuing extra training in IBD either during or after GI fellowship, Siddharth Singh (UCSD) goes through the different advanced training options that are now available in IBD. And finally, as many are laying down roots in new places, buying a house will almost inevitably be on the horizon. To help guide you through the mortgage preapproval process, Rob Wishnick (Guaranteed Rate) provides some useful insights from his many years of experience in the home loan industry.

Please check out “In Case You Missed It” to see other articles from the last quarter in AGA publications that may be of interest to you. And, if you have any ideas or want to contribute to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

The November issue of The New Gastroenterologist is packed with some great articles! First, this issue’s In Focus article addresses the increasingly important topic of endoscopic management of obesity. In the article, the authors, Pichamol Jirapinyo and Christopher Thompson (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), provide an outstanding overview of the approved and up-and-coming endoscopic therapies that can be used to help treat the obesity epidemic. This is an area that we will inevitably see more of in our practices.

A new feature in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist is a column focused on early career gastroenterologists who are going into private practice, which was curated in conjunction with the Digestive Health Physicians Association. This month’s article by Fred Rosenberg (North Shore Endoscopy Center) provides an overview of private practice gastroenterology models. I look forward to making this column a recurring feature of future issues.

Additionally, using their wealth of experience, former CGH editor in chief Hashem El-Serag and current CGH editor in chief Fasiha Kanwal (Baylor) provide an enlightening piece on how to address reviewer criticism, which will no doubt be very helpful for those of us looking to publish. There is also a helpful article about grant writing tips authored by two successfully funded early career basic scientists, Arthur Beyder (Mayo) and Christina Twyman-Saint Victor (University of Pennsylvania).

For those considering pursuing extra training in IBD either during or after GI fellowship, Siddharth Singh (UCSD) goes through the different advanced training options that are now available in IBD. And finally, as many are laying down roots in new places, buying a house will almost inevitably be on the horizon. To help guide you through the mortgage preapproval process, Rob Wishnick (Guaranteed Rate) provides some useful insights from his many years of experience in the home loan industry.

Please check out “In Case You Missed It” to see other articles from the last quarter in AGA publications that may be of interest to you. And, if you have any ideas or want to contribute to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

The November issue of The New Gastroenterologist is packed with some great articles! First, this issue’s In Focus article addresses the increasingly important topic of endoscopic management of obesity. In the article, the authors, Pichamol Jirapinyo and Christopher Thompson (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), provide an outstanding overview of the approved and up-and-coming endoscopic therapies that can be used to help treat the obesity epidemic. This is an area that we will inevitably see more of in our practices.

A new feature in this issue of The New Gastroenterologist is a column focused on early career gastroenterologists who are going into private practice, which was curated in conjunction with the Digestive Health Physicians Association. This month’s article by Fred Rosenberg (North Shore Endoscopy Center) provides an overview of private practice gastroenterology models. I look forward to making this column a recurring feature of future issues.

Additionally, using their wealth of experience, former CGH editor in chief Hashem El-Serag and current CGH editor in chief Fasiha Kanwal (Baylor) provide an enlightening piece on how to address reviewer criticism, which will no doubt be very helpful for those of us looking to publish. There is also a helpful article about grant writing tips authored by two successfully funded early career basic scientists, Arthur Beyder (Mayo) and Christina Twyman-Saint Victor (University of Pennsylvania).

For those considering pursuing extra training in IBD either during or after GI fellowship, Siddharth Singh (UCSD) goes through the different advanced training options that are now available in IBD. And finally, as many are laying down roots in new places, buying a house will almost inevitably be on the horizon. To help guide you through the mortgage preapproval process, Rob Wishnick (Guaranteed Rate) provides some useful insights from his many years of experience in the home loan industry.

Please check out “In Case You Missed It” to see other articles from the last quarter in AGA publications that may be of interest to you. And, if you have any ideas or want to contribute to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

In the August issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we have some fantastic articles that I hope you will find both interesting and useful.

First, as quality metrics are becoming increasingly important in all aspects of health care, it is critical that we have a good understanding of quality metrics within our field. This issue’s “In Focus” article, written by Nabiha Shamsi, Ashish Malhotra, and Aasma Shaukat (University of Minnesota/Minnesota VAMC), provides a helpful overview of the currently accepted quality metrics for colonoscopy as well as the data that support their use. This article can be found online as well as in print in the August issue of GI & Hepatology News.
 

Additionally, in this issue, we have several articles highlighting important AGA programs that are great opportunities for those of us in our early careers. First, Jennifer Weiss (University of Wisconsin) discusses her experience in the Future Leaders Program, which just graduated its second class at DDW this year. Additionally, Sarah Lieber (UNC Chapel Hill) and Ana Maldonado-Contreras (University of Massachusetts) chronicle their experiences at the AGA Academic Skills Workshop which was held in Charlotte earlier this year. Finally, Eric Shah (University of Michigan), who served as this past year’s Gastroenterology Editorial Fellow, provides insights from his experience in this new position designed specifically for those in their early career.

Also in this issue is an article about pursuing a career in the innovation industry, authored by Chang Hee Kim (GoDx) and Wendy Henderson (NINR/NIH), who were winners of this year’s AGA Shark Tank. Finally, as many will be looking for new jobs in the coming year, one of the most important parts of this process will be the contract. Scott Roman, an attorney with significant expertise in contract law, provides an overview highlighting the important points about contracts that should not be overlooked.

As with prior installments of The New Gastroenterologist e-newsletter, please check out the “In Case You Missed It” section to see recent articles published in the AGA journals that have pertinence to those of us in our early careers. If you have any ideas or are interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

In the August issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we have some fantastic articles that I hope you will find both interesting and useful.

First, as quality metrics are becoming increasingly important in all aspects of health care, it is critical that we have a good understanding of quality metrics within our field. This issue’s “In Focus” article, written by Nabiha Shamsi, Ashish Malhotra, and Aasma Shaukat (University of Minnesota/Minnesota VAMC), provides a helpful overview of the currently accepted quality metrics for colonoscopy as well as the data that support their use. This article can be found online as well as in print in the August issue of GI & Hepatology News.
 

Additionally, in this issue, we have several articles highlighting important AGA programs that are great opportunities for those of us in our early careers. First, Jennifer Weiss (University of Wisconsin) discusses her experience in the Future Leaders Program, which just graduated its second class at DDW this year. Additionally, Sarah Lieber (UNC Chapel Hill) and Ana Maldonado-Contreras (University of Massachusetts) chronicle their experiences at the AGA Academic Skills Workshop which was held in Charlotte earlier this year. Finally, Eric Shah (University of Michigan), who served as this past year’s Gastroenterology Editorial Fellow, provides insights from his experience in this new position designed specifically for those in their early career.

Also in this issue is an article about pursuing a career in the innovation industry, authored by Chang Hee Kim (GoDx) and Wendy Henderson (NINR/NIH), who were winners of this year’s AGA Shark Tank. Finally, as many will be looking for new jobs in the coming year, one of the most important parts of this process will be the contract. Scott Roman, an attorney with significant expertise in contract law, provides an overview highlighting the important points about contracts that should not be overlooked.

As with prior installments of The New Gastroenterologist e-newsletter, please check out the “In Case You Missed It” section to see recent articles published in the AGA journals that have pertinence to those of us in our early careers. If you have any ideas or are interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dear Colleagues,

In the August issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we have some fantastic articles that I hope you will find both interesting and useful.

First, as quality metrics are becoming increasingly important in all aspects of health care, it is critical that we have a good understanding of quality metrics within our field. This issue’s “In Focus” article, written by Nabiha Shamsi, Ashish Malhotra, and Aasma Shaukat (University of Minnesota/Minnesota VAMC), provides a helpful overview of the currently accepted quality metrics for colonoscopy as well as the data that support their use. This article can be found online as well as in print in the August issue of GI & Hepatology News.
 

Additionally, in this issue, we have several articles highlighting important AGA programs that are great opportunities for those of us in our early careers. First, Jennifer Weiss (University of Wisconsin) discusses her experience in the Future Leaders Program, which just graduated its second class at DDW this year. Additionally, Sarah Lieber (UNC Chapel Hill) and Ana Maldonado-Contreras (University of Massachusetts) chronicle their experiences at the AGA Academic Skills Workshop which was held in Charlotte earlier this year. Finally, Eric Shah (University of Michigan), who served as this past year’s Gastroenterology Editorial Fellow, provides insights from his experience in this new position designed specifically for those in their early career.

Also in this issue is an article about pursuing a career in the innovation industry, authored by Chang Hee Kim (GoDx) and Wendy Henderson (NINR/NIH), who were winners of this year’s AGA Shark Tank. Finally, as many will be looking for new jobs in the coming year, one of the most important parts of this process will be the contract. Scott Roman, an attorney with significant expertise in contract law, provides an overview highlighting the important points about contracts that should not be overlooked.

As with prior installments of The New Gastroenterologist e-newsletter, please check out the “In Case You Missed It” section to see recent articles published in the AGA journals that have pertinence to those of us in our early careers. If you have any ideas or are interested in contributing to The New Gastroenterologist, please contact me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or the managing editor, Ryan Farrell, at rfarrell@gastro.org.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.