At the ACG 2025 Annual Meeting, researchers from Boston Medical Center revealed that targeted education and workflow changes between emergency and GI teams dramatically improved diagnosis rates for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). By training ED clinicians to better recognize dysphagia and esophageal food impaction, and introducing a rapid outpatient referral system, biopsy rates during index endoscopy jumped from 44% to 100%. Referrals from the ED for endoscopy also rose from 1.2% to 16.2%. “These findings show that simple, coordinated interventions can expedite EoE diagnosis and care,” said Dr. Rosa Yu, the study’s lead investigator. “Biopsies are safe and should be performed…
Author: Abhay Panchal
In a major appointment, Dr. Steven Wexner, one of the world’s most cited and respected colorectal surgeons, has joined MedStar Health as Physician Executive Director and System Chief of Colorectal Surgery. Based at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. Wexner brings nearly four decades of clinical, academic, and research leadership to the role. A pioneer in the field, he is known for developing the Wexner Incontinence and Constipation Scores, surgical techniques that reduce the need for stomas, and for training over 800 surgeons worldwide. Previously at Cleveland Clinic Florida, Dr. Wexner has authored more than 1,200 publications, amassing over 43,000 citations.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Borland Groover is positioning for its next era of growth through a leadership realignment and a focus on patient-centered innovation. The gastroenterology group, founded in 1947, recently announced four new C-suite leaders as part of its restructuring. The move is designed to strengthen operational leadership, enhance efficiency and expand service lines across Florida. Becker’s spoke with Dinesh Madhok, MD, who has been appointed CEO after nearly three decades with Borland Groover. Dr. Madhok, a gastroenterologist who joined the organization in 1997, also serves as chief of gastroenterology for the graduate medical education program at HCA Florida Orange Park…
UCSF Health has opened the first-of-its-kind Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Longevity Clinic, designed exclusively for patients aged 65 and older living with IBD. Led by Dr. Kendall Beck and Dr. Anu Madhavan, the clinic brings together specialists in gastroenterology, geriatrics, pharmacy, and nutrition to deliver a truly multidisciplinary model of care. As the population ages, older adults are projected to become the majority of IBD patients within a decade. The UCSF clinic offers comprehensive assessments addressing mobility, cognition, bone health, medication management, and preventive care like cancer screenings and vaccinations.
Exact Sciences reported a record third quarter, underscoring its growing impact on early cancer detection. The company announced it helped more than 1.4 million people better understand and manage their cancer risk — a milestone reflecting its mission to eradicate cancer through prevention, early detection, and personalized treatment. Core revenue climbed 20% to $851 million, led by the continued success of Cologuard®, which reached record awareness levels this quarter with over 12,000 new providers ordering the test. Its oncology portfolio — including Oncotype DX® and the newly launched Cancerguard® multi-cancer early detection blood test — also saw strong global expansion.…
A new real-world study of 20,000 patients has found that Guardant Health’s Shield blood test achieved an impressive 95% adherence rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening — far higher than traditional colonoscopy or stool-based tests (25–71%). Published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, the findings reinforce Shield’s role as the first FDA-approved blood test for CRC screening in average-risk adults aged 45 and older. In an additional study from Appalachia, one of the nation’s lowest screening regions, overall screening rates doubled from 45% to 90% when Shield was introduced, with 98.5% adherence. By offering a simple blood draw instead of…
Dr. William D. Chey, a globally recognized expert in functional GI disorders, has been elected President of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for 2025–2026. Currently the H. Marvin Pollard Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and Chief of its GI Division, Dr. Chey brings over three decades of leadership, research, and mentorship to the role. A prolific innovator with 500+ publications and several patents, Dr. Chey is known for advancing the understanding of gut-brain interaction disorders and H. pylori infection. As ACG President, he will guide the College’s strategic priorities in education, policy, and clinical innovation, steering…
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming gastroenterology — from the endoscopy suite to the clinic. Experts highlight how AI models are moving beyond polyp detection to tackle some of the field’s toughest diagnostic challenges. Drs. Yuvaraj Singh, Alessandro Colletta, and Neil Marya showcased AI systems that outperform traditional ERCP sampling in identifying malignant biliary strictures and can even distinguish autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer with higher accuracy than experts. These breakthroughs, trained on millions of images, promise faster, more reliable diagnoses in complex pancreatic and biliary disease. At a broader level, Dr. Dennis Shung discussed how foundation models like GastroNet-5M are…
A new endoscopic breakthrough at UT Health San Antonio is changing how colorectal lesions are treated. The center’s Advanced Interventional Gastroenterology Program has begun offering endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) — a minimally invasive procedure that removes large or early-stage colorectal lesions without surgery. Led by Dr. Matheus Franco, the first patient treated achieved a fully curative resection and went home the next day. Unlike traditional surgery, ESD allows complete lesion removal through a flexible scope, preserving bowel function and reducing recovery time.
Gastro Health, a leading national medical group specializing in digestive and liver health, finalized a partnership with Miami Gastro. The deal closed on November 1, 2025. Miami Gastro is the clinical practice of Danny J. Avalos, MD, who is board-certified in both gastroenterology and internal medicine. Dr. Avalos is highly active in the medical community and research, with a portfolio of over 40 peer-reviewed articles focused on colon cancer prevention, hepatitis C eradication, inflammatory bowel diseases, and motility disorders. The office also offers advanced on-site imaging services, including capsule endoscopy and FibroScan.