In a groundbreaking move, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals and Rush University Medical Center will launch the first clinical study connecting Medtronic’s AI-powered GI Genius™ module with Apple Vision Pro. The upcoming July 2025 trial, led by renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Irving Waxman, explores how spatial computing could redefine real-time colonoscopy workflows — letting endoscopists view AI-generated insights without diverting attention from the procedure. Could this fusion of clinical AI and immersive tech be the new standard in GI medicine?
Author: Abhay Panchal
Sap Sinha is not your typical GI leader—and that’s exactly why I wanted him on The Scope Forward Show. With a background in economics, consulting, and digital health, Sap brings a fresh, systems-level lens to a specialty that often struggles with operational inertia. As COO of Allied Digestive Health, he’s overseen 4x growth, reengineered core infrastructure, and redefined what scalability looks like in GI. This conversation is one of the most practical and thought-provoking explorations we’ve had yet on building the future of gastroenterology. Full disclosure: Allied Digestive Health is a client of my company, NextServices. Watch the episode. Top Insights from the Interview:1.Middleware…
What began in a 10×12 closet has grown into a national movement. Dr. Casey Chapman, now Chief Medical Officer of GI Alliance, is spearheading a transformation in community-based GI research. With over 1,100 physicians, GI Alliance is embedding clinical trials into standard care — not as an afterthought, but as a core function. Its new partnership with Iterative Health supports 21 sites and 80+ trials, alleviating the administrative burden on clinicians and research staff.
A new wave of FDA-cleared AI tools is transforming facial analysis into a clinical instrument—measuring vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and even predicting patient prognosis. From FaceAges, which correlates perceived age with cancer outcomes, to PanopticAI and FaceHeart, which turn cameras into non-contact monitors, AI is enabling personalized and frictionless diagnostics. These technologies offer speed, accessibility, and comfort—but also raise concerns about privacy and clinical validation. As facial data becomes a lens into systemic health, clinicians and regulators will need to balance innovation with oversight. The future of patient monitoring may start not with touch—but with…
Gateway Gastroenterology, in partnership with USPI, has broken ground on a new 28,000-sq-ft endoscopy center in Chesterfield, Missouri. The two-story facility—featuring four procedure rooms and clinic offices—is set to open in spring 2026. Led by Russell as general contractor, with design by E4H Architecture and engineering by Garver and Stock & Associates, the project expands access to advanced GI care in the region. This follows Gateway’s No. 1 state ranking for outpatient endoscopy by U.S. News & World Report—for the second year in a row.
A new Phase 3 trial from Norway suggests fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may be noninferior to vancomycin for first-episode Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Conducted across 20 hospitals, the trial showed a 66.7% cure rate with FMT vs. 61.2% with vancomycin, without increased adverse events. While still controversial in the U.S., this study signals FMT’s growing therapeutic credibility. Is this the beginning of a shift in first-line CDI care?
In a recent World Journal of Gastroenterology letter, gastroenterology researchers led by Prof. Vladislav Tsukanov explore whether artificial intelligence is truly ready to take center stage in colorectal cancer screening. While AI-enhanced colonoscopy improves polyp detection accuracy and reduces miss rates, it also brings challenges—false positives, workflow disruption, and potential deskilling of endoscopists. The authors urge more robust, randomized trials to evaluate AI’s role in real-world clinical settings.
GLP-1s May Compromise Bowel Prep and Capsule Endoscopy Results In Sharma’s Endoscopy Insights, Dr. Prateek Sharma highlights new evidence showing that GLP-1 receptor agonists—commonly used for diabetes and weight loss—are linked to inadequate bowel prep and delayed gastric transit during capsule endoscopy. A meta-analysis and retrospective cohort study suggest higher rates of incomplete procedures in patients on GLP-1s, raising important considerations for pre-procedure planning.
Here are five numbers scaring gastroenterologists: 1. 3% pay decline According to Medscape’s Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2025, gastroenterologists saw their average annual salary drop from $512,000 in 2023 to $495,000 in 2024, a 3% decline. 2. Only 37% feel fairly compensated Despite their high earnings, only 37% of gastroenterologists feel they are fairly compensated. This dissatisfaction is compounded by mounting pressures from payer reimbursement cuts, increased administrative burdens, and a growing trend of private equity influence in GI practices.
The Senate crafted its version of the Big, Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s priority legislation that extends the 2017 tax cuts. The legislation included provisions that would significantly impact GI: