Author: Abhay Panchal

In a field where precision and endurance go hand in hand, Dr. Amandeep Shergill—professor of clinical medicine at UCSF—is quietly transforming how gastroenterologists perform one of their most physically taxing tasks: endoscopy. Her unlikely journey into ergonomics began with personal frustration during fellowship training, when traditional techniques didn’t fit her body. That disconnect sparked a groundbreaking career in endoscopy ergonomics. By partnering with leading ergonomist Dr. David Rempel and later co-founding the UC Berkeley Center for Ergonomic Endoscopy, Shergill helped uncover how poorly designed tools and procedural setups contribute to musculoskeletal disorders in GIs. Her solution? A simple but powerful…

Read More

Chicago-based 32 Biosciences, a precision gut microbiome medicine company, has secured $6 million in funding to accelerate development of its diagnostic platform and therapeutic pipeline. Led by CEO Peter Farmakis, the company leverages AI/machine learning to assess the functional health of the gut microbiome—aiming to diagnose, prevent, and treat chronic diseases by restoring microbiome balance.

Read More

In a candid reflection on the growing gastroenterologist shortage, Dr. Harish Gagneja of Austin Gastroenterology (a GI Alliance practice) offers a nuanced view on the role of private equity (PE) in addressing workforce challenges. Writing for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), he draws on five years of experience within a PE-affiliated group to highlight both the support and scrutiny that come with such partnership.

Read More

Cambridge-based diagnostics company Tagomics has secured an £860,000 ($1.1 million) grant from Innovate UK to develop an early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnostic using its Interlace platform. The award, part of the UK government’s Biomedical Catalyst programme, supports a £1.2 million project focused on identifying DNA-based biomarkers through multiomic profiling. The pilot study—led by Dr. Arash Assadsangabi, gastroenterologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust—will profile 250 patients suspected of CRC in partnership with the Northern Care Alliance Research Collection. The aim is to validate early biomarkers and prove Interlace’s value in noninvasive detection.

Read More

Dr. Spencer Dorn, a practicing gastroenterologist and contributor to Forbes, offers a compelling insider’s view on why 2025 may be remembered as the year AI agents started transforming healthcare. Unlike early chatbots, these agents are built on large language models equipped with memory, tools, and decision-making capabilities—able to book appointments, answer billing questions, and even manage clinical follow-ups without human intervention. Dorn explains how these “digital workers” are already easing frontline burdens, especially in areas like call centers, intake, and post-discharge care. But he also issues a clear-eyed warning: as promising as these tools are, healthcare’s complexity makes deployment anything…

Read More

Dr. Sameer Berry, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Oshi Health, has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025—a recognition of his groundbreaking role in reshaping how digestive care is delivered in America. Berry helped create and scale Oshi Health as the first nationwide virtual gastroenterology clinic, delivering a multidisciplinary, high-touch care model previously unseen—and unreimbursed—in GI. Under his clinical leadership, Oshi’s virtual model unites GI-focused dietitians, behavioral health providers, APPs, and gastroenterologists to provide faster, whole-person care. The result: a 98% patient satisfaction rate, improved outcomes, and $10,292 in cost savings per patient…

Read More

In a bold move to redefine gastrointestinal (GI) care, CRH Medical Corporation and WovenX Health have announced a strategic partnership aimed at tearing down long-standing access barriers in GI practices. This collaboration combines CRH’s trusted GI expertise with WovenX’s intelligent virtual care platform—enabling practices to deliver technology-enabled, guideline-based care in minutes, not months. With WovenX’s on-demand model already scoring sky-high patient satisfaction, the partnership promises to expand appointment availability, improve operational efficiency, and unlock untapped revenue potential for GI providers. As patient demand surges, this alliance signals a pivotal shift toward a faster, smarter, and more scalable GI care future.

Read More

In this Scope Forward conversation, Praveen Suthrum speaks with Leo Grady, founder and CEO of Jona. Leo’s background sits at the intersection of healthcare AI and microbiome science — a rare combination that’s defining the future of gut health diagnostics. Their discussion explores why the microbiome is not a distant promise but clinically actionable today. They dig into why AI isn’t just a tool but a necessity to interpret the complex, rapidly expanding world of microbiome research. Leo breaks down how Jona’s platform creates a “digital twin” of the gut microbiome, simulating evidence-based interventions rather than offering general advice. Praveen and Leo…

Read More