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.
Author: Abhay Panchal
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:
In the largest randomized controlled trial of its kind (BOSS Trial, Gastroenterology, 2025), over 3,400 UK patients with non-dysplastic or low-grade dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus were followed for a median of 12.8 years. The study compared scheduled endoscopic surveillance every 2 years versus endoscopy only when symptoms emerged. 🔍 Key Findings: 📌 Clinical Insight from Dr. Zhou:While the trial was a critical step in evidence generation, its interpretation demands caution. The similar endoscopy frequency across groups, lack of IM in 25% of patients, and limited power to detect cancer-specific mortality differences all cloud definitive conclusions. U.S. clinicians should consider
With colorectal cancer screening rates still lagging, blood-based liquid biopsy tests are emerging as a promising strategy to improve adherence, especially among those reluctant to undergo traditional screening methods. However, these tests come with some challenges that may limit their real-world effectiveness. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss these potential benefits and barriers is Dr. Brennan Spiegel, a Professor of Medicine in Public Health and the Director of Health Services Research at Cedar-Sinai in Los Angeles.