UnitedHealth Group (UHG) announced today leadership changes consistent with its longstanding, intentional approach to developing an executive team with a range of experiences across its diverse portfolio of businesses and in ongoing service to its mission and the people it serves.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Unionization among U.S. healthcare professionals, especially physicians, is increasing as corporatization intensifies and physician autonomy erodes. Spurred by hospital system consolidation, private equity ownership, and COVID-19 burnout, many clinicians—particularly trainees—are turning to unions like the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR-SEIU), which now represents 20% of the resident workforce. Surveys reveal over 60% of nonunionized residents would vote to unionize, citing pay and working conditions. Critics argue unionization risks physician professionalism, but others view it as a needed counterweight to corporate control. Strikes remain rare but are growing as a negotiation tool, raising ethical and legal complexities.
Alimentiv and Dova Health Intelligence have unveiled DovaVision™, an AI-powered endoscopy reading tool for ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical trials, at Digestive Disease Week 2025. Designed to provide frame-level Mayo Endoscopic Sub-score (MES) analysis, DovaVision enables deeper, quantitative insights into disease severity using anonymized IBD colonoscopy video data. Integrated into Alimentiv’s Notō™ platform, the tool offers researchers and sponsors enhanced image interpretation, more consistent scoring, and data correlation with patient outcomes. Though not intended for clinical diagnosis, DovaVision represents a major step toward precision, AI-driven gastrointestinal research.
Exact Sciences has launched two major new cancer tests in early 2025—with a third expected later this year—marking what the company calls a “transformative” phase. Its newly FDA-approved Cologuard Plus improves upon the original at-home colorectal screening by reducing false positives through new genetic biomarkers. Meanwhile, Oncodetect, a blood-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test, aims to track minimal residual disease and recurrence across solid tumors. A third test, Cancerguard EX, a multi-cancer early detection test, is set to launch by year’s end. These innovations prompted Exact Sciences to raise its annual revenue outlook to $3.07–$3.12 billion, projecting 12% year-over-year growth.…
FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation has officially commercialized two next-generation gastroscopes — the EG-840T and EG-840TP — both powered by the ELUXEO® Endoscopic Imaging System with LED multi-light technology. Designed for both complex and routine upper GI procedures, these scopes deliver high-definition white light and enhanced visualization through Linked Color Imaging (LCI®) and Blue Light Imaging (BLI) modes. The EG-840T offers strong suction and maneuverability in larger lumens, while the EG-840TP’s slim design enhances access in narrow anatomy, ideal for advanced procedures like E-POEM and Z-POEM. Public demonstrations will take place at DDW 2025 in San Diego, Booth #4729, May 4–6.
Gastro Health has named Chris Fourment, MD, a nationally recognized leader in gastroenterology research, as Vice President of Clinical Research. Dr. Fourment brings extensive experience from his roles at GI Alliance, Precision Research, and Clinical Research Strategy Group, with a strong track record in Inflammatory Bowel Disease research and clinical trial innovation. At Gastro Health, he will lead the development of a national research platform aimed at expanding patient access to cutting-edge therapies.
In this video, Lisa Mathew, MD, of South Denver Gastroenterology in Denver, Colorado, and Raja Taunk, MD, of Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, in Annapolis, Maryland, share insights on private practice gastroenterology and offer tips on building your practice – specifically improving your referral base.
Upper GI cancers, including esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers, remain the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Gastroenterologists, with their expertise in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), are uniquely positioned to lead the integration of emerging cancer therapies such as targeted radiotherapy. These minimally invasive, EUS-guided treatments allow for precise intratumoral delivery, especially in pancreatic cancer where surgery is often not viable. As treatment models become more collaborative and personalized, GIs are at the forefront of a care revolution—poised to drive innovation, expand access to localized therapies, and improve patient outcomes.
A landmark study presented at DDW 2025 has identified five blood proteins—CDHR2, FUOM, KRT18, ACY1, and GGT1—that can predict the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) up to 16 years before symptoms appear. The predictive model, derived from over 52,000 participants in the UK Biobank, demonstrated up to 90.4% accuracy at five years and 82.2% at 16 years, outperforming all existing models. Researchers suggest this ultra-early detection could revolutionize liver disease prevention through personalized interventions long before liver damage begins.
Here’s a detailed summary of the 2025 Healthcare M&A Report from VMG Health, highlighting key insights and specific points of interest related to gastroenterology (GI): General M&A Trends: Gastroenterology Specific Highlights: