Doctronic AI, the AI-native health platform delivering fast, private, and personalized healthcare at scale, today announced the appointment of Byron Crowe, MD, MSc as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). In this role, Dr. Crowe will lead Doctronic’s clinical strategy and product innovation efforts while expanding the company’s affiliated nationwide physician practice. In addition to his industry leadership, Dr. Crowe is an accomplished academic clinician, most recently serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and as a practicing physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His research focused on evaluating large language model–based AI systems in complex diagnosis and clinical reasoning,…
Author: Rutali Thakur
If you knew your next decision could change your career, your wealth, and the direction of an entire field—would you make it?In November 2021, before teaching blockchain and crypto in my first GI Mastermind, I made my first Bitcoin investment. I wanted to act, not theorize.That mindset—acting before it’s obvious—changed everything.My Bitcoin is up 347%, Ethereum 140%, U.S. stocks 47% since March.Not luck. Direction.That same clarity reshaped NextServices from a billing company into an AI-first organization.We built automations, explored AI, and partnered with 100ms to bring AI voice agents into GI. This technology is about to redefine how the industry works.It’s the same conviction behind my books Scope Forward and The Shift, my Presidential Plenary at…
Gastroenterologists see steady pay growth as they advance in their careers, according to salary data from Marit Health, which collects anonymous physician compensation information. Here’s how workload and pay compare across experience levels: 0-2 years of experience Average workload: 46 hours a week Average annual compensation: $553,000 3-5 years of experience Average workload: 49 hours a week Average annual compensation: $555,000
Gastroenterology is being squeezed from both sides. On one side, staffing shortages are worsening. By 2025, the U.S. will face a deficit of more than 1,600 full-time gastroenterologists. Half of today’s GIs are already over 55. Meanwhile, private practices are drowning in rising labor costs—92% saw year-over-year expense hikes in 2024 alone. On the other side, the traditional business model is breaking down. Colonoscopy reimbursements have declined 40–50% in real dollar terms over the past 25 years. Practices tied to fee-for-service payments are watching margins erode while expenses climb. The old playbook will not carry us through. Now zoom out.…
The gastroenterology industry keeps talking about AI for endoscopies and polyp detection. Useful, yes. But it’s also like trying to bolt wheels onto a horse buggy. That’s what industries tried when Ford launched the car—optimize the buggy instead of building highways. GI’s motor car has already arrived. Today, startups peg the GI industry at $136 billion across the spectrum—IBD, IBS, obesity, liver disease, microbiome, motility, CRC, digital health. Digitization doesn’t grow industries by 10%. It grows them by 10x. That puts GI on the path to $1+ trillion. Look at history: AI gives us the same opportunity in GI. Not…
Cyted has secured $44 million to propel its FDA-cleared EndoSign capsule sponge into the US market, positioning the minimally invasive device as a potential game-changer in diagnosing Barrett’s oesophagus and related esophageal conditions. Unlike traditional endoscopy, the swallowable capsule dissolves in the stomach to collect samples, making early detection more accessible and scalable. Backed by EQT Life Sciences and other major investors, and with more than 35,000 tests already completed through the UK’s NHS, the company now aims to validate new biomarkers, expand its test portfolio, and reshape GI diagnostics in primary care. With US trials underway and pharma partnerships…
Private equity is out — and UnitedHealth is in. U.S. Digestive Health (USDH), the largest private gastroenterology group in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been sold by its backer, Amulet Capital Partners, to a UnitedHealth Group’s unit SCA Health. The deal, closed quietly and without a disclosed price, signals another seismic shift in GI consolidation. Founded by Amulet in 2019, USDH rapidly expanded into a regional giant. Now, with UnitedHealth taking the reins, questions loom: 👉 The deal was uncovered by The Inquirer before being confirmed, raising eyebrows about why such a major acquisition flew under the radar.
In a dramatic policy shift, the Trump administration is planning a five-year experiment to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—not just for diabetes, but for obesity treatment. The trial, slated to begin in 2026, signals a major reconsideration of prior policies and could reshape access for millions of Americans struggling with obesity. The initiative would require participating plans to also offer lifestyle support such as diet and exercise coaching. While hailed by some as a “game changer,” others raise alarm over costs, long-term sustainability, and the risk of dependency on high-priced…
Gastro Health has named Philip Meador its new Chief Operating Officer, tapping into his extensive leadership experience across ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacy, infusion, and lab operations. Meador, formerly SVP of Operations at Surgery Partners, brings a track record of operational excellence from roles at Premier Inc., Emory Healthcare, and others.
As reports surface about possible changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and over 20 healthcare partners are urging Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to safeguard the agency’s core role. They warn that weakening USPSTF authority could jeopardize life-saving, no-cost screenings—particularly for colorectal cancer, which remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The Alliance’s Screen Smart initiative emphasizes data-driven policies and practical tools to boost access and adherence. They argue that the USPSTF’s evidence-based, population-level assessments must remain distinct from the FDA’s focus on test safety and efficacy. The Task…