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 tool: the “MYSELF” ergonomic timeout mnemonic, encouraging physicians to adjust room setups and posture before every case—monitor height, stance, bed position, and more. In clinical studies and presentations at DDW 2024 and 2025, her interventions showed measurable improvements in reducing physical strain.