One GI, a Nashville-headquartered network of independent gastroenterology practices, has appointed Sean Mercado as the senior vice president of payer strategy, according to a June 28 news release shared with Becker's. 

Here are five lawsuits involving gastroenterologists or gastroenterology practices that Becker's has reported on since Aug. 12:

Nashville, Tenn.-based gastroenterology management services company One GI has appointed Sean Mercado as its senior vice president of payer strategy. 

In June, UnitedHealthcare attempted to clarify its new advanced notification process, which went into effect on June 1, in the wake of confusion among physicians and industry groups. 

The GI Research Foundation's CA CURE campaign, which funds medical research efforts, had its largest grantmaking year in its 60-year history, awarding $18.5 million in grants in the fiscal year ending on June 30. 

Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System has earned recognition from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for its endoscopy units at Mount Pleasant, Pa.-based Frick Hospital, Latrobe (Pa.) hospital and Greensburg, Pa.-based Westmoreland Hospital and its Laurel Surgical Center in Greensburg and North Huntingdon, Pa.-based Norwin Surgical Center, according to a June 26 report from the Latrobe Bulletin. 

Alan Lake, MD, the first board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital, has died at 76, according to a June 23 report from The Baltimore Sun.

UnitedHealthcare hasposted new guidance to its website clarifying its advanced notification process, which it originally announced June 1 in place of a planned prior authorization program. 

Northwestern Medicine physicians who used artificial intelligence to perform colonoscopies saw a 13 percent increase in colorectal polyps detection and removal, according to research posted May 10 from the Evanston, Ill.-based health system.

Medtronic plans to discontinue its SmartPill, a wireless ingestible capsule that monitors pH, transit time and temperature in the digestive tract, following 17 years on the market, according to a June 22 report from Medscape.

Boston Children's Hospital has been named the top hospital for pediatric gastroenterology in 2023 and 2024 by U.S. News and World Report. 

Ocean Springs, Miss.-based Digestive Health Center has joined GI Alliance.

Allied Digestive Health (ADH), a leading gastroenterology organization backed by private equity (Assured Healthcare Partners), is committed to creating a differentiated value for its patients and physicians through digital health platforms that directly impact care delivery and operations.

Here are five numbers that may be troubling gastroenterologists.

Healthgrades has named the top 100 hospitals for gastrointestinal care in 2023, recognizing facilities with superior patient outcomes in colorectal surgeries, gallbladder removal, upper gastrointestinal surgery, treating bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeds and pancreatitis. 

Here are 10 gastroenterology groups who have grown their footprint so far in 2023:

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y., is the most expensive hospital to undergo a colonoscopy in the state, while Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y., is the least expensive, according to information from data analytics company Hospital Pricing Specialists.

Here are 13 statistics on gastroenterologists' compensation, wealth and more. 

Oshi Health received strategic investments from the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association GI Opportunity Fund. 

Here are two gastroenterology leadership moves Becker's has reported on since June 6: