Here are 10 gastroenterologists who have made headlines since July 31:
1. A gastroenterologist was cleared after a jury in Portland, Ore., awarded over $24.6 million to the family of a patient who died during a colonoscopy in 2018. On Aug. 16, the jury found the clinic team 40% responsible for Mr. Gilbert's death and placed the remaining responsibility on an anesthesiologist, who settled out of the case.
The gastroenterologist who performed the procedure, Young Choi, MD, was found at no fault for the incident by the jury.
2. The Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Sciences is aiming to address staffing challenges with its endoscopy technician program. Gottumukkala Raju, MD, an endoscopist and a professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition with University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, reached out to HCC in late 2015 with a proposal to develop the standardized endoscopy technician program. He helped create the 35-hour, evening curriculum course alongside an advisory group of physicians, nurses, endoscopy technicians, educators and other industry partners.
3. Ashis Barad, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist, was named the first chief digital and transformation officer at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery. He previously worked as chief digital and information officer at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh.
4. U.S cancer screening costs hit $43.2 billion annually. Screening colonoscopies accounted for $23.7 billion, or 55%, of that cost. Three physicians shared their perspectives on the future of colonoscopies with Becker's
5. Utah Gastroenterology welcomed Charlie Fox, MD, to their team. Dr. Fox specializes in liver disease, inflammatory bowel diseases and esophageal disorders.Utah Gastroenterology is a part of GI Alliance –– one of the largest physician-owned and led GI chains in the country.
6. The Arkansas State Medical Board revoked the license of gastroenterologist Alonzo Williams, MD, following accusations of sexual harassment and improper prescription practices, among other allegations.
7. Louisville, Colo.-based Gastroenterology of the Rockies named Joseph Cassara, MD, its chief medical officer, as president of the board. Dr. Cassara has advised the board since 2022 when he began at the practice.
8. Round Rock, Texas-based Austin Gastroenterology expanded its GI coverage with a new hire.Nicole Ferrante, MD, is a gastroenterologist who specializes in numerous GI procedures and conditions, including colonoscopy, polyposis syndromes, liver disease and pancreatic diseases.
9. Shakeel Ahmed, MD, gastroenterologist and CEO of St. Louis-based Atlas Surgical Group, joined Becker's to discuss how Stark law issues are affecting physicians.
10. Ramanujan Samavedy, MD, gastroenterologist at Knoxville, Tenn.-based Gastrointestinal Associates, joined Becker's to discuss what's missing in conversations with payers.