Sheila Crowe, MD, assessed the state of the American Gastroenterological Association in remarks made at her final Digestive Disease Week as AGA Institute president, June 2 to June 5 in Washington, D.C.
Here are five insights from Dr. Crowe:
1. Dr. Crowe highlighted AGA's efforts to reform the maintenance of certification process. Two years ago, the AGA introduced the Gastroenterologist-accountable Professionalism in Practice process to encourage the American Board of Internal Medicine to adapt a less costly and more flexible version of its maintenance of certification process.
ABIM responded to the G-APP by introducing the two-year check-in initiative. Dr. Crowe said, "This is progress, but it still fails to address all the concerns we have expressed to ABIM. AGA will continue to work collaboratively, but forcefully, to make sure that recertification is convenient, relevant and meaningful."
2. She also highlighted the organization's work to improve the Medicare Quality Payments program and reiterated that AGA would continue to work to reduce the cumbersome regulatory burdens associated with the program.
3. During Dr. Crowe's presidential tenure, AGA established a partnership with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and launched the first Crohn's & Colitis Congress.
4. Research remains AGA's top priority. She said, "We are proud to be part of a coalition that aggressively advocated for increases at [National Institutes of Health] and were pleased that a $3 billion increase was secured in the budget. It was a big win in a tough environment.”
She also recognized the efforts of the AGA Research Foundation which awarded $2 million to 41 investigators this year.
5. Dr. Crowe ended her address by presenting the Julie Friedenwald Medal to Loren Laine, MD, for his research and advocacy efforts.
David Lieberman, MD, became the 113th president of the AGA Institute June 5 at the conclusion of DDW.