• Mission
• About the ACG
• What is a Gastroenterologist?
• ACG President
• Board of Trustees
• Education
• Research
• Publications
• ACG International Affiliate Societies
• Headquarters

The mission of the American College of Gastroenterology shall be to advance the medical treatment and scientific study of gastrointestinal disorders. The College will strive to serve the evolving needs of physicians in the delivery of high quality scientific, humanistic, clinical, ethical, and cost-effective health care to gastroenterology patients.

Our goals are:

1. To provide continuing medical education to clinicians through scientific publications, meetings, and multimedia, web-based offerings;
   
   
2. To represent the clinician in national and local health care policy issues to ensure that the best interests of patient care and clinical medicine are served;
   
   
3. To promote and provide assistance in education to clinical gastroenterologists and fellows-in-training in cost-effective, efficient, and high quality practice management;
   
   
4. To promote, encourage and support clinical research in gastroenterologic disorders through the ACG Institute for Clinical Research;
   
   
5. To be a source of educational information for patients with gastrointestinal disorders and their families and to provide liaison with patient advocacy organizations for those with gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.
   
   

More than 11,000 physicians from 82 countries are members of the ACG. Through annual scientific meetings, the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, regional postgraduate training courses and research grants, the ACG provides its members with the most accurate and up-to-date scientific information on digestive health and the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of GI disorders. ACG's advocacy in the public policy arenas, and the work of the ACG's 22 committees have made tremendous strides with many premiere accomplishments to improve the future of clinical gastroenterology and the quality of care available to patients with GI conditions and diseases, today. The information exchange and training acquired through College membership provide physicians with the knowledge necessary to offer the most effective patient care and to meet the challenges of today's changing health care system. For more information about becoming a member, click here.

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in disorders and conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, also called the digestive tract. This organ system includes: the esophagus, liver, pancreas and biliary, small intestine and colon. After completing their general medical education, gastroenterologists train for at least two years to attain Board Certification in Internal Medicine. Then, gastroenterologists study for an additional 2 - 3 years specifically for conditions of the GI tract. For more details, click here to download a brochure entitled, "What is a Gastroenterologist".

Find a gastroenterologist in your area.

Philip O. Katz, M.D., FACG received his medical degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He served his residency and chief residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. He completed a faculty development fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Currently, Dr. Katz is Chairman of the Division of Gastroenterology at Albert Einstein Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is also an Associate Program Director for the internal medicine residency in the Department of Medicine at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He also served as Chairman, Department of Medicine, and Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia from 1999-2003.

A recognized national authority on esophageal disease, Dr. Katz’s research interests include all aspects of gastroesophageal reflux disease, including nocturnal recovery of gastric acid secretion during proton pump inhibitor therapy and esophageal pain perception. 

Dr. Katz is a practicing clinician with active teaching and editorial positions. In addition to lecturing on many gastroenterology-related topics, Dr. Katz is an editorial reviewer for numerous journals including Annals of Internal Medicine, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology, and Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. He has contributed to the publication of over 140 peer-reviewed papers, as well as numerous abstracts, books, book chapters, and monographs.

Dr. Katz has played an instrumental leadership role in the ACG, particularly as an educator. A member of the Board of Trustees since 2001, Dr. Katz has served as Treasurer and Vice President of the College. His generous contributions of time, effort and creativity to the College encompass service as a member of the Educational Affairs Committee beginning in 1995, and serving as Chair from 1996 to 1999. He served as Course Director of ACG National Postgraduate Course in 2000. He pioneered the “What’s New in GI Pharmacology?” course and has been involved since its inception in 1999. Dr. Katz has served as ACG’s representative to the American Board of Internal Medicine and has been actively involved in the collaborating with ABIM and his ACG colleagues to establish appropriate criteria for gastroenterology training and Board recertification.

Dr. Katz was a driving force behind the development and launch of the ACG “Education Universe,” an innovative, online educational portal offering a library of ACG educational activities. He also helped to envision the GI Training pathway within the ACG Education Universe as a resource to GI Program Directors and fellows-in-training in gastroenterology.

Over the years, Dr. Katz has been deeply involved in programs targeted to GI trainees.  “I believe these fellows forums are invaluable in helping to train the clinicians of tomorrow and to create a bond between the College and its future membership,” commented Dr. Katz.  He was a speaker at the ACG Second Year Fellows Conference in 2007 and 2009; served as Chair of the North American Conference GI Fellows on behalf of the College from 1995 to 2009; and was involved in the ACG/Astra Merck Senior Fellow Conference from 1996 to 2001.

“My primary goal is to be a good steward of this thriving organization whose unique mission is to represent the GI clinician, regardless of where he or she practices and regardless of area of specialization,” said Dr. Katz. “I hope to ensure that the College continues to lead the way on education matters from GI training through clinical practice,” he added.

Dr. Katz and his wife, Leilani (Past President of the ACG Auxiliary), reside outside Philadelphia, PA.

OFFICERS:

Neena S. Abraham, M.D., FACG, Houston, Texas
Carol A. Burke, M.D., FACG, Cleveland, Ohio
R. Bruce Cameron, M.D., FACG, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Naga P. Chalasani, M.D., FACG, Indianapolis, Indiana
Francis A. Farraye, M.D., M.Sc., FACG, Boston, Massachusetts
Anthony N. Kalloo, M.D., FACG, Baltimore, Maryland
Sunanda V. Kane, M.D., MSPH, FACG, Rochester, Minnesota
W. Elwyn Lyles, M.D., FACG, Alexandria, Louisiana
Irving M. Pike, M.D., FACG, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Mark B. Pochapin, M.D., FACG, New York, New York

The ACG provides a wide range of educational programs emphasizing clinically oriented topics. Besides the Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course, the ACG also offers regional meetings and many educational materials designed to help its members in their ongoing efforts to improve the health of their patients with digestive disorders.

The ACG provides conceptual and financial support for clinically relevant investigative studies. Annually, the Board of Trustees awards competitive grants through the ACG Institute for Clinical Research and Education. The results of these and other ACG-sponsored projects are presented at the College's national and local meetings.

• American Journal of Gastroenterology (published monthly)
  
  Published monthly since 1934, the American Journal of Gastroenterology is the College's official peer-reviewed journal. The goal of the Journal is to publish scientific papers relevant to the practice of clinical gastroenterology. It features outstanding original research, review articles and consensus papers related to new drugs and therapeutic modalities. The ACG Editorial Board encourages submission of original manuscripts, review articles and letters to the editor from members and non-members.
  
  
• Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (published monthly)
  
  Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, published by Nature Publishing Group, provides timely interpretations of key developments in medical research, translating the latest findings into Reviews. Editor-in-Chief Stephen B. Hanauer, M.D., FACG, and an international Advisory Board ensure comprehensive coverage of topical issues throughout the year, with the highest standards of editorial quality and integrity.
  
  Published monthly in print and online, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology includes editorial and opinion pieces, highlights from the current literature, commentaries on the application of recent research to practical patient care, comprehensive reviews, and in-depth case studies. You’ll find coverage on pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, and biliary tract, such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory diseases, cancer, infection and nutritional disorders.
  
  
• ACG Update newsletter (a bi-monthly members only publication)
  
  This bi-monthly newsletter chronicles the activities, meetings and events sponsored by the College, and serves as a forum for ACG Members and Fellows to exchange information regarding socioeconomic and practice management issues.
  
  
• ACG SmartBrief (twice weekly members only publication)
  
  ACG SmartBrief, emailed twice weekly to ACG members, provides summaries of the latest news in gastroenterology. You’ll find news coverage of Clinical Updates, Legal & Regulatory, Practice News, Business & Market Trends, Patient Perspectives, and more. If you are an ACG member and are not currently receiving ACG SmartBrief, update your member record by adding your email address information.
  
  
• This Week: Legislative Updates (a members only publication)
  
  This communication is distributed periodically to keep members informed of important legislative developments in Congress, the federal regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services and the Food & Drug Administration, and to solicit member involvement in legislative issues.
  
  
• Patient Brochures
• Online Education Universe
• Online Self-Assessment Tests
• Purchase Self-Assessment Tests
• Course Syllabi

In 2001, the ACG Board of Trustees approved an International Affiliate Society program. The goals of the program include:

• Raising international awareness of College activities and ACG awareness of international educational activities
• Increasing international attendance and contributions to the ACG Annual Meeting
• Increasing awareness and participation in the ACG International GI Training Grant program
• Assisting our Affiliate Partners in their educational mission to their members
• Where appropriate, assisting International Affiliates in adapting US / ACG public health outreach programs to their local medical community and patients
• Increasing readership and international contributions to the American Journal of Gastroenterology

Currently, there are three international GI societies that have met the requirements and been approved for ACG Affiliate status:

Brazil
Federação Brasileira de Gastroenterologia
www.fbg.org.br/

The Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology – FBG is a non-profit organization that promotes and represents the overall area of gastroenterology in Brazil. FBG congregates 4,300 professionals that perform gastroenterology. FBG integrates, together with another 64 renowned medical specializations, the Scientific Council of the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB-Associação Médica Brasileira).

FBG was founded in 1949 to support and develop the scientific knowledge of gastroenterology in Brazil, and it currently represents 22 regional federates throughout the country. Every year, FBG grants a title known as the “Gastroenterology Specialist”.

FBG is an affiliate of AIGE – Associação Interamericana de Gastroenterologia (Interamerican Gastroenterology Association), and OMGE – Organzação Mundial de Gastroenterologia (World Gastroenterology Organization). FBG has two scientific publications, GED and the Gastroenterology Archives Magazine (Revista Arquivos de Gastroenterologia), besides other programs that focus on the scientific updating of FBG’s associated entities.

FBG hosts the Brazilian Week of the Digestive Track, a biannual event of international magnitude, considered as the major gastroenterology event in Brazil.

Italy
Associazione Italiana Gastroenterologi & Endoscopisti Ospedalieri
www.webaigo.it

AIGO (Italian Society for Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists) was founded in 1969 and encompasses, as the name suggests, gastroenterologists and endoscopists who work in hospitals, therefore with similar aims of the American College of Gastroenterology.  Presently there are approximately one thousand members who work primarily in the clinical and endoscopic field, but do not overlook clinical research and teachings within their single departments.

Since 1969 the main objective of the Society has been that of forming its members, primarily through conventions, and also working with other Italian Gastroenterology Societies.

In the last few years, in addition to various conventions, many monothematic courses have been organized (Hepatic Cirrhosis, Alimentary Disorders, Clinical Government, Digestive Bleeding, Rare Pathologies of the Digestive Tract, Non Viral Hepatic Illnesses).

The aims of the Society are to develop the knowledge of pathologies and gastroenterological techniques, to promote progress in the field of prevention, treatment and cure of digestive diseases, to develop clinical research and to improve professional and scientific standards.

During the last years, the Society united with SIED (Society of Endoscopists) and with SIGE (University Gastroenterologists) in order to reach its goals and above all to improve and intensify the specialization with the public and within the political field.  (It must be noted that in Italy the health system is based on social medicine and that all organizational decisions are taken by each Region that are in turn governed by authorities that are democratically elected).

During the last years the Society has done its best to reach its main goals (formation and clinical research) by organizing multicentric studies.  The first of these was published in the Journal of Hepatology and consisted of the use of hepato-biopsy in liver diseases; others regarded the quality indicators in colonoscopy (to be published), clinical effectiveness in the therapy of Virus C Hepatitis and prospectus on digestive bleeding (to identify prognostic factors).

A website is available to the members of the society in order to assess any updates and to keep abreast of procedures and documents that are necessary for their activities.

Together with the other societies, an annual national congress is held that includes approximately 2000 physicians who are interested in updates within their specializations.  The next 2007 congress will be held in Palermo and in 2008 will be held in Rimini.  A project on “Clinical Governance” is in the making.   A study will be completed on a multicentric research on the use of albumin in liver diseases.

Japan
The Japanese Gastroenterological Association
www.jpn-ga.jp/e/index.html

The Japanese Gastroenterological Association (JGA) was founded in 2004 with the aim to concentrate only on topics related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. One of the major associations related to GI issues in Japan is the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE), which covers not only the GI tract but also the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. Apart from the JSGE, there are individual associations that focus on a single organ. The JGA is one such association in Japan that features detailed research on the GI tract and clinical cases.

The JGA holds an annual meeting during which educational and clinical programs are discussed and an international program focusing on a single topic is conducted. The 6 annual meetings and the 9 educational courses to date involved highly sophisticated presentations and active discussions, showing the remarkable enthusiasm of more than 3,800 current members across Japan to strengthen this association. The participation of members from not only gastroenterology but also a wide range of academic fields, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, pathology, and pharmacology, is in line with the aim of the JGA of being a "comprehensive academic society for GI diseases."

During the first week of February 2005, the American College of Gastroenterology moved into its new national headquarters building located in Bethesda, Maryland. In recognition of the continued outstanding growth in membership and programming, the move is designed to permit the College's administrative staff to better serve the needs of the organization and its members. The new space provides a significant upgrade in the amount of work-space and will permit the College to meet its administrative staffing needs for the foreseeable future.

The move to increase administrative capacity is an outgrowth of the review of the College's capabilities and resources that began in 2001 with then President Edgar Achkar's appointment of a strategic planning committee and culminated with the ratification of the ACG Strategic Plan in 2002. The College's Board of Trustees believes all members will benefit from an increased level of service and new and exciting programs that build on the ACG's unique role as champion of clinical gastroenterology.