AGA Programs

When I entered the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship last year, many of my cofellows asked, “What exactly is an editorial fellowship?” After completing the program, I can now reflect on what was truly a fantastic year-long experience that complemented my final year of fellowship training.

Manuscripts certainly don’t review and accept themselves into journals, and fellowship training usually gives little insight into how manuscripts move through the submission, peer review, and production processes. What happens while authors wait for an editorial decision?

Since its first publication in 1943, Gastroenterology has importantly affected clinical care and the direction of research in our field. The quality of the American Gastroenterological Association’s flagship journal is derived from the sweat and muscle put in daily by gastroenterology-oriented and hepatology-oriented professionals who strive to transform the steady stream of cutting-edge manuscript submissions into an influential monthly publication read by a broad audience of clinicians, trainees, academic researchers, and policy makers. Without a doubt, this fellowship provided me with a sincere appreciation for the dedication that the board of editors puts into the peer review process and into maintaining the quality of monthly publications.

Near the beginning of my editorial fellowship, I spent a week at Vanderbilt University with the on-site editors. This was an irreplaceable opportunity for a trainee like myself to meet with both clinical- and research-oriented academic gastroenterologists who integrate demanding editorial roles into busy and fulfilling professional careers. Throughout my week there, I met with editors and staff who held various roles within the journal. Overall, this experience taught me about what metrics the journal uses to ensure quality, how manuscripts move from submission to publication, and how the direction and content of the journal is directed toward both AGA members and a broader readership.

At its core, the fellowship was focused on teaching the fundamental process of peer review. High-quality reviews for Gastroenterology provide consultative content and methodological expertise to editors who can then provide direction and make editorial recommendations to the authors. During my fellowship, I learned how to write a structured and nuanced review on the basis of novelty, clinical relevance and effects, and methodological rigor. I was paired with one of the associate editors on the basis of my primary content area of interest and regularly provided reviews for original article submissions. As the year progressed, I become more comfortable with reviewing beyond my immediate knowledge base. I also became more adept at providing detailed comments that would be insightful and accessible to both authors and editors.

Each week, I participated in a phone call with the board of editors, which was composed of thought leaders with content expertise in both gastroenterology and hepatology. During the call, we would thoughtfully critique some of the most cutting-edge research in our field; each manuscript often represented the culmination of years of meticulous work by research groups and multinational collaborations. From a fellow’s perspective, these calls gave me access to what may be the most insightful discussions taking place in our field, discussions which could have potential implications on future disease management principles and clinical practice guidelines. Through our meetings, it became apparent how much work goes into finding quality reviewers and how much time goes into assimilating the resulting recommendations into a cohesive discussion. This was an opportunity to learn how associate editors walk the entire board through a manuscript: from a basis of current knowledge and practice, through the conduct and findings of a particular study, and ultimately, to how study findings might affect the field.

What I came away with the most from the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship was an appreciation for the importance of the editorial and peer review process in maintaining the integrity and detail needed in high-quality research. Ultimately, this fellowship gave me a meaningful and immediate way to give back to the field that I can continue over the course of my professional career. I am certain that this unique program will continue to give future editorial fellows the skills and motivation they need to become actively involved in the editorial and peer review processes when they are beginning their independent careers.
 

Dr. Shah, MD, MBA, is an assistant professor; he is also the director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Motility in the division of gastroenterology in the department of internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

When I entered the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship last year, many of my cofellows asked, “What exactly is an editorial fellowship?” After completing the program, I can now reflect on what was truly a fantastic year-long experience that complemented my final year of fellowship training.

Manuscripts certainly don’t review and accept themselves into journals, and fellowship training usually gives little insight into how manuscripts move through the submission, peer review, and production processes. What happens while authors wait for an editorial decision?

Since its first publication in 1943, Gastroenterology has importantly affected clinical care and the direction of research in our field. The quality of the American Gastroenterological Association’s flagship journal is derived from the sweat and muscle put in daily by gastroenterology-oriented and hepatology-oriented professionals who strive to transform the steady stream of cutting-edge manuscript submissions into an influential monthly publication read by a broad audience of clinicians, trainees, academic researchers, and policy makers. Without a doubt, this fellowship provided me with a sincere appreciation for the dedication that the board of editors puts into the peer review process and into maintaining the quality of monthly publications.

Near the beginning of my editorial fellowship, I spent a week at Vanderbilt University with the on-site editors. This was an irreplaceable opportunity for a trainee like myself to meet with both clinical- and research-oriented academic gastroenterologists who integrate demanding editorial roles into busy and fulfilling professional careers. Throughout my week there, I met with editors and staff who held various roles within the journal. Overall, this experience taught me about what metrics the journal uses to ensure quality, how manuscripts move from submission to publication, and how the direction and content of the journal is directed toward both AGA members and a broader readership.

At its core, the fellowship was focused on teaching the fundamental process of peer review. High-quality reviews for Gastroenterology provide consultative content and methodological expertise to editors who can then provide direction and make editorial recommendations to the authors. During my fellowship, I learned how to write a structured and nuanced review on the basis of novelty, clinical relevance and effects, and methodological rigor. I was paired with one of the associate editors on the basis of my primary content area of interest and regularly provided reviews for original article submissions. As the year progressed, I become more comfortable with reviewing beyond my immediate knowledge base. I also became more adept at providing detailed comments that would be insightful and accessible to both authors and editors.

Each week, I participated in a phone call with the board of editors, which was composed of thought leaders with content expertise in both gastroenterology and hepatology. During the call, we would thoughtfully critique some of the most cutting-edge research in our field; each manuscript often represented the culmination of years of meticulous work by research groups and multinational collaborations. From a fellow’s perspective, these calls gave me access to what may be the most insightful discussions taking place in our field, discussions which could have potential implications on future disease management principles and clinical practice guidelines. Through our meetings, it became apparent how much work goes into finding quality reviewers and how much time goes into assimilating the resulting recommendations into a cohesive discussion. This was an opportunity to learn how associate editors walk the entire board through a manuscript: from a basis of current knowledge and practice, through the conduct and findings of a particular study, and ultimately, to how study findings might affect the field.

What I came away with the most from the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship was an appreciation for the importance of the editorial and peer review process in maintaining the integrity and detail needed in high-quality research. Ultimately, this fellowship gave me a meaningful and immediate way to give back to the field that I can continue over the course of my professional career. I am certain that this unique program will continue to give future editorial fellows the skills and motivation they need to become actively involved in the editorial and peer review processes when they are beginning their independent careers.
 

Dr. Shah, MD, MBA, is an assistant professor; he is also the director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Motility in the division of gastroenterology in the department of internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

When I entered the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship last year, many of my cofellows asked, “What exactly is an editorial fellowship?” After completing the program, I can now reflect on what was truly a fantastic year-long experience that complemented my final year of fellowship training.

Manuscripts certainly don’t review and accept themselves into journals, and fellowship training usually gives little insight into how manuscripts move through the submission, peer review, and production processes. What happens while authors wait for an editorial decision?

Since its first publication in 1943, Gastroenterology has importantly affected clinical care and the direction of research in our field. The quality of the American Gastroenterological Association’s flagship journal is derived from the sweat and muscle put in daily by gastroenterology-oriented and hepatology-oriented professionals who strive to transform the steady stream of cutting-edge manuscript submissions into an influential monthly publication read by a broad audience of clinicians, trainees, academic researchers, and policy makers. Without a doubt, this fellowship provided me with a sincere appreciation for the dedication that the board of editors puts into the peer review process and into maintaining the quality of monthly publications.

Near the beginning of my editorial fellowship, I spent a week at Vanderbilt University with the on-site editors. This was an irreplaceable opportunity for a trainee like myself to meet with both clinical- and research-oriented academic gastroenterologists who integrate demanding editorial roles into busy and fulfilling professional careers. Throughout my week there, I met with editors and staff who held various roles within the journal. Overall, this experience taught me about what metrics the journal uses to ensure quality, how manuscripts move from submission to publication, and how the direction and content of the journal is directed toward both AGA members and a broader readership.

At its core, the fellowship was focused on teaching the fundamental process of peer review. High-quality reviews for Gastroenterology provide consultative content and methodological expertise to editors who can then provide direction and make editorial recommendations to the authors. During my fellowship, I learned how to write a structured and nuanced review on the basis of novelty, clinical relevance and effects, and methodological rigor. I was paired with one of the associate editors on the basis of my primary content area of interest and regularly provided reviews for original article submissions. As the year progressed, I become more comfortable with reviewing beyond my immediate knowledge base. I also became more adept at providing detailed comments that would be insightful and accessible to both authors and editors.

Each week, I participated in a phone call with the board of editors, which was composed of thought leaders with content expertise in both gastroenterology and hepatology. During the call, we would thoughtfully critique some of the most cutting-edge research in our field; each manuscript often represented the culmination of years of meticulous work by research groups and multinational collaborations. From a fellow’s perspective, these calls gave me access to what may be the most insightful discussions taking place in our field, discussions which could have potential implications on future disease management principles and clinical practice guidelines. Through our meetings, it became apparent how much work goes into finding quality reviewers and how much time goes into assimilating the resulting recommendations into a cohesive discussion. This was an opportunity to learn how associate editors walk the entire board through a manuscript: from a basis of current knowledge and practice, through the conduct and findings of a particular study, and ultimately, to how study findings might affect the field.

What I came away with the most from the Gastroenterology Editorial Fellowship was an appreciation for the importance of the editorial and peer review process in maintaining the integrity and detail needed in high-quality research. Ultimately, this fellowship gave me a meaningful and immediate way to give back to the field that I can continue over the course of my professional career. I am certain that this unique program will continue to give future editorial fellows the skills and motivation they need to become actively involved in the editorial and peer review processes when they are beginning their independent careers.
 

Dr. Shah, MD, MBA, is an assistant professor; he is also the director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Motility in the division of gastroenterology in the department of internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

Medicine is an evolving field, and in this era of ever-changing medicine, physicians-in-training often lag behind in understanding the nuances of “real-world” medicine. From negotiating job contracts to understanding medical billing, coding systems, and performance metrics, physicians who are fresh out of training often feel ill prepared to deal with these issues that are rarely discussed during fellowship.

The American Gastroenterological Association’s Regional Practice Skills Workshops are designed to fill this void and provide the tools necessary to navigate the challenging transition from training into practice. Since the first pilot workshops were held in 2014, AGA’s Trainee and Early Career Committee has been diligently working to expand the number of workshop sites so that more trainees can benefit from them. This year, workshops will be held in Columbus, Ohio (Feb. 24), and in Philadelphia (April 11). An exciting development in 2017 was the opportunity to live stream the event held at the University of California, Los Angeles, to Stanford (Calif.) University and the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

This aforementioned workshop at UCLA was divided into two sessions. The first was focused on “Practice Options,” with talks geared toward highlighting the different practice models available in the GI market, including positions in academia, private practice, and mixed environments.

William Chey, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, shared his experience as an academic gastroenterologist as well as his experience in managing a GI consulting firm. His advice to young gastroenterologists was to diversify. He suggested options such as working for pharmaceutical companies, being involved in drug trials, working in the innovation industry, and proactively seeking leadership positions in different organizations. V. Raman Muthusamy MD, AGAF, a clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, led the discussion with the million-dollar question: What is my net worth? He suggested doing some homework before negotiating one’s salary by visiting the Medical Group Management Association’s website. Having this information can provide a trainee with a head start in the negotiation process. Dr. Muthusamy recommended recalculating one’s net worth every 5 years and renegotiating your contract based on this information. In addition to possibly leading to a salary boost, such knowledge will render internal validation and boost self-confidence about one’s skill set. Keep in mind however, that checking this too often can be adversely distracting. Lynn S. Connolly, MD, also of UCLA brought to light the important fact that female gastroenterologists are often paid lower salaries than their male counterparts, even after adjusting for vacation time, practice type, and work hours. She urged female gastroenterologists not to undervalue themselves and avoid falling into this pitfall. Lin Chang, MD, a professor of medicine at UCLA, reinforced the need for young GI fellows to be passionate about the path they choose and to not make random choices or decisions based on convenience alone.

Gareth Dulai, MD, a gastroenterologist with Kaiser Permanente in Downey, CA, discussed the advantages of working in a big company, including salaries that are transparent and match the national average. One also does not have to worry about hiring staff and managing overhead costs. Martha Hierro, MD, who has been in private practice since fellowship, felt that a private group practice enables a higher salary potential and better flexibility with one’s schedule. Her group also has a pathology lab, research lab, and imaging center, which further augments the group’s earnings. The downsides to private practice, compared with bigger academic settings, include cumbersome negotiations with insurance companies and financial constraints when purchasing new technology. She advised young GI physicians to go through the partnership clause very carefully before joining any private practice. She recommended being prepared and fully informed before negotiating a contract, including speaking to other practicing gastroenterologists in the area about the earning potential in the practice. In the end, both speakers agreed that all types of practices have pros and cons and one can always move from one setting to another.

For young GI fellows who want to work as administrators, the common consensus among the panel members was that fellows should attend leadership courses at national meetings early in training and participate in the committees of national organizations like the AGA. Reaching out to educators and mentors is of key importance. Dr. Chey recommended that, when fellows are provided with an opportunity to work with a potential mentor, they should think it through before accepting the opportunity and, if they do accept it, make sure they finish the task in a timely manner.

The second session of the workshop was geared toward the interview process. James H. Tabibian, MD, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, shared some useful tips for job hunting. It is never too early to start the process of job hunting, and timing depends on the type of position one is seeking. For a competitive position, it may be best to start the process early. When looking for jobs, contact methods could include in-person encounters at national meetings, such as Digestive Disease Week, or through a mutual colleague or mentor. Emails to potential future employers should be succinct with an updated resume attached. Most importantly, make sure to follow up in a professional manner.

Dr. Connolly, who also spoke about interviewing, pointed out that one should always ask questions about the program and never offer any negative information about oneself. Discussing salary potential during an interview may not be perceived as a positive sign. One might ask the interviewer about what things the interviewer enjoys the most at work, what defines success in this position at the institution, what constitutes an ideal candidate for the program, and what is the growth plan for the program over the next 5-10 years. For subspecialty interviews, some questions that are good to ask include the volume of procedures done at the institute, what might a typical day for a fellow look like, where do fellows typically work after finishing, and how is the call schedule set up. In the end, look confident, be humble, and believe in yourself. You control how you are perceived.
 

Once you are offered a job, the next big task is contract negotiation. Negotiating a contract can be very time consuming and stressful. Some key concepts to keep in mind are: a) prepare ahead of time and know the institution well; b) the more offers you have, the more leverage you can get; c) take adequate time to evaluate the contract before signing; d) establish which clauses are nonnegotiable for you; e) try to get something back for everything you give up during negotiations; f) do not negotiate with yourself; g) keep calm and be flexible; and h) know what you want out of your job. Always keep in mind base salary and bonuses, student loan repayment, relocation expenses, medical and disability insurance, and malpractice insurance coverage. Always consider the possibility of buying into the practice. Be wary of indemnification and unreasonable noncompete clauses.

Overall, my colleagues and I found the workshop to be extremely informative. The live stream format was very well received, and as an audience, we felt engaged and encouraged to participate. We certainly appreciated the opportunity to ask questions in real time. This format allowed all our fellows to participate without needing to travel and to gain access to invaluable content that will surely help us in making important career decisions.
 

Dr. Ashat is a first-year gastroenterology fellow at The University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Medicine is an evolving field, and in this era of ever-changing medicine, physicians-in-training often lag behind in understanding the nuances of “real-world” medicine. From negotiating job contracts to understanding medical billing, coding systems, and performance metrics, physicians who are fresh out of training often feel ill prepared to deal with these issues that are rarely discussed during fellowship.

The American Gastroenterological Association’s Regional Practice Skills Workshops are designed to fill this void and provide the tools necessary to navigate the challenging transition from training into practice. Since the first pilot workshops were held in 2014, AGA’s Trainee and Early Career Committee has been diligently working to expand the number of workshop sites so that more trainees can benefit from them. This year, workshops will be held in Columbus, Ohio (Feb. 24), and in Philadelphia (April 11). An exciting development in 2017 was the opportunity to live stream the event held at the University of California, Los Angeles, to Stanford (Calif.) University and the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

This aforementioned workshop at UCLA was divided into two sessions. The first was focused on “Practice Options,” with talks geared toward highlighting the different practice models available in the GI market, including positions in academia, private practice, and mixed environments.

William Chey, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, shared his experience as an academic gastroenterologist as well as his experience in managing a GI consulting firm. His advice to young gastroenterologists was to diversify. He suggested options such as working for pharmaceutical companies, being involved in drug trials, working in the innovation industry, and proactively seeking leadership positions in different organizations. V. Raman Muthusamy MD, AGAF, a clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, led the discussion with the million-dollar question: What is my net worth? He suggested doing some homework before negotiating one’s salary by visiting the Medical Group Management Association’s website. Having this information can provide a trainee with a head start in the negotiation process. Dr. Muthusamy recommended recalculating one’s net worth every 5 years and renegotiating your contract based on this information. In addition to possibly leading to a salary boost, such knowledge will render internal validation and boost self-confidence about one’s skill set. Keep in mind however, that checking this too often can be adversely distracting. Lynn S. Connolly, MD, also of UCLA brought to light the important fact that female gastroenterologists are often paid lower salaries than their male counterparts, even after adjusting for vacation time, practice type, and work hours. She urged female gastroenterologists not to undervalue themselves and avoid falling into this pitfall. Lin Chang, MD, a professor of medicine at UCLA, reinforced the need for young GI fellows to be passionate about the path they choose and to not make random choices or decisions based on convenience alone.

Gareth Dulai, MD, a gastroenterologist with Kaiser Permanente in Downey, CA, discussed the advantages of working in a big company, including salaries that are transparent and match the national average. One also does not have to worry about hiring staff and managing overhead costs. Martha Hierro, MD, who has been in private practice since fellowship, felt that a private group practice enables a higher salary potential and better flexibility with one’s schedule. Her group also has a pathology lab, research lab, and imaging center, which further augments the group’s earnings. The downsides to private practice, compared with bigger academic settings, include cumbersome negotiations with insurance companies and financial constraints when purchasing new technology. She advised young GI physicians to go through the partnership clause very carefully before joining any private practice. She recommended being prepared and fully informed before negotiating a contract, including speaking to other practicing gastroenterologists in the area about the earning potential in the practice. In the end, both speakers agreed that all types of practices have pros and cons and one can always move from one setting to another.

For young GI fellows who want to work as administrators, the common consensus among the panel members was that fellows should attend leadership courses at national meetings early in training and participate in the committees of national organizations like the AGA. Reaching out to educators and mentors is of key importance. Dr. Chey recommended that, when fellows are provided with an opportunity to work with a potential mentor, they should think it through before accepting the opportunity and, if they do accept it, make sure they finish the task in a timely manner.

The second session of the workshop was geared toward the interview process. James H. Tabibian, MD, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, shared some useful tips for job hunting. It is never too early to start the process of job hunting, and timing depends on the type of position one is seeking. For a competitive position, it may be best to start the process early. When looking for jobs, contact methods could include in-person encounters at national meetings, such as Digestive Disease Week, or through a mutual colleague or mentor. Emails to potential future employers should be succinct with an updated resume attached. Most importantly, make sure to follow up in a professional manner.

Dr. Connolly, who also spoke about interviewing, pointed out that one should always ask questions about the program and never offer any negative information about oneself. Discussing salary potential during an interview may not be perceived as a positive sign. One might ask the interviewer about what things the interviewer enjoys the most at work, what defines success in this position at the institution, what constitutes an ideal candidate for the program, and what is the growth plan for the program over the next 5-10 years. For subspecialty interviews, some questions that are good to ask include the volume of procedures done at the institute, what might a typical day for a fellow look like, where do fellows typically work after finishing, and how is the call schedule set up. In the end, look confident, be humble, and believe in yourself. You control how you are perceived.
 

Once you are offered a job, the next big task is contract negotiation. Negotiating a contract can be very time consuming and stressful. Some key concepts to keep in mind are: a) prepare ahead of time and know the institution well; b) the more offers you have, the more leverage you can get; c) take adequate time to evaluate the contract before signing; d) establish which clauses are nonnegotiable for you; e) try to get something back for everything you give up during negotiations; f) do not negotiate with yourself; g) keep calm and be flexible; and h) know what you want out of your job. Always keep in mind base salary and bonuses, student loan repayment, relocation expenses, medical and disability insurance, and malpractice insurance coverage. Always consider the possibility of buying into the practice. Be wary of indemnification and unreasonable noncompete clauses.

Overall, my colleagues and I found the workshop to be extremely informative. The live stream format was very well received, and as an audience, we felt engaged and encouraged to participate. We certainly appreciated the opportunity to ask questions in real time. This format allowed all our fellows to participate without needing to travel and to gain access to invaluable content that will surely help us in making important career decisions.
 

Dr. Ashat is a first-year gastroenterology fellow at The University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Medicine is an evolving field, and in this era of ever-changing medicine, physicians-in-training often lag behind in understanding the nuances of “real-world” medicine. From negotiating job contracts to understanding medical billing, coding systems, and performance metrics, physicians who are fresh out of training often feel ill prepared to deal with these issues that are rarely discussed during fellowship.

The American Gastroenterological Association’s Regional Practice Skills Workshops are designed to fill this void and provide the tools necessary to navigate the challenging transition from training into practice. Since the first pilot workshops were held in 2014, AGA’s Trainee and Early Career Committee has been diligently working to expand the number of workshop sites so that more trainees can benefit from them. This year, workshops will be held in Columbus, Ohio (Feb. 24), and in Philadelphia (April 11). An exciting development in 2017 was the opportunity to live stream the event held at the University of California, Los Angeles, to Stanford (Calif.) University and the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

This aforementioned workshop at UCLA was divided into two sessions. The first was focused on “Practice Options,” with talks geared toward highlighting the different practice models available in the GI market, including positions in academia, private practice, and mixed environments.

William Chey, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, shared his experience as an academic gastroenterologist as well as his experience in managing a GI consulting firm. His advice to young gastroenterologists was to diversify. He suggested options such as working for pharmaceutical companies, being involved in drug trials, working in the innovation industry, and proactively seeking leadership positions in different organizations. V. Raman Muthusamy MD, AGAF, a clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, led the discussion with the million-dollar question: What is my net worth? He suggested doing some homework before negotiating one’s salary by visiting the Medical Group Management Association’s website. Having this information can provide a trainee with a head start in the negotiation process. Dr. Muthusamy recommended recalculating one’s net worth every 5 years and renegotiating your contract based on this information. In addition to possibly leading to a salary boost, such knowledge will render internal validation and boost self-confidence about one’s skill set. Keep in mind however, that checking this too often can be adversely distracting. Lynn S. Connolly, MD, also of UCLA brought to light the important fact that female gastroenterologists are often paid lower salaries than their male counterparts, even after adjusting for vacation time, practice type, and work hours. She urged female gastroenterologists not to undervalue themselves and avoid falling into this pitfall. Lin Chang, MD, a professor of medicine at UCLA, reinforced the need for young GI fellows to be passionate about the path they choose and to not make random choices or decisions based on convenience alone.

Gareth Dulai, MD, a gastroenterologist with Kaiser Permanente in Downey, CA, discussed the advantages of working in a big company, including salaries that are transparent and match the national average. One also does not have to worry about hiring staff and managing overhead costs. Martha Hierro, MD, who has been in private practice since fellowship, felt that a private group practice enables a higher salary potential and better flexibility with one’s schedule. Her group also has a pathology lab, research lab, and imaging center, which further augments the group’s earnings. The downsides to private practice, compared with bigger academic settings, include cumbersome negotiations with insurance companies and financial constraints when purchasing new technology. She advised young GI physicians to go through the partnership clause very carefully before joining any private practice. She recommended being prepared and fully informed before negotiating a contract, including speaking to other practicing gastroenterologists in the area about the earning potential in the practice. In the end, both speakers agreed that all types of practices have pros and cons and one can always move from one setting to another.

For young GI fellows who want to work as administrators, the common consensus among the panel members was that fellows should attend leadership courses at national meetings early in training and participate in the committees of national organizations like the AGA. Reaching out to educators and mentors is of key importance. Dr. Chey recommended that, when fellows are provided with an opportunity to work with a potential mentor, they should think it through before accepting the opportunity and, if they do accept it, make sure they finish the task in a timely manner.

The second session of the workshop was geared toward the interview process. James H. Tabibian, MD, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, shared some useful tips for job hunting. It is never too early to start the process of job hunting, and timing depends on the type of position one is seeking. For a competitive position, it may be best to start the process early. When looking for jobs, contact methods could include in-person encounters at national meetings, such as Digestive Disease Week, or through a mutual colleague or mentor. Emails to potential future employers should be succinct with an updated resume attached. Most importantly, make sure to follow up in a professional manner.

Dr. Connolly, who also spoke about interviewing, pointed out that one should always ask questions about the program and never offer any negative information about oneself. Discussing salary potential during an interview may not be perceived as a positive sign. One might ask the interviewer about what things the interviewer enjoys the most at work, what defines success in this position at the institution, what constitutes an ideal candidate for the program, and what is the growth plan for the program over the next 5-10 years. For subspecialty interviews, some questions that are good to ask include the volume of procedures done at the institute, what might a typical day for a fellow look like, where do fellows typically work after finishing, and how is the call schedule set up. In the end, look confident, be humble, and believe in yourself. You control how you are perceived.
 

Once you are offered a job, the next big task is contract negotiation. Negotiating a contract can be very time consuming and stressful. Some key concepts to keep in mind are: a) prepare ahead of time and know the institution well; b) the more offers you have, the more leverage you can get; c) take adequate time to evaluate the contract before signing; d) establish which clauses are nonnegotiable for you; e) try to get something back for everything you give up during negotiations; f) do not negotiate with yourself; g) keep calm and be flexible; and h) know what you want out of your job. Always keep in mind base salary and bonuses, student loan repayment, relocation expenses, medical and disability insurance, and malpractice insurance coverage. Always consider the possibility of buying into the practice. Be wary of indemnification and unreasonable noncompete clauses.

Overall, my colleagues and I found the workshop to be extremely informative. The live stream format was very well received, and as an audience, we felt engaged and encouraged to participate. We certainly appreciated the opportunity to ask questions in real time. This format allowed all our fellows to participate without needing to travel and to gain access to invaluable content that will surely help us in making important career decisions.
 

Dr. Ashat is a first-year gastroenterology fellow at The University of Iowa, Iowa City.

The readership of Gastroenterology includes a broad distribution of stakeholders in digestive health, including those with vested interests in clinical practice, education, policy, clinical investigation, and basic research. One of our most critical constituencies, however, is trainees and early-career GIs. In an effort to support such individuals, our editorial team has developed a freshly minted 1-year editorial fellowship for Gastroenterology. The overarching purpose of this fellowship is to mentor an outstanding trainee for future editorial leadership roles in scientific publishing, as a means to promote the interests of trainee and early-career GI constituencies within the AGA and Gastroenterology. This fellowship is available to exceptional second- or third-year fellows through an application process. The intent of this training is to allow the selected applicant to become intimately involved with Gastroenterology’s entire editorial process, including peer review, editorial oversight, manuscript selection for publication, production, and postpublication activities. Our first fellow, Eric Shah, MD, MBA, was selected from a highly competitive pool of exceptional applicants, and began his fellowship on July 1, 2017.

AGA Institute

This year, we have been delighted to work with Dr. Shah as our inaugural Gastroenterology fellow. Dr. Shah has a unique background, having pursued a joint MD and MBA (earning both concurrently), while also following venture-oriented interests in developing GI technology from academia. Dr. Shah began his research career under the mentorship of Mark Pimentel, MD, and Gil Melmed, MD, at Cedars-Sinai as part of a Research Honors Program. Since that time, he has focused on evaluating the comparative efficacy, durability, and harm associated with pharmacotherapy in functional bowel disorders. Dr. Shah was accepted into the GI fellowship training program at the University of Michigan and received a slot on the T32 training grant to study cost-effectiveness and qualitative research techniques to address gaps in the care of functional bowel disorders. His work under the mentorship of William Chey, MD, Ryan Stidham, MD, and Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, has flourished and culminated in an oral presentation and several posters for DDW 2017, as well as several first-author manuscripts that have been submitted. Dr. Shah has fully embraced the Gastroenterology fellowship and has far surpassed our high expectations for this position.
 

VIDEO SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

In addition to creating an editorial fellowship, our team has also developed other components within the journal that specifically target trainees and early-career GIs. The Mentoring, Education and Training section – initiated in 2011 through the vision and insight of Bishr Omary MD, PhD, and John Del Valle, MD, at the University of Michigan – has been extremely effective in highlighting critical issues relevant to trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. Topics have included mentoring advice not only for individuals in academic or private practice careers but also industry careers and midlevel providers. Other topics have included Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones, career advancement for clinician-educators, sex and ethnic diversity, and maintenance of certification, as well as guidance regarding nontraditional funding mechanisms such as philanthropy. Potential future topics will include information about major new public and private funding initiatives, comments and input from National Institutes of Health officials, and reports of funding trends relevant to both physician scientists and clinicians. We are fortunate to have Prateek Sharma, MD, lead this section, and his depth of experience as an exceptional mentor has provided the requisite expertise.

Additionally, we offer a reduction in page charges to junior investigators (within 7 years of fellowship) who are the corresponding authors of exceedingly important original Gastroenterology manuscripts. These manuscripts from junior investigators will be highlighted in both print and online versions of Gastroenterology. We are using the journal to expand electronic access to educational offerings for new technologies, training, self-assessment, and practice improvement to establish the AGA as the ultimate resource for junior academicians and practicing physicians. We are also currently integrating Gastroenterology more closely into other AGA educational efforts that target young physicians, such as the AGA Education and Training Committee.

At Gastroenterology, we are acutely aware of the needs and obstacles facing trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. We have boldly adopted a multidimensional approach to provide guidance and opportunities to overcome these challenges, including the creation of the nascent Editorial Fellowship. We welcome applications for the next fellowship, which will be announced by the AGA in the spring of 2018!
 

Dr. Peek is the Mina Wallace Professor of Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and director, division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. He has no conflicts of interest.

The readership of Gastroenterology includes a broad distribution of stakeholders in digestive health, including those with vested interests in clinical practice, education, policy, clinical investigation, and basic research. One of our most critical constituencies, however, is trainees and early-career GIs. In an effort to support such individuals, our editorial team has developed a freshly minted 1-year editorial fellowship for Gastroenterology. The overarching purpose of this fellowship is to mentor an outstanding trainee for future editorial leadership roles in scientific publishing, as a means to promote the interests of trainee and early-career GI constituencies within the AGA and Gastroenterology. This fellowship is available to exceptional second- or third-year fellows through an application process. The intent of this training is to allow the selected applicant to become intimately involved with Gastroenterology’s entire editorial process, including peer review, editorial oversight, manuscript selection for publication, production, and postpublication activities. Our first fellow, Eric Shah, MD, MBA, was selected from a highly competitive pool of exceptional applicants, and began his fellowship on July 1, 2017.

AGA Institute

This year, we have been delighted to work with Dr. Shah as our inaugural Gastroenterology fellow. Dr. Shah has a unique background, having pursued a joint MD and MBA (earning both concurrently), while also following venture-oriented interests in developing GI technology from academia. Dr. Shah began his research career under the mentorship of Mark Pimentel, MD, and Gil Melmed, MD, at Cedars-Sinai as part of a Research Honors Program. Since that time, he has focused on evaluating the comparative efficacy, durability, and harm associated with pharmacotherapy in functional bowel disorders. Dr. Shah was accepted into the GI fellowship training program at the University of Michigan and received a slot on the T32 training grant to study cost-effectiveness and qualitative research techniques to address gaps in the care of functional bowel disorders. His work under the mentorship of William Chey, MD, Ryan Stidham, MD, and Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, has flourished and culminated in an oral presentation and several posters for DDW 2017, as well as several first-author manuscripts that have been submitted. Dr. Shah has fully embraced the Gastroenterology fellowship and has far surpassed our high expectations for this position.
 

VIDEO SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

In addition to creating an editorial fellowship, our team has also developed other components within the journal that specifically target trainees and early-career GIs. The Mentoring, Education and Training section – initiated in 2011 through the vision and insight of Bishr Omary MD, PhD, and John Del Valle, MD, at the University of Michigan – has been extremely effective in highlighting critical issues relevant to trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. Topics have included mentoring advice not only for individuals in academic or private practice careers but also industry careers and midlevel providers. Other topics have included Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones, career advancement for clinician-educators, sex and ethnic diversity, and maintenance of certification, as well as guidance regarding nontraditional funding mechanisms such as philanthropy. Potential future topics will include information about major new public and private funding initiatives, comments and input from National Institutes of Health officials, and reports of funding trends relevant to both physician scientists and clinicians. We are fortunate to have Prateek Sharma, MD, lead this section, and his depth of experience as an exceptional mentor has provided the requisite expertise.

Additionally, we offer a reduction in page charges to junior investigators (within 7 years of fellowship) who are the corresponding authors of exceedingly important original Gastroenterology manuscripts. These manuscripts from junior investigators will be highlighted in both print and online versions of Gastroenterology. We are using the journal to expand electronic access to educational offerings for new technologies, training, self-assessment, and practice improvement to establish the AGA as the ultimate resource for junior academicians and practicing physicians. We are also currently integrating Gastroenterology more closely into other AGA educational efforts that target young physicians, such as the AGA Education and Training Committee.

At Gastroenterology, we are acutely aware of the needs and obstacles facing trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. We have boldly adopted a multidimensional approach to provide guidance and opportunities to overcome these challenges, including the creation of the nascent Editorial Fellowship. We welcome applications for the next fellowship, which will be announced by the AGA in the spring of 2018!
 

Dr. Peek is the Mina Wallace Professor of Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and director, division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. He has no conflicts of interest.

The readership of Gastroenterology includes a broad distribution of stakeholders in digestive health, including those with vested interests in clinical practice, education, policy, clinical investigation, and basic research. One of our most critical constituencies, however, is trainees and early-career GIs. In an effort to support such individuals, our editorial team has developed a freshly minted 1-year editorial fellowship for Gastroenterology. The overarching purpose of this fellowship is to mentor an outstanding trainee for future editorial leadership roles in scientific publishing, as a means to promote the interests of trainee and early-career GI constituencies within the AGA and Gastroenterology. This fellowship is available to exceptional second- or third-year fellows through an application process. The intent of this training is to allow the selected applicant to become intimately involved with Gastroenterology’s entire editorial process, including peer review, editorial oversight, manuscript selection for publication, production, and postpublication activities. Our first fellow, Eric Shah, MD, MBA, was selected from a highly competitive pool of exceptional applicants, and began his fellowship on July 1, 2017.

AGA Institute

This year, we have been delighted to work with Dr. Shah as our inaugural Gastroenterology fellow. Dr. Shah has a unique background, having pursued a joint MD and MBA (earning both concurrently), while also following venture-oriented interests in developing GI technology from academia. Dr. Shah began his research career under the mentorship of Mark Pimentel, MD, and Gil Melmed, MD, at Cedars-Sinai as part of a Research Honors Program. Since that time, he has focused on evaluating the comparative efficacy, durability, and harm associated with pharmacotherapy in functional bowel disorders. Dr. Shah was accepted into the GI fellowship training program at the University of Michigan and received a slot on the T32 training grant to study cost-effectiveness and qualitative research techniques to address gaps in the care of functional bowel disorders. His work under the mentorship of William Chey, MD, Ryan Stidham, MD, and Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, has flourished and culminated in an oral presentation and several posters for DDW 2017, as well as several first-author manuscripts that have been submitted. Dr. Shah has fully embraced the Gastroenterology fellowship and has far surpassed our high expectations for this position.
 

VIDEO SOURCE: AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

In addition to creating an editorial fellowship, our team has also developed other components within the journal that specifically target trainees and early-career GIs. The Mentoring, Education and Training section – initiated in 2011 through the vision and insight of Bishr Omary MD, PhD, and John Del Valle, MD, at the University of Michigan – has been extremely effective in highlighting critical issues relevant to trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. Topics have included mentoring advice not only for individuals in academic or private practice careers but also industry careers and midlevel providers. Other topics have included Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones, career advancement for clinician-educators, sex and ethnic diversity, and maintenance of certification, as well as guidance regarding nontraditional funding mechanisms such as philanthropy. Potential future topics will include information about major new public and private funding initiatives, comments and input from National Institutes of Health officials, and reports of funding trends relevant to both physician scientists and clinicians. We are fortunate to have Prateek Sharma, MD, lead this section, and his depth of experience as an exceptional mentor has provided the requisite expertise.

Additionally, we offer a reduction in page charges to junior investigators (within 7 years of fellowship) who are the corresponding authors of exceedingly important original Gastroenterology manuscripts. These manuscripts from junior investigators will be highlighted in both print and online versions of Gastroenterology. We are using the journal to expand electronic access to educational offerings for new technologies, training, self-assessment, and practice improvement to establish the AGA as the ultimate resource for junior academicians and practicing physicians. We are also currently integrating Gastroenterology more closely into other AGA educational efforts that target young physicians, such as the AGA Education and Training Committee.

At Gastroenterology, we are acutely aware of the needs and obstacles facing trainees, young faculty, and early-career GIs. We have boldly adopted a multidimensional approach to provide guidance and opportunities to overcome these challenges, including the creation of the nascent Editorial Fellowship. We welcome applications for the next fellowship, which will be announced by the AGA in the spring of 2018!
 

Dr. Peek is the Mina Wallace Professor of Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and director, division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn. He has no conflicts of interest.