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Letter from the ACG Institute Director
ACG Institute Mission Statement
The mission of the American College of Gastroenterology Institute for Clinical Research and Education is to promote digestive health through education of the clinician, the patient and the public, to support clinical research and innovation in gastroenterology and hepatology, and to raise public awareness about prevention of digestive disease .
LETTER from the ACG Institute Director
DEAR COLLEAGUES,
We learned many lessons as we faced the challenges of the past 12 months . As a community of physicians, we delivered compassionate care to our patients while adapting to an ever-changing landscape with courage, resilience, empathy, and mutual support . We realized we could stretch, pivot and adjust in our professional and personal lives . Similarly, the ACG Institute adjusted to these extraordinary circumstances by doing business differently . Inperson gatherings were transitioned to virtual, interactive formats allowing us to continue our mission uninterrupted . Throughout the pandemic, we promoted digestive health through education of the clinician, patient, and public, while expanding our support of clinical research and focusing public awareness on preventing digestive diseases . In this Annual Report, you will see evidence of the continued success of our signature programs and the exciting growth of new initiatives .
The Edgar Achkar Visiting Professorships (EAVP) and the Young Physician Leadership Scholars Program (YPLSP) were re-imagined without sacrificing quality . Ten GI training programs hosted virtual EAVP visits that featured educational lectures, trainee mentoring, and community partnership . We learned that we could adapt this popular program using technology, which opens new possibilities for expansion beyond the traditional constraints of in-person travel .
We welcomed the third and most diverse cohort of the YPLSP . These 36 young physicians met four times virtually in 2020-2021 to develop leadership and communication skills, learn about organizational behavior and healthcare advocacy, and to develop relationships with ACG leadership and peers . As one cohort member remarked: “This program was a godsend during the pandemic, providing muchneeded opportunities to network, meet mentors and develop critical leadership skills .” In the spring, the YPLSP class partnered with ACG Governors to advocate for change in healthcare policy during the virtual fly-in to Capitol Hill . Having spent time with these impressive young physicians, I can attest to the incredible potential of these future College leaders .
Our topic-specific schools also adopted a virtual format . Both virtual IBD School and the Functional GI Disorders School proved popular with our membership . New IBS patient tools were developed by the IBS Task Force and an IBS monograph card was disseminated to accompany the release of the latest IBS guideline .
At the conclusion of 3 days of a virtual study section, the Research Committee recommended approval of $1 .9 million in research funding . Expanded funding for our prestigious Junior Faculty Development Awards ($450,000 over three years), a new Established Investigator Bridge Funding Award, and a new joint ACG/ASGE Epidemiologic Research Award in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy contributed to this remarkable Institute milestone as did our continued support of Clinical Research Awards, Pilot Research Awards, and grants for medical residents and students . I invite you to review the work of our successful applicants .
This past year has demonstrated how digestive diseases disproportionately burden certain minority groups . The pandemic highlighted how healthcare disparities could impact the ability of individuals to achieve their full health potential . So, this year we have introduced a new research opportunity—The
Health Equity Research Award (HERA) . The HERA was developed in partnership with the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force to support research to reduce disparities in the care and outcomes of racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ populations and those living with a disability . The Institute is excited to support clinical research to address these goals and stimulate clinical, translational, social science, and health services research, accelerating knowledge in this space .
At the 2021 Annual Meeting, the ACG Institute is proud to announce the debut of The Center for Leadership, Ethics & Equity (the LE&E Center) . This new entity within the ACG Institute will provide resources for programs that promote ethical physician leadership and leadership development; scientific discovery to reduce health disparities and advance health equity to improve patient outcomes, and educational activities that support our commitment to increasing diversity, equity and ethical care in our profession . This year, we will be launching a Visiting Scholar in Equity, Diversity & Ethical Care, and the Health Equity Research Award under the LE&E umbrella . Leadership programs will also be housed in the new Center, including YPLSP and the new Advanced Leadership Development Program, the EAVP and our Prescriptions for Success: Careers in Medicine - ACG High School Visit Program (including, for the first time, three $1,000 college scholarships) . Learn more about this exciting new chapter in the future of the Institute in this Annual Report .
For the past 26 years, the ACG Institute for Clinical Research and Education has supported our profession and our patients with education and impactful clinical science . We added a focus on leadership development to strengthen the gastroenterologists’ ability to succeed in their healthcare communities and to expand the pipeline of trained leaders . This year, we begin a new journey to strengthen our College’s commitment to ethical and equitable care . These programs would not be possible without the generous support of our industry partners and members who contribute to the G .U .T . fund . The Institute’s fund to Grow, Uplift, and Transform GI is essential to our continued success . I am deeply grateful for the support of our Pillar Leadership donors and the individual philanthropic gifts that ensure we can continue our transformational work . I hope you will consider supporting us this year .
It is such a privilege to serve the College as the Institute Director . I am so grateful for this opportunity and the incredible Institute staff that make all these ideas come to life . Thank you for your continued support and engagement .
With warmest regards,
Neena S . Abraham, MD, MSc (Epi), FACG Director, ACG Institute for Clinical Research and Education
1994–2021 ACG Institute AWARDS
JUNIOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS $12.9 MILLION
67 RESEARCHERS $150,000 Per Year $450,000 Total
CLINICAL RESEARCH AWARDS $11.4 MILLION
Established Investigator Bridge Funding Award
$150,000
Per Year
$300,000 Total
ACG/ASGE Epedimiologic Research Award in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy $50,000 per year
Clinical Research Awards $50,000 per year
Clinical Research Pilot Awards $15,000 per year
Medical Student Research Awards $5,0000 per year 676 FUNDED INVESTIGATORS Totaling more than $24 MILLION
LE&E CENTER4 | 2020–2021 ACG Institute Annual Report of Programs & Activities
LE&E CENTER Promoting education, supporting clinical science and raising public awareness for the prevention and treatment of digestive disease | 5
