Becker's ASC Review

54 GASTROENTEROLOGY GI named chair of Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines By Patsy Newitt T he Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines named gastroenterologist Ralph McKib- ben, MD, as chair of the organization, the company said Sept. 10. Dr. McKibben was formerly the president of both the Pennsylvania Society of Gastroenterology and the Digestive Disease National Coalition. Mr. McKibben succeeds outgoing chair Mad- elaine Feldman, MD, who will be joining the advisory board as immediate past chair. The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines aims to be a resource for the public, medical community, the FDA and other government regulators as biosimilars policies are developed. n 3 surgical techniques shaping gastroenterology By Patsy Newitt F our gastroenterology leaders spoke with Becker's ASC Review on the surgical technique that has had the most significant impact on their practice: Paul Dambowy, MD. CMO of MNGI Digestive Health (Min- neapolis): The most novel technique would be endoscopic mucosal stripping with cold snare of medium-to-large colon polyps. This has led to a significant decrease in complications such as post-polypectomy bleeding, post-polypectomy elec- trocoagulation syndrome and hospitalizations. Kenneth Wang, MD. Director of Mayo Clinic's Advanced Endoscopy Group and Esophageal Neoplasia Clinic (Roch- ester, Minn.): Endoscopic resection. The treatment of early GI cancers has totally changed with endoscopic resection being the preferred method. Endoscopic myotomy has also changed the landscape for treatment of achalasia, with surgical myoto- my becoming less common. Brian Dooreck, MD. Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers and the Memorial Healthcare System (Miami): As more patients are interested in stopping chronic medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic therapy for the treat- ment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is evolving. Patients are also looking for alternatives to traditional antireflux sur- gery. In my opinion, gastroenterologists need a better under- standing of the therapeutic options, besides surgical interven- tion, to patients who cannot or do not wish to take chronic PPI medications for GERD. n Florida Digestive Health Specialists adds 2 GIs By Patsy Newitt L akewood Ranch-based Florida Digestive Health Special- ists added two gastroenterologists, the practice said in a Sept. 1 email. The private practice features 26 clinic locations and more than 80 providers. Here are Florida Digestive Health Specialists' new GIs: 1. Kimberly Brizell, MD, will be joining Florida Digestive's Bradenton location. Dr. Brizell completed an internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Tampa-based University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. 2. Vanessa Kuwajima, MD, will be joining the network's Rock- ledge location. Dr. Kuwajima previously served as the director of Columbia-based University of Missouri's GI fellowship. n Capital Digestive Care inks deal with 34-physician practice in Virgina By Patsy Newitt Capital Digestive Care has finalized a deal with Suffolk, Va.-based Gastrointestinal & Liver Special- ists of Tidewater, the company said Sept. 28. A major element of the deal is leveraging PE GI Solutions, a physician-oriented management services organization. The practice will have access to Capital Diges- tive's systems, IT capabilities and resources — including infusion and GI laboratory services. Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater has 34 physicians and 12 advanced care provid- ers at eight locations. With the addition, Silver Spring, Md.-based Capi- tal Digestive Care has 128 GI specialists serving the mid-Atlantic region. n

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