In May, Lawrence Kim, MD, began his term as the 120th president of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute.
A private practice partner based in Denver, Dr. Kim has spent years prioritizing diversity in gastroenterology and spearheading the creation of a joint venture in gastrointestinal pathology, helping to establish South Denver Gastroenterology as one of the founding groups of the Digestive Health Physicians Association, the first organization focused on advocacy for independent gastroenterology practices.
Dr. Kim spoke with Becker’s about his efforts in the GI space and his plans for his term as AGA president.
Question: What is your vision for the AGA Institute over the next 12 months?
Dr. Lawrence Kim: The primary message that I want to spread is that AGA as an organization is really about inclusivity. Of all of the GI societies, we have the biggest tent. We represent all GIs, whether they are clinicians, researchers or educators. Regardless of area of specialization, or your practice environment, AGA is here for you. Specifically, as a lifelong, community-based GI, another message I want to convey is to iterate that AGA has our back as clinicians. One of the reasons I’ve stayed so involved with AGA was our early work with very practice-focused issues such as bundled payment models, obesity management and strategies to help prepare clinicians for value-based care. A lot of that work was happening 15 years ago, so we were a little ahead of our time. It exemplifies the priority AGA has placed over my career for trying to help clinicians be successful. We really are emphasizing that commitment.
Q: How do you envision the AGA evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities in gastroenterology over the next decade?
LK: AGA really has evolved over time to become a future-focused organization. And one that is committed to innovation and finding practical solutions. For example, we’ve created an incubator for emerging technology in GI and we are directly investing in the most promising young companies through our GI opportunity fund. We are also meeting directly with payers to figure out how to work more collaboratively and ease pain points for GIs. These are examples of how we are trying to think outside the box but help to solve real-world problems. The other thing is that we are also continuing to take the high road. We work toward what is best for our members, but also the best interest of patients.
Q: What initiatives is the AGA undertaking to support underrepresented groups in gastroenterology?
LK: One of the proudest moments I’ve had on the AGA governing board was in our meeting where we received a dreaded letter from the Trump administration that asked us to attest we have nothing to do with DEI efforts. For several years, we’ve received an NIH grant funding our Forward program, a successful initiative that mentors GIs from under served backgrounds. It gives them the skills they need to succeed in academic and research careers, but it’s not about reverse discrimination. It’s making the composition of GIs more reflective of the patients we serve. The board broke AGAs budget for the year, but we decided to continue the program with our own nickel. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation in that board room.
Q: What GI trends are you keeping an eye on right now?
LK: We are really entering a period of transformation of GI practice. The business model centered around screening colonoscopy has sustained our specialty for several decades, but it’s rapidly evolving. We are seeing screening colonoscopy volumes decreasing across the country, and I’m seeing it in my own practice.
That is because more screening options have become available, and practices are moving into non-invasive screening approaches. Stool-based screening has been around for several years. Now, it is in a period of exponential growth also fueled by payers implementing mass screening programs. On the horizon is also blood-based screening. There are always pros and cons to these approaches, but patients will vote with their feet. Our primary concern is to make sure these approaches are utilized as appropriately as possible. In situations where it’s inappropriate to use these screening methods, we want to make sure patients are directed in an appropriate fashion.
Another trend is the rise of consumer directed care. Increasingly, patients are becoming empowered to take charge of their own care and drive their own clinical services. We see that in the expansion of remote care platforms, and also in the proliferation of complementary and alternative medicine. I think to be successful, GI practices will have to recognize and learn to adapt to both of these trends. I think this may be good for our specialty in many ways. We will always be a procedural specialty, but by becoming less dominated by a single procedure, we can become more patient-centric.
Q: Is there anything else you want to expand on?
LK: One of the reasons I got involved with organized medicine is because I wanted to be able to make an impact beyond my own practice and my patients. As I’ve tried to illustrate, AGA is an inclusive organization that is innovative and forward thinking and we are working diligently to shape our specialty. We are only going to be effective to the extent that we work together. My message to young GIs is to get involved. Together, we can make a difference.
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