Letter from the Editor

Passing the torch


 

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that The New Gastroenterologist (TNG) is now in its 5th year of publication! Since the inception of TNG, it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as the inaugural editor in chief (EIC), and it has been an experience that I will never forget. When the idea of TNG was first conceived nearly 5 years ago, the goal of the publication was to provide a dedicated home for content for early-career GIs and trainees, an area that was a clear void in the GI community. Over 4 years later, TNG remains a one-of-a-kind resource for our field, and I hope that you have enjoyed the content published.

Dr. Bryson Katona

As my term is ending soon, it is my pleasure to turn TNG over to the next EIC, Vijaya Rao from the University of Chicago. I have no doubt that Vijaya will do a fantastic job continuing TNG, and I am excited to see how she applies many of her innovative ideas to grow the publication and make it even more valuable to the early-career and trainee GI community. Finally, I would just like to thank all of the people who have made invaluable contributions to make TNG a success including Erin Landis and Ryan Farrell from the AGA; the staff of our publisher Frontline Medical Communications, especially Lora McGlade; and current editor in chief of GI & Hepatology News, John Allen.

As for this issue of TNG, my last issue as EIC, there is a fantastic line-up of content. The “In Focus” article, by Diana Curras-Martin and Susana Gonzalez (Cornell), addresses the controversial topic of gastric intestinal metaplasia, and will no doubt be very helpful for dealing with this condition when it’s encountered in clinical practice. Additionally, Edward Barnes (UNC Chapel Hill) covers the importance of mentoring during the early-career stage, while Josh Sloan (Hopkins) provides an overview of options for extra training in motility, including motility fellowships.

Also in this issue of TNG, Rishi Naik (Vanderbilt) outlines some of the important lessons he learned during his 1-year term as the Gastroenterology editorial fellow, and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut) discusses tips for building an effective community practice as part of our “Private Practice Perspectives” section cosponsored by the Digestive Health Physicians Association. Finally, lawyers Matthew D’Emilio and Jeremy Riley cover estate planning, which is a topic that is important for all to be familiar with, regardless of age or current health status.

If you’re interested in contributing or have ideas for TNG, please contact me (bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), incoming editor in chief Vijaya Rao (vijayarao@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu), or Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org), managing editor of TNG.

Thank you, this has been a true pleasure.

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD
(outgoing) Editor in Chief

Dr. Katona is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

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