This week, Dr. Fred Rosenberg catches up with Dr. Mike Dragutsky, who is a practicing gastroenterologist at Gastro One, and chairman of One GI, a managed services organization with practices in five states that was envisioned, created and is guided by physicians. Dr. Dragutsky discusses his path in GI and why it's important for GI groups to develop a plan for sustainability and growth in the face of healthcare consolidation and rising costs. Dr. Rosenberg finds out how a chance encounter with five tons of available Cabernet grapes led to Dr. Dratgutsky's passion for wine making with Cornerstone Cellars, his critically acclaimed Napa winery. Join Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Dragutsky as they discuss recruitment, the use of mid-level providers and what the future holds for independent GI practices. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 33

Dr. Michael Weinstein of Capital Digestive Care talks to Erin Peterson of the Colon Cancer Coalition and Dr. Milena Gould Suarez of Baylor College of Medicine about the Faces of Blue campaign and the patients, physicians, and family members who share their experiences with colorectal cancer. By highlighting the personal stories of patients and survivors, the campaign seeks to encourage preventive colorectal cancer screening. Dr. Milena Gould Suarez shares about losing her grandmother to colon cancer and how that experience fuels her motivation to educate the community and other healthcare providers about colon cancer. Join Dr. Weinstein, Dr. Suarez and Erin as they discuss how independent GI physicians can share their stories to educate patients and providers about risk factors and encourage people to be screened for colorectal cancer starting at 45 years of age. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 32

Dr. Michael Weinstein of Capital Digestive Care talks to Dr. Costas Kefalas from Akron Digestive Disease Consultants about his work as the president of the GI Quality Improvement Consortium (GIQuIc), a benchmarking registry that tracks quality measures such as cecal intubation rates, withdrawal times and adenoma detection rates. Hear about the path Dr. Kefalas took to independent GI, his role in co-founding the Ohio Gastroenterology Society, and how drumming in an acoustic Greek band called Aegean Odyssey is his way to release stress. Join Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Kefalas as they discuss the importance of advocacy and coming together as independent GI practices to promote important issues to policymakers at the state and federal level. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 31

Dr. Lisa Mathew is joined by Dr. Michael Kreines of Gastro Health Ohio, who helped develop a continuing medical education (CME) program that facilitates engagement with primary care physicians (PCPs) in the Cinncinnati metropolitan area. The program built by Gastro Health Ohio brings in experts on many issues facing PCPs and GI physicians in Ohio, while also bringing in non-GI guests on a broader range of compelling topics. Recent topics include crime scene investigation, sleep disorders and medical marijuana. Join Dr. Mathew and Dr. Kreines to learn how this program provides a forum for GI physicians to strengthen relationships with PCPs and how this benefits his patients. And, get some great advice for establishing a PCP engagement program in your independent GI practice. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 30

Dr. Fred Rosenberg talks with Dr. Daus Mahnke of Gastroenterology of the Rockies about the environment for private practice in Colorado. Dr. Mahnke discusses his path to gastroenterology, how his practice responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the groups experience with adding the GI Genius artificial intelligence (AI) endoscopy module that helps GI physicians detect polyps during routine colonoscopy. Join Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Mahnke to learn how his group has grown organically over the years and the role that partnerships with health systems play in the success of Gastroenterology of the Rockies. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 29

Scott Becker is an expert in all things related to the business of gastroenterology. He is a sought-after healthcare attorney and a partner at McGuireWoods and publisher of Becker's Healthcare, a leading source of business information for hospital leaders and owners and operators of ambulatory surgery centers. Dr. Michael Weinstein talks with Scott about how he became interested in surgery centers and the business of healthcare and publishing. Join us for a discussion of what the future holds for the business of gastroenterology and find out why Scott is one of Dr. Weinstein's favorite podcast hosts. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 28

Dr. Lisa Mathew is joined by Dr. Nundhini Thukkani of Kaiser Permanente in Portland Oregon to discuss how (and why) Dr. Thukkani founded the wildly popular Ladies of the Gut group on Facebook that provides a forum for #WomenInGI. Dr. Thukkani discusses how she began her career in an independent GI practice and found her way to Kaiser, where she values the opportunities for coordinated care that the health system provides to her patients. Join Dr. Mathew and Dr. Thukkani to learn how to join Ladies of the Gut and the importance of having a forum for women gastroenterologists to support and learn from each other while juggling a demanding career and family life. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 27

Dr. Naresh Gunaratnam talks with Dr. Chris Fourment, CEO of Clinical Research Strategy Group about independent GI practices can develop or improve clinical trials infrastructure, which increases their ability to participate in clinical trials and allows sustainability of research as a practice ancillary. Dr. Fourment says some practices face challenges in getting buy-in for research and referrals from all the group partners. Other groups are challenged by the path to growth of the research department both geographically and in terms of infrastructure. CRSG has a proven track record in gastroenterology practices and can provide a tailored support option based on individual practice needs. Join Dr. Gunaratnam and Dr. Fourment to hear how developing a sustainable and scalable infrastructure can allow practices to spend less time on management and more time honing the effectiveness of their research program. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 26

Dr. Lisa Mathew talks with Dr. Supriya Rao of Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants of Chelmsford, Mass. about several programs she helped start within the independent practice outside of Boston. Dr. Rao takes a multifaceted approach to helping her patient improve their overall health by focusing on weight management, stress, sleep and nutrition. Dr. Rao is also a tireless advocate for health equity and increased representation of women in medicine. As @GutsyGirlMD on Instagram and Twitter, she talks all things GI and provides encouragement to early-career GI physicians, along with some lifestyle and family stuff as well. Join Dr. Mathew and Dr. Rao as they discuss all this and more, including Dr. Rao's recent brush with Instagram fame at her dermatologist's office. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 25

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a moratorium on elective procedures, including colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Dr. Fred Rosenberg talks with Dr. George Dickstein of Greater Boston Gastroenterology about how his practice pivoted to telehealth and remote working and put in place safety measures to protect patients, physicians and staff. It is estimated that CRC screenings dropped by 86 percent during the pandemic. As things return to normal, and with new recommendations by the by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force that CRC screening should begin at age 45, Dr. Dickstein shares how his practice is preparing for a potential post-pandemic surge. Join Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Dickstein as they discuss how early career physicians can prepare themselves for the changes in GI care over the past year and what may come in the future. Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC Original score by Hayden Margolis Gastro Broadcast, Episode 24