The @AmCollegeGastro Training Committee has played an important role in advancing GI education and supporting the next generation of gastroenterologists. I’m excited to help lead this work as Chair! I have some BIG shoes to fill following the extraordinary leadership of @BilalMohammadMD and @_Steph_Ayala! I’m deeply grateful to ACG leadership for placing their trust in me to lead what I consider one of the crown jewels of ACG’s committees. I’m fortunate to have an incredible group of talented and passionate colleagues to work alongside. The landscape of GI training is evolving, and we cannot afford to stand still. It’s not enough to keep pace with change. We have an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape what comes next. And this committee will always take such challenges head on!

📣 Residents interested in GI fellowship - this one’s for YOU! @AmCollegeGastro Before you leave #ACG2026, make one last stop at our Ask the Fellows session! Who better to learn from than those who have recently navigated the same journey you’re about to embark on? Come ask the questions you may not feel comfortable asking a program director! From applications and interviews to choosing the right program, preparing for fellowship, and life as a GI fellow. No formal presentations. Just candid conversations, practical advice, and an opportunity to connect with current fellows. 📍 Trainee Lounge | Room 104AB 🕥 TODAY | 10:35–11:35 AM CT Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from those who’ve been in your shoes! #ACG2026 #GIfellowship #GIMedEd

A FULL room of #GIfellows connecting with @AmCollegeGastro leadership at today’s Fireside Chat! 👏 What made this conversation so valuable wasn’t just hearing about leadership positions. It was hearing the stories behind them. Our ACG leaders shared their WHY. Why they first got involved, how their journeys evolved, the unexpected pivots along the way, and what has kept them engaged even when their professional and personal plates were already full. One message really resonated: We don’t get involved because we have extra time. We get involved because we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Whether through committee service, advocacy, the Board of Governors, or other initiatives, there are so many ways to contribute to the future of our field. The key is finding where your interests and passions align with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Another important takeaway? Build your network beyond your own institution. We all need mentors, but we also need sponsors - people who know our work, believe in our potential, advocate for us when we’re not in the room, and open doors we may not even know exist. Those relationships don’t happen overnight. They start by showing up, connecting, contributing, and staying engaged. And perhaps the best advice for our fellows: You don’t need to have your entire leadership journey mapped out. Careers evolve, interests change, and sometimes the most meaningful opportunities come from unexpected pivots. Grateful to our ACG leaders for sharing their experiences so candidly and to the fellows who filled the room, asked thoughtful questions, and are already thinking about how they can help shape the future of GI. Get involved. Build relationships. Find your people. And be part of something bigger. #ACG2026 #GILeadership #Mentorship #GIfellows

📣 #GIfellows at #ACG2026 - THINK BIG! You’ve heard the saying, “Your network is your net worth.” Well, here’s your chance to invest in yours! Tomorrow’s leaders don’t just happen. They build relationships, seek mentorship, and learn how to get involved. Join us TODAY for a Fireside Chat with @AmCollegeGastro Leadership, including Past Presidents and members of the Board of Trustees. My advice? Don’t just ask clinical questions. Think beyond GI! Ask how to navigate the ACG, get involved in committees, find mentors and sponsors, build a national presence, and position yourself for leadership opportunities. These are the conversations that can shape your career. Don’t miss them! 📍 Room 104AB | 10:30–11:30 AM CT #ACG2026 #GITrainees #Mentorship