Future Leaders Program
AGA relies heavily on the engagement and expertise of volunteer leaders to develop strategic initiatives, execute programs and advise as our profession evolves. As such, there is a need to ensure a healthy pipeline of future leaders who can effectively meet the obligations of key leadership positions within the organization and help advance the objectives of AGA and, ultimately, the field.
The Future Leaders Program, an AGA leadership pathway, positions early career GIs on a track to impact the organization and the field. The award-winning program curriculum empowers participants with purposeful opportunities to network, connect with mentors and develop leadership skills. The upcoming cohort will have an enhanced focus on crucial emerging issues to support our profession while advancing their careers.
- The changing demographics of the physician workforce (gender, DEI, APPs).
- Evolving business structures: private equity, large independent practices, healthcare systems.
- The rise of physician-entrepreneurs and innovators.
- The increasing role of artificial intelligence and digital health.
- Navigating industry and understanding innovations in medical devices that impact patient care.
- Understanding the role of healthcare in the climate change debate.
- New sub-specialty focus areas in GI such as obesity management and precision-medicine.
- Understanding “crosstalk” which involves collaboration beyond the GI specialty with other specialties such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other members of the healthcare workforce.
Future Leaders are emerging leaders being prepared for future leadership roles. They will actively participate in projects and initiatives, gaining direct experience and developing their leadership skills.
Mentor/Advisors are experienced professionals who provide expertise and guidance to the Future Leaders. They function as mentors and faculty on key future-focused issue areas.
Applications are now open for mentees and mentors.
Mentees
Future Leaders are emerging leaders being prepared for future leadership roles. They will actively participate in projects and initiatives, gaining direct experience and developing their leadership skills.
- Participate actively in shadowing of AGA committees and the development of projects contributing to achieving goals.
- Collaborate with team members and seek guidance from Mentors and Alumni co-chairs.
- Take on leadership roles within projects to develop practical skills.
- Provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the program and committees.
- Engage in continuous learning and personal leadership development activities.
- Physician, surgeon, or scientists with a MD, PhD, DVM or equivalent who is within 11 years of graduation from their GI fellowship or post-doctoral training.
- Have the endorsement of at least two current AGA members (endorsement form will be provided in application materials).
- Commit to attend four face-to-face events, and two virtual leadership roundtables, participate in two one-on-one mentor meetings (virtual or in-person), and complete a group project under the direction of a senior project-based mentor.
- Current AGA member in North America.
Mentors
Mentor/Advisors are experienced professionals who provide expertise and guidance to the Future Leaders. They function as mentors and faculty on key future-focused issue areas.
- Primary responsibility is to be subject matter experts on a future focused topic and serve as faculty for the educational sessions.
- Serve as a Mentor to two Future Leaders in a triad, helping them to grow their skills and confidence.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to support project development and improve project outcomes.
- Foster a collaborative and supportive environment within the mentor-mentee team.
- Currently serving as an AGA volunteer leader on the Governing Board, AGA committees, or has served on either body within recent years.
- Has either been a past AGA president, Future Leader Mentor, Mentor Award Recipient, or served in another similar leadership roles within recent years.
- Must commit to be a project-based mentor using face-to-face and virtual interactions.
- Must commit to attend four face-to-face and two virtual leadership roundtable events, guide a project and provide career-development coaching to four mentees(s) as outlined in a mentoring plan.
- Current AGA member in North America.
Important dates
Friday, Sept. 17, 2021
Online applications open
Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
Completed applications deadline
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021
Mentee notification date
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Future Leader's Program virtual orientation
March 8 – 31, 2022
Mentor-mentees virtual meeting
April 1 – 3, 2022
Kick-off meeting, location TBD
Applications close Monday, Oct. 18.
Class of 2025-2026
Future Leaders
- Lubin Arevalo, MD
- Veroushka Ballester, MD, MS
- Victor Chedid, MD, MS
- Ryan Fawley, MD
- Melissa Hershman, MD
- Pichamol Jirapinyo, MD, MPH
- Babu Pappu Mohan, MD
- Carolyn Newberry, MD
- Long H. Nguyen, MD, MS
- Neha Nigam, MD
- Andrew Ofosu, MD, MPH, FACP
- Arpan A. Patel, MD, PhD
- Ronak Vashi Patel, MD
- Mimi Chang Tan, MD, MPH
- Louise Wang, MD, MSCE
- Alex Zhornitskiy, MD
Mentors
- John Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
- George Dickstein, MD, AGAF
- Renumathy Dhanasekaran, MD, PhD
- Christen Dilly, MD, MEHP, AGAF
- Brian C. Jacobson, MD, MPH, AGAF
- Aimee Lucas, MD, MS, AGAF
- Linda Nguyen, MD, AGAF
- Sheryl Pfeil, MD, AGAF
Hear from our Future Leader alums
Dr. Garman shares leadership development experience
AGA member, Katie Garman, MD, shares her experience with the AGA Future Leaders Program and the profound results that followed.
Program leadership
Darrell Pardi, MD, MS
Program Director
Professor of Medicine; Chair, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Elisa Boden, MD
Program Alumni Co-Chair
Associate Professor of Medicine, Section Head IBD, Oregon Health and Science University
Nelson Garcia, MD, AGAF
Program Alumni Co-Chair
Gastroenterologist
Gastro Health-Kendall At Baptist Medical Arts Building
Amit Patel, MD, AGAF, FACG
Program Alumni Co-Chair
Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine and the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
View Future Leaders graduates
- Jordan Axelrad, MD, MPH
- Edward Barnes, MD
- Elisa Boden, MD
- Parakkal Deepak, MD
- Renumathy Dhanasekaran, MD
- Luke Engelking, MD, PhD
- Phil Hart, MD
- Patrick Hickey, DO
- Maia Kayal, MD
- Leila Kia, MD
- Joanna Melia, MD
- Amit Patel, MD
- Sonali Paul, MD
- Nicole Rich, MD
- Shazia Siddique, MD
- Pooja Singhal, MD
- Matthew Whitson, MD, MSEd
- Kelley Yan, MD, PhD
- Christen Klochan Dilly, MD, MEHP
- Daniel Freedberg, MD, MS
- Wendy A. Henderson, PhD
- Ruben Hernaez, MD, MPH, PhD
- Animesh Jain, MD
- Avinash Ketwaroo, MD
- Bharati Kochar, MD, MSCR
- David Leiman, MD, MSHP
- James Lin, MD
- Michelle Long, MD
- Aimee Lucas, MD, MS
- Miguel Malespin, MD
- Simon C. Mathews, MD
- Karthik Ravi, MD
- Florian Rieder, MD
- Kyle Staller, MD, MPH
- Christina Twyman-Saint Victor, MD
- Ryan Ungaro, MD, MS
- Arthur Beyder, MD, PhD
- Brigid S. Boland, MD
- Lea Ann Chen, MD
- Bruno P. Chumpitazi, MD, MPH
- Matthew A. Ciorba, MD
- Katherine S. Garman, MD
- Christina Y. Ha, MD
- Bryson W. Katona, MD, MS, PhD
- Peter S. Liang, MD, MPH
- Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil
- Marty M. Meyer, MD
- Susan N. Ramdhaney, MD, AGAF
- Jonathan A. Rosenberg, MD
- N. Jewel Samadder, MD
- Siddharth Singh, MD
- Maria I. Vazquez-Roque, MD, MSc
- Sachin B. Wani, MD
- Jennifer Weiss, MD, MS
- Rotonya M. Carr, MD
- Silvio de Melo, Jr., MD
- Neelendu Dey, MD
- Nelson Garcia, Jr., MD
- Avlin B. Imaeda, MD, PhD
- Gilaad G. Kaplan, MD
- Sonia S. Kupfer, MD
- Benjamin Lebwohl, MD
- David J. Levinthal, MD, PhD
- Kara Gross Margolis, MD
- Walter G. Park, MD
- Andrew D. Rhim, MD
- Jatin Roper, MD
- Brijen J. Shah, MD
- Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH
- Savita Srivastava, MD
- Tram T. Tran, MD
- Elizabeth C. Verna, MD, MS
