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BETHESDA, Md., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has created the Future Leaders Program to identify gastroenterologists who will lead the specialty into the future.  As a member-focused medical specialty society, AGA relies heavily on the engagement and expertise of volunteer leaders to develop programs to ensure gastroenterologists thrive in the changing world of accountable health care.

"In order for the field of specialty medicine to remain viable and relevant, it is important that medical organizations stay abreast of changing trends and regulations to help their members thrive," said Suzanne Rose, MD, MSEd, AGAF, program co-chair and AGA Institute education and training councillor. "Through the AGA Future Leaders Program, we have identified gastroenterology professionals whose passion and dedication to our field positions them to be future leaders."

The AGA Future Leaders Program will provide a pathway within AGA for selected participants who seek opportunities to support the gastroenterology profession, advance their careers, connect with potential mentors and develop the leadership skills necessary to serve the organization. During this year-long program, participants will receive leadership training and work closely with AGA mentors on projects linked to AGA's Strategic Plan.

AGA is pleased to announce the inaugural class of the Future Leaders program:

• Rotonya M. Carr, MD, assistant professor of medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• Silvio de Melo, Jr., MD, director of endoscopy; program director GI fellowship, University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville
• Neelendu Dey, MD, instructor of medicine, division of gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
• Nelson Garcia, Jr., MD, associate gastroenterologist, GastroHealth, L.P., Miami, FL
• Avlin B. Imaeda, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, section of digestive diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, Guilford, CT
• Gilaad G. Kaplan, MD, assistant professor, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Sonia S. Kupfer, MD, assistant professor of medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, IL
• Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, instructor in clinical medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY
• David J. Levinthal, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA
• Kara Gross Margolis, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY
• Walter G. Park, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Los Altos, CA
• Andrew D. Rhim, MD, assistant professor, internal medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Jatin Roper, MD, gastroenterologist; assistant professor, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
• Brijen J. Shah, MD, assistant professor of medicine, gastroenterology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, associate professor, department of medicine, gastroenterology division, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
• Savita Srivastava, MD, gastroenterologist, University of Virginia Physician's Group, Culpeper
• Tram T. Tran, MD, medical director, liver transplantation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Pacific Palisades, CA
• Elizabeth C Verna, MD, MS, associate program director, New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY

"We look forward to working with these rising stars to cultivate the future leaders of AGA and the field of gastroenterology," said Byron L. Cryer, MD, program co-chair and AGA Institute councillor-at-large.

Learn more about the AGA Future Leaders program, including the mentors, faculty and board members, at http://www.gastro.org/about-aga/aga-future-leaders-program.

About the AGA Institute
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to include more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org.

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SOURCE American Gastroenterological Association