In this podcast episode, Steven D. Leach, MD, discusses academic experiences within higher education, the influence of role models and more.

· Intro 1:11

· Steven D. Leach, MD 1:18

· Tell us about where you grew up and your family. 2:09

· Who were your early influences? 3:43

· Did you know early on that you wanted to focus on science and medicine? 5:03

· What would you say to skeptics who are critical of an Ivy League education? 5:44

· Can you tell us about speaking at the Emory School of Medicine commencement? 10:44

· How hard was it to select the story you told during the commencement speech about your patient with severe necrotizing pancreatitis? 11:56

· Tell us about your time at Yale. 15:38

· What eventually drove you from surgery to a career in basic science? 19:38

· What would you say to young people who are contemplating a career in science and academic medicine? 22:48

· What are the cultural similarities and differences in the many academic institutions you have been at? 25:52

· Was it a conscious choice to go down a more academic career pathway? […] What got you interested in developmental biology and pancreatic cancer research? 31:40

· In each of your leadership roles, how has your thinking and perspective evolved? 35:42

· Thank you, Steven 37:23

· Thanks for listening 37:32

Steven D. Leach, MD, is professor of molecular and systems biology, surgery and medicine and interim dean at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine

We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to guttalkpodcast@healio.com. Follow us on X @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc.

Disclosures: Berry, Chey and Leach report no financial disclosures.

In this podcast episode, Paul Limburg, MD, MPH, discusses the movement from academics to industry, developments in colorectal cancer screening tools and more.

• Intro 1:11
• Paul Limburg, MD, MPH 1:17
• How did your early influences and childhood years lead you to become interested in gastroenterology and the career you have today? 1:34
• Who were your early inspirations? 2:14
• How did you transition from a career in academics and sciences to a life on the commercial side? 3:34
• How did your role at Exact Sciences come about? 5:58
• Was it a hard decision to take a new position? 7:47
• Chey and Limburg on the joy of advancing science and innovation. 9:03
• Were there any cultural differences that shocked you about the ways work is done in your previous and current positions? 10:10
• Do you see Exact outsourcing scientific research as the company grows? 12:12
• What does a typical day look like for you at Exact? […] What are you responsible of as the leading physician? 13:28
• From a product standpoint, what is ahead on the roadmap for Exact Sciences? […] What are you most excited about regarding next-generation multi-target stool testing and its impact? 15:14
• How do you respond to gastroenterologists' skepticism and concerns surrounding stool-based screening? 21:15
• What about addressing the concerns surrounding how we can ensure patients with a positive FIT test go in for a colonoscopy? 23:22
• How much of an issue are language barriers when it comes to screening tools? 28:11
• Can you talk about how Exact Sciences are using AI and the evolution of the microbiome internally or in product development? 29:42
• Do you see a future for stool-based testing in between/in combination with colonoscopies? 32:59
• Have you noticed differences in sensitivity and specificity based on age? 34:07
• What are your thoughts on making these tools available in a direct-to-consumer offering? […] How do you make these screening tools more readily available while weighing the usage risks? 35:08
• What is the rate of patients who have a positive stool-based test getting a colonoscopy? 38:44
• If you were talking to a GI fellow deciding to make the jump to industry, what do you tell them? 41:58
• Thank you, Paul 44:55
• Thanks for listening 45:21

Paul J. Limburg, MD, MPH, is chief medical officer for screening at Exact Sciences and emeritus professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to guttalkpodcast@healio.com. Follow us on X @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc. For more from Dr. Limburg, follow @limburg_paul and @ExactSciences on X.

Disclosures: Chey and Berry report no relevant financial disclosures. Limburg reports he is an employee of Exact Sciences.

In this podcast episode, Amy Oxentenko, MD, discusses her initiatives as ACG president, addressing workforce challenges in the GI space and more.

• Intro :50
• Amy Oxentenko, MD 1:09
• How does it feel to be finishing your year as ACG president? 1:54
• What were your main initiatives and goals for this year, and how did they go? 3:28
• Is there a teaser you can give us for what you will reveal at the ACG annual meeting? 8:39
• Chey and Oxentenko on the critical role of additional research within the future of gastroenterology. 12:01
• What research has the college conducted to better understand the true clinical FTE available to patients? […] Are there certain solutions that have stood out to you in your work? 13:19
• Will there be a task force to comment on the rise of clinicians choosing to participate in more of a locum tenens practice? 18:35
• Can you speak about the recent progress made toward addressing the gender gap in GI? 21:32
• What can listeners do in this political climate to continue to make strides towards equity in the field? 25:47
• What have you learned about yourself in the past year as ACG president? 30:09
• What are you optimistic about in GI after this year? 33:19
• On the other hand, what are you most concerned about for gastroenterology? 36:17
• Any advice for the next ACG president? 39:31
• What is next for you? 41:18
• Thank you, Amy 43:10
• Thanks for listening 43:52

Amy Oxentenko, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, is a professor of medicine and vice dean of Mayo Clinic Practice. She is a member of the ACG board of trustees and executive team, serving as ACG president from October 2024-October 2025.

We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to guttalkpodcast@healio.com. Follow us on X @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc. For more from Dr. Oxentenko, follow @AmyOxentenkoMD on X.

Disclosures: Chey, Berry and Oxentenko report no relevant financial disclosures.