Gastroenterology Board Meeting Summary | Spring 2026
The Gastroenterology Board held its spring meeting on April 21, 2026. Representatives from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) joined for a portion of the meeting*.
ABIM and the Gastroenterology Board gratefully acknowledge the service of Nikhil Bhargava, DO, and Scharles Konadu, MD, whose terms on the Specialty Board ended June 30, 2026. Dr. Bhargava and Dr. Konadu both joined the Specialty Board in 2020, and Dr. Konadu now serves as an at-large member of the ABIM Council.
The following is a summary of the spring meeting. Visit the ABIM Blog for reports of prior meetings.
ABIM Leadership Update*
Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH, President and CEO of ABIM and the ABIM Foundation, discussed progress on ABIM’s strategic initiatives, including:
- Customized learning plans via collaboration with the American College of Physicians (ACP) that launched in February. A new feature in ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) allows subscribers to import their most recent ABIM internal medicine assessment results directly into their account, which will suggest learning tools to build a tailored plan.
- Enhancing early career physician engagement through an interactive online community platform, tailored resources for residency programs and the creation of an Early Career Committee, which will begin meeting in July.
- Progress of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) pilot Special Consideration Pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs), which has received more than 160 applicants to date. ABIM is using the pilot to test a model for board eligibility using a CBME framework, while removing barriers for physicians who meet the same standards as peers who completed accredited internal medicine training.
- The recently expanded blueprint review process, which involves a schedule for updating blueprints in every specialty over the next several years. Practicing physicians in each specialty will continue to be invited to participate in updating each blueprint to reflect current practice.
- Recent communications about the importance of exam integrity and, in particular, the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA®).
Dr. DeVault revisited the topic of recurring questions from physicians regarding annual Maintenance of Certification (MOC) fees. Dr. McDonald noted that the program fees have not increased since 2019, remaining at $220 annually for the first certificate and $120 for each additional certificate. He emphasized that ABIM has taken steps to reduce financial burden through the Needs-Based Certification Exam Fee Assistance pilot and enhance value for physicians, including structural changes such as eliminating the requirement to maintain underlying Internal Medicine Board Certification for subspecialists and introducing the discount for multiple certifications.
The group also discussed ABIM Foundation research initiatives related to professionalism, prompting discussion of funding priorities and criteria aimed at strengthening trust and quality in healthcare. Dr. McDonald underscored the importance of collaboration with specialty societies, noting that AI may help enable future partnerships like the ACP collaboration on individualized learning plans.
Developing a Quality Agenda in Gastroenterology *
As a next step in the development of a discipline-specific Quality Agenda, Gastroenterology Board members engaged in breakout discussions to further refine the aims, drivers and relevant society strategies agreed upon by the Specialty Board and specialty society colleagues. The Quality Agenda is one of the standards for continuing certification issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for all Member Boards in 2021. This standard requires that Member Boards “facilitate the process for developing an agenda for improving the quality of care in their specialties.” (ABMS Standards for Continuing Certification, p. 15: Requirements for Member Boards, 18. Quality Agenda.)
Specialty Board members and society representatives explored key areas for improving patient care, including vaccine recommendations for those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, as well as screening, surveillance and management of liver disease. Meridith Phillips, Vice President of Research and Learning at ACG, contributed specific guideline resources to support agenda development, including materials related to cirrhosis management and alcohol-associated liver disease.
Gastroenterology Board members discussed challenges in colorectal cancer screening, citing disparities in access, knowledge gaps and financial barriers that impact patient outcomes. Several members emphasized the need to engage patient organizations and ensure that guidelines are communicated effectively across varying resource settings. Discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing social determinants of health and incorporating equity-focused strategies into the agenda.
Review the complete Gastroenterology Quality Agenda.
Physicians Engaging in Improving Health and Health Care*
ABMS Standard 19 (ABMS Standards for Continuing Certification, p. 16) focuses on increasing the proportion of physicians engaged in improving health and health care, including quality improvement and patient safety. It requires ongoing reporting, increased participation and collaboration to ease engagement and reporting burdens. ABIM is not reintroducing a requirement for individual diplomates to participate in quality improvement activities. Instead, ABIM will look to increase engagement in and recognition of quality improvement activities through existing pathways. In addition, ABIM will develop and implement new opportunities to recognize and reward diplomate engagement in quality improvement under the expanded definition.
Participants discussed definitions of quality improvement and the need for broader, less granular definitions to expand opportunities for diplomate participation. One member asked about credit allocation for program directors and faculty involved in quality improvement projects, prompting a discussion of recognition frameworks. Ms. Phillips suggested incorporating registry participation as a qualifying activity, noting prior requests from societies. Participants explored ideas such as incorporating registry participation as a qualifying activity and the need for clear yet flexible criteria that align with real-world clinical practice while minimizing reporting burden.
Oversight of Training in Gastroenterology
Erica N. Johnson, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs, presented data on training pathways, certification eligibility and workforce trends. Participants discussed concerns regarding the transplant hepatology workforce, including declining applicant numbers despite increasing demand. Dr. Johnson emphasized the importance of integrating multiple data sources, including society data, to better understand workforce dynamics, particularly in transplant hepatology. Participants also discussed the role of program directors in assessing procedural competence and the influence of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program recommendations. The conversation highlighted ongoing challenges in aligning training capacity with workforce needs.
Oversight of Gastroenterology Assessments*
A large part of the purview of the Specialty Board is oversight of the assessments. Each year, they examine data from assessments in each discipline. Members received population-level information, assessment participation updates and performance data to support informed decision-making and future assessment strategies.
Psychometrics staff presented data on assessment performance and participation trends. Participants reviewed LKA participation rates and noted strong engagement within the specialty. Discussion highlighted that approximately 98% of gastroenterology diplomates are expected to meet their assessment requirement for 2026, with very low rates of certificates lapsing.
Participants examined challenges faced by physicians who do not meet program requirements and discussed potential re-engagement strategies. The group raised concerns about maintaining adequate cohort sizes for valid assessment, particularly in subspecialty areas. They also discussed the impact of test anxiety and performance variability on outcomes and emphasized the importance of clear communication about assessment expectations.
Candidates for the Gastroenterology Approval Committees
Specialty Boards are responsible for selecting incoming members and chairs of the Approval Committees in advance of new terms that begin in July of each year and as seats become vacant for other reasons. Following a review of the candidate materials and a candidate interview, the Specialty Board appointed Brian Kim, MD, as chair of the Gastroenterology LKA Approval Committee and appointed two new members: Christina Awad, MD, and Philip Gilman, MD.
Learn more about all new governance appointments as of July 1, 2026.
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*Indicates that society representatives were present for discussion on this agenda topic.
