Dear Colleagues,

As I complete my term as Interim Division Chief, it is my pleasure and honor to introduce our new chief, Dr. Joo Ha Hwang, who will lead Stanford Gastroenterology into its next chapter. Dr. Hwang is an internationally renowned leader and a tremendous friend and colleague who has pushed the boundaries of endoscopic surgery. This mindset combined with his vision, energy, and deep commitment to clinical excellence and innovation will continue to elevate our program and expand the boundaries of what we can accomplish together.

In this Fall edition of the Stanford Digestive Health newsletter, we share updates from across our division and highlight areas where our faculty are driving meaningful impact. Our clinical program spotlight focuses on Celiac Disease, an area where recent advances in diagnosis, management, and patient-centered care are shaping new standards of practice. Our research focuses on frailty and pelvic floor disorders, showcasing the collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts that are improving our understanding of complex motility conditions. On the transplant front, we share progress in expanding donor criteria, an initiative that stands to increase access to life-saving liver transplantation for patients who previously had limited options.

This issue also includes updates on our active clinical trials, introductions to several of our outstanding faculty and staff members, and recognition of their recent achievements. These stories reflect the momentum and innovation happening throughout our division and the collective commitment to advancing care for patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

As I reflect on my time at Stanford over the past 17 years, I am immensely proud of what we have built together and deeply grateful to our faculty, staff, trainees, and collaborators for their dedication and partnership. We’ve come a long way in a short period of time. I am confident that under Dr. Hwang’s leadership, Stanford GI will continue to flourish and redefine excellence in clinical care, research, and education.

Happy Holidays to all.