Weekly News

 

April 29 | 2026

2nd Year Fellows Conference Reaches New Heights in Denver

What an incredible weekend at The Inverness Denver!

 

The 2026 2nd Year Fellows Conference, supported by Abbott, was a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm for this year’s second year fellows. The event kicked off with a sunset reception and team-building exercises. From there, the content shifted to career development guidance such as mounting the job search and developing one’s CV to strengthening interviewing skills.

 

Between small-group strategy sessions and deep dives into everything from basic research to community practice, the fellows accomplished more than developing tools for their career, they built a community ready to summit the next chapter of fellowship and built life-long friends and collaborators.

 

Denim and Diamonds was the theme of the Friday night dinner and dance party, followed on Saturday night with an epic karaoke showdown.

 

A huge thank you to our course directors, Kevin Watson and Soma Kumar, for a weekend filled with laughter, learning, and plenty of Rocky Mountain high notes!

Applications are coming in for the NASPGHAN GRADE Training Program, but don’t forget: only completed applications can be considered.


Many applications have been started, but only a few have been completed. If you are interested in this amazing Society-funded opportunity, please begin your application soon to allow enough time to secure the required letter of recommendation and prepare your personal statement before the May 15 deadline.


Up to five full NASPGHAN members will be selected to receive INGUIDE and GRADE training and help support the future of NASPGHAN Practice Guidelines.


Applications are now open for the NASPGHAN GRADE Training Program, but don’t delay - the application deadline is May 15. This new Society-funded opportunity is open to full members interested in becoming expert methodologists in guideline development.

 

You can review full program requirements here and submit your application by May 15 here.

NASPGHAN is proud to highlight Dr. Rinarani Sanghavi, who will represent NASPGHAN at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) as a speaker during the GWC session, Where We Stand in Compensation Parity in 2026.


Dr. Sanghavi's participation brings an important NASPGHAN voice to this timely discussion on equity, leadership and compensation parity in GI/hepatology. We are excited to see her contribute to this national conversation and represent our Society among colleagues from across the field.



Final Hours! Submit Your 2026 NASPGHAN Award Nominations by April 30


With the deadline tomorrow, this is your final opportunity to submit 2026 NASPGHAN Award Nominations to recognize colleagues whose vital contributions are advancing pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition.


Nominations close April 30 for the Shwachman, Stallings Distinguished Service, Master Educator, and Teri Li Young Educator Awards.


Submit your nomination and view details here.


Awardees will be announced at the NASPGHAN Annual Meeting, October 21–24 in San Diego, CA.


Questions? Contact Steve Farace, Director of Member Engagement.




2027 NASPGHAN Committee Enrollment Now Open Through May 11


Looking to get more involved while helping advance NASPGHAN’s strategic priorities?


Committee Enrollment is now open for 2027—offering an opportunity to contribute your expertise and support the Society’s work. Serving on a NASPGHAN committee is a meaningful way to collaborate with colleagues and play an active role in driving initiatives in education, research, advocacy, and member engagement that align with NASPGHAN’s strategic framework.


Committee terms begin December 1, 2026 and run for three years. Members may serve on only one committee at a time.



View the full list of committees and submit your application here.

The deadline to apply is May 11


Questions? Contact Steve Farace, Director of Member Engagement.

Grant Opportunities Webinar: Find the Right Funding Fit


Explore the many funding opportunities available through NASPGHAN by watching our recorded webinar highlighting the full range of grants offered through the NASPGHAN Foundation.


This session walks through available funding opportunities across career stages, including research, training and career development grants, and provides guidance on eligibility, application components and key deadlines.


Whether you are early in your career or looking to expand your research and training portfolio, this webinar is a valuable resource to help you identify and pursue opportunities that align with your goals.


If you have any questions, please reach out to our Grants team.

Pediatric Societies Ask for Examination of Link Between Payment Policies and Pediatric Subspecialty Workforce 


NASPGHAN is among a group of organizations that wants Congress to request a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine how reimbursement policy and administrative burden contributes to the shortage of pediatric subspecialists. In a March letter to congressional lawmakers, the groups also asked that the study identify federal reimbursement policy options to mitigate the shortage and improve access to pediatric subspecialty care.

 

To highlight the need for the GAO study, the letter cited the growing need for pediatric gastroenterologists as digestive diseases are increasingly prevalent in younger populations.

 

The letter noted low Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric subspecialty services is putting strain on the pipeline of pediatric subspecialists.

 

“A number of factors fuel workforce strains in pediatric gastroenterology, including complexity of treating children with digestive disease and long wait times for appointments. Another crucial issue is that trainees interested in gastroenterology are drawn to adult care, which offers an estimated 80 percent higher compensation opportunity when compared with pediatric gastroenterology.”

 

The societies are asking that the congressional request for the GAO study be included in report language to accompany the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending bill.

NASPGHAN Reception

DDW 2026

 

Please RSVP if you are planning on attending our 2026 Reception during the weekend of DDW in Chicago, IL.

 

Sunday, May 3rd, 6PM-8PM

Palmer House, Honore Room

17 E Monroe St

Chicago, IL 60603


We can't wait to see you!

LIVE WEBINAR MAY 6


How can functional luminal imaging probe technology enhance esophageal assessment during standard EGD in pediatric GI?


Join our experts on May 6 for a webinar exploring the clinical utility of high-resolution impedance planimetry for real-time evaluation of the esophagus, pylorus, and anal sphincters. Through case-based discussion and pediatric-focused applications, participants will gain practical insight into interpretation, diagnosis, and management of complex esophageal disorders in children.


Supported by an educational grant from from Medtronic.