Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Research Articles

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The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF) was established in 1993 and is the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology’s foundation. The CAG Board of Directors is the sole Member of the CDHF with voting rights at the Annual General Meeting. In 2007, with additional support from the CAG, Dr. R. Fedorak (President) and Dr. R. Hunt (Vice-President), recruited Ms. Catherine Mulvale as Executive Director and developed a Board comprised of passionate and motivated individuals, many of whom were CAG members, to propel the CDHF into a new era. The CDHF has made remarkable progress over the last few years. As only one example, fund raising has grown from less than $50,000 per year to over $2M annually. Subsequent CAG News pages will detail our Foundation’s achievements and future goals. CDHF has been formally approved by Industry Canada as meeting the requirements for continuance, retaining its chartable status in September 2014. With the recent growth and success of the CDHF, it was clear that an evaluation of the CDHF governance was required. After much consultation between the CDHF membership (i.e. the CAG Board of Directors) and the CDHF Board, the structure outlined in the figure below was adopted in the fall of 2014. The CDHF is our foundation and we have much to be proud of. This is an incredibly exciting time. Although there are challenges, some common and some unique to each organization, there are also many beneficial opportunities. With the CAG leadership as a core component of the CDHF Board, the goals of the CAG and CDHF are aligned and the new governance structure ensures that CDHF activities are incorporated into the CAG strategic plan. We encourage our membership to enthusiastically support the CDHF.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2014

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) aim to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries which will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. This report, on behalf of the Research Committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2014 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website: http://www.cagacg.org/research. The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Industry Partner-CIHR-CAG Post-Doctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and with support from CIHR, and CAG’s partners, AbbVie, Actavis, Crohn’s & Colitis Canada (CCC), Ferring, Pentax, and Takeda, 14 fellowships were funded (Table 2). Two fellows received CIHR-CAG awards in name only as their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 2 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships (2014) New Investigator Award One new investigator salary award (Table 3) has been awarded this year with the support of CCC. TABLE 3 Funded Grants (2014) Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. Thus, in partnership with CCC, 16 students have received awards ($5,000 each) to work in laboratories of recent or established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease (Table 4). TABLE 4 Canadian Association of Gastroenterology- and Crohn’s & Colitis Canada-funded Summer Studentships (2014) The CAG and the CDHF offer the Ivan Beck Memorial Summer Studentship Award (an additional stipend of $1,000) to the top ranked summer studentship applicant. This award is in recognition of Dr Ivan Beck, one of the founding members of the CAG (1962) and the CDHF (1995). Ms Carly Aspden (UBC) is the 2014 awardee. Resident Research Program Seven awards were available with the generous partnership from Procter & Gamble, Shire and Actavis (Table 5). TABLE 5 Resident Research Awards (2014) Workshop Grants One CAG workshop grant was provided for the Kananaskis Inflammation Workshop (January 18, 2014). Such workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastrointestinal (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting edge GI research from Canada and beyond. CCC-CAG Partnership The CCC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and inflammatory bowel disease research a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and4)4) show that CCC supported three fellowships, one new investigator salary award and six summer studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in the CAG research program. And again, many thanks to the CIHR and CAG partners – the 16 summer studentships, seven resident research awards, fourteen fellowships, one new investigator salary award add up to a research dollar commitment in 2013 of $1,378,500.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2013

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG -CDHF partners, aims to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries which will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. This report, on behalf of the research committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2013 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website: www.cag-acg.org/research. The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Operating Grant and New Investigator Award One operating grant and one new investigator salary award (Table 2) were awarded this year. The New Investigator Salary Award is in name only because the application ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 2 Funded grants (2013) CAG-CIHR-Partnered Post-Doctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and support from CIHR, the CCFC and CAG’s industry partners (identified in tables 2, ​,3,3, ​,55 and ​and6)6) 10 fellowships were funded (Table 3). One fellow received CAG-CIHR awards in name only as their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 3 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships (2013) TABLE 5 Summer Studentships 2013 TABLE 6 Resident Research Awards (2013) CDHF-CIHR SHOPP PhD Studentship Program Six PhD students, three awarded in 2011 and three awarded in 2012 (Table 4) continue to be funded in 2013 under this partnership program. As of the 2012–2013 competition, the CIHR has discontinued the Small Health Organization Partnership Program (SHOPP), which was used to support this program. TABLE 4 Canadian Digestive Health Foundation-Canadian Institutes of Health Research (SHOPP) Studentship Program 2013 Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. The CAG supported nine awards ($5,000 each). The CCFC supported six awards ($5,000 each). The CDHF supported the 2013 Ivan Beck Award ($500) in partnership with the CAG; Ms Megan Levings (UBC) received a total award of $7,000. Funds support students to work in labs of recent and established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease. (Table 5). Resident Research Program Three awards were made available with the generous partnership from Shire and Warner Chilcott (Table 6). Workshop Grants Three CAG Workshop Grants were provided; one for the Banff Inflammation Workshop (January 31 to February 3, 2013), one for the 16th International Congress of Mucosal Immunology (July 17 to 21, 2013) and one for the Sherbrooke 10th Symposium on the Physiology and Disease of Digestive Tract (September 11 to 13, 2013). These workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastrointestinal (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting-edge GI research from Canada and beyond. The CAG is proud to acknowledge its Benefactor Corporate Sponsors: AbbVie Corporation Olympus Canada Inc Pentax Canada Inc Janssen Inc Takeda Canada Inc CCFC-CAG Partnership The CCFC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and IBD research a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and5)5) show that CCFC supported five Fellowships, one New Investigator salary award and six Summer Studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in CAG research program. And again, many thanks to CIHR and CCFC and the CAG industry partners – the 17 Summer Studentships, three Resident Research awards, 10 Fellowships, one New Investigator Salary Award, and one operating grant add up to a research dollar commitment in 2013 of $1,095,000.

Feasibility of Water Colonoscopy in a Canadian Community Population

Purpose: Water-aided methods, either by immersion or exchange, minimize pain during colonoscopy, thereby reducing or eliminating sedation requirements. Water exchange, in particular, also enhances adenoma detection rates (ADR) when compared to air insufflation. Previous descriptions of the technique in North America involved predominantly male VA populations. In the context of a performance improvement program, to establish the feasibility of using water-aided methods in one busy GI community practice in Canada. Methods: At the Kelowna General Hospital, over a 13 month period patients presenting for colonoscopy, for all indications, were offered a colonoscopy using the water-aided methods and an option to attempt the procedure without sedation. The method of water immersion was performed in the first 1-2 months and replaced exclusively with water exchange thereafter. Communication with a knowledgeable trainer via email facilitated learning and conversion to the water exchange method. Colonoscopy was performed by two endoscopists. Standard colonoscopes were used. Water was infused with a paddle pump. Clean water was infused to facilitate insertion while suctioning cloudy water. Once cecal intubation was achieved air insufflation allowed examination and polyp removal on withdrawal. Procedural outcomes were recorded. Results: 200 (106M/94F) water-aided colonoscopies were completed, 81 for screening, 64 for surveillance and 55 were diagnostic. The intent-to-treat cecal intubation rate was 93%. 97 patients (62M/35F) of 102 (64M/38F), 95% who consented to the procedure without sedation successfully completed it without on demand sedation. Average insertion time was 15 min with an average withdrawal time of 6 min (excluding polypectomy) for an overall average procedure time of 21 min for all indications. The overall ADR for patients with a screening/surveillance indication was 30% (43/145), 36% (31/87) in males and 21% (12/58) in females with an overall proximal ADR of 21% (31/145), 25% (22/87) in males and 16% (9/58) in females and an overall sessile serrated polyp detection rate of 4% (5/145). Two advanced adenomas and one cancer were identified in 2% of patients (3/145). Conclusion: Water-aided methods are feasible and can be integrated into a busy community practice. Rates of cecal intubation are similar to published results. ADR are higher than recommended quality standards (male 25%, female 15%). These results are instrumental in generating funding support provided by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation to conduct a prospective RCT to evaluate the approach of extended, unsedated flexible sigmoidoscopy using water exchange as a universal screening examination.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2012

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG-CDHF partners, aims to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries that will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high-quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. The present report, on behalf of the research committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2012 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website (www.cag-acg.org/research). The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines, and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Operating Grant and New Investigator Award One operating grant and one new investigator salary award (Table 2) were awarded this year. TABLE 2 Funded grants 2012 CAG-CIHR-Partnered Postdoctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and with support from the CIHR, the CCFC and CAG’s industry partners (identified in Tables 2 to ​to5)5) 15 fellowships were funded (Table 3). Two fellows received CAG/CIHR awards in name only because their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 3 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships 2012 TABLE 5 Resident Research Awards 2012 CDHF-CIHR PhD Studentship Program Three PhD students (Table 6) were funded under this partnership program. TABLE 6 Canadian Digestive Health Foundation-Canadian Institutes of Health Research Studentship Program 2012 Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. Thus, in partnership with CCFC, 14 students received awards ($7,000 each) to work in laboratories of recent or established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease (Table 4). TABLE 4 Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada-funded Summer Studentships 2012 Resident Research Program Ten awards were made available with the generous partnership from Takeda Canada, Shire Canada, Warner Chilcott, and Aptalis Pharma (Table 5). Community Research Grant (CREG) The CREG is an award specifically designed to assist community-based gastroenterologists, who are members of the CAG, take advantage of an operating research funding grant in digestive sciences. The CAG and the CDHF awarded the 2012 Community Research Grant to Dr Adrian Bak (Kelowna, British Columbia) for his project titled ‘Potential of the water method of colonoscopy as a universal screening test’. Workshop Grants Two CAG Workshop Grants were provided: one for the Farncombe Symposium Workshop (September 22 to 25, 2011) and a second for the Kananaskis Inflammation Workshop (January 21, 2012). These workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastroenterology (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting-edge GI research from Canada and beyond. CCFC-CAG Partnership The CCFC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and IBD research, a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and4)4) show that CCFC supported three Fellowships, one New Investigator salary award and six summer studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in the CAG research program. And again, many thanks to CIHR and CCFC and the CAG industry partners – the 14 summer studentships, 10 resident research awards, 15 fellowships, one salary award and one operating grant total a research dollar commitment in 2012 of $1,974,000.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series 5: Pancreatitis in Canada. Incidence, Prevalence, and Direct and Indirect Economic Impact

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada in 2009. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning pancreatitis.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series 4: Celiac Disease in Canada. Incidence, Prevalence, and Direct and Indirect Economic Impact

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada in 2009. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning celiac disease.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series 3: Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Canada. Incidence, Prevalence, and Direct and Indirect Economic Impact

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada in 2009. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning irritable bowel syndrome.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2011

A primary goal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG-CDHF partners, is to promote excellence in research. This research will lead to new discoveries that will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high-quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4 including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. The present report, on behalf of the research committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2011 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website (www.cag-acg.org/research). The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines, and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series. Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Incidence, Prevalence, and Direct and Indirect Economic Impact

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada in 2009. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning inflammatory bowel diseases - specifically, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Public Impact Series: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Canada: Incidence, Prevalence, and Direct and Indirect Economic Impact

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation initiated a scientific program to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality and economic impact of digestive disorders across Canada. The current article presents the updated findings from the study concerning gastroesophageal reflux disease - a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications (Montreal definition).

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2009

A primary goal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG-CDHF partners, is to promote excellence in research. This research will lead to new discoveries that will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high-quality education of talented trainees. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4 including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. The present report, on behalf of the Research Committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Position Statement on Screening Individuals at Average Risk for Developing Colorectal Cancer: 2010

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation published guidelines on colon cancer screening in 2004. Subsequent to the publication of these guidelines, many advances have occurred, thereby necessitating a review of the existing guidelines in the context of new technologies and clinical knowledge. The assembled guideline panel recognized three recent American sets of guidelines and identified seven issues that required comment from a Canadian perspective. These issues included, among others, the role of program-based screening, flexible sigmoidoscopy, computed tomography colonography, barium enema and quality improvement. The panel also provided context for the selection of the fecal immunochemical test as the fecal occult blood test of choice, and the relative role of colonoscopy as a primary screening tool. Recommendations were also provided for an upper age limit for colon cancer screening, whether upper endoscopy should be performed following a negative colonoscopy for a positive fecal occult blood test and when colon cancer screening should resume following negative colonoscopy.

Outpatient Screening Endoscopy: Why Not the Standard of Care?

Dr Michael Gould is a community gastroenterologist in Toronto, Ontario. He is a Partner and President of Vaughan Endoscopy Clinic Inc (Vaughan, Ontario). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Gastroenterology (and is a past President) and the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. He served on many Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) committees dating back to 1999, and was a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s (CPSO) Independent Health Facility (IHF) Endoscopy Committee. He is the past Chief of Medicine of the William Osler Health Centre in the greater Toronto area and Vice President of the Toronto Digestive Disease Associates Inc Clinical Gastroenterology Research Group.

Nonmedical Costs of Colorectal Cancer Screening With the Fecal Occult Blood Test and Colonoscopy

The nonmedical costs of colorectal cancer screening are unknown. However, they might influence screening uptake and impact the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening modalities. Consecutive individuals presenting for colorectal cancer screening in the Calgary Health Region were recruited from 4 community laboratory collection sites (fecal occult blood test) and 2 endoscopy units (colonoscopy). Subjects completed a questionnaire including items on time off work for the subject and any accompanying caregiver, travel details, and direct out-of-pocket expenses (bowel prep). Time costs were valued at Government of Canada wage rates. Travel costs included estimated costs for travel by car and actual parking costs and taxi and public transportation fares. Car users' costs were calculated by using a Canadian Automobile Association estimate of motoring costs per kilometer. Costs are in 2006 Canadian dollars. The final sample included 604 subjects who underwent fecal occult blood test (mean age, 62 years; 51% male; 43% employed) and 723 who underwent colonoscopy (mean age, 56; 49% male; 66% employed). Eighty percent of colonoscopy subjects required an accompanying caregiver, compared with only 5% for fecal occult blood test. The nonmedical costs (subject +/- caregiver) averaged $308 for colonoscopy and $36 for fecal occult blood test. The nonmedical costs of colorectal cancer screening are substantial, especially for colonoscopy. However, the costs are similar with repeated fecal occult blood tests. These costs might be one factor accounting for low colorectal cancer screening uptake rates. Nonmedical costs should be incorporated into economic analyses of colorectal cancer screening.

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: Interview with the New President, Dr Richard Fedorak

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: Interview with the New President, Dr Richard Fedorak

Message Delivered to the CAG Membership, from Dr William Paterson, CAG Past President, at the 2008 Annual General Meeting at CDDW 2008 in Montreal, Quebec

It is appropriate that my President’s end of term message comes on the heels of Richard Fedorak’s presentation, because it provides me with an opportunity to reinforce his message on the importance of our official foundation – the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation – to the future success of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG). The CAG is a vibrant organization that has been highly successful in providing research and educational opportunities to its membership. The research fellowship program is unparalleled in Canada. Our educational programs, whether delivered at the Canadian Digestive Diseases Week, via regional meetings or on our Web site, are also outstanding. More recently, we have expanded our role into public advocacy and have taken the lead in providing timely public responses to highly newsworthy gastroenterology (GI) issues. Because of the human resource initiative started by Des Leddin, we have been able to join the Wait Time Alliance and have had our wait time benchmarks formally accepted by the Canadian Medical Association. Despite these successes, we have a number of current and future challenges that need to be addressed. Just because we have joined the rather exclusive Wait Time Alliance club does not mean that we can now claim victory on wait times. For instance, the Ontario Ministry of Health’s recent decision to freeze GI training positions in Ontario, despite us providing them with compelling data supporting the need to increase the number of gastroenterologists, shows that we still have a lot of work to do. In addition, the dramatic increase in demand for colonoscopy that is occurring as colorectal screening programs start up across the country will further challenge us to provide high-quality and timely care for patients with digestive illness. As professionals, we must avoid the urge to cherry pick in our practices, and remember that our primary role as gastroenterologists should be to help patients get better and not simply to rule out disease. The generous financial support of our many industry partners has been integral to the success of our organization, and I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank our industry partners, who have taken what I believe in many instances to be a very altruistic approach to funding GI research and education in Canada. However, times are changing and I think it is clear that, in the future, industry may be constrained in their ability to provide the financial support they would like to give us and that we have been accustomed to. In addition, the research mandate of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research has been expanded significantly in recent years without a comparable budget allocation, so basic and applied research in GI will continue to feel the pinch. Thus, it is critically important that we, the CAG membership, fully support the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation now. It is our foundation, which, if successful, will not only be able to provide sustained support for education and research in gastroenterology, but will serve as a public vehicle to promote the need for enhanced resources for digestive diseases in Canada. My past four years on the CAG Executive have been challenging but very rewarding, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the CAG who have contributed to the success of this organization. The many hardworking members of the CAG Executive and Board have greatly facilitated my term as President – in particular, Des Leddin, Ron Bridges and Phil Sherman. Of course, the real key behind the success of our organization has been the outstanding staff in the CAG office – Karen Moritz, Louise Hope, Sandra Daniels and our invaluable executive director, Paul Sinclair. I would like to thank them for their excellent support in guiding me through my Presidency. It is time to move to the last agenda item of our meeting, and I must say that although I have enjoyed my term as President immensely, I have been looking forward to this particular moment, when I get to pass the gavel into the extremely capable hands of Dr Ron Bridges. Please join me in welcoming the 42nd President of the CAG. The CAG is proud to acknowledge its Benefactor Corporate Sponsors: Abbott Canada AstraZeneca Canada Inc Axcan Pharma Inc Nycomed Canada Inc Olympus Canada Inc Pentax Canada Inc Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Schering Canada Inc

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report

A primary goal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG-CDHF partners, is to promote excellence in research. This research will lead to new discoveries that will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high-quality education of talented trainees. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4 including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. The present report, on behalf of the Research Committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program.

Message from the CAG President

This article has no abstract.

Message from the CAG President

Message from the CAG President