09/06/2023 • Sponsoring World Class Learning On A Local Level The Virginia Gastroenterological Society is committed to providing educational opportunities for clinicians throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are proud to announce a new educational initiative providing unrestricted educational grants to enhance the ongoing medical educational experiences of VGS members throughout Virginia. The unrestricted grant is available […]... {Full Article}
UnitedHealthcare Reverses Endoscopy Preauthorization Rules
06/04/2023 • Following collaborative lobbying efforts from the American College of Gastroenterology and its sister societies, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced on June 1 that it will reverse its decision to require an onerous preauthorization process for non-screening endoscopic procedures. Former Virginia GI Society President and current ACG President Daniel J. Pambianco, MD, FACG, joined patient advocates at a […]... {Full Article}
2020 Annual Meeting Survey — ACG/VGS/ODSGNA Course
06/18/2020 • In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Virginia Gastroenterological Society is conducting a survey to determine the level of interest in a 100% on-line “virtual” CME course in September 2020 to replace our traditional live course in Williamsburg, VA. While we have not made a final decision on the format of this year’s meeting, your […]... {Full Article}
Guidance on Resuming Elective Endoscopy and Office Visits in Virginia During COVID–19 Pandemic
05/03/2020 • The following is a summarized review and update of currently available state and federal guidance as well as other published data that include recommendations from academic institutions and national medical societies. This informational statement should be used by clinicians in Virginia in keeping with their local/regional and organizational policies. On March 25, 2020, Gov. Ralph […]... {Full Article}
COVID-19 Update for Gastroenterologists Performing Endoscopy
03/21/2020 • SARS-CoV-2/Novel Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Transmission can occur in both symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. Viable viral particles can be detected up to 3 hours after aerosolization and up to 3 days on solid surfaces. Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur in up to 48.5% of patients, including anorexia (83.8%), diarrhea (29.3%), and vomiting (0.8%). Coronavirus […]... {Full Article}
Legislative Action — Pharmacist Scope of Practice
01/25/2020 • The Virginia Gastroenterological Society (VGS) is working in concert with the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) to oppose a bill currently pending in the Virginia legislature that would permit pharmacists to test for medical conditions such as influenza, Strep throat, HIV, and H. pylori and treat patients who test positive. The VGS considers this legislation […]... {Full Article}
COPN Reform – 2019 MSV Legislative Priority
07/07/2019 • The Virginia Assembly is currently considering legislation that would reform the approval of ambulatory care centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Former MSV president Dr. Bhushan Pandya and the Virginia Gastroenterological Society are working with the Medical Society of Virginia to educate legislators, physicians, and the public about this important issue. For more information on this and […]... {Full Article}
2018 ACG/VGS/ODSGNA Postgraduate Course Sets Attendance Record
09/08/2018 • The 2018 ACG/VGS/ODSGNA Postgraduate Course in Gastroenterology has broken another attendance record. Over 350 clinicians are now gathering in historic Williamsburg, VA for this CME/CEU-accredited conference co-sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology, Virginia GI Society, and Old Dominion Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses and Associates. Attendees represent 28 states across the country, and the faculty […]... {Full Article}
Maintenance of Certification Legislation Introduced in VA General Assembly
01/25/2018 • Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) has introduced a bill in the General Assembly that will prohibit hospitals, insurers, and other entities from requiring Maintenance of Certification (MOC) as a prerequisite for staffing privileges or participation as an accredited provider. A number of states have already enacted similar legislation. The bill may be tracked through the Virginia […]... {Full Article}
MSV Legislative Alert – COPN (act before July 3)
06/20/2017 • The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is conducting a routine review of the State Medical Facilities Plan (SMFP), which is the guidance document that informs all decisions made in regards to Certificate of Public Need (COPN) applications. The SMFP has not been subject to a comprehensive review in eight years, underscoring how needless and outdated […]... {Full Article}