Embracing the Past, Present, and Future:
Celebrating Black Excellence in Gastroenterology
by the ACG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The American College of Gastroenterology celebrates Black History Month by recognizing Black professionals’ rich legacy and vibrant presence in gastroenterology. The celebration is an active recognition of ongoing contributions and a forward-thinking vision.
We will spotlight trailblazing individuals and organizations from the Black medical community weekly. These features are narratives of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to medical excellence and patient care. We aim to showcase the diverse talents and perspectives that enrich our field.
As we honor the exceptional contributions of Black leaders, we also focus on the future; they are driving action and fostering continual growth in diversity and inclusion. The ACG strives to cultivate an inclusive environment for all gastroenterologists, where diverse voices are heard and essential to our collective progress.
This month is a time to celebrate our achievements and anticipate the ongoing work to ensure equity and representation in gastroenterology. We invite you to engage with our weekly features, find inspiration in these stories, and contribute to the dialogue on creating a more inclusive future in healthcare.
Join us in recognizing Black gastroenterologists’ remarkable contributions and embracing the ongoing effort to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our field.
Spotlights
Renee L. Williams, MD, MHPE, FACG
Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Associate Chair, Health Equity, NYU Langone
The ACG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee proudly recognizes Renee Williams, MD, MHPE, FACG, for her accomplishments in addressing health care disparities and underserved populations, and commitment to fellowship education and mentoring.
Dr. Williams is currently Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, serves as the Director for Strategic Collaboration and GME Education Lead at the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity, and Associate Chair for Health Equity, where her work focuses on advancing health equity through research, education, and systems-level change. Dr. Williams has demonstrated an enduring interest in medical education, health equity, and in analyzing barriers faced by vulnerable patients.
Her clinical practice is based at Bellevue Hospital, where she cares for underserved populations, and her research has centered on colorectal cancer disparities, improving screening uptake, and developing innovative educational and simulation-based approaches to train the next generation of gastroenterologists. She has lectured widely on non-invasive colorectal cancer screening, the intersection of health inequities and epigenetics, and inclusive leadership in GI.
In 2021, Dr. Williams co-founded the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH), an organization dedicated to advancing representation, mentorship, and equity within the field and improving health outcomes in underserved communities through community-facing programs with education on gastrointestinal and liver disease.
She has mentored multiple women and trainees from groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM) who have successfully transitioned to GI fellowship and faculty positions. Nationally, she has been invited to speak on issues related to health inequities, cultural competency, and cultural humility, and her scholarly work includes advancing culturalcompetency within gastroenterology practices and co-authoring the book Succeeding in Academic Medicine: A Roadmap for Diverse Medical Students and Residents.
The College is grateful for her deep investment in ACG’s mission to promote excellence and inclusion in gastroenterology.
Joan A. Culpepper-Morgan, MD, FACG
Chief of Gastroenterology & Chief of Endoscopy, NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem
GI Fellowship Program Director, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
This Black History Month, the American College of Gastroenterology proudly recognizes Dr. Joan A. Culpepper-Morgan, MD, FACG, a trailblazing gastroenterologist, educator, and national leader whose career has been defined by excellence, service, and a deep commitment to advancing health equity.
Dr. Culpepper-Morgan earned her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed her gastroenterology fellowship at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital, while also conducting pioneering research at The Rockefeller University on the effects of opiates on gastrointestinal motility—contributing to some of the earliest work in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
For more than three decades, Dr. Culpepper-Morgan has dedicated her career to academic medicine and graduate medical education. She currently serves as Chief of Gastroenterology and Chief of Endoscopy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, and as Program Director of the GI Fellowship Program affiliated with Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Under her leadership, Harlem Hospital has trained generations of physicians dedicated to serving underserved and marginalized communities.
A nationally respected voice in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Culpepper-Morgan’s scholarship and advocacy have focused on reducing disparities in colorectal cancer, viral hepatitis, and metabolic-associated liver disease. Her work has helped shine a light on inequities in screening, access to care, and outcomes, while advancing community-engaged approaches to prevention and early detection.
She has served in multiple leadership roles within the American Gastroenterological Association, including current Chair of the AGA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her leadership has helped shape national efforts to diversify the GI workforce and embed equity into training and recruitment. A devoted mentor, Dr. Culpepper-Morgan has guided countless trainees—many from underrepresented backgrounds—into successful careers in gastroenterology and medicine, which has earned her national recognition, including the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists Mentorship Award in 2024.
Through her clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy, Dr. Culpepper-Morgan exemplifies the spirit of Black History Month – she has broken barriers, built pathways for others, and transformed medicine for future generations.
Cultivating a Diverse Pipeline in Gastroenterology
Current ACG Institute Leadership Training Program Participants
Taiwo A. Ajose, MD
Early Career Leadership Program
Basile Njei, MD, MPH, PhD
Clinical Research Leadership Program
Philip N. Okafor, MD, MPH, FACG
Advanced Leadership Program
Sunita Brimmer
Sam Houston State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Benedicte Deshommes
Quinnipiac University, Frank H. Netter School of Medicine
Kiana Nowlin
SUNY Upstate, Norton College of Medicine
Educational Resources
ACG Racism in Medicine Webinar Series
- Shifting Culture and Practice
Dr. Maria Oliva-Hemker, Brooke Abbott, Dr. Darwin Conwell, Dr. Sophie Balzora, Dr. Darrell Gray & Dr. Mark Pochapin - The Journey to Health Equity in GI
Dr. Aiya Aboubakr, Dr. Samuel Akinyeye, Dr. Chino S. Aneke-Nash & Dr. Florence Odufalu - Identifying and Eliminating Racism in Science and Healthcare: Historical Perspective and Current Opportunities
Dr. Darrell Gray
Health Equity & DEI Module on the ACG Education Universe
ACG’s Health Equity & DEI Module features a comprehensive educational program dedicated to providing updates on diversity, equity and inclusion topics. The modules include content specifically designed to allow the learner to increase knowledge and develop strategies that can be implemented into practice.
Leonidas Berry Health Equity Research Award
The ACG Institute proudly designated its Health Equity Research Award to honor the life and legacy of Leonidas H. Berry, MD, MACG. The College and the ACG Institute recognize his contributions to gastroenterology, and tireless efforts to end discrimination in medicine and medical schools. Dr. Berry was a pioneering gastroenterologist, inventor of the Eder-Berry biopsy attachment for the Eder gastroscope, and President of the National Medical Association from 1965 to 1966, among many career distinctions. He joined the College in 1946 and was ACG’s first African American member. ACG bestowed its inaugural Clinical Achievement Award to Dr. Berry in 1987.
Tips for Applying for the Leonidas Berry Health Equity Research Award
This two-year award, with funding of up to $75,000 (50k year-one, 25k year-two based on progress), supports actionable science that will translate to reducing health and/or healthcare disparities.
Applications for ACG Institute Research Awards, including the Leonidas Berry Health Equity Research Award, will open this fall.
Further Resources
Intersociety Group on Diversity (IGD) – The purpose of the IGD is to advise, assist and support the sponsoring societies (AASLD, ACG, AGA, ASGE and NASPGHAN) in furtherance of their collective objectives on diversity, equity and inclusion. The IGD aims to increase diversity in gastroenterology among our societies’ members, our pipeline of trainees, and leadership; and eradicate health disparities in the patients and populations our members serve. Leadership of the IGD rotates among the GI societies and the current IGD chair is Sonali Paul, MD, MS, FACG (ACG).
In 2022, the IGD developed a digital guide highlighting the five GI societies’ individual DEI initiatives, research opportunities, pipeline development programs, education, and awards in a helpful at-a-glance format with links to learn more.
The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) | blackingastro.org | ABGH exists to promote health equity in Black communities, advance science and develop the careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and scientists.