Female gastroenterologists face many barriers that negatively affect their capacity
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CELEBRATING OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY
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OMNI PGA RESORT, FRISCO, DALLAS
- 17-19 APRIL
- TEXAS 2026
SAVE THE DATE
OMNI PGA RESORT, FRISCO, DALLAS
When speaking to leaders in Medicine or Surgery, we often hear sentiments like:
“I wish someone had shown me how it’s done, opened that door for me, encouraged me to build on my ideas, or reassured me that it’s okay to do things differently. I wish I had trusted my skills and myself more, learned earlier to ask for what I wanted, built my professional network, and not hesitated to pursue leadership positions earlier in my career.”
Yet, with authentic solidarity, these individuals also affirm:
“We’ve come so far and learned so much along the way. There’s still work to be done to break down barriers and make the fields of Medicine and Surgery supportive, balanced and fair. Together, we can and must change the narrative for the next generation of medical professionals. We want to see every individual in the field achieve their full leadership potential within their institution or practice, in national medical societies and editorial boards, or building their own enterprises, and everything else in between.”
The Summit
Behind every successful person, there is a strong
and supportive community who lift them up.
You qualify for the mentorship program if you are:
If you are a GI fellow or a very early career Gastroenterologist interested in expanding your professional network, increasing your visibility and developing peer-mentorship skills, this exciting Program is for you !
The ultimate goal of our Ambassadors Program is to foster a life-long commitment to advance the career of emerging leaders through scholarly activities, peer-mentorship and effective networking.
At Scrubs & Heels, we have developed an Ambassador Program that aligns with our vision of mentoring and sponsoring the future of GI.
or less than 3 years post GI fellowship
Have new and creative ideas on engaging the next generation of practitioners
Hold Public Social Media Accounts and Post regularly
Hold US citizenship
If you are a gastroenterologist who has developed an initiative to empower and advance the career of women in GI and close the gender gap and inequities in the field, Scrubs & Heels wants to recognize you and amplify your work !
You quality for the Break the Glass Ceiling Awad if you are :
....
Aline Charabaty, MD, AGAF, FACG, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland and the Director of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where she leads initiatives focused on clinical excellence and innovation, improving access to care, promoting patient-centered clinical research and advancing medical education in IBD. A board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Dr. Charabaty is a nationally and internationally recognized clinician, educator and innovator. She joined the University of Maryland in 2026, after a distinguished tenure as the Director of the IBD Center at Georgetown University Hospital, where she established a multidisciplinary IBD Center, and at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where she served as the Medical Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Johns Hopkins-Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC and implemented and led a comprehensive IBD Center. Dr. Charabaty earned her B.S in Human Genetics at McGill University, Canada and pursued her MD degree at the School of Medicine of the Saint Joseph University, Lebanon before completing her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC. Dr Charabaty was selected to complete the Advanced Leadership Program offered by the American College of Gastroenterology Leadership, Ethics and Equity Center, and received the Healio Disruptive Innovator Award in 2019 for the educational @MondayNightIBD platform she founded, the ACG Service Award for Colorectal Outreach, Prevention and Year-round excellence (SCOPY) in 2020, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award in 2020, the ACG Governor Award for Advocacy on Social Media in 2022, the ACG Award for Championing Women in GI in 2024 and the ACG Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award in 2025. Dr Charabaty has concluded her role as the ACG Governor for Washington DC in 2025; she currently sits on the ACG Legislative and Policies Council and she is a Vice-Chair of the AGA Research Foundation Executive Board. She has served on the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Patients and Physicians Education Committees, The Diversity and Equity Committee, and she currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Crohn’s and Colitis 360 journal. Her research interests center on clinical outcomes and investigative therapies in IBD, and on understanding and including the patient voice and experience in research and educational initiatives. Her work extends into public health advocacy, and addressing barriers to career advancement for women and the less represented communities in medicine. Her work includes a portfolio of over 200 academic contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, abstracts, educational webcasts, and more. As such, she is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and serves on several advisory boards and scientific committees. Dr Charabaty’s professional journey is reflective of her commitment to a transformative leadership focused on building a supportive national and global community of healthcare professionals and advocates, rich and strong of broad perspectives, experiences and expertise, a community where each individual’s voice and work are amplified and each journey supported to reach its highest potential. This purpose-aligned journey is rooted in her own personal journey and values: she was born and raised in Lebanon during the civil war, where physical, emotional and academic survival required the support of the broad community, a strong commitment to education, the dedication of healthcare professionals as well as personal resilience, perseverance, adaptability and relentless hope and drive. This experience has not only played a role in her choice to become a physician, but also has shaped her into the kind of physician and leader she thrives to be: one who provides excellent, comprehensive and compassionate care, improves access to quality care for all patients, lifts up and promotes her peers and the lesser heard voices, and collaborates with broader stakeholders to advance innovations in the field, and move transformative mission-aligned visions forward. As the Co-Founder of the Scrubs & Heels Foundation, Dr. Charabaty is passionate about recruiting, elevating and empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders to have a positive impact on the field of medicine and surgery. She believes that through effective mentorship and sponsorship and by creating authentic and supportive professional environments, professional and personal growth and accomplishments can become aligned and integrated with one’s values, passions and life journey, and we can then lead with impact and create a purpose-driven and meaningful life. As a big advocate of work and life integration, Dr. Charabaty is an avid traveler and foodie and an art enthusiast, and loves to share these passions with her 2 kids, her extended family and (old and new) friends. A perfect day would start with a (very) good cup of coffee on the deck taking in the sounds and lights of nature, feeding her chickens, an hour of yoga or weight lifting, an afternoon at the museum, preparing a multicourse meal dinner to share over good wine with friends and family, and ending the evening with a feel-good love story movie or a historical fiction book. So now, Let us rise and shine, and have fun along the way !
....
Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, AGAF, FACG, is the James F. Heady Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. She currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, following a highly successful tenure as Executive Vice Chair of the Department. She also serves as the Physician Operations Executive for Health Systems Service Portfolio Optimization at UC Health, where she leads system-wide initiatives focused on operational excellence, clinical innovation, and access to care.
A board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Dr. Afzali is a nationally and internationally recognized physician executive leader. She joined the University of Cincinnati after a distinguished tenure at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she established and directed the region's first and largest standalone multidisciplinary IBD Center.
An Afghan American immigrant, Dr. Afzali's journey from refugee to physician executive leader embodies resilience, perseverance, and purpose. Her experiences navigating adversity and opportunity have shaped her lifelong commitment to leadership, global education, mentorship and professional growth of others.
Dr. Afzali earned her medical degree and completed her residency in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology fellowship, and an advanced fellowship in IBD at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she also completed a Master's in Public Health with a focus on outcomes research and epidemiology. She holds a Master's in Health Care Management (MHCM) from Harvard University, reflecting her expertise in healthcare operations, business administration, and physician executive leadership. She also completed the nationally acclaimed Executive Leadership in Healthcare (ELH)/ELAM Fellowship through Drexel University.
Her research interests center on clinical outcomes and investigative therapies in IBD. She is widely recognized for her leadership in healthcare redesign, clinical operations, and the transformation of care delivery. Her work extends beyond clinical research to improving access to high-quality care and promoting opportunities in medical education.
With a portfolio of over 300 academic contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, clinical guidelines, book chapters, abstracts, and educational webcasts, Dr. Afzali has also served as principal investigator on more than 20 clinical trials exploring innovative therapies and diagnostics in IBD. She is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and serves on several prestigious advisory and editorial boards and scientific committees.
Dr. Afzali was honored as a 2023 recipient of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, recognizing her exceptional commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in medicine. She is also the recipient of the Bing Hinton Legacy Award 2025 from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, a national distinction celebrating her leadership and impact in IBD research, education, and advocacy.
She currently serves as Chair of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Educational Affairs Committee and Chair of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) Media & Community Engagement Committee. Beginning in January 2026, Dr. Afzali will assume the role of Secretary General of the WGO, further reflecting her global leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing gastroenterology, academic medicine, and healthcare leadership worldwide.
As Co-Founder of the Scrubs & Heels Foundation, Dr. Afzali is passionate about creating platforms for people to lead with authenticity, confidence, and purpose, supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders through mentorship, engagement and global connection.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Afzali finds strength and joy through boxing, tennis, and spending time with her husband, family, and close friends. She brings the same energy and discipline from sport into her leadership philosophy - anchored in resilience, authenticity, and the belief that true success is measured by how we lift others as we climb. Let's go!
....
Aline Charabaty, MD, AGAF, FACG, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland and the Director of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where she leads initiatives focused on clinical excellence and innovation, improving access to care, promoting patient-centered clinical research and advancing medical education in IBD. A board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Dr. Charabaty is a nationally and internationally recognized clinician, educator and innovator. She joined the University of Maryland in 2026, after a distinguished tenure as the Director of the IBD Center at Georgetown University Hospital, where she established a multidisciplinary IBD Center, and at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where she served as the Medical Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Johns Hopkins-Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC and implemented and led a comprehensive IBD Center. Dr. Charabaty earned her B.S in Human Genetics at McGill University, Canada and pursued her MD degree at the School of Medicine of the Saint Joseph University, Lebanon before completing her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC. Dr Charabaty was selected to complete the Advanced Leadership Program offered by the American College of Gastroenterology Leadership, Ethics and Equity Center, and received the Healio Disruptive Innovator Award in 2019 for the educational @MondayNightIBD platform she founded, the ACG Service Award for Colorectal Outreach, Prevention and Year-round excellence (SCOPY) in 2020, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award in 2020, the ACG Governor Award for Advocacy on Social Media in 2022, the ACG Award for Championing Women in GI in 2024 and the ACG Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award in 2025. Dr Charabaty has concluded her role as the ACG Governor for Washington DC in 2025; she currently sits on the ACG Legislative and Policies Council and she is a Vice-Chair of the AGA Research Foundation Executive Board. She has served on the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Patients and Physicians Education Committees, The Diversity and Equity Committee, and she currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Crohn’s and Colitis 360 journal. Her research interests center on clinical outcomes and investigative therapies in IBD, and on understanding and including the patient voice and experience in research and educational initiatives. Her work extends into public health advocacy, and addressing barriers to career advancement for women and the less represented communities in medicine. Her work includes a portfolio of over 200 academic contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, abstracts, educational webcasts, and more. As such, she is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and serves on several advisory boards and scientific committees. Dr Charabaty’s professional journey is reflective of her commitment to a transformative leadership focused on building a supportive national and global community of healthcare professionals and advocates, rich and strong of broad perspectives, experiences and expertise, a community where each individual’s voice and work are amplified and each journey supported to reach its highest potential. This purpose-aligned journey is rooted in her own personal journey and values: she was born and raised in Lebanon during the civil war, where physical, emotional and academic survival required the support of the broad community, a strong commitment to education, the dedication of healthcare professionals as well as personal resilience, perseverance, adaptability and relentless hope and drive. This experience has not only played a role in her choice to become a physician, but also has shaped her into the kind of physician and leader she thrives to be: one who provides excellent, comprehensive and compassionate care, improves access to quality care for all patients, lifts up and promotes her peers and the lesser heard voices, and collaborates with broader stakeholders to advance innovations in the field, and move transformative mission-aligned visions forward. As the Co-Founder of the Scrubs & Heels Foundation, Dr. Charabaty is passionate about recruiting, elevating and empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders to have a positive impact on the field of medicine and surgery. She believes that through effective mentorship and sponsorship and by creating authentic and supportive professional environments, professional and personal growth and accomplishments can become aligned and integrated with one’s values, passions and life journey, and we can then lead with impact and create a purpose-driven and meaningful life. As a big advocate of work and life integration, Dr. Charabaty is an avid traveler and foodie and an art enthusiast, and loves to share these passions with her 2 kids, her extended family and (old and new) friends. A perfect day would start with a (very) good cup of coffee on the deck taking in the sounds and lights of nature, feeding her chickens, an hour of yoga or weight lifting, an afternoon at the museum, preparing a multicourse meal dinner to share over good wine with friends and family, and ending the evening with a feel-good love story movie or a historical fiction book. So now, Let us rise and shine, and have fun along the way !
....
Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, AGAF, FACG, is the James F. Heady Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. She currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, following a highly successful tenure as Executive Vice Chair of the Department. She also serves as the Physician Operations Executive for Health Systems Service Portfolio Optimization at UC Health, where she leads system-wide initiatives focused on operational excellence, clinical innovation, and access to care.
A board-certified gastroenterologist specializing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Dr. Afzali is a nationally and internationally recognized physician executive leader. She joined the University of Cincinnati after a distinguished tenure at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she established and directed the region's first and largest standalone multidisciplinary IBD Center.
An Afghan American immigrant, Dr. Afzali's journey from refugee to physician executive leader embodies resilience, perseverance, and purpose. Her experiences navigating adversity and opportunity have shaped her lifelong commitment to leadership, global education, mentorship and professional growth of others.
Dr. Afzali earned her medical degree and completed her residency in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology fellowship, and an advanced fellowship in IBD at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she also completed a Master's in Public Health with a focus on outcomes research and epidemiology. She holds a Master's in Health Care Management (MHCM) from Harvard University, reflecting her expertise in healthcare operations, business administration, and physician executive leadership. She also completed the nationally acclaimed Executive Leadership in Healthcare (ELH)/ELAM Fellowship through Drexel University.
Her research interests center on clinical outcomes and investigative therapies in IBD. She is widely recognized for her leadership in healthcare redesign, clinical operations, and the transformation of care delivery. Her work extends beyond clinical research to improving access to high-quality care and promoting opportunities in medical education.
With a portfolio of over 300 academic contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, clinical guidelines, book chapters, abstracts, and educational webcasts, Dr. Afzali has also served as principal investigator on more than 20 clinical trials exploring innovative therapies and diagnostics in IBD. She is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and serves on several prestigious advisory and editorial boards and scientific committees.
Dr. Afzali was honored as a 2023 recipient of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, recognizing her exceptional commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in medicine. She is also the recipient of the Bing Hinton Legacy Award 2025 from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, a national distinction celebrating her leadership and impact in IBD research, education, and advocacy.
She currently serves as Chair of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Educational Affairs Committee and Chair of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) Media & Community Engagement Committee. Beginning in January 2026, Dr. Afzali will assume the role of Secretary General of the WGO, further reflecting her global leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing gastroenterology, academic medicine, and healthcare leadership worldwide.
As Co-Founder of the Scrubs & Heels Foundation, Dr. Afzali is passionate about creating platforms for people to lead with authenticity, confidence, and purpose, supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders through mentorship, engagement and global connection.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Afzali finds strength and joy through boxing, tennis, and spending time with her husband, family, and close friends. She brings the same energy and discipline from sport into her leadership philosophy - anchored in resilience, authenticity, and the belief that true success is measured by how we lift others as we climb. Let's go!
Female gastroenterologists face many barriers that negatively affect their capacity
There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for
The pillars of academic promotion include clinical service, research, teaching,
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At Scrubs & Heels, we aim to:
-Empower emerging and established professionals across career stages to reach their highest potential.
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