The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) broke ground on its new ASGE Institute for Training and Technology (IT&T) in Downers Grove, Illinois, in a ceremony held on April 27. The new $20 million 42,000 square foot state-of-the-art gastrointestinal endoscopy training center and ASGE world headquarters will use cutting-edge technologies to foster the development, training and adoption of new techniques in order to improve physician performance and advance patient care. The new IT&T will open August 2013.
"Today, we officially mark the beginning of construction of the new ASGE Institute for Training and Technology and we reaffirm the ideals for which this building will stand. A decade ago, ASGE leadership decided to become a stand-alone organization and move its headquarters to Chicago," said Gregory G. Ginsberg, MD, FASGE, president, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony. "Ten years later, ASGE has almost doubled its membership, now representing more than 12,000 GI professionals from all over the world. Most importantly, the ASGE leadership has been faithful to its mission 'to be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in endoscopy.'"
In attendance at the event with Dr. Ginsberg were Thomas M. Deas Jr., MD, FASGE, ASGE president-elect; Christopher J. Gostout, MD, FASGE and John L. Petrini, MD, FASGE, ASGE IT&T Campaign co-chairs; Lovetta J. Spencer, vice president, RBS Citizens/Charter One Bank; Sean Durkin, Downers Grove Village Commissioner; Dave Fieldman, Downers Grove Village Manager; Michael Cassa, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation; several corporate sponsors of the IT&T Capital Campaign; other representatives from the Village of Downers Grove; and ASGE board members and staff.
Just prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, the ASGE IT&T Capital Campaign exceeded its $6 million fundraising goal, four months ahead of schedule.
Dr. Ginsberg continued, "Chris Gostout had a vision to create the first ASGE hands-on laboratory and Chris and John and Maryella Petrini and Tom and Deborah Deas began our capital campaign with a very generous personal gift that motivated other ASGE leaders and our corporate partners to believe in this vision and help make this day possible. Today, we thank our corporate partners for supporting this vision and for joining with the ASGE leaders and members to make this new IT&T a reality; we recognize our banking partners, RBS Citizens/Charter One Bank; and to the state of Illinois and the Village of Downers Grove, ASGE has come home."
ASGE has been providing learning opportunities at its current Institute for Training and Technology (IT&T) in Oak Brook, Ill. The new facility will be situated on a 3.5-acre plot in Chicago's Downers Grove suburb, close to both O'Hare and Midway airports, and will serve as the global home of endoscopy, offering a full range of medical training and continuing medical education (CME).
The new facility will offer:
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities that will house up to 16 hands-on stations to provide training simulations using the latest equipment and technologies in endoscopy; built-in flexibility to accommodate equipment and models for hands-on training and simulation in other specialties
• Advanced training models and simulators
• A 100-seat auditorium with an audience-response system
• In-house real-time DVD recording of courses and rapid duplication capabilities
• Additional conference space and breakout rooms
• The capability to broadcast and receive live transmissions anywhere in the world, including endoscopic instruction and demonstration of techniques as well as didactic lectures on research and educational findings
• The potential to provide real-time or recorded access online to IT&T hands-on and didactic courses via video streaming technology
• The ability for domestic and international faculty to participate in courses on site or via satellite to teach cutting-edge techniques live to anyone, anywhere in the world
• A resource for international members to extend training while in the U.S. attending Digestive Disease Week® or other meetings, allowing them to learn and practice techniques that are not standard in their regions of the world
• Rentable lab, auditorium, banquet and conference rooms.
The facility is designed to accommodate training by many medical specialties and is available for use by other organizations interested in renting space.
ASGE IT&T Capital Campaign
ASGE's IT&T Capital Campaign is a fundraising project through the ASGE Foundation to construct the new facility that will provide cutting-edge technology and training capabilities to significantly optimize current educational opportunities. ASGE and the ASGE Foundation promote ongoing research in gastrointestinal endoscopy and its applications to disease management and prevention to ultimately improve the quality of endoscopy delivered to patients. The ASGE Foundation also funds programs designed to improve physician training and foster career development as well as supports important educational initiatives aimed at explaining the role of endoscopy in digestive health to the public. The IT&T Capital Campaign has raised funds from ASGE members and corporate partners, and as of April 2012, the campaign has surpassed its $6 million goal with four months left before the campaign is completed.
To learn more about the IT&T Capital Campaign and to take a virtual tour of the new facility, visit www.asge.org/ITTCampaign.
About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 12,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.
About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.
