In the News

Ranked #8 in the nation

We’re proud to share that UCLA GI & GI Surgery has once again been ranked among the top programs in the country—earning the #8 spot nationally in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey.

UCLA Health once again placed #1 in both California and Los Angeles* in the annual rankings of excellence in hospital-based patient care. In addition, UCLA Health earned a spot on the publication’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll for the 36th consecutive year. This year, the distinction was reserved for only 20 hospitals or health systems among more than 4,400 evaluated across 15 medical specialties and 22 procedures and conditions. UCLA Health has appeared on the national honor roll continuously since the annual assessment debuted in 1990. Learn more in UCLA Health News

*Tied for #1 ranking

Colorectal cancer and The Couric Effect: Awareness to action to advocacy

Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented through screening, yet far too many people aren’t getting screened on time. In this episode of Medically Speaking, Dr. Eve Glazier welcomes back the show’s very first guest, award-winning journalist Katie Couric, for an ongoing conversation and call to action for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Joined by Fola May, MD, PhD, MPhil, UCLA Health gastroenterologist and researcher, they discuss what’s changed in the conversation around colorectal cancer, why screening matters more than ever, the symptoms people should never ignore, and how to choose among today’s screening options. They also explore the barriers that keep people from follow-through — and why turning awareness into action can save lives.

Watch the Medically Speaking Podcast on YouTube | Apple | Spotify

David Meriwether, PhD, explores how the gut microbiome influence estrogen after menopause

Menopause is often described as a straightforward decline in estrogen production, but emerging microbiome research reveals a much more complex picture. In a recent episode of The Mind‑Gut Conversation podcast, Dr. Meriwether, assistant professor of medicine, discusses how gut microbes may continue to influence circulating estrogen levels even after menopause. Dr. Meriwether explains why menopausal symptoms vary so widely among women and how shifts in the gut microbiome may create feedback loops that affect symptom severity. He also places this work in the broader context of recent Nature findings linking the gut microbiome to health, aging, and disease. Watch The Mind-Gut Conversation Podcast with Emeran A. Mayer, MD

Dr. Fola May provides expert insight on rising colorectal cancer deaths in adults under 50

Overall, cancer death rates among people under age 50 have dropped by 44% since 1990. Colorectal cancer is the only exception, deaths from this disease have increased, making it the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. While the overall decline in encouraging, the rise in colorectal cancer among younger people is a “stark and concerning trend,” says Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program.

Dr. May participated in multiple media interviews, alongside colorectal cancer survivors, to raise awareness about the trend, promote early detection and screening, and highlight ongoing research at UCLA Health.

How one physician is building GI care beyond the ivory tower

At UCLA Health, the growth of digestive disease care is not defined by a single building, campus, or specialty. Instead, it’s driven by a broader vision: academic medicine delivers its greatest impact when it extends beyond its own walls. That philosophy is central to the work of Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH, chief of the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. Dr. Esrailian leads one of the nation’s most prominent digestive disease divisions, uniquely positioned within a world‑class public research university, an integrated health system, and one of the most dynamic metropolitan regions in the country. For Dr. Esrailian, UCLA’s setting isn’t just an advantage — it’s a strategic platform for expanding access, strengthening partnerships, and elevating digestive health far beyond traditional academic boundaries. Read the Becker’s ASC Review article

The best protein sources for lowering your risk of dementia, ranked

Protein may be the most talked-about nutrient right now, and for good reason. Adequate protein supports energy, muscle maintenance, healthy skin and nails, immune function and satiety. But its role goes beyond physical health: protein is also essential for brain health and may help reduce the risk of dementia. In a recent interview, Emeran A. Mayer, MD, director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, emphasized that nutrition is just one part of a broader lifestyle approach to protecting the brain. Regular physical activity, strong social connections, and a balanced diet all contribute to lowering dementia risk. Read more in HUFFPOST

A milestone moment for microbiome science at UCLA

At a celebratory gathering at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center on February 3, colleagues, supporters, and friends of the university came together to honor a pivotal moment for microbiome research at UCLA. Elaine Y. Hsiao, PhD, director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, was appointed as the inaugural holder of the newly established Goodman-Luskin Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research.

The endowed chair—made possible through a remarkable $2 million gift—reflects the continued generosity and vision of Donald and Andrea Goodman and Meyer and Renee Luskin. Their contribution forms part of a larger $20 million investment made in 2023 to launch the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center within the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Their shared commitment to advancing scientific understanding has laid the groundwork for discoveries that could transform how we approach health, disease, and human biology. Designed to support a permanent faculty appointment, the Goodman-Luskin Endowed Chair recognizes leaders who are pushing the boundaries of microbiome science. The donors envisioned a chairholder who exemplifies excellence in both research and mentorship—someone whose work illuminates key subfields such as brain-gut-microbiome communication, microbiome-immune interactions, or the complex relationship between diet and microbial ecosystems.

With her pioneering research, collaborative spirit, and dedication to cultivating the next generation of scientists, Dr. Hsiao embodies every facet of that vision. Her appointment marks not only a personal achievement, but also a milestone for UCLA as it continues to shape the future of microbiome research worldwide.

Innovative breathing technique helps patients with excessive belching disorder

For some patients, excessive belching can significantly disrupt daily life. That was the case for Erica Sender, who was belching more than 100 times a day before being referred to the Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health at UCLA. There, Lisa Bolden, MA, CCC‑SLP, senior speech pathologist, quickly identified the issue as supragastric belching disorder—a fast, repetitive pattern that can occur hundreds of times per day. Bolden taught Erica a specialized breathing technique that helps patients retrain the brain’s reflex pathways. “The power is within your brain to override this nerve function,” she says. “And you can learn how to do that.” She also emphasizes UCLA Health’s multidisciplinary approach, integrating GI physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, dietitians, and speech pathologists to address the full range of patient needs. Craig Gluckman, MD, associate director of community GI motility, notes how diagnostics have evolved: “Twenty years ago, we thought all belching was the same. With manometry, we’re able to differentiate gastric from supragastric belches,” reducing misdiagnoses and guiding proper treatment. Read full story on how Erica regained quality of life

A look at the latest progress in colorectal cancer prevention and research

A look at the latest progress in colorectal cancer prevention and research highlights advances in screening, immunotherapy, vaccine development and prevention led by Randolph Hecht, MD, professor of clinical medicine; Zev Wainberg, MD, co-director of the UCLA GI Oncology Program; Fola May, MD, PhD, MPhil, associate professor of medicine; Katherine Chen, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine; Carol Mangione, MD, distinguished professor of public health; and Tina Shin, PhD, director of Cancer Health Economic Research Program. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights

What to know about colorectal cancer

With an estimated 158,850 diagnoses and 55,230 deaths expected in the U.S. in 2026, Dr. Fola May, associate professor of medicine, discusses prevention strategies, warning signs, and when to get screened. Read more in UCLA Health News

TikTok’s new favorite drink? It’s hot water

A new wellness trend is heating up on TikTok: drinking plain hot water first thing in the morning. Rooted in Eastern medicine traditions, the practice is gaining momentum online as people claim it supports digestion, reduces bloating, and helps with regularity. While scientific evidence is limited, experts note that staying hydrated, in any form, offers meaningful health benefits. Many people also find warm water soothing and easier to drink in the morning. Dr. Fola May, associate professor of medicine, provides expert insight on the trend in a recent in this Brand Equity article

Lifetime alcohol use linked to higher risk of colorectal cancer, new study finds

A new study in Cancer found that heavy lifetime alcohol use is associated with a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals who consistently exceeded recommended drinking limits throughout adulthood had a 91% higher risk compared with lifelong light drinkers or those with breaks in heavy drinking. The study also suggests that people who quit drinking may lower their risk of developing precancerous tissue. “These numbers are not guarantees, but signals to do something before it’s too late,” said Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, GI specialist and associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity. “Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent or catch early, but fewer than 70% of eligible people get screened.” Read more: ABC News | iHeartRadio

Too many toots? What excessive farting says about your health

Everyone passes gas — even during yoga class or in the middle of the night — but how much is too much? Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, gastroenterologist at UCLA Health, joins other experts in a recent HuffPost article to discuss what’s considered normal and when excessive gas may signal something worth checking out. Read the full HuffPost article

UCLA digestive diseases faculty named Super Doctors, Rising Stars, and Hall of Fame honorees

The Super Doctors selection process is a rigorous, multi-step evaluation designed to identify healthcare providers who demonstrate exceptional peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Doctors represents a highly selective yet diverse group of outstanding physicians across consumer-oriented specialties. The selection criteria for Super Doctors and Rising Stars are identical. To qualify for the Rising Stars designation, candidates must be actively practicing and fully licensed, with approximately 10 years or less in practice. Each year, about 5 percent of physicians in a given state or region are named Super Doctors, while no more than 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars. The Super Doctors Hall of Fame honors physicians who have been named Super Doctors for 10 to 14 years. The Super Doctors Legacy Member Hall of Fame recognizes physicians who have achieved Super Doctor status for 15 or more years.

Rising Stars: Vivy T. Cusumano, MD; Danny Issa, MD; Jennifer Kolb, MD, MS; Lisa D. Lin, MD, MS; Mona Rezapour, MD, MHS; Akshay Shetty, MD; Adarsh M. Thaker, MD
Super Doctors: Simon W. Beaven, MD, PhD; Gina Choi, MD; Lynn Shapiro Connolly, MD, MSCR; Terri Getzug, MD; Kevin Ghassemi, MD; Wendy Ho, MD, MPH; Stephen Kim, MD; V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS; Vikas Pabby, MD, MPH; Jenny Sauk, MD; Kirsten Tillisch, MD
Super Doctors Hall of Fame: Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH
Super Doctors Legacy Hall of Fame: Lin Chang, MD; Steven-Huy B. Han, MD; Sammy Saab, MD, MPH; Tram Tran, MD

Dr. B. Sean Nguyen visits Rwanda to train clinicians in critical digestive disease procedures

B. Sean Nguyen, MD, health sciences clinical instructor of medicine, returned to Rwanda in October 2025 to participate in Rwanda Endoscopy Week (REW)—a program he has supported passionately for several years. Organized by GI Rising, the Rwanda Society for Endoscopy, and the Rwandan Ministry of Health, REW brings international gastroenterology teams together to expand access to endoscopic care and strengthen long-term training across the country. Dr. Nguyen helped provide hands-on education for Rwandan, U.S., and international trainees while supporting clinics and endoscopy services throughout rural regions where GI specialty care remains limited. He and his collaborators also conducted research aimed at improving H. pylori and dyspepsia care pathways. Dr. Nguyen’s continued involvement reflects his deep commitment to global health, medical education, and sustainable capacity-building—efforts that bring critical GI care to thousands of patients who would otherwise go without. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights