Building Skills, Building Community

A Look Back at NJSGE’s First Hands-On GI Workshop

The most profound lessons in gastroenterology aren't just learned; they're felt in the hands. That truth came to life on December 4th at the Saint Peter’s University Hospital Simulation Center in New Brunswick, where the NJSGE launched its inaugural Hands-On GI Endoscopy Simulation Workshop. 

The evening began not with scopes and simulators, but with the warm hum of conversation and camaraderie over a wonderful dinner. This initial gathering provided a perfect opportunity for the diverse group of GI attendings, fellows, and residents from across New Jersey to connect in a relaxed setting, sharing experiences and building the community spirit that would define the night. It was the ideal foundation for a session dedicated to collaborative learning.

That collaborative energy carried directly into our first formal presentation: an eye-opening introduction to the PillSense™ capsule. This discussion on the blood-sensing device that is revolutionizing triage for upper GI bleeds offered a compelling glimpse into the future of patient management and perfectly set the stage for the immersive hands-on sessions to come.

Participants then immersed themselves in a series of intensive simulation stations designed to build confidence and precision. We practiced the nuanced art of esophageal dilation and stent deployment for strictures at one station, while the focused energy of the variceal management station was palpable as we honed essential techniques for banding and cauterization, exchanging clinical pearls for success. Another station reinforced the critical fundamentals of stent placement, emphasizing optimal scope positioning. For those who wanted a hands on experience in advanced endoscopy, dedicated simulators provided a rare chance to practice the complexities of procedures like Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) and to navigate the challenging anatomy of ERCP, learning the delicate skill of cannulating the pancreatic duct.

The workshop’s true success was measured in those moments of practical learning. Seasoned attendings shared invaluable wisdom from years of practice, while fellows demonstrated emerging techniques. For many residents and new GI fellows, this event provided their first-ever opportunity to handle a scope in a risk-free setting - a thrilling and pivotal moment in their training journey. The event masterfully blended education with essential networking, strengthening professional bonds across the state's GI community.

This pioneering event marks a significant step forward for hands-on GI education in New Jersey. We are already looking ahead to building on this success with more interactive sessions, including our upcoming NJSGE Research Conference.

We are profoundly grateful to Boston Scientific and Cook Medical for their generous partnership and support, which were instrumental in bringing this landmark educational experience to life. Their commitment to advancing physician education helps fuel the future of gastroenterology here.

The NJSGE is proud to foster this growing community of practice. We invite all GI professionals across the state to join us as we continue to learn, connect, and innovate together.

Follow our journey and stay updated on all future events by connecting with us on Instagram @njsge_org. Share with colleagues and help our community grow!

Archit Garg MD

Internal Medicine, PGY-3

Associate Chief Resident (2025-26)

Saint Peter’s University Hospital/ Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

New Brunswick, New Jersey