Episode 31, In this episode, we look at redefining Gastroenterology: Mentorship, Innovation, and the Future of Interventional Endoscopy with Dr. Srinadh Komanduri

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Interventional Endoscopist, host Dr. Mankanwal Sachdev reconnects with his longtime mentor, Dr. Srinadh Komanduri of Northwestern University. The two dive into Dr. Komanduri’s unique training path, his role in building Northwestern’s interventional endoscopy program, and how the field of GI is shifting away from traditional definitions toward a more therapeutic and innovation-driven future.

The conversation covers the launch of Northwestern’s system-wide GI integration, the impact of tools like TissueCypher for risk stratification in Barrett’s esophagus, and the critical need to rethink GI fellowship structure. They also touch on barriers to technology adoption, the role of AI in operational efficiency, and how innovation can (and must) scale beyond a few experts to change care across systems.

Topics Covered:

• Dr. Komanduri’s mentorship and hybrid fellowship experience

• Building an interventional GI network across 11 hospitals

• Moving beyond the “general GI” label

• Risk stratification and innovations in Barrett’s esophagus care

• AI’s role in reducing burnout and boosting clinical efficiency

• Future models for GI training and specialization

• Barriers to adoption and how to drive systemic innovation

Sponsored by:
Castle Biosciences – maker of TissueCypher®, a test to predict esophageal cancer risk in Barrett’s esophagus