American College of Gastroenterology
2009 Masters Recipient, Ira L. Flax, M.D., MACG

Dr. Ira Flax was recognized at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology for his accomplishments and commitment to Gastroenterology through clinical practice, education, research, leadership, and invaluable service to the College.

Dr. Flax was awarded the Masters of the American College of Gastroenterology by its Board of Trustees.

Within the ACG, Dr. Flax has served on many standing and ad-hoc committees. He was Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee from 1996 to 2002 and Chairman of the Practice Management Committee from 2002 to 2003. He has co-chaired the Practice Management Course at the ACG Annual Meeting on two occasions and spoken on various topics involving different aspects of Practice Management. From 2001 to 2007, Dr. Flax was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American College of Gastroenterology. Currently, Dr. Flax is the ACG representative to the PCPI committee of the AMA and is on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy.

For further information please see the Physician and Staff section of the site, which contains Dr. Flax’s full biography.

Dr Flax along with all of the physicians at Digestive and Liver Specialists are board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and are fellows in the American College of Gastroenterology and have been providing care to the citizens of West Houston for more than 30 years.

News

  30 December 2009: Recent Decline in Colon Cancer


A recent report from the National Cancer Institute reveals that rates of colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, has declined over the last several years.   Screening techniques, such as screening colonoscopy, are the cause cited by the report. "This report shows that we have begun to make progress reducing colorectal cancer. Yet, colorectal cancer still kills more people than any other cancer except lung cancer... and improved colorectal cancer screening can prevent colorectal cancer." The report found that both the number of colon cancers and the number of deaths from colon cancer has been reduced.   At Digestive and Liver Specialists, this merely reinforces what we have known for years: getting a screening colonoscopy can save your life.

Press Release (click here)

  COLE THOMSON, M.D., Ph.D.
  PARTNER AND PHYSICIAN

  07 December 2009: Combining Plavix with Other Medications

There has recently been a great deal of concern about problems arising from combination of Plavix and acid inhibiting medications such as Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex, Prilosec, Kapidex, Zegerid and Prevacid. Recently published work (Lancet 2009 Sep 19) suggests that this is not a concern, and that patients should take both Plavix and one of these other medications if they are indicated. As always, please ask your doctor if you have any questions.

  COLE THOMSON, M.D., Ph.D.
  PARTNER AND PHYSICIAN

  08 November 2009: Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy

  10 August 2009: The safety of taking Plavix