THE HISTORY OF AGMD

The Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. (AGMD) was incorporated in 1991 and is one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in existence, with a focus on digestive motility diseases and disorders. Our international organization brings together a diverse group of individuals: patients, family members, physicians, nurses, basic science and clinical researchers, pharmaceutical and diagnostic professionals, home health care workers, dietitians, biotech industrialists, other organizations and those in the community interested in digestive motility diseases and disorders.

We provide a variety of resources and programs centering on education, the dissemination of information, advocacy, outreach, research and support.

In 1997, AGMD became one of the first nonprofit organizations to hold a symposium on digestive motility disorders that featured a distinguished panel of experts alongside patients, family members, friends and members of the medical and scientific communities. AGMD has continued hosting  symposia over the years, partnering with the University of Kansas Medical Center to provide continuing education credit. The AGMD Digestive Motility Symposia have received the prestigious endorsements of both the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society.

In 2016, AGMD held its first Digestive Motility Patient and Family Conference in Bedford, Massachusetts. World-renowned speakers in the medical and nutritional communities spoke along with patients and family members. The conference marked our 25th anniversary in existence and was a tremendous success.

HOW AGMD GOT STARTED:

AGMD was started by a long-time patient, who after many years of misdiagnosis, was finally found to have chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). Over the years, her disease has progressed to include her entire digestive tract, which has left her with gastroparesis, diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia, esophagitis, and a myriad of other diseases and medical conditions affecting her neurological, muscular, circulatory, skeletal and endocrine systems. As a result of her journey with disease, she has been privileged to dedicate her life to AGMD and her quest to find answers, provide assistance, disseminate education, create a support system, advocate for research and bring together medical professionals and patients and their families. Her efforts have helped to promote a better understanding of this specialized area of gastroenterology.

AGMD MISSION:

AGMD is a nonprofit international organization that serves as an integral educational resource for digestive motility diseases and disorders. It also functions as an important information clearinghouse for members of the medical, scientific and nutritional communities. In addition, AGMD provides a forum of support for patients (and their families) suffering from digestive motility diseases and disorders.