New England Chapter Young Professionals: Honored Leaders and Past Events

In 2023, we honored two amazing young professional leaders in the IBD community, Dr. Bharati Kochar and Jamie Horrigan:

Dr. Bharati Kochar 2023 Rising Healthcare Leader Nominated and chosen by our New England Chapter Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC)

Bharati Kochar is a gastroenterologist and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Investigator at The Mongan Institute and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. After medical school at Brown University, she trained in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and did a GI fellowship as well as advanced fellowship in IBD at the University of North Carolina. She also obtained a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dr. Kochar is interested in advancing the care and quality of life for under-served and under-studied patients with IBD, including older adults. After the completion of training, she received a Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation career development award. Subsequently she obtained funding from the National Institute of Aging and currently leads a multi-site study to characterize geriatric syndromes in older adults with IBD funded by the CCF clinical research alliance. Dr. Kochar is a member of the CCF’s National Scientific Advisory Committee and is a co-chair of the CCF Clinical Research Investigator-Initiated Awards committee.

Jamie Horrigan 2023 Rising Community Leader Nominated and chosen by our New England Chapter volunteers

Jamie Horrigan is a passionate Crohn's disease advocate who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in college, just before starting medical school. She has been involved with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation since the time of her diagnosis. Through her journey with Crohn's disease, Jamie discovered the powerful impact of nutrition and lifestyle on her wellbeing, which motivated her to start her Instagram @sweetenedbynature to both see what others were cooking and share what she was cooking. Her Instagram followers wanted more, which prompted her to start a blog, sweetenedbynatureblog.com, where she shares healthy recipes, lifestyle tips, and more to help those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) live their healthiest lives. Jamie spends much of her time at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center where she works as a 3rd year internal medicine resident. She works alongside the GI department, helping to further research in IBD with her mentors. She is about to start her chief resident year and will be applying to gastroenterology fellowship this summer. Jamie is excited to continue learning about nutrition, advocating for those with IBD, and working towards her goal of becoming an IBD specialist.

Virtual Events

In 2021, Stories from the Gut was an in-home experience, full of entertainment and inspiration, put on by our Young Professionals' Committee! In the summer of 2021 guests were able to enjoy this one of a kind experience virtually, from the comfort of their homes.

Our revamped summer event brought together young professionals, friends, and family for an energetic, funny, and inspirational night of fun to support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. From hilarious SNL inspired skits to heartwarming stories of tenacity from the IBD community, the 2021 Stories from the Gut will take your breath away like never before.