May Lab
Focusing on improving outcomes for patients with digestive diseases
Dr. May joined other national health experts at White House Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum
She was an invited member for a panel at this event to discuss equitable access to high-quality cancer care and the need to invest in research to enable us to determine how to deliver the best care and perform effective outreach to underserved communities.
$2 million NIH R01 grant awarded
Dr. May and a multidisciplinary UCLA team that includes informatics, health services, pathology and health economics have been awarded an NIH grant to evaluate a multilevel health system intervention to increase guideline-concordant surveillance colonoscopy for UCLA Health patients with high-risk colorectal polyps.
The May Lab was strongly represented at Digestive Disease Week 2023
Digestive Disease Week was held May 5-9 in Chicago, IL and the May Lab represented with 6 abstract lectures, 3 invited talks, and 10 poster presentations. Matthew Zhao (DGSOM MS4) received an AGA Abstract Award for Health Disparities Research. Artin Galoosian, MD, MS, (prior QI fellow; current Loma Linda GI fellow) had the honor of presenting 1 of only 6 abstracts selected out of 145 submitted for the late-breaking abstract session. His abstract titled, Comparison of Four Population Health Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Young Adults: Results of a Randomized Trial, was well-received and was covered in multiple media outlets. Media also highlighted presentations by Megan McLeod, MD, MSCR, (IM resident). Additional attendees and presenters were Jamie O. Yang, MD, (IM resident), Jessica Tuan, MPH (Center for Health Equity), Camille Soroudi, MD (GI fellow), Yvonne Lei (DGSOM MS4), Olivia Jordan, MD, (IM resident), Shailavi Jain, MD, (IM resident), Sadie De Silva, MD, (QI fellow), and Aileen Bui, MD, (GI fellow). Statistical support was provided by Jayraan Badiee, MPH, and Sitaram Vangala, and the lab would also like to acknowledge collaborators at UCLA Medical Imaging and Informatics, UCLA Population Health, VA Department of Medicine, and the North East Valley Health Corporation. Work presented at the conference is supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Stand up to Cancer, Broad Ablon Scholar Program, and Melvin and Bren Simon.
Latest News
The Wild World Inside Your Gut - NY Times
Dr. May provided expert commentary on common questions about GI health including dietary and colonoscopy recommendations and on when GI symptoms or abnormal bowel movements indicate that you should seek medical help.
Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, awarded 2022 AGA Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) honored Dr. May, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, with this year’s Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Gut Health and the Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening - Red Table Talk
Watch the December 22, 2021 episode of Red Table Talk on gut health with our team – Dr. Fola May, Dr. Guy Weiss and GI dietitian Nancee Jaffe. Run time ~23 minutes. Jada, Gammy and Jaden sit down with medical and dietary experts to solve the gut problems that have plagued them for years. Plus, Jada and Gammy allow cameras to follow them to the hospital as they get a colonoscopy - a colorectal cancer screening that everyone will need at some point in their life.
$8M Grant Received to Help Address Colorectal Cancer Disparities
Dr. May, selected as part of the Stand Up to Cancer Health Equity Dream Team, will help coordinate an innovative and comprehensive approach that will bring together leading researchers, patient advocates, community leaders, and clinicians to accomplish several goals, including improving colorectal cancer screening in medically underserved communities.