Sonali Paul, MD, MS is the recipient of the 2023 Rising Disruptor Award from Healio Gastroenterology. The Healio Disruptive Innovators represent the core values of Healio and its collaborators as they seek to innovate and disrupt the practice of medicine, improving patient health and fulfilling physicians’ passion.

Rising Disruptor
The Healio Rising Disruptor, given in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, goes to an up-and-coming physician who is already disrupting the status quo in the field, whether through new techniques, new thoughts, questioning methods or breakthrough research. The awardee consistently comes to mind when we discuss “the next big thing.” They embody the core GI value of leadership by leading the next generation of holistic medicine.

Dr. Paul established herself as an expert in clinical care of NAFLD and obesity while simultaneously pushing for the recognition of gender identity and parity in care among the LGBTQ+ population. Since 2019, she served as chair of the University of Chicago’s GI diversity and inclusion committee, introducing cultural sensitivity training, recruiting underrepresented minorities, adding gender identity to the EMR and implementing the use of pronouns on ID badges. After writing about her own experiences navigating the medical world with her wife and son, Paul joined forces with Howard Lee, MD, to form Rainbows in Gastro in 2022. This group recognizes the need to increase visibility of LGBTQ+ providers, improve care for LGBTQ+ patients and participate in research, advocacy and mentorship for gastroenterologists and patients who identify as LGBTQ+.