In this special episode of WOCTalk, season 5 episode 2 of the Ostomy Observations series, we talk with colorectal surgeon Dr. John Monson and nurse practitioner Ginny Hanchett about the GRIFF (Global Research into Intestinal Failure and Fistula) Collaborative. They discuss how this new international collaborative is standardizing complex fistula care using the SNAP protocol, building multidisciplinary teams, and advocating to fix the critical lack of outpatient medical supply reimbursement.
This podcast is part of the Ostomy Observations Series, a 6-part series included in the “Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow” Program. Both the Ostomy Observations podcast series and the Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow Program are commercially supported through an educational grant from Hollister Incorporated. For more information, visit wocn.org/exceptionaloutcomes. The WOCN® Society does not endorse or support products or services.
Resources:
Learn more about the Global Research into Intestinal Failure and Fistulae (GRIFF) Collaborative
- Contact Dr. John Monson, Ginny Hanchett, or the GRIFF team directly to learn how you can contribute:
- – Dr. John Monson: jrtmonson@gmail.com
- – Ginny Hanchett: ginny_Hanchett@urmc.Rochester.edu
- – GRIFF Collaborative: griffcollaborative@gmail.com
Check out the WOCNext® 2026 session, “Complicated, Costly & Consequential: Rethinking Care for Enterocutaneous Fistula & Intestinal Failure in Fragmented Systems”
Learn more about the inclusion of ostomy and urological devices in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program
About the Speakers:
Virginia (Ginny) Hanchett, APRN-BC, DCNP, COCN, CWCN, works as a senior nurse practitioner and has been practicing in the field of WOC nursing for over 26 years and is proudly employed at the University of Rochester. She runs a program called Ostomy Services which focuses on outpatient long term management of patients with ostomies and fistulae. In this practice there are over 2,000 active patients including those with chronic fistulae and she understands the barriers to providing comprehensive care and product reimbursement with this group of specialized patients. She joined the collaborative efforts of The Global Research into Intestinal Failure and Fistulae in 2025.
John Monson, MD, FRCSI (Hon), FRCSEng, FRCSEd (Hon), FRCS Glas (Hon), FASCRS, FACS, MAMSE, is a Professor of Surgery and a colon and rectal surgeon, and fellowship trained in surgical oncology, vascular surgery and colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Monson served as the Director of the Intestinal Failure Program at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island. Before joining Northwell Health in 2024 Dr. Monson served as Chair of the Digestive Health and Surgery Institute and Chief of Colorectal Surgery AdventHealth, Central Florida and was a Professor of Surgery at Loma Linda Medical School and University of Central Florida. He was the founder and Clinical Director of the Surgical Health Outcomes Consortium (SHOC) at AdventHealth, Orlando.
Prior to moving to Orlando in 2016, Dr. Monson became Chief of the University of Rochester, School of Medicine Division of Colorectal Surgery and Vice Chair of its Department of Surgery in 2008. He was the founder and Director of the Surgical Health Outcomes and Research Enterprise (SHORE) as well as Vice-Chairman for Research. Dr. Monson, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, served as a Professor of Surgery, Head of the Academic Surgical Unit, and Deputy Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Hull in England between 1993 and 2008 before relocating to Rochester, New York.
A world-renowned Colorectal surgeon, Dr. Monson, is a key opinion leader in the field of cutting-edge treatments for bowel cancer and his expertise includes a vast experience of complex re-operative surgery for intestinal failure and enterocutaneous failure. Dr. Monson is a Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and served two terms as Chair of the ASCRS Research Committee and a member of the Foundation Board. He is also currently a member of the Rectal Cancer Committee having previously served on the IBD, International Relations, Membership, Standards and Public Relations Committees as well as the Executive Council. In addition, he was a co-founder of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman. He is a Co-Editor for Diseases of Colon and Rectum and Digestive Surgery and serves on multiple editorial boards including Annals of Surgery and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He is a Fellow of all Four Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the British Isles (and Honorary Fellow of three) and is an Honorary Fellow of the ASGBI and the Society of University Surgeons. He has published more than 400 scientific papers, 150 book chapters and 8 books. His current research continues to focus on health care delivery and the implementation of change within health care systems with a particular emphasis on cancer care.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.