In  the 1980s, Drs. Orrin Barrow, Charlie Edwards and Rawle Edwards , distinguished physicians and gastroenterologists  in their own right, contemplated forming a regional association of GI specialists. In 1986, at a to fruition. Dr. Orrin Barrow employed his organizational skills and conference in Sao Paulo Brasil, they discussed and agreed on the idea which two years later was brought influence as president of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) to hold the inaugural meeting in conjunction with a MAJ conference, making AWIG one of the first subspecialty societies in the Caribbean.

At the first meeting , Orrin Barrow was elected President, Rawle Edwards Vice­ President and Charles Edwards . The founding members present at the inaugural meeting were: Orrin Barrow, Charles Edwards, Rawle Edwards , Courtney Bartholomew, Judith Henry, Steve Smith, Oscar Jordan , Bert Brathwaite , Heskith Vanterpool, , Blossom Anglin, Michael Lee, Kildare Donaldson , Shaughan Terry and Anthony Nembhard.