ACG Awards and Special Lecturers

Over the last ninety years, the American College of Gastroenterology has developed a comprehensive program to acknowledge contributions made to the College and to GI patient care by outstanding individuals. Both the College’s Awards program and its special invited lectureships serve to recognize some of the leaders in the field of clinical gastroenterology.

Past and current awardees and special lecturers have made significant and lasting contributions to the profession of gastroenterology, as well as contributions to the quality of patient care that is available to persons afflicted with various GI conditions.

The Awards Committee solicits recommendations from the ACG membership for all awards. In May, the Awards Committee meets and develops its recommendations based upon those nominations and other recommendations that are received. In turn, the recommendations of the Awards Committee are discussed and acted upon by the ACG’s Board of Trustees. Similarly, invited guest lecturers are suggested by the President and the Chair(s) of the Annual Postgraduate Course. The prospective nominees are evaluated both by the Educational Affairs Committee, and subsequently, by the entire Board of Trustees. The appreciation and admiration of one’s peers is one of life’s finest honors, and the caliber of the awardees and special guest lecturers that have been selected each year certainly reflects the highest level of quality in the GI field.

This section will serve to generate both a fuller awareness and appreciation by all ACG members of the contributions made by each of our awardees and lecturers. We hope you will join with the College’s Board and Officers, and the countless GI patients who have benefited from their knowledge, in offering a hearty congratulations and thank you to this year’s honorees, whose careers and contributions are highlighted below.

2023 Leadership Awards Ceremony

On October 21, 2023, ACG’s leadership gathered to celebrate the recipients of the College’s highest honors. Dr. Daniel J. Pambianco hosted this tribute to winners of the Samuel S. Weiss Award, Berk/Fise Clinical Achievement Award, Distinguished Mentorship and Teaching Award, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, International Leadership Award, Community Service Award, and NP/PA Award for Clinical Excellence, and introduced the newest Masters of the American College of Gastroenterology.

To learn more about each winner and the 2022-2023 College leadership, click here to view the ACG Awards and Leadership brochure.

Awards

ACG President’s Special Recognition Award

The ACG President’s Special Recognition Award is presented periodically to recognize outstanding contributions that have advanced public health, the practice of medicine, clincial science, patient care or the College. Recipients are chosen by the President and subject to the approval of the ACG Board of Trustees.

Past Recipients:

2020 Sophie M. Balzora, MD, FACG
Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG

Berk/Fise Clinical Achievement Award

The Berk/Fise Clinical Achievement Award (formerly the ACG Clinical Achievement Award) is presented to a Member/Fellow and is made in recognition of distinguished contributions to clinical gastroenterology over a significant period of time. Specific criteria include, in addition to a career of distinguished clinical practice of gastroenterology, contributions in patient care, clinical science, clinical education, technological innovation, and public and community service.

2023 Recipient: Carol A. Burke, MD, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Sunanda V. Kane, MD, MSPH, FACG
2021 Nicholas J. Talley, AC, MD, PhD, MACG
2020 William D. Chey, MD, FACG
2019 Jamie S. Barkin, MD, MACG
2018 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, FACG
2017 Eamonn M. M. Quigley, MD, MACG
2016 Linda Rabeneck, MD, MPH, MACG
2015 Peter A. Banks, MD, MACG
2014 Edgar Achkar, MD, MACG
2013 Philip O. Katz, MD, FACG
2012 David A. Johnson, MD, FACG
2011 Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG
2010 Roy K.H. Wong, MD, FACG
2009 Christina M. Surawicz, MD, MACG
2008 Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, MACG
2007 Joel E. Richter, MD, MACG
2006 Seymour Katz, MD, MACG
2005 David B. Sachar, MD, MACG
2004 Alvin M. Zfass, MD, MACG
2003 Arthur H. Aufses, MD, MACG
2002 Cyrus E. Rubin, MD, MACG
2001 Jerome D. Waye, MD, MACG
2000 Bergein F. Overholt, MD, MACG
1999 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG
1998 Leslie H. Bernstein, MD, FACG
1997 Sidney J. Winawer, MD, MACG
1996 Burton I. Korelitz, MD, MACG
1995 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG
1994 Howard M. Spiro, MD, FACG
1993 F. Warren Nugent, MD, MACG
1992 Henry Janowitz, MD, FACG
1991 John T. Galambos, MD, MACG
1990 Leon Schiff, MD, FACG
1989 James L.A. Roth, MD, FACG
1988 J. Edward Berk, MD, MACG
1987 Leonidas Berry, MD, MACG

Community Service Award

The Community Service Award is bestowed upon an ACG Member who has initiated or has been involved in numerous volunteer programs/activities or has provided significant volunteer service post-training. The service must have been performed on a completely voluntary basis and not for the completion of training or position requirements. Such service may include, but is not limited to, community educational programs (e.g. colon cancer awareness), working in free clinics, mentoring advocacy groups or local government committees, teaching in under-served schools related to health education, political work on committees for comprehensive health insurance or other issues. Nominations are solicited and reviewed by the Awards Committee with input from the Board of Governors. The recipient must be approved by the ACG Board of Trustees. The award will be given when appropriate at the ACG Annual Meeting and may not necessarily be given annually.

2023 Recipients:
Tauseef Ali, MD, FACG
Ronald K. Hsu, MD, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Jean S. Wang, MD, PhD, FACG
2021 V. G. Mohan Prasad, MD
2020 Hari S. Conjeevaram, MD, FACG
2019 Seshadri T. Chandrasekar, MD, DM, D.Sc, FACG
2018 Louis J. Wilson, MD, FACG
2017 Amar R. Deshpande, MD, FACG
2016 David J. Hass, MD, FACG
2015 Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH
2014 Timothy B. Gardner, MD, FACG
2013 Richard T. McGlaughlin, MD, FACG
2012 March E. Seabrook, MD, FACG
2011 Joseph D. DiMase, MD, FACG

Distinguished Mentorship and Teaching Award

The Distinguished Mentorship and Teaching Award recognizes an ACG Member who has provided meaningful and sustained contributions to trainees/colleagues in gastroenterology. Such contributions could include mentorship or teaching to help develop the mentees’: (1) overall scientific growth and career or life planning; (2) practice of high-level clinical gastroenterology; (3) skills to perform high quality clinical research; (4) skills to present and publish results of clinical research, or quality improvement; (5) involvement in professional society, healthcare organization or leadership development. This award was given for the first time in 2021.

2023 Recipients:
Michael Camilleri, MD, DSc, MACG
C. Prakash Gyawali, MD, MRCP, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG
Christina M. Surawicz, MD, MACG
2021 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, MACG
Dawn T. Provenzale, MD, FACG
Satish S. C. Rao, MD, PhD, FACG

Distinguished NP/PA Teaching Award

The intent of the Distinguished NP/PA Teaching Award is to recognize a distinguished nurse practitioner or physician assistant who has shown long-standing contributions to educating and mentoring NPs/PAs in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology (GIH). The candidate has made meaningful contributions in teaching by demonstrating mentorship, preceptorship, curricula development and/or other activities that have an impact in educating and developing future NPs/PAs in the field of GIH. This award will be given for the first time in 2024.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award (formerly the Minority Digestive Health Care Award 2007-2020) recognizes an ACG Member whose work in the areas of clinical practice, research, teaching and/or leadership has demonstrated an emerging or sustained commitment to the values of diversity, health equity and inclusion. These efforts are demonstrated by the awardee’s significant contributions to promote diversity, inclusion, and/or cultural competency including, but not limited to, the development of educational programs or curricula, community engagement initiatives, research, or promotion of pathways or programs to support individuals from racial, ethnic, and/or gender groups that are under-represented in medicine. Such endeavors may be through mentorship, sponsorship or cultivation of partnerships that advance the diversity, equity or inclusion within medicine.

2023 Recipient: Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Rachel B. Issaka, MD
2021 Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG
2018 Renee L. Williams, MD, FACG
2017 Darwin L. Conwell, MD, MS
2016 Maria T. Abreu, MD
2014 Fritz Francois, MD, MSc, FACG
2013 Frank A. Hamilton, MD, MPH, MACG
2008 Abbasi J. Akhtar, MD, FACG
2007 LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., MD, FACG

International Leadership Award

The International Leadership Award is given to an ACG Member in recognition of outstanding and substantial contributions to gastroenterology, to the College and to the international gastroenterology community. Substantial contributions internationally may include, but are not limited to, the training of individuals from other countries who have gone on to become leaders in gastroenterology in their community, leadership in international organizations that has resulted in improvement in the care of patients, and participation in humanitarian efforts. Nominations are solicited and reviewed by the Awards Committee with input from the International Affairs Committee and the Board of Governors. The recipient must be approved by the ACG Board of Trustees. The award will be given when appropriate at the ACG Annual Meeting and may not necessarily be given annually.

2023 Recipient: Douglas R. Morgan, MD, MPH, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Seshadri T. Chandrasekar, MD, FACG
2021 Nalini M. Guda MD, FACG
2020 Mahesh K. Goenka, MD, FACG
2019 Manoop S. Bhutani, MD, FACG
2018 Francis K. L. Chan, MD, FACG
2017 Mark D. Topazian, MD, FACG
2015 Guilherme G. Macedo, MD, PhD, FACG
2014 Henry Cohen, MD, FACG
2013 Toshifumi Hibi, MD, PhD, FACG
2012 Flavio Steinwurz, MD, FACG
2011 Eamonn M. M. Quigley, MD, FACG

Master of the American College of Gastroenterology

Because of their recognized stature and achievement in clinical gastroenterology and because of their contribution to the College in service, leadership, and education, the following individuals have been recommended by the Awards Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees for designation as Master.

2023 Master Recipients:
Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, MACG
Mahesh K. Goenka, MD, DM, MACG
Frank G. Gress, MD, MACG
Kim L. Isaacs, MD, PhD, MACG
Irving M. Pike, MD, MACG
Richard I. Rothstein, MD, MACG
Michael F. Vaezi, MD, PhD, MSc (Epi), MACG

Past Recipients:

Neena S. Abraham, MD, MSc (Epid), MACG
Sami R. Achem, MD, MACG
Edgar Achkar, MD, MACG
James L. Achord, MD, MACG
Arthur H. Aufses, MD, MACG
Bruce R. Bacon, MD, MACG
John Baillie, MB, ChB, MACG
Luis Balart, MD, MACG
Simmy Bank, MD, MACG
Peter A. Banks, MD, MACG
Jamie S. Barkin, MD, MACG
K. Orrin Barrow, MBBS, MACG
Ivan T. Beck, MD., MACG
Gerald Becker, MD, MACG
Robert L. Berger, MD, MACG
J. Edward Berk, MD, MACG
Harold Bernhard, MD, MACG
Leslie H. Bernstein, MD, MACG
Leonidas H. Berry, MD, MACG
H. Worth Boyce, Jr., MD, MACG
Eugene M. Bozymski, MD, MACG
S. Philip Bralow, MD, MACG
Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG
W. Scott Brooks, MD, MACG
Qiang Cai, MD, PhD, MACG
Michael Camilleri, MD, MACG
William D. Carey, MD, MACG
Donald O. Castell, MD, MACG
Sarkis J. Chobanian, MD, MACG
Sita S. Chokhavatia, MD, MACG
Delbert L. Chumley, MD, MACG
Harris R. Clearfield, MD, MACG
Edwin M. Cohn, MD, MACG
Henry Colcher, MD, MACG
Juan R. Colon-Pagan, MD, MACG
Michael D. Crowell, PhD, MACG
Angelo E. Dagradi, MD, MACG
Jack A. Di Palma, MD, MACG
David Dreiling, MD, MACG
Douglas A. Drossman, MD, MACG
Sudhir K. Dutta, MD, MACG
Grace H. Elta, MD, MACG
Atilla Ertan, MD, MACG
Richard G. Farmer, MD, MACG
Francis A. Farraye, MD, MSc, MACG
Sidney M. Fierst, MD, MACG
Warren Finkelstein, MD, MACG
Joseph F. Fitzgerald, MD, MACG
Ira L. Flax, MD, MACG
Martin H. Floch, MD, MACG
P. Gregory Foutch, DO, MACG
Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein, MD, MACG
James T. Frakes, MD, MACG
Barbara B. Frank, MD, MACG
Martin L. Freeman, MD, MACG
Gerald Friedman, MD, MACG
John T. Galambos, MD, MACG
Martin D. Gelfand, MD, MACG
Lauren B. Gerson, MD, MSc, MACG
Franz Goldstein, MD, MACG
David Y. Graham, MD, MACG
Victor W. Groisser, MD, MACG
Frank A. Hamilton, MD, MPH, MACG
Stephen B. Hanauer MD, MACG
Jorge L. Herrera, MD, MACG
Theodore Hersh, MD, MACG
Chesley Hines, MD, MACG
Basil I. Hirschowitz, MD, MACG
Richard H. Hunt, MD, MACG
Walter H. Jacobs, MD, MACG
Wasim Jafri, MD, MACG
David A. Johnson, MD, MACG
Robyn G. Karlstadt, MD, MACG
Philip O. Katz, MD, MACG
Seymour Katz, MD, MACG
John J. Kelly, MD, MACG
Ali Keshavarzian, MD, MACG
James F. King, MD, MACG
Burton I. Korelitz, MD, MACG
Robert E. Kravetz, MD, MACG
Shiu-Kum Lam, MD, MACG
Frank L. Lanza, MD, MACG
Eric R. Lee, MD, MACG
Sum P. Lee, MD, PhD, MACG
Suzanne Lemire, MD, MACG
Joseph W. Leung, MD, MACG
Myron Lewis, MD, MACG
Charles J. Lightdale, MD, MACG
Arthur E. Lindner, MD, MACG
G. Richard Locke, III, MD, MACG
W. Elwyn Lyles, MD, MACG
Richard P. MacDermott, MD, MACG
Guilherme Macedo, MD, PhD, MACG
Willis C. Maddrey, MD, MACG
Nirmal S. Mann, MD, MS, PhD, DSc, MACG
John McMahon, MD, MACG
Peter R. McNally, DO, MACG
George W. Meyer, MD, MACG
William A. Millhon, MD, MACG
H. Juergen Nord, MD, MACG
Timothy T. Nostrant, MD, MACG
F. Warren Nugent, MD, MACG
Bergein F. Overholt, MD, MACG
Joel F. Panish, MD, MACG
John P. Papp, MD, MACG
Peter M. Pardoll, MD, MACG
Moses Paulson, MD, MACG
Daniel Pelot, MD, MACG
David A. Peura, MD, MACG
C. S. Pitchumoni, MD, MACG
John W. Popp, Jr., MD, MACG
Daniel H. Present, MD, MACG
Eamonn M. M. Quigley, MD, MACG
Linda Rabeneck, MD, MACG
George B. Rankin, MD, MACG
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MACG
Joel E. Richter, MD, MACG
Arvey I. Rogers, MD, MACG
William S. Rosenthal, MD, MACG
David B. Sachar, MD, MACG
Michael A. Safdi, MD, MACG
Richard E. Sampliner, MD, MACG
Harry E. Sarles, Jr., MD, MACG
Melvin Schapiro, MD, MACG
Eugene R. Schiff, MD, MACG
Lawrence R. Schiller, MD, MACG
Edward S. Schneir, MD, MACG
Bernard M. Schuman, MD, MACG
Marvin M. Schuster, MD, MACG
Ashok N. Shah, MD, MACG
Nicholas J. Shaheen, MD, MPH, MACG
Mitchell L. Shiffman, MD, MACG
Jerome H. Siegel, MD, MACG
E. Marvin Sokol, MD, MACG
Stuart J. Spechler, MD, MACG
Mitchell A. Spellberg, MD, MACG
Howard Spiro, MD, MACG
Radhika Srinivasan, MD, MACG
Frederick Steigmann, MD, MACG
Flavio Steinwurz, MD, MACG
Christina M. Surawicz, MD, MACG
Albert C. Svoboda, Jr., MD, MACG
Nicholas J. Talley, MD, MBBS, PhD, MMedSci, MACG
Juan T. Tomasini, MD, MACG
Esther A. Torres, MD, MACG
Fumiaki Ueno, MD, MACG
Jorge E. Valenzuela, MD, MACG
Santhi S. Vege, MD, MACG
Ronald J. Vender, MD, MACG
Arnold Wald, MD, MACG
Joseph E. Walther, MD, MACG
Jerome D. Waye, MD., MACG
Richard L. Wechsler, MD, MACG
William E. Whitehead, PhD, MACG
C. Noel Williams, MD, MACG
David W. Williams, MD, MACG
Sidney J. Winawer, MD, MACG
Roy K. H. Wong, MD, MACG
Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, MACG
Alvin M. Zfass, MD, MACG
David E. Bernstein, MD, MACG
R. Bruce Cameron, MD, M.A.T., MACG
Kenneth R. DeVault, MD, MACG
Ronnie Fass, MD, MACG
Francisco C. Ramirez, MD, MACG

NP/PA Award for Clinical Excellence

The NP/PA Award for Clinical Excellence recognizes a distinguished nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is an ACG APP Member and has shown long-standing contributions to advancing clinical practice in the field of gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology. These efforts are demonstrated by the awardee’s substantial contributions in GI in the areas of practice expertise, leadership, mentoring, and collaborative activities that have an impact at the state, regional, national or international level. This award was given for the first time in 2022.

2023 Recipients:
Terasa M. Astarita, MS, APRN, ANP-BC, BCPA
Andrea A. Gossard, CNP

Past Recipients:

2022 Monica Nandwani, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Kimberly D. Orleck, PA-C

Samuel S. Weiss Award

The Samuel S. Weiss Award was established as a service award in commemoration of the founding father of the College, Samuel S. Weiss, whose efforts and initiative resulted in the establishment of the College in 1932. It is presented periodically, and not necessarily annually, to a Fellow or Master of the College in recognition of outstanding career service to the American College of Gastroenterology. Nominations are solicited and reviewed by the Awards Committee and the recipients must be approved by the ACG Board of Trustees.

2023 Recipient: Eamonn M. M. Quigley, MD, MACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Delbert L. Chumley, MD, MACG
2021 David A. Johnson, MD, MACG
2020 Eugene M. Bozymski, MD, MACG
2019 Alvin M. Zfass, MD, MACG
2018 Peter A. Banks, MD, MACG
2017 John W. Popp, Jr., MD, MACG
2016 Richard G. Farmer, MD, MS, MACG
2016 Burton I. Korelitz, MD, MACG
2016 Sidney J. Winawer, MD, DrSc (hon), MACG
2015 Christina M. Surawicz, MD, MACG
2014 Jamie S. Barkin, MD, MACG
2013 Jack A. Di Palma, MD, FACG
2012 Martin H. Floch, MD, MACG
2011 Frank L. Lanza, MD, FACG
2008 Robert E. Kravetz, MD, MACG
2006 William D. Carey, MD, MACG
2005 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG
2004 Edgar Achkar, MD, FACG
2002 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG
2001 Joel E. Richter, MD, FACG
2000 Seymour Katz, MD, FACG
1998 Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, FACG
1997 Arthur H. Aufses, Jr., MD, MACG
1996 Arvey I. Rogers, MD, MACG
1995 Jerome D. Waye, MD, MACG
1994 J. Edward Berk, MD, MACG
1993 Arthur E. Lindner, MD, MACG
1992 Franz Goldstein, MD, MACG
1991 James L. Achord, MD, MACG
1990 Robert L. Berger, MD, FACG
1989 Angelo E. DaGradi, MD, MACG
1987 Joseph E. Walther, MD, MACG
1986 Richard L. Wechsler, MD, MACG
1984 John P. Papp, MD, MACG
1982 Daniel Weiss, BS, MA
1980 David A. Dreiling, MD, MACG
1978 Henry Colcher, MD, MACG
1976 Murrel H. Kaplan, MD, FACG
1974 Robert R. Bartunek, MD, FACG
1972 Milton J. Matzner, MD, FACG

Special Lectures

Baker Presidential Lectureship

This lectureship was established by the family of the late Dr. Henry Baker, President of the College from 1960-1961. The lecture, which was given between 1974-2003, was intended to recognize a College member with a distinguished career in teaching and investigation. The final presentation of this lectureship was given by Dr. Loren Laine in 2003 at the ACG Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2004, a new lectureship, The David Y. Graham Lecture, was established by the College to replace the Baker Lecture.

Past Lecturers:

2003 Loren A. Laine, MD, FACG: Reducing NSAID-Induced GI Injury: Keeping the Gastroenterologist Home at Night
2002 David A. Lieberman, MD, FACG: Colonoscopy for Cancer Screening and Surveillance: Do We Have the Resources to Do Both?
2001 Bruce R. Bacon, MD, FACG: Hereditary Hemochromatosis: Implication of Gene Discovery on Pathophysiology & Clinical Practice
2000 Nicholas J. Talley, MD, FACG: Irritable Bowel Syndrome 2000: New Concepts, New Therapies, New Hope
1999 Sum P. Lee, MD, FACG: A Tale of Two Opossums and a Discussion on Gallstones
1998 Willis C. Maddrey, MD, MACG: Reflections on the Emergence of Hepatology
1997 Joseph B. Kirsner, MD, PhD, FACG: The Impact of Research on Clinical Gastroenterology During the 20th Century
1996 Barry J. Marshall, MD, FACG: H. pylori in the Year 2000
1995 Donald O. Castell, MD, MACG: Reflections of an Esophagologist
1994 Peter A. Banks, MD, MACG: Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis
1993 Daniel H. Present, MD, MACG: Immunosuppressive Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
1992 Sidney J. Winawer, MD, MACG: The Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Progress and Prospects
1991 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG: Colitis in the Elderly
1990 Paul D. Webster, III, MD, FACG: Pancreatic Function and Disease at the Cellular Level
1989 David B. Sachar, MD, FACG: IBD — Back to the Future
1988 Melvin Schapiro, MD, MACG: The Community Hospital Gastroenterologist: Survival of the Species
1987 James L. Achord, MD, MACG: Nutrition, Alcohol and the Liver
1986 H. Worth Boyce, Jr., MD, MACG: Peroral Esophageal Dilation: Historical Perspective and Current Implications
1985 Jerome D. Waye, MD, MACG: The Colon Polyp — Promises, Problems, Prospects
1984 Burton I. Korelitz, MD, MACG: Pregnancy, Fertility and IBD
1983 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG: The Role of the Clinical Gastroenterologist in Research
1982 Bergein F. Overholt, MD, MACG: Socioeconomic and Political Future of Gastroenterology
1981 Frank P. Brooks, MD, FACG: Cortical Control of Gastrointestinal Function
1980 Richard G. Farmer, MD, MACG: Factors in the Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
1979 Charles S. Lieber, MD, FACG: Potentiation of Drug-Induced Liver Injury by Chronic Alcohol Consumption
1978 John T. Galambos, MD, MACG: Surgery, Enzyme Kinetics and a Way of Life
1977 Francisco Villardel, MD, FACG: Cytological Diagnosis of Digestive Cancer
1976 William M. Lukash, MD, FACG: Experiences of a White House Physician
1974 F. Warren Nugent, MD, MACG: Crohn’s Colitis Comes of Age

The J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecturer

The J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecturer, formerly known as The Stuart Lecturer, is a person prominent in gastroenterology or a related area. This individual is nominated by the President and the appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

This lectureship was established in recognition of the significant contributions made by J. Edward Berk, MD, MACG, to clinical gastroenterology during his long and distinguished clinical and academic career. A nationally and internationally renowned physician and teacher, Dr. Berk also served as ACG President from 1975-1976.

2023 Lecturer:
Amrita Sethi, MD – Changing the Course of Pancreatic Cancer: Identifying Innovation in Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Past Lecturers:

2022 Bruce E. Sands, MD, MS, FACG – The Promise and Progress of New Approaches to Treating the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
2021 William D. Chey, MD, FACG – The End of the Beginning: Megatrends in Gastroenterology
2020 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG – A Septuagenarian’s Evolving Reflections on the Practice of Medicine
2019 Linda Rabeneck, MD, MPH, MACG: Post-Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancer: How Are We Doing?
2018 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, FACG: Fake News and Alternative Facts on Personalized Medicine in IBD
2017 John J. Vargo, II, MD, MPH, FACG: Are Our Patients Sleeping Safely and Soundly? The State of Endoscopic Procedural Sedation in 2017
2016 Kenneth K. Wang, MD, FACG: Endoscopy 2020: Preparing for the Future
2015 David A. Johnson, MD, MACG: Sleep Effect on GI Health and Disease: Eyes Wide Open?
2014 Richard A. Kozarek, MD, FACG: GI and Endoscopic Training for the Future Gastroenterologist
2013 Christina M. Surawicz, MD, MACG: Avoiding Burnout: Finding Balance Between Work and Everything Else
2012 Mark Feldman, MD, FACG: Is Gastric Secretion Still Relevant?
2011 Seymour Katz, MD, MACG: Management of the Elderly IBD Patient: A Wake Up Call
2010 Donald O. Castell, MD, MACG: Academic Mentoring
2009 Michael F. Sorrell, MD, FACG: Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist: Identical or Complementary?
2008 Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG: Advances in Colonoscopy: New Platforms, New Techniques, New Imaging Technology: What Do They Mean?
2007 M. Brian Fennerty, MD, FACG: Alice in Wonderland: The Endoscopist of the Future and the Gastrointestinal Mucosa Through the “New” Looking Glass
2006 Joel E. Richter, MD, MACG: Eosinophilic Esophagitis – New Disease or Old Friend in Disguise?
2005 Bruce R. Bacon, MD, FACG: Hereditary Hemochromatosis: What We Have Learned Since the Discovery of HFE
2004 Brian P. Saunders, MBBS, MD, MRCP: Colonoscopy in Evolution
2003 Eamonn M.M. Quigley, MD, FACG: Demystifying Motility: Gut Motor Dysfunction in Clinical Practice
2002 Roger Williams, CBE, MD: Improved Treatments for Decompensated Liver Disease Including Liver Support Devices
2001 Richard P. MacDermott, MD, FACG: Immunology and Therapy of IBD
2000 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG: Patients’ Attitudes and Apprehensions About Endoscopy: Calming Troubled Waters
1999 Marcia Angell, MD: Evaluating Media Stories of Health Risk
1998 Kees Huibregtse, MD, PhD: The Endoscopic Approach to Benign Bile Duct Strictures and Leaks
1997 David L. Wingate, MD: Small Bowel Motility Out of the Closet and into the Clinic
1996 Guido N. Tytgat, MD: Conditions Mimicking Crohn’s Disease
1995 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG: Peptic Ulcer Disease: The Rest of the Story
1994 Eugene R. Schiff, MD, MACG: Long Term Treatment of Chronic Viral C Hepatitis
1993 Jerome P. Kassirer, MD: Making Decisions With Patients: Finding and Fixing the Flaws
1992 Willis Crocker Maddrey, MD, MACG: Chronic Liver Disease – 1992
1991 Robert H. Blank: Rationing Medicine: Hard Choices in the 1990’s
1990 Vay Liang Go, MD: Brain-Gut Interaction: Relevance to Clinical Gastroenterology
1989 Professor Dame Sheila Sherlock: Liver Disease: The Next Decade
1988 Thomas Almy, MD (Hon.): The Gastroenterologist and the Graying of America
1987 John Fordtran, MD, FACG (Hon.): Recent Insights into the Pathogenesis of Chronic Diarrhea
1986 Henry D. Janowitz, MD, FACG: The Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Therapeutic Decisions
1985 Norton J. Greenberger, MD, FACG: (Hon.): Pathophysiological Approach to the Patient with a Diarrheal Disorder
1984 Henri Sarles, MD: Management of Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis
1983 Denis P. Burkitt, MD: The Role of Fibre in the Prevention of Common Intestinal Disease
1982 Howard M. Spiro, MD, FACG: From Parsnips to Pomegranates – A Look Back at Gastroenterology
1981 Basil I. Hirschowitz, MD, FACG: Clinical Perspectives of Gastric Secretion
1980 Charles E. Code, MD, FACG (Hon.): The InterDigestive Gastrointestinal Housekeeper
1979 Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, FACG (Hon.): The Relation Between HbsAG and Hepatic Carcinoma
1978 Charles S. Lieber, MD, FACG: Alcohol and the Liver – Progress Through 1978
1977 Joseph B. Kirsner, MD, FACG (Hon.): The Biomedical Problems Presented by Inflammatory Bowel Disease
1976 Basil C. Morson, MD, FACG (Hon.): Biopsy of the Colon and Rectum in Inflammatory Disease
1975 Thomas C. Chalmers, MD, FACG (Hon.): What Should Distinguish a Gastroenterologist?
1974 Lloyd M. Nyhus, MD, FACG (Hon.): New Frontiers in Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer
1973 Henry L. Bockus, MD, FACG: (Hon.): The Doctor Image
1972 Henry Colcher, MD, MACG: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1972
1971 Irving M. Arias, MD, FACG (Hon.): Jaundice – 1972
1970 Hans Popper, MD, FACG (Hon.): The Problem of Hepatitis
1969 Richard Marshak, MD, FACG: Ulcerative Granulomas and Ischemic Colitis
1968 David A. Dreiling, MD, MACG: Basic Mechanism in Pancreatic Secretion

Emily Couric Lecturer

The Emily Couric Annual Lecture was developed by the ACG, the Virginia Gastroenterogical Society and the Old Dominion Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates to honor Virginia State Senator Emily Couric, who died of pancreatic cancer in October of 2001. Senator Couric was a strong advocate for healthcare issues, particularly in her instrumental work to pass the nation’s first legislation mandating health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening. The Emily Couric Lecturer is someone prominent in the field of GI cancer related topics. This individual is nominated by the President and the appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

2023 Lecturer:
Marcia Cross – HPV Related Cancers – Are Your Patients Being Misdiagnosed?

Past Lecturers:

2022 Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, FACG – Colon Cancer Screening: What Do We Need to Build and Who Will Come?
2021 Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG – Changing the Narrative on Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Translating Stories to Partnership, Policy, and Practice
2020 Katie Couric – From Grief to Advocacy to Activism
2019 Suresh T. Chari, MD, FACG: Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: Problems, Promise, and Prospects
2018 David A. Greenwald, MD, FACG: 80% Colorectal Cancer Screening by 2018: How Did We Do and Where Do We Go From Here?
2017 Mark B. Pochapin, MD, FACG: Colon Cancer: Polyps, Prevention and Progress
2016 David E. Fleischer, MD, FACG: Why the Esophageal Health of a Masai Tribesman in Kenya Matters to GI Docs in the U.S.
2015 Irving M. Pike, MD, FACG: National Registry Benchmarking for Colonoscopy Quality: The “High Road”
Toward Improving the Performance of Colonoscopy and Cancer Prevention
2014 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, FACG: Cancer in IBD: The Colon and Beyond
2013 Nicholas J. Shaheen, MD, MPH, FACG: Can We Prevent Cancer in Barrett’s Esophagus?
2012 Carol A. Burke, MD, FACG: Optimizing the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
2011 Robert H. Hawes, MD, FACG: Current Diagnosis and Management of Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas
2010 David A. Johnson, MD, FACG: Colon Cancer Screening: Evolution to Eradication…
2009 Dennis J. Ahnen, MD: The Adenoma-Carcinoma Sequence Revisited – Has the Era of Genetic Tailoring Finally Arrived?
2008 Kenneth E.L. McColl, MD, FRSE: Why has Adenocarcinoma Moved from the Stomach to the Esophagus and Where Does Sex Come In To It All?
2007 Peter A. Banks, MD, MACG: Pancreatic Cancer: Present Understanding and Future Prospects
2006 Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG: What is Needed to Transform Colonoscopy into a Truly Protective Strategy Against Colorectal Cancer?

David Y. Graham Lecturer

The David Y. Graham Lecturer is a distinguished individual in the field of gastroenterology. The presenter is chosen by the President and is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. This named lectureship was established in 2004 in recognition of the many contributions to clinical gastroenterology by David Y. Graham, MD, MACG. The lectureship was made possible through a donation by Otsuka America, Inc., and Meretek Diagnostics, Inc. Dr. Graham gave the inaugural presentation.

2023 Lecturer:
David A. Johnson, MD, MACG – Intestinal Microbiome: Answer to All GI Ailments?

Past Lecturers:

2022 Emeran A. Mayer, MD – Why Do All Diseases Start in the Gut?
2021 Marla C. Dubinsky, MD – Navigating the Road From Precision to Prevention in IBD
2020 Ira M. Jacobson, MD, FACG – From Hepatitis C to COVID-19: Can We Triumph Again?
2019 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, FACG: Mentoring Mentors
2018 Carol A. Burke, MD, FACG: Management of Patients With Colorectal Polyps: A Personalized Approach Based on Etiology
2017 Sunanda V. Kane, MD, MSPH, FACG: On Becoming a Successful Leader: An Amazing Journey or the Path to Nowhere?
2016 Philip O. Katz, MD, FACG: A View From the Other Side of the Bed: Lessons Learned
2015 Ikuo Hirano, MD, FACG: Eosinophilic Esophagitis 2015: From Acid Reflux to Food Allergy
2014 Naga P. Chalasani, MD, FACG: Idiosyncratic Drug-induced Liver Injury: What Have We Learned in the Last Decade?
2013 Eamonn M. M. Quigley, MD, FACG: Leadership in Medicine 2013: Do We Need a New Approach?
2012 John S. Fordtran, MD, FACG: Factitious Disease
2011 Irving Waxman, MD, FACG: Endotherapy for Barrett’s Esophagus: Cure or Quagmire
2010 Grace H. Elta, MD, FACG: GI Training: Where is it Headed?
2009 Peter J. Kahrilas, MD, FACG: Esophageal Motor Disorders in Terms of High Resolution Pressure Topography: What Has Changed?
2008 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG: Colon Ischemia: Respice, Adspice, Prospice
2007 Walter L. Peterson, MD, FACG: Evidence-Based Medicine: What Does it Mean for Gastroenterology – Present and Future?
2006 Amnon Sonnenberg, MD, MSc, FACG: The “Incredibly Simple” Solution to the Cohort Phenomenon of Peptic Ulcer
2005 Francis K.L. Chan, MD, FACG: Use of NSAIDs In A COX-2 Restricted Environment
2004 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG: Helicobacter pylori and Gastric Cancer: The Problem – The Solution

David Sun Lectureship in Postgraduate Education

The David Sun Lectureship in Postgraduate Education was established by Mrs. Sun in memory of her husband, Dr. David Sun, who died at the peak of his career. He was an outstanding gastroenterologist and investigator.

The Lecturer, with a distinguished background in gastroenterology or an allied field, is chosen by the Course Directors of the Postgraduate Program subject to the approval of the Educational Affairs Committee and the Board of Trustees.

2023 Lecturer:
Paul Y. Kwo, MD, FACG – In With the New, While Managing the Old: How to Care for the Changing Face of Those With Liver Disease

Past Lecturers:

2022 Sanjiv Chopra, MD – The Two Most Important Days: Reflections on Lasting Happiness and Living With Purpose
2021 Jerome D. Waye, MD, MACG – Colon Polyps: Going and Gone
2020 Neena S. Abraham, MD, MSc (Epid), FACG – Cardiogastroenterology: Intersectional Thinking to Meet New Clinical Needs
2019 Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, FACG: The IBD Medical Home and Neighborhood: It Takes a Village
2018 David A. Johnson, MD, MACG: Translational Approaches to Common GI Diseases…Thinking Outside of the Box…The Future is Now!
2017 Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, FACG: Screening and Surveillance of Barrett’s Esophagus: Where Are We Now and What Does the Future Hold?
2016 Nicholas J. Talley, MD, MBBS, PhD, MMedSci, FACG: Functional Disease of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?
2015 William D. Chey, MD, FACG: Food: The Main Course to Disease and Wellness
2014 Thomas A. Scully, JD: The Cloudy Future for Physicians: Reimbursement and Practice Changes in the Post-ACA Era
2013 Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH: Gastroenterology and Public Health in the Era of Health Reform
2012 Douglas A. Drossman, MD, MACG: Helping Your Patient by Helping Yourself: How to Improve the Patient-Physician Relationship
2011 Gregory B. Haber, MD, FACG: Challenges in ERCP: Lessons Learned
2010 Tom R. DeMeester, MD, FACG: Détente in the Therapy of GERD
2009 Fergus Shanahan, MD, FACG: Gut Microbes: From Bugs to Drugs
2008 William J. Sandborn, MD, FACG: The Future Direction of IBD Care
2007 H. Worth Boyce, Jr., MD, MACG: Esophageal Dilation: A Perspective of 45 Years of Experience: Pearl, Peril and Pitfalls
2006 Anthony N. Kalloo, MD, FACG: Natural Orifice Transgastric Endoscopic Surgery – Dawn of a New Era
2005 Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG: Optimizing the Impact and Safety of Colonoscopy in Colon Cancer Prevention
2004 Richard E. Sampliner, MD, FACG: Current Controversies in Barrett’s Esophagus
2003 Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG: Superior Mesenteric Arterial Emboli and Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: An Update
2002 Christina M. Surawicz, MD, FACG: The Differential Diagnosis of Colitis
2001 Lawrence R. Schiller, MD, FACG: Chronic Diarrhea
2000 Teresa Wright, MD: Hepatitis C in the Next Decade
1999 Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, FACG: New Therapies for the Treatment of IBD
1998 David Y. Graham, MD, MACG: Treatment of H. pylori
1997 Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, FACG: Alcoholic Liver Disease
1996 Rodger Haggitt, MD, FACG: Dysplasia in Ulcerative Colitis: A Twenty-Year Odyssey
1995 David B. Skinner, MD: Esophageal Surgery
1994 Thomas Starzl, MD: Gastrointestinal Organ Transplantation for the 1990’s: An Outcome Analysis. Can We Afford the Technology in the Era of Cost Containment?
1993 Cyrus E. Rubin, MD, FACG: Small Bowel Pathology
1992 Peter B. Cotton, MD, FACG: Malignant Obstructive Jaundice: A Real Challenge
1991 Sum P. Lee, MD, FACG: Pathophysiology of Gallstone Formation: Romancing the Stone
1990 Marvin Sleisenger, MD: GI Diseases in the Immunocompromised Host
1989 Laszlo Safrany, MD, FACG: Bile Ducts, Common Duct Stones, and Pancreatitis
1988 Scott J. Boley, MD: Colon Ischemia: The First Twenty-Five Years
1987 William Y. Chey, MD, FACG: Ulcerogenic Tumor Syndrome
1986 David H. Van Thiel, MD, FACG: Liver Transplant – The Role of the Gastroenterologist
1985 James W. Freston, MD, FACG: The Therapy of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Where Are We?
1984 Henri Sarles, MD: Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis – A Secretory Concept
1983 Thomas C. Chalmers, MD, FACG: The Clinical Trial
1982 Sidney J. Winawer, MD, MACG: Surveillance of GI Cancer
1981 Paul D. Webster, III, MD, FACG: Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
1980 Paul Sherlock, MD, FACG: Current Concepts of the Epidemiology and Etiology of Colorectal Cancer
1979 I. N. Marks, MD, FACG: Crossroads in Peptic Ulcer Therapy
1978 Rosalyn S. Yalow, PhD: Radioimmunoassay in Gastroenterology
1977 J. Edward Berk, MD, MACG: New Dimensions in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Pancreatic Disease

Governor’s Awards

The following three awards, presented for the first time in1996, are given by the Board of Governors in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to the Board and to the College.

Junior Governors’ Award

To be eligible to receive the Junior Governors’ Award the nominee must be in the first or second year of the first term of service as Governor. Nominees must demonstrate a clear commitment of service to the Board and show potential for future growth within the organization. Level of involvement in Board activities will be assessed, such as service on committees, national affairs, local and state legislative efforts, recruitment, correspondence with constituents, participation in regional meetings, speakers bureau or other special projects.

2023 Recipient: Christine Y. Hachem, MD, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Vonda G. Reeves, MD, MBA, FACG
2021 Alyn L. Adrain, MD, FACG
2020 Anne G. Tuskey, MD, FACG
2019 Harish Gagneja, MD, FACG
2018 Tauseef Ali, MD, FACG
2017 David A. Schwartz, MD, FACG
2016 Tedd P. Cain, MD, FACG
2015 Neil H. Stollman, MD, FACG
2014 Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG
2013 Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD, FACG
2012 David T. Rubin, MD, FACG
2011 Caroll D. Koscheski, MD, FACG
2010 Costas H. Kefalas, MD, FACG
2009 James S. Leavitt, MD, FACG
2008 Immanuel K. H. Ho, MD, FACG
2007 March E. Seabrook, MD, FACG
2006 Flavio Steinwurz, MD, FACG
2005 Edward L. Cattau, Jr. , MD, FACG
2004 Myron H. Brand, MD, FACG
2003 Samir A. Shah, MD, FACG
2002 R. Bruce Cameron, MD, FACG
2001 Jay J. Mamel, MD, FACG
2000 Warren Finkelstein, MD, FACG
1999 Massimo Crespi, MD, FACG
1998 Rashad Dabaghi, MD, FACG
1997 Peter M. Pardoll, MD, FACG
1996 Peter F. Purcell, MD, FACG

Senior Governors’ Award

To be eligible to receive the Senior Governor’s Award nominees must be in the second or third term of service as Governor. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Board of Governors in various areas such as service on committees, national affairs, local and state legislative efforts, recruitment, correspondence with constituents, participation in regional meetings, speakers bureau or other special projects.

2023 Recipient: Russell D. Cohen, MD, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 Tauseef Ali, MD, FACG
2021 Jeffry L. Nestler, MD, FACG
2020 Wilmer Rodriguez, MD, FACG
2019 Stephen T. Amann, MD, FACG
2018 Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, FACG
2017 Whitfield L. Knapple, MD, FACG
2016 Vivek Kaul, MD, FACG
2015 David H. Cort, MD, FACG
2014 Kenneth J. Chang, MD, FACG
2013 David E. Bernstein, MD, FACG
2012 James S. Leavitt, MD, FACG
2011 March E. Seabrook, MD, FACG
2010 John R. Saltzman, MD, FACG
2009 Daniel J. Pambianco, MD, FACG
2008 David A. Greenwald, MD, FACG
2007 Scott M. Tenner, MD, FACG
2006 Barbara B. Frank, MD, FACG
2005 R. Bruce Cameron, MD, FACG
2004 Joseph W. Leung, MD, FACG
2003 Warren Finkelstein, MD, FACG
2002 Martin D. Mark, MD, FACG
2001 Timothy J. Nostrant, MD, FACG
2000 J. Mark Lawson, MD, FACG
1999 Florian M. Cortese, MD, FACG
1998 William H. Hall, MD, FACG
1997 John W. Popp, Jr., MD, FACG
1996 Delbert L. Chumley, MD, FACG

The William D. Carey Award

Dr. William D. Carey was elected Governor for Northern Ohio in 1987 and served as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1988-1990. He has served the College as Treasurer and Trustee, and has chaired numerous College Committees. Dr. Carey is the first Chairman of the Board of Governors to be elected as President of the American College of Gastroenterology (1993). In honor of his years of distinguished service and because of the example he has set for other Governors an award will be given in his name.

This award will be reserved for an exceptional individual who has served the Board and the College with distinction. Nominees must show clear demonstration of outstanding contribution to the College such as service within leadership positions, participation in educational efforts, committee service or participation in research related activities. Governors serving their final term or those emeritus Governors who have completed service will be eligible to receive the award. Nominees must have a strong history of meritorious service to the Board of Governors.

2023 Recipient: Neil H. Stollman, MD, FACG

Past Recipients:

2022 James C. Hobley, MD, MSc, FACG
2021 Costas H. Kefalas, MD, MMM, FACG
2020 Whitfield L. Knapple, MD, FACG
2019 Immanuel K. H. Ho, MD, FACG
2018 Caroll D. Koscheski, MD, FACG
2017 Daniel J. Pambianco, MD, FACG
2016 Brooks D. Cash, MD, FACG
2015 David A. Johnson, MD, MACG
2014 Flavio Steinwurz, MD, FACG
2013 David A. Greenwald, MD, FACG
2012 Samir A. Shah, MD, FACG
2011 W. Elwyn Lyles, MD, FACG
2010 Edgar Achkar, MD, MACG
2009 Francis A. Farraye, MD, MSc, FACG
2008 Peter M. Pardoll, MD, MACG
2007 R. Bruce Cameron, MD, FACG
2006 Roy K.H. Wong, MD, FACG
2005 Harry E. Sarles, Jr., MD, FACG
2004 John W. Popp, Jr., MD, FACG
2003 Ronald J. Vender, MD, FACG
2002 Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG
2001 Jack A. DiPalma, MD, FACG
2000 Delbert L. Chumley, MD, FACG
1999 P. Gregory Foutch, DO, FACG
1998 Luis A. Balart, MD, FACG
1997 Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, FACG
1996 Christina M. Surawicz, MD, FACG

SCOPY Awards

Service Award for Colorectal Cancer Outreach, Prevention & Year-Round Excellence (SCOPY)

ACG’s SCOPY Awards recognize the achievements of ACG members in their community engagement, education and awareness efforts for colorectal cancer prevention. ACG members are invited to submit examples of projects and programs that demonstrate outstanding creativity and commitment to spreading the potentially lifesaving message of the importance of colorectal cancer screening and prevention.

Projects and activities eligible for consideration include: any events, materials and outreach efforts sponsored, implemented or created between January 1 and May 31 to raise colorectal cancer awareness. The annual deadline for submissions is May 31. The College challenges you to rally your office staff, colleagues, fellows and your most creative ideas in support of the ACG SCOPY Awards.

Abstract Awards

Join the community of GI clinicians and submit your research or case report for presentation at ACG’s Annual Scientific Meeting. Thousands of poster presentations, and a selection of oral presentations, will be delivered over four days. There are 17 Categories with more than 40 Awards – many for GI fellows-in-training only.