AGA Announces Prestigious Recognition Award Winners

The American Gastroenterological Association has announced the 2010 winners of its prestigious recognition awards, designed to acknowledge clinicians and researchers who have made outstanding contributions and achievements in the filed of gastroenterology, according to an AGA news release.

The awardees were nominated by their colleagues and will be announced at Digestive Disease Week 2010. Nominations are reviewed by the AGA Research Policy Committee and confirmed by the Selection Committee.

The 2010 award winners are:

• Julius Friedenwald Medal — Donald O. Castell, MD, AGAF, professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. This award recognizes a physician's lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology.
• Distinguished Achievement Award — Mary K. Estes, PhD, professor of molecular virology and microbiology and medicine, gastroenterology, at Baylor College of Medicine and founding director of the Texas Medical Center Digestive Diseases Center. This award honors accomplishments in clinical or basic research in gastroenterology or an allied field that advances gastroenterology.
• Distinguished Mentor Award — Tadataka Yamada, MD, AGAF, president of the Global Health Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This award recognizes an individual for his or her achievements as an outstanding mentor over a lifelong career.
• Distinguished Educator Award — Lawrence S. Friedman, MD, AGAF, chair of the department of medicine at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Mass., and assistant chief of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. This award recognizes an individual for his or her achieves as an outstanding educator over a lifelong career.
• Research Service Award — Michael (Ken) May, PhD, director of the GI Transport and Absorption, the Nutrient Metabolism and the GI Neuroendocrinology Programs in the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, NIDDK . This award recognizes an individual who has significantly advanced gastroenterological science and research.
• Distinguished Clinician Awards — This award acknowledges exemplary leadership and excellence in the practice of gastroenterology. The 2010 award goes to two clinicians:  David A. Katzka, MD, head of the Esophageal Interest Group in the Miles and Shirley Fitterman Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; and James F. Martin, MD, AGAF, chief of the department of medicine at Kaiser Permanente for San Rafael Medical Center.

Read the AGA's release on its 2010 prestigious recognition award winners.