Julius Friedenwald Medal
Donald O. Castell, MD, AGAF
Medical University of South Carolina
The AGA awards Donald O. Castell, MD, AGAF, the 2010 Julius Friedenwald Medal, AGA’s highest honor, which recognizes a physician for lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology. This award has been presented annually since 1941.
Dr. Castell has contributed significantly to the AGA throughout his career. In 1998, he was the president of the AGA during which time he eagerly engaged gastroenterologists from around the world. Dr. Castell has served on numerous committees of the AGA including the Committee on Research, the Undergraduate Teaching Committee and as chairman of the Esophageal, Gastric and Duodenal Section of the AGA Council, as well as a past editor for Gastroenterology. He has won numerous awards from the AGA including the Distinguished Educator Award in 2001 and the Kirsner Award for Clinical Research in 1992.
Dr. Castell’s contributions to the AGA follow the important concept of leading by example. In 2001, Dr. Castell and his wife created the June & Donald O. Castell, MD Esophageal Clinical Research Award, which supports junior faculty investigators who have demonstrated high potential to develop independent, productive research careers in esophageal disease. This research award has funded more than seven investigators to date. In honor of his generous financial commitment to the GI research, Dr. Castell was one of the first members of the AGA Legacy Society of the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition. Legacy Society members share a desire to guarantee long-term support for digestive disease research. Through his foresight and generosity, Dr. Castell has helped ensure the continued momentum of discovery and patient education that has characterized GI medicine in recent decades.
Dr. Castell is considered one of the foremost experts in the field of esophagology. He has made significant advancements in the field including furthering the understanding of the physiology of the lower esophageal sphincter; the precise characterization and treatment of esophageal motility disorders and reflux disease; the pathophysiology and treatment of non-cardiac chest pain; and numerous other discoveries. The advances made by Dr. Castell have changed the practice of gastroenterology for many generations. Dr. Castell’s teaching abilities have touched thousands of physicians and many gastroenterologists today continue his excellence in research, teaching and the clinical care of others. Importantly, his insightful care of patients from around the world provides lessons in innovative and successful care in esophageal disease for gastroenterologists today.
Dr. Castell is a professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
Dr. Castell earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from The George Washington University, Washington, DC, then completed his internship and residency at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy medical corps, retiring in 1979 at the rank of Captain. His fellowship was completed at Tufts University, Boston.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Castell has presented more than 200 invited lectures and presentations, including named lectureships. He is the author of more than 600 peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews, and has written more than 10 scholarly books and monographs.
