2012 Award Winners
Julius Friedenwald Medal
Emmet B. Keeffe, MD, AGAF (Posthumous)
Stanford University
AGA’s highest honor is awarded posthumously to Emmet B. Keeffe, MD, AGAF. The Julius Friedenwald Medal, presented annually since 1941, recognizes a physician for lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology. In giving this award to Dr. Keeffe, the AGA offers our thanks for his contributions to society and also to AGA. After years of volunteering for AGA in various capacities, he was our president in 2004 and ushered in an era of increased focus on strategic planning.
Emmet's brilliant career bridged general and transplant hepatology. He made significant contributions to our knowledge of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis, the use of hepatitis vaccines and liver transplant selection criteria and outcomes. He was a renaissance scholar in that his earlier work addressed not only basic mechanistic questions, but also studies in general gastroenterology and endoscopy.
AGA Institute gratefully acknowledges AstraZeneca for making this award possible through a restricted grant.
William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology
The Beaumont Prize recognizes a member’s major contribution that has significantly advanced gastroenterological basic or clinical research. The AGA is proud to be awarding this honor to two deserving individuals.
Richard S. Blumberg, MD, AGAF
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Richard S. Blumberg, MD, AGAF, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is one of the leading basic research investigators in mucosal immunology and inflammatory bowel disease. His work broke major ground in both human and fundamental immunology. In all of his roles, Dr. Blumberg distinguishes himself by exercising the highest standards of scientific inquiry and integrity, a temperate and inclusive leadership, and an innovative and passionate commitment to mentorship and career development of trainees and colleagues.
Hans Clevers, MD
Hubrecht Institute
The work of Hans Clevers, MD, PhD, of the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands, extends beyond high impact and has led to paradigm shifts in intestinal epithelial biology, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and colon cancer genetics. He is a very collegial and ethical individual who has earned the respect of his co-workers and peers throughout the world.
AGA Institute gratefully acknowledges AstraZeneca for making this award possible through a restricted grant.
Distinguished Educator Award
John Del Valle, MD, AGAF
University of Michigan
The AGA presents its Distinguished Educator Award to John Del Valle, MD, AGAF, for his achievements as an outstanding educator over a lifelong career. In a world in which research is often valued over education, Dr. Del Valle, of the University of Michigan, made a decision to leverage the skills and respect he earned as a successful researcher to create a world-class training program that has shaped countless careers.
Distinguished Mentor Award
Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
The AGA honors Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, with its Distinguished Mentor Award, which recognizes an individual for his or her achievements as an outstanding mentor over a lifelong career. Dr. Camilleri always devotes time to teaching and supporting his research fellows at the Mayo Clinic by sharing his brilliant thoughts, his great experience and his contagious excitement for science. He is deeply invested in the development of every scholar and succeeds in bringing out the best in everyone — all with great kindness and a good sense of humor.
Distinguished Clinician Awards
The Distinguished Clinician Award acknowledges exemplary leadership in the practice of gastroenterology. The AGA is proud to be awarding this honor to two deserving individuals.
Private Practice
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
Minnesota Gastroenterology
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF, of Minnesota Gastroenterology, is a true believer in evidence-based medicine. Thanks to his leadership, the AGA has proactively developed a roadmap to educate our clinicians on the steps they can take to address the changes in healthcare. There are few people in the U.S. who better understand insurance coverage and quality issues in gastroenterology.
Clinical Academic Practice
Timothy T. Nostrant, MD, AGAF
University of Michigan
Timothy T. Nostrant, MD, AGAF, of the University of Michigan, is known as an outstanding diagnostician, skillful endoscopist and compassionate teacher who demonstrates innovation and leadership in teaching and is considered the “go-to” consultant by his peers. His clinical expertise and contagious enthusiasm have made him an invaluable educator for medical students, residents, GI fellows and faculty colleagues.
