AGA News Releases
David A. Peura, MD, Becomes 100th President of the American Gastroenterological Association

Chicago, Illinois (May 15, 2005) – The University of Virginia’s David A. Peura, MD, today assumes the presidency of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). Founded in 1897, the AGA is the oldest medical-specialty society in the United States.

Dr. Peura is a Professor of Medicine and the Associate Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine in Charlottesville. He is an academician, clinical scholar, clinical investigator and gastroenterologist. His research interests include acid peptic disorders, ulcers and Helicobacter Pylori infections.

During his tenure at the head of the 14,000-member medical society, Dr. Peura will work to enhance the organization’s federal advocacy efforts and double the endowment for the AGA’s Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition.

“The opportunity to lead the AGA that’s been bestowed upon me by my peers is one of the greatest honors of my life and the culmination of my long career in gastroenterology,” notes Dr. Peura. “I encourage all members to fulfill their obligation to give back to the specialty by volunteering within the AGA, attending meetings, making use of its many member services and promoting the value of AGA in their communities.”

After graduating from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in 1971, he was an internal medicine resident at Letterman Army Medical Center and a fellow at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He served on the clinical staff and later became chief of gastroenterology at Walter Reed and consultant in gastroenterology to the Army Surgeon General. Retiring from the Army in 1990 with the rank of Colonel, Dr. Peura then joined the faculty at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Throughout his career, Dr. Peura has been actively involved in clinical investigation relating to acid peptic disorders, particularly peptic ulcer disease. Most recently, his research efforts have centered on Helicobacter pylori and its role in ulcer pathogenesis. He serves as a reviewer for most of the major medicine and gastroenterology subspecialty journals and has authored or co-authored more than 100 original articles, book chapters and reviews on a wide range of digestive disease topics.

Dr. Peura has demonstrated expertise and innovation in the area of medical education. While chair of the ACG Board of Governors and AGA’s Clinical Practice Section, he assisted in the organization’s annual clinical and scientific education program development. As chair of the AGA Education Committee and Digestive Health Initiative Ulcer Campaign, Dr. Peura coordinated the planning and implementation of a number of highly regarded physician and lay education programs. He continued to serve as an advisor and faculty for regional, national and international teaching projects.

A fellow of the American College of Physicians and Master of the American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Peura has held several leadership positions with major national gastroenterology organizations. He has received numerous commendations and awards for his subspecialty contributions, including the AGA’s Distinguished Educator Award in 2002.

The AGA is dedicated to the mission of advancing the science and practice of gastroenterology. Founded in 1897, the AGA is the oldest medical-specialty society in the United States. The AGA’s more than 14,000 members include physicians and scientists who research, diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. On a monthly basis, the AGA publishes two highly respected journals, Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 14-19, 2005, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. More information can be found at www.ddw.org.

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