Friedenwald Medal 2011 (November 2010)

Congratulations to David A. Peura, MD,  who was selected to receive the 2011 Julius Friendenwald Medal, the American Gastroenterological Association's highest honor.  This award recognizes a physician for lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology.  Dr. Peura is past president of the AGA.

The recipient selection was made  during the November AGA Governing Board meeting.  The medal will be presented to Dr. Peura during the AGA Presidential Plenary at Digestive Disease Week 2011.

David A. Peura, MD, is Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville.

Dr. Peura graduated from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his internship and residency training at Letterman Army Medical Center, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident. GI fellowship training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC followed this. 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, he joined the faculty at the University of Virginia, 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 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice section, he assisted in the organizations' annual clinical and scientific education program development. As Chair of the AGA education committee and Digestive Health Initiative Ulcer Campaign, he coordinated the planning and implementation of a number of highly regarded physician and lay education programs. Dr. Peura continues to serve as an advisor and faculty for regional, national, and international teaching projects. He received the AGA's annual Distinguished Educator Award in 2002.

Over the years, Dr. Peura has held leadership positions in the major national gastroenterology organizations and received numerous commendations and awards for his subspeciality contributions, including being selected as a Master of the ACG in 2004 and Fellow of the AGA in 2006. Dr. Peura served as the 100th President of the AGA during 2005-2006. He is an internationally recognized clinician and educator, and a popular speaker in the area of upper gastrointestinal disease.