The American Gastroenterological Association announced the recipients of its highest honors, recognizing eight gastroenterologists.
The recipients will be honored during Digestive Disease Week 2018, June 2 to June 5 in Washington, D.C.
Here are the honorees:
1. Loren Laine, MD, will receive AGA's highest honor, the Julius Friedenwald Medal. The medal recognizes a physician for their lifelong contributions to gastroenterology.
Dr. Laine is considered one of the world's top clinical investigators and a world-renowned expert on gastrointestinal bleeding and upper gastrointestinal tract injuries. He has served three separate terms on AGA's Governing Board and is an AGA Institute past president.
2. Mary Estes, PhD, will receive the William Beaumont Prize. The prize recognizes an individual who made a unique contribution to gastroenterology.
AGA said Dr. Estes' work on rotavirus and norovirus has had a "world-wide impact on the care of children."
She will also receive the distinguished mentor award, which is the first time an AGA member has received two recognitions in the same year.
3. AGA will bestow its distinguished achievement award in basic science on T. Jake Liang, MD.
Dr. Liang has made groundbreaking contributions to research on viral hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and liver disease.
4. James Lewis, MD, will receive AGA's distinguished educator award. He has made several contributions to the fields of gastroenterology, pharmacoepidemiology and therapeutics safety, especially related to inflammatory bowel diseases. He is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
5. AGA is honoring both Bertha E. Toriz, MD, and Michael Kochman, MD, with its distinguished clinician awards.
6. Finally, the organization is bestowing young investigator awards on David Goldberg, MD, and Andrew Rhim, MD.
AGA President Sheila Crowe, MD, said, "The AGA recognition awards provide an opportunity for AGA members to honor their colleagues and peers for outstanding contributions to the field of gastroenterology. This year's AGA recognition prize winners are just a few of the notable and talented members who help make AGA such an accomplished organization. We are honored that such esteemed and accomplished individuals are representative of AGA."