For immediate release
May 17, 2005
Contact: Bob Beard
(434) 982-4490
reb8e@virginia.edu
DR. DAVID PEURA BECOMES PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Dr. David A. Peura, professor of internal medicine at the University of Virginia Health System and associate chief of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology, has become president of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the oldest medical specialty association in the United States. Peura assumed the office during the Digestive Disease Week conference in Chicago, the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology (liver diseases), endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.
Peura is a 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, 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, Peura was an internal medicine resident at Letterman Army Medical Center and a fellow at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He served on the clinical staff and later became chief of gastroenterology at Walter Reed and consultant in gastroenterology to the Army Surgeon General. Peura joined the U. Va. faculty after retiring from the Army in 1990 with the rank of Colonel.
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.
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, 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.
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