Meet the 2025 American Gastroenterological Association Recognition Award recipients

Bethesda, MD (April 9, 2025) — The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has announced the recipients of our 2025 recognition prizes, honoring outstanding contributions and achievements in gastroenterology.

“AGA is honored to recognize the exceptional recipients of this year’s AGA Recognition Awards,” said AGA chair Barbara Jung, MD, AGAF. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the nominators for their thoughtful submissions and the selection committee for its dedication in identifying these exemplary individuals. Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees and their remarkable contributions to advancing the field of gastroenterology.”

AGA looks forward to celebrating the recipients during Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025, May 3-6, in San Diego, California.

Julius Friedenwald Medal

Since 1941, the Julius Friedenwald Medal has recognized physicians for their lifelong contributions to gastroenterology. This year, AGA’s highest honor is awarded to David Lieberman, MD, AGAF, for his exceptional service to the field and AGA.

An internationally recognized expert in colon cancer screening, Dr. Lieberman has led groundbreaking research, including the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study No. 380, with publications in The New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and Gastroenterology. He chaired the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer from 2006 to 2012 and served as a member from 2004 to 2020, helping to shape key guidelines for screening and surveillance. Dr. Lieberman, a vocal advocate for colorectal cancer screening, is highly regarded by national media and frequently serves as an expert source on this topic.

A dedicated AGA leader, Dr. Lieberman has served in many roles over the years, culminating as president of AGA from 2018 to 2019. He continues to chair the AGA Colorectal Cancer Task Force and has advised the U.S. President’s Cancer Panel (2020–2021).

His contributions also include leading the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (CORI), which was funded by the NIH from 1999 to 2015, and creating a national endoscopic data repository, resulting in 90-plus peer-reviewed publications. He is an emeritus professor of medicine and was chief of gastroenterology at Oregon Health & Science University (1998–2021) and the Portland VA Medical Center.

William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology

AGA recognizes Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH, AGAF, with the William Beaumont Prize in Gastroenterology for his significant contributions to advancing patient care through clinical and translational research.

His early work was instrumental in establishing a research-grade definition of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) — a crucial first step in advancing the understanding of the condition. He has also led efforts to develop disease activity indices, patient-reported outcomes, and clinical guidelines. He is currently recognized as an international expert on EoE.

A professor of medicine and adjunct professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Dr. Dellon earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and obtained his Master of Public Health in epidemiology from UNC. He has been part of UNC’s faculty since 2008, directing the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing (CEDAS) since 2014. His clinical work focuses on EoE and other eosinophilic GI diseases, and he has served as an associate editor for AGA’s prestigious clinical practice journal, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science

AGA honors Eugene B. Chang, MD, AGAF, with the Distinguished Achievement Award in Basic Science for his pioneering contributions to gastroenterology. Dr. Chang is the Martin Boyer Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago. He made seminal discoveries in intestinal epithelial biology and water-electrolyte transport. His research later expanded to explore environmental, evolutionary, and ecological factors that influence host-microbial interactions in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Chang, a key contributor to the NIH Human Microbiome Project, helped establish the microbiome research infrastructure at the University of Chicago. His work integrates experimental, bioinformatic, and clinical approaches to uncover mechanisms of intestinal eubiosis and dysbiosis. He also leads the University of Chicago Microbiome Medicine Program, bridging the discovery and clinical application gap.

Dr. Chang has held numerous leadership roles, including director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) P30 Digestive Disease Research Core Center and past member of the NIDDK Advisory Council. Dr. Chang has been instrumental in growing AGA’s work related to the gut microbiome, serving as past chair of the AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education, chair of the AGA Council Section on Microbiome & Microbial Therapy, and inaugural basic research councillor on the AGA Governing Board. A dedicated mentor for over four decades, he has served as program director for an NIDDK T32 training grant in Digestive Health and Diseases. He has received multiple awards for mentorship and teaching.

Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AGA recognizes Lewis R. Roberts, MB, ChB, PhD, AGAF, for his dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within AGA and the broader gastroenterology community. He serves as president of Africa Partners Medical, which enhances health care in Africa through education, training, and advocacy, and leads initiatives such as the Africa Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases Foundation and the Africa HepatoPancreatoBiliary Cancer Consortium.

Dr. Roberts is the Peter and Frances Georgeson Professor in gastroenterology cancer research and a consultant in gastroenterology and hepatology at the Mayo Clinic. He co-leads the Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Hepatobiliary Cancers. His research focuses on liver and biliary carcinogenesis, cancer biomarkers, and hepatitis and liver cancer prevention, particularly in African immigrant communities in the U.S. and Africa. He has authored more than 500 publications and co-edited “Evaluation and Management of Liver Masses,” and is an elected fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

Distinguished Clinician Awards

The AGA Distinguished Clinician Awards recognize practitioners who blend the art of medicine with scientific expertise to provide exceptional patient care.

AGA recognizes Jessica Korman, MD, with the Distinguished Clinician Award in Private Practice. Dr. Korman is dedicated to patient care in the Washington, D.C.-area and educating clinicians on anal cancer screening and anal human papillomavirus.

Her path to medicine began with a BA in religion and Middle East studies from the University of Rochester, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After studying abroad in the Middle East and volunteering with Physicians for Human Rights, she pursued a medical career, completing a post-baccalaureate program at Georgetown University, earning her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and eventually completing a gastroenterology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center.

Dr. Korman has since served as chair of the Women’s Committee of Capital Digestive Care and as a member of its board of managers. She is one of the investigators in the ANAL Cancer-HSIL Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) trial which informed international anal cancer screening guidelines and co-directs the International Anal Neoplasia Society (IANS) standard high resolution endoscopy course.

AGA recognizes Dr. Joseph A. Murray, MD, AGAF, with the Distinguished Clinician Award in Academic Practice for his exceptional contributions to gastroenterology and immunology. He founded the celiac program at the Mayo Clinic, building a multidisciplinary network across specialties to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex celiac disease and rare enteropathies. Widely regarded as a global expert, Dr. Murray is a trusted resource for physicians and patients. He is known for his personalized approach and innovative treatment plans for conditions lacking standard care.

Dr. Murray is a professor of medicine and a consultant with a joint appointment in immunology, gastroenterology, and hepatology. With gastroenterology, population health, and mucosal immunology expertise, Dr. Murray has focused his research on mucosal responses to luminal antigens, including food-derived and microbial antigens. His work on small bowel diseases and mucosal integrity, both in human disease and experimental models, has been instrumental in advancing the field of gastroenterology.

Dr. Murray’s experience spans clinical practice and research, allowing him to contribute to the design, analysis, and interpretation of studies that further our understanding of mucosal immunity and gastrointestinal health.

Distinguished Educator Award

The AGA Distinguished Educator Award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to education throughout their careers. AGA presents the 2025 award to Arthur J. DeCross, MD, AGAF, for his dedication as a clinician and educator.

Dr. DeCross is a professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he serves as medical director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. A passionate educator, he has trained over 75 GI fellows and served as the GI fellowship program director for more than 12 years. He has taught at the University of Rochester School of Medicine for nearly 30 years, including 24 years as a director of the gastroenterology and hepatology section of the second-year medical school course on disease processes and therapeutics. His commitment to education has earned him multiple teaching and mentoring awards.

Dr. DeCross has contributed to AGA’s educational mission for more than 20 years, serving as chair of the AGA Education & Training Committee, as editor-in-chief of DDSEP®, a leader in self-assessment and training programs, and as the inaugural chair of the GI Fellowship Training Program Directors Caucus. He has played a key role in shaping gastroenterology education, ensuring the next generation of physicians is well-equipped for excellence in the field.

Distinguished Mentor Award

The AGA Distinguished Mentor Award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to mentoring the next generation of leaders in gastroenterology. This year, AGA proudly honors Michelle Kang Kim, MD, PhD, FASGE, AGAF, who serves as chair of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic and professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. She has received numerous teaching awards and has mentored more than 60 medical students, residents, gastroenterology fellows, and junior faculty.

Dr. Kim is a renowned health services researcher with an interest in the early detection of gastrointestinal cancers. She has lectured nationally and internationally on carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors and is known for her work in translational and epidemiologic approaches in assessing outcomes in these patients. She has received research funding from the NIH, the American Cancer Society, and the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation. She has published more than 100 articles in journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Gastroenterology.

Young Investigator Awards

The AGA Young Investigator Awards recognize two young investigators — one in basic science and one in clinical science — for outstanding research achievements. AGA Honors Tracey G. Simon, MD, MPH, with the Young Investigator Award in Clinical Science.

Dr. Simon is a hepatologist in the division of gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She specializes in the diagnosis and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and treats a wide range of liver conditions. Her research focuses on developing strategies to prevent cirrhosis and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

As a hepatologist and epidemiologist, Dr. Simon leads a clinical research program focused on identifying lifestyle, medication, and metabolic factors contributing to the early detection and prevention of liver cancer. Her work leverages large databases, population-based cohorts, and health outcomes research tools to uncover key modifiable determinants of HCC risk. Through these efforts, she aims to develop personalized tools to improve risk prediction and advance chemoprevention strategies.

AGA honors Eunyoung Choi, PhD, with the Young Investigator Award in Basic Science. Her work has defined key oncogenes critical to gastric carcinogenesis and identified potential drug candidates targeting gastric pre-cancer stem cells.

Dr. Choi is an associate professor of surgery and cell and developmental biology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She specializes in the cellular mechanisms that drive the evolution of pre-cancerous cells in gastric cancer and has pioneered the use of transgenic animal and pre-cancer organoid models.

An active AGA member, Dr. Choi serves as an abstract reviewer and council member for the AGA Council Cellular & Molecular Gastroenterology Section. Her accolades include the NIH/NCI Outstanding MERIT Award and the AGA-R. Robert & Sally Funderburg Research Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-Debbie’s Dream Foundation Innovation Grant, and Vanderbilt’s Stanley Cohen Innovation Fund Award.

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