Newswise — Honolulu, HI, October 19, 2015—Kenneth R. DeVault, MD, FACG, was elected by the membership as the 2015-2016 president of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), a national specialty association representing more than 13,000 clinical gastroenterologists and other specialists in digestive diseases. Dr. DeVault officially took his position as president during the College’s Annual Scientific Meeting, held this week in Honolulu. In this role, Dr. DeVault will direct ACG’s programs which include continuing medical education in the clinical, scientific and patient-related skills of gastroenterology, policies involving national and state medical affairs, quality issues and clinical investigation.
Dr. DeVault is Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He completed his medical degree at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and completed a combined clinical and research fellowship at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He joined the Mayo Clinic Florida as Assistant Professor of Medicine in 1992, subsequently advancing to Professor of Medicine in 2004, and serving as Chair of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology from 2005 to 2010. He also served as Vice Chair for Quality for Mayo Jacksonville’s Department of Internal Medicine from 2007 to 2009.
Dr. DeVault’s research interests include advances in esophageal motility and reflux monitoring, treatment trials directed at esophageal symptoms including typical (heartburn and regurgitation) and atypical symptoms. Recently, his research has expanded into upper gastrointestinal disorders that are worsened with aging, including dysphagia, and, most recently, Barrett's esophagus. His work explores advances in endoscopic imaging of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Treatment trials have addressed all aspects of esophageal disease as well as selected trials into other functional gastrointestinal disorders including dyspepsia and constipation.
Dr. DeVault has an interest in gastrointestinal health in the third world and in improving professionalism in both trainees and practicing physicians. His commitment to international medical missions includes appointment as a visiting professor at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya in 2012 and 2013.
Publishing extensively since the late 1980s, Dr. DeVault has written over 250 book chapters, abstracts, editorials and original articles on subjects ranging from treatment of GERD, dysphagia, esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus to laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery and managed care issues in the treatment of GERD. He was named on of America’s Top Doctors from 2003 to 2014.
Dr. DeVault has been an extremely active member of the ACG. A member of the Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2006, Dr. DeVault was appointed ACG Treasurer in 2012 and served as Vice President and President-Elect of the College. His is generous contributions of time, effort, and creativity to the College encompass service as a member of numerous committees, including the Committee Publications Committee from 1995 to 2011, including service as Chair, as well as the Practice Parameters Committee from 1994 to 2008. He has served terms on the ACG Research Committee, Finance Committee and Educational Affairs Committee. Dr. DeVault was an early advocate of ACG’s online presence, guiding the development of the College’s original Web site. Since 2009 he has served as a co-Editor of the ACG Education Universe, the College’s online CME portal. Dr. DeVault is a reviewer for numerous journals and has been an Associate Editor for The American Journal of Gastroenterology since 2007.
“The College is in an incredibly strong position, supporting clinical practice, research and education. My personal philosophy of leadership is to advocate for continuous improvement and I intend to bring that attitude to my ACG presidency. I am specifically interested in boosting the professional standing of our specialty and encouraging and recognizing volunteerism while continuing ACG’s leadership on public health challenges such as colorectal cancer and hepatitis C,” said Dr. DeVault.
Dr. DeVault and his wife, Shelley, have six children and reside in Florida.
Photographs of Dr. DeVault are available by contacting Anne-Louise Oliphant (301) 263-9000.About the American College of Gastroenterology Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 12,500 individuals from 86 countries. The College's vision is to be the pre-eminent professional organization that champions the evolving needs of clinicians in the delivery of high quality, evidence-based, and compassionate health care to gastroenterology patients. The mission of the College is to advance world-class care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders through excellence, innovation and advocacy in the areas of scientific investigation, education, prevention and treatment. www.gi.org # # #
RSS