Newswise — PHILADELPHIA – Penn Medicine gastroenterologist William H. Lipshutz, MD, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Teacher Award by the American College of Physicians (ACP). Established by the ACP’s Board of Regents in 1997, the Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Teacher Award is presented to a Fellow of the College who has consistently volunteered his or her services to teach medical students and residents, demonstrated outstanding teaching prowess, displayed exemplary characteristics of care and concern for patients, and served as a role model and mentor.

Dr. Lipshutz, the former Chief of the Gastroenterology Section at Pennsylvania Hospital is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania who now dedicates his career full time to teaching.

Dr. Lipshutz received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. After completing his internship and residency at Pennsylvania Hospital, where he was Senior and Chief Medical Resident, he completed a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1972.

From 1972-74 Dr. Lipshutz served in the United States Navy. During that time he was named an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Lipshutz came back to Pennsylvania Hospital in 1974 as the Section Chief of Gastroenterology – a position he held for over 30 years – and the University of Pennsylvania where he was named an Assistant Professor of Medicine. He was named Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in 1978 and a full Clinical Professor of Medicine in 1985.

In 1978, Dr. Lipshutz founded the Pennsylvania Hospital Gastrointestinal Associates, a private physician practice that is now a part of the Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lipshutz also served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University from 1994-1997.

Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Dr. Lipshutz has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Contemporary Gastroenterology, Journal of Gastroenterology, and Practical Gastroenterology. He is Fellow of both the ACP and the American College of Gastroenterology and member of the Delaware Valley Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis.

Named to local and national Top Doctors and Best Doctors listings, Dr. Lipshutz has thrice received the Simon Komarov Award for Research in Gastroenterology. He has received the Edward Viner Award of Pennsylvania Hospital for Excellence in Teaching; the Jacob Ehrenzeller Award, given by the Ex-Resident’s Association of Pennsylvania Hospital for Outstanding Contributions to Medicine; the Outstanding Physician Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis; the Herbert Waxman Outstanding Teacher Award for Voluntary Teaching from the ACP – Pennsylvania Chapter; and the Outstanding Teaching Award given by the interns and residents of the National Navel Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

The ACP is a national organization of physicians practicing internal medicine with particular specialties in the prevention and treatment of diseases in adults, including oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and more. It grants awards each year to internists who display outstanding leadership, research, and teaching abilities, as well as awards for volunteer service and advocacy.

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Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine is currently ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $398 million awarded in the 2012 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; and Pennsylvania Hospital — the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Penn Medicine also includes additional patient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2012, Penn Medicine provided $827 million to benefit our community.