He demonstrated a twin of the original endoscope periodically at UAB, reveling in its ability to transmit light 4 decades later and impressing the trainees. Dr. Hirschowitz PD98059 was recruited in 1959 by Dr. Tinsley Harrison as the first division director for Gastroenterology at the University of

Alabama at Birmingham. He held this position until 1989 when Dr. Charles Elson was recruited from the Medical College of Virginia. During his tenure at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, not only did Dr. Hirschowitz focus on investigation related to endoscopy but was well recognized for his continued physiologic research on acid and pepsin secretion. He collaborated with many investigators who themselves ultimately had a distinguished research career such as George Sachs and Gabriel Makhlouf as well as other scientists from around the world. Much of his work in the study of acid secretion continued into his 70s when he was still performing endoscopy and writing. Indeed it was during these latter years when he published several important papers on the long-term management of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In total, he has published over 350 manuscripts with many other book chapters, editorial, abstracts, and miscellaneous communications. Although his scientific accomplishments and endoscope development

have received much of the attention, we must not forget the countless number of physicians he has both trained and impacted in some fashion. Don Powell, prior American Gastroenterological Association President, worked in his laboratory while in medical school SB431542 molecular weight at UAB. Other international physicians

such as Arnold Berstad from Norway and Angel Lanas from Spain spent considerable time with him developing and solidifying their research and ultimately being significant beneficiaries of that experience. He was a scientist at heart, a gifted physician, and was beloved by his patients. His intense passion for research led him and two other younger selleckchem members of the American Gastroenterological Association, Drs. Joseph Kirschner and E.P. Texter, to form the Gastroenterology Research Group (GRG), who had their first meeting with 150 physicians lasting 3 days in November of 1955. A number of distinguished gastrointestinal scientists rose through the ranks of the GRG. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy was founded in 1941. The development of endoscopy and the seminal work by Dr. Hirschowitz was instrumental in catapulting the ASGE to its current position. He received numerous honors through the years. Due to his work developing the endoscope, he was nominated for a Nobel Prize. He was presented the Julius Friedenwald medal of the AGA in 1992. He was named a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in both Edinburgh and London. He was given the Schindler Medal from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 1973, the Eddie D.