Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, FACG, is currently a Professor of Medicine and Director, Esophageal Program, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate and medical school training at the University of Rochester before going to George Washington University for his medical internship and residency. After a clinical and research fellowship at the University of Michigan, he joined the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic for over 23 years where he was director for the Swallowing and Esophageal Center. While in Cleveland, he also received a master’s degree in clinical research from Case Western Reserve University.

He has been involved in clinical research in Barrett’s esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Helicobacter pylori, esophageal motility disorders, advanced esophageal imaging, and therapeutics and eosinophilic esophagitis throughout his career. The most important of these themes have been in the area of early detection and prevention of esophageal cancer. Other studies in Barrett’s esophagus have focused on epidemiologic observations related to the role of Helicobacter pylori in the disease along with issues of age and gender in the development of cancer. Collaborations with other centers have led to studies on familial risk, molecular imaging paradigms, chemoprevention, radiofrequency ablation, and endomicroscopy. Research in eosinophilic esophagitis is now focusing on clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents, clinical and biologic aspects of pediatric to adult transition, and participation in the CEGIR consortium.

Dr. Falk has served nationally through professional societies, including being a Past-President of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He is a past associate editor of the American Journal of Gastroenterology and is currently associate editor of Diseases of the Esophagus. He is a recipient of the Sidney Cohen University of Pennsylvania GI Fellowship Teacher of the Year Award, AGA Distinguished Clinician Award, and AGA Imaging & Advanced Technology Section Research Mentor Award.