Overview

The ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï Honorary Awards, presented during the Crystal Awards Gala, represent a distinguished segment of the ceremony, celebrating individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy. These prestigious awards are a testament to the recipients' enduring impact in areas such as clinical practice, research, education, and leadership within the endoscopy community.

Rudolf Schindler Award Honoree

Martin L. Freeman, MD, M¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN

“[It is with great humility and gratitude that] I will accept the Rudolf Schindler award, the highest honor bestowed by the ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï. The importance of this award cannot be overstated, as it reflects a lifetime of dedication to the art and science of healing through endoscopy.”

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Crystal Awards Honorees

Distinguished Service Award

Jason A. Dominitz, MD, MHS, M¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Veterans Health Administration
Seattle, WA

“[¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï ] introduced me to many remarkable gastroenterologists…Once I caught the ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï bug, there was no going back. I am grateful to my colleagues who nominated me and to ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï for selecting me for this honor. I am indebted to countless individuals at ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï who have taught me so much about medicine and leadership…”

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Distinguished Educator Award

Thomas E. Kowalski, MD

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health
Philadelphia, PA

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this [award]…I am proud to be part of an organization that recognizes physicians that spend every day teaching, training and mentoring…¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï has been such an important part of my career…[there is nothing more rewarding than watching my trainees] become successful gastroenterologists…”

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Distinguished Educator Award

Catharine Walsh, MD, MEd, PHD, FRCPC

Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, CANADA

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive [this award]…¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï has brought immense fulfillment and being recognized by [¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï] for my educational contributions to endoscopy holds deep significance…[my interactions trainees, colleagues, mentors and collaborators] have deeply enriched my life and career, and I will forever cherish and value these experiences.”

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Distinguished Endoscopic Research
Mentoring Award

Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, M¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

University of Pennsylvania Health System
Philadelphia, PA

“[I am] honored to receive this award from ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï, which has been a big part of my career…has been a pleasure to mentor medical students, internal medicine residents, GI fellows and junior faculty…[it is] immensely satisfying to help train the next generation to ask questions that lead to advancements in the field.”

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Distinguished Endoscopic Research
Mentoring Award

Prasad G. Iyer, MD, MS, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN

“It is a great honor to receive [this award]. Mentoring is a passion of mine and provides tremendous meaning…I have had the tremendous fortune to mentor numerous trainees and colleagues. It is indeed gratifying to see many of them succeed in advancing the academic and research mission of gastroenterology.”

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Master Endoscopist Award

M. Stanley Branch, MD, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC

“I am honored [to receive this award]…Being a member of ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï has been a wonderful experience. My ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï colleagues have been so generous with their time and support of my career over many years…please know how indebted I am to you…[my colleagues] taught me to be a better physician…”

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Master Endoscopist Award

Peter V. Draganov, MD, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville , FL

“[This kind of] validation makes us feel good about ourselves and reassures us that we are doing something worthwhile…makes me feel connected with the ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï community that has been my endoscopy home for many years…[this award] gives me the opportunity to appreciate the countless people who have contributed to my growth...”

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Master Endoscopist Award

Frank G. Gress, MD, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Mount Sinai Doctors, Interventional GI
Bellmore, NY

“I am very grateful and honored to [receive this award]…[this is] a significant highlight of my career…[I] share this award with the many colleagues that I have had the privilege to work with over the course of my career, especially my mentors…my fellows, and the many advanced fellows.”

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Master Endoscopist Award

Priya A. Jamidar, MD, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Yale University
New Haven, CT

“I am deeply honored and grateful to accept [this award]. It is indeed a privilege to join this group of highly accomplished endoscopists whom have contributed significantly to the field…This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of my mentors and colleagues and the enduring support of the gastrointestinal endoscopy community.”

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Master Endoscopist Award

Reem Z. Sharaiha, MD, MSC

Weill Cornell Medical College
New York, NY

“It is an immense honor to receive [this award]…I am deeply humbled to have been able to uphold the values of this award, which includes a commitment to the advancement of GI endoscopy…I am sincerely grateful to the ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï for recognizing my efforts and supporting me…”

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International Service Award

Sundeep Lakhtakia, MD, F¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology
Hyderabad, INDIA

“[I want to express my deepest gratitude] for this incredible honor…I hold ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï in high regard for the value it provides and the principles for which it stands…[this award makes me want] to give back to the global endoscopy community...I would also like to thank my colleagues from AIG and the Indian GI fraternity.”

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Industry Service Award

Thomas McCourt

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Cambridge, MA

“[This award] is an incredible honor…has been a privilege to collaborate closely with the ¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï for more than 30 years to improve GI patient care and push the boundaries of scientific innovation…¶¶Òô´ó¹Ï has played a critical role in helping to challenge the status quo and advance the treatment of GI conditions.” ;

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Crystal Awards Sponsors

Crystal Level Sponsors

Prism Level Sponsors

Facet Level Sponsors