Gerard A. Isenberg, MD, MBA, FASGE

“To be a great teacher, you must be a great student. I've been lucky to have so many teachers, mentors, and colleagues who have taught me so many important lessons throughout my career. I've learned from my students more than I've taught them. Learning never stops and to be an effective teacher, I've strived to be continuously humble, keeping an open mind, and challenging myself to expand my knowledge. I am indebted to the ASGE for all the opportunities I've had throughout my career in the numerous educational projects, programs, and products that I have had the privilege of being involved in, from the first small bowel capsule endoscopy tech review to GESAP. Thank you to the ASGE for this recognition as the Distinguished Educator Award. This award should really go to all the teachers and students I've had in my life that have brought me to this point. Thank you to them for making the educator that I am today, and to those that will make me the educator I will be.”

Although Dr. Isenberg was born in Chicago, he grew up all over the world – from the Philippines to Israel. His family ultimately settled in Southern California, where he attended high school. And while he sometimes considers himself a Californian, he is actually a Clevelander.

Dr. Isenberg graduated from Cornell University with dual degrees in biologic sciences and English. He obtained his MD at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Isenberg completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of California San Diego Medical Center. He met his wife, Dr. Jennifer Kidd, on the very romantic San Diego VAMC wards. Having moved to Cleveland, Dr. Isenberg completed a general GI fellowship and an advanced therapeutic endoscopy fellowship under Dr. Michael V. Sivak, Jr. with the ASGE American Digestive Health Foundation Olympus Advanced Endoscopy Training Scholarship Award.

Dr. Isenberg is a professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University and the chief medical quality officer at University Hospitals Digestive Health Institute. He also serves as associate chief and director of clinical operations for the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.

Dr. Isenberg’s research interests range from endoscopic imaging technology (endoscopic ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, small bowel capsule and artificial intelligence) to quality assessment and metrics. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, ASGE, Case Western Reserve University and multiple private and society foundations.

Dr. Isenberg is a passionate educator, having received the University Hospitals Master Clinician Award in 2020. He has been an active member of the ASGE for 30 years, having chaired the Education Products, Video Plenary and World Cup committees. Dr. Isenberg has also served as faculty for numerous endoscopy courses, he has contributed to GESAP and Video Tips, and he has been a long-time supporter of the ASGE Foundation. 

Dr. Isenberg is most proud of his family, including his wife of 30 years and their 3 sons, and his work family, including his colleagues and his trainees – who have blossomed into outstanding and talented physicians and endoscopists and who keep reminding him of the commitment to excellence they embody.