Introducing your next AGA president: Dr. Maria T. Abreu

Bethesda, MD (May 30, 2024) — Today, Maria T. Abreu, MD, AGAF, will begin her term as the 119th president of the AGA Institute. She currently serves as the Martin Kalser Endowed Chair of Gastroenterology; professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology; and director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Miami. Dr. Abreu is the fifth woman to lead AGA as president. 

Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Abreu grew up surrounded by a strong, tight-knit Cuban community. Her family moved to Miami when she was in the ninth grade. She later entered the 6-year medical program at the University of Miami, which was the beginning of her unparalleled academic and professional excellence in medicine. 

Dr. Abreu is a leader in inflammatory bowel disease patient care, and she was honored by the prestigious Sherman Prize in 2019. Her service to AGA is lengthy and begins when she took on the role of fellow representative for the research grant committee. She has since sat on both the government advocacy and diversity committees. She also served as the chair of the Immunology, Microbiology and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Section of the AGA Council, and later as chair of the full AGA Council. While chair she developed a more streamlined in-person planning committee meeting to better organize DDW. 

“If I could pick one person who has shaped and inspired my career the most, it would be Maria Abreu,” says Oriana Damas, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “She introduced me to the field of IBD and believed in my potential since the beginning. She inspired me to be a physician-scientist and to bring research back to the patient. Her energy is contagious, and anytime I am with her I get more energy to be a better physician and researcher.” 

When asked about goals for her presidency, Dr. Abreu wants to make DDW a better experience for the modern gastroenterologist. This includes finding that perfect balance between digesting the latest education and science with networking and socializing. She plans to collaborate with the presidents of the other societies to make this come to fruition. 

Perhaps the area that Dr. Abreu is most passionate about is welcoming and fostering the growth of women in gastroenterology. She wants to support women who want to succeed in academics and in practice, who want ergonomics to match their work needs, and who want to have families. 

“Maria is the ultimate “triple threat”: master scientist, master clinician and devoted mentor. She has not only been a major player advancing knowledge in IBD, but also motivating and pushing others to develop successful careers,” says Andres Yarur, MD, associate professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “Her work, brilliance, passion and charm inspire all of us and will continue to inspire many generations to come.” 

Learn more about Dr. Abreu’s trailblazing journey to AGA presidency in Gastroenterology.