Peter A. Banks, M.D.

Director, Center for Pancreatic Disease
Director Clinical Research Track

Dr. Banks joined the Division in May 1992, after 19 years as Chief of Gastroenterology at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.  Dr. Banks is Past President of the American Pancreatic Association, Past President of the International Association of Pancreatology, Past Chair of the Pancreatic Disorders Section of the American Gastroenterological Association, and Vice Chairman of the Digestive Disease National Coalition.  Dr. Banks has taught regularly in the post-graduate courses of the American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology.  He was awarded the Distinguished Educator Award of the AGA in 2000, and the Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Gastroenterology Award by the AGA in 2006.  This year, Dr. Banks was honored by the National Pancreas Foundation.  Dr. Banks is an international authority in the field of pancreatitis.  His main research interests include the identification of risk factors and new markers of severity in acute pancreatitis, newer treatment for fulminant pancreatitis and newer modalities to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis.  He is the author or co-author of numerous publications, including chapters in major medical texts and practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis.  He has authored one book on pancreatitis and co-authored a second book on pancreatitis with a colleague from Germany.  In collaboration with Dr. Carr-Locke and other members of the Center for Pancreatic Disease, Dr. Banks has initiated several randomized prospective trials on the treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis.  In addition, in collaboration with members of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Dr. Banks is conducting randomized prospective trials on newer treatments in inflammatory bowel disease.